From choosing the perfect gown, to planning every detail of the ceremony and reception, for as much as a year in advance of the wedding, it's almost hard to believe it all goes by in a single day!

Wouldn't it be wonderful if a bride could take the special feelings from her wedding day and make them last every day -- straight through her fiftieth wedding anniversary? She can, with some creative suggestions from consultants from David's Bridal, America's Premiere Bridal Fashion Authority. With over 100 stores nationwide, consultants from David's assist more brides-to-be than any other wedding retailer in finding the perfect gown and head-to-toe accessories. David's has almost everything a bride needs for her wedding day -- except the groom!

David's offers a full selection of wedding day items as well as wedding gown preservation services. Listed below are suggestions for preserving the magic of the day and making it last forever, by incorporating them into everyday use as well as for special occasions.

GOWNING GLORY -- Do a little something special when preserving your wedding gown, include a photo of yourself in the gown with a note of your experience of buying it and how you felt wearing it on your wedding day in the storage box. If you ever lend your gown to someone special, this will offer a fond memory for both of you.

TOASTING GLASSES -- Toasting glasses will have sentimental appeal long after the wedding day when used for toasting anniversaries. Write on the cork (in pen) each date toasted and drop into the glass. Display them in a shadow box year-round with your wedding invitation and a few other wedding day momentos.

SERVING TRADITION -- Just as children measure their height with pencil lines on the kitchen wall, engrave your wedding date and anniversaries on your silver or gold wedding cake server. Additionally, use it for very special cake-cutting dates such as a baby's first birthday.

WEDDING HANKY -- Delicate hankies will translate into a charming baby bonnet for your first born or a God child. Many are packaged with directions of how to create a little bonnet.

WEDDING DAY NOTES -- A guest wedding book is a great record of who attended the wedding, but in most instances, only a page or two is used. Invite guests to use it as a journal of well wishes to the new couple. Invite them to write a sentiment in the guest book.

MUSIC JOURNAL -- For fond memories (and to ensure the music note is just right on your wedding day) jot down favorite songs well in advance of the wedding. Whether songs are from the time you started dating your fiancιe, to songs you sang with your best friends, it will be fun to reflect upon your wedding music years from now.

WEDDING PURSE -- The bride's dainty pouch will translate into the perfect sachet for a lingerie drawer or closet. Be sure to drop some petals from your bouquet and/or cotton balls soaked in your favorite perfume into the bag.

WEDDING PLANNER -- A wedding planner can be a bride's "best friend" and a wonderful keepsake. Planners are invaluable for keeping organized notes on every aspect of the wedding. With inevitable notations from the bride, it will also serve as a wedding scrapbook.

RING BEARER PILLOW -- The delicate ring bearer's pillow would be pretty to toss onto the couple's new bed or to save as a bassinet accent for their first born.

WEDDING BOUQUET -- Traditionally, brides will dry their bouquet. Another option is to create pressed petal art to be framed and appreciated everyday. Select colorful petals, press them (between let's say the pages of a phone book) and arrange in a frame.

David's Bridal offers thousands of reasonably priced gowns, in-stock, in sizes 2-26. Additionally, each store offers bridesmaids, flower girl and mother's dresses as well as expert alterations to ensure a perfect fit. David's has everything a bride needs -- except the groom! Over 100 store locations. Call 1-800-399-BRIDE to locate the store nearest your and make an appointment with an expert consultant or visit the website at www.davidsbridal.com.