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Photo Credit: Justin & Mary

Q. As a single parent, my mother was completely selfless and often worked two jobs to provide for my brother and me. I would like to honor her in some special way on my wedding day. Do you have any suggestions?

A. It sounds like your mom is pretty amazing and certainly deserves special recognition. There are a number of things you can consider:

• Ask her to be a part of your bridal party as the matron of honor. It’s a wonderful way to acknowledge the loving relationship you share.
• She can escort you down the aisle, either alone or with whomever else you may ask to do the honors.
• Include one of her favorite flowers in your bouquet, or pin one of her brooches onto the handle.
• If she loves to sing or plays a musical instrument, ask her to perform during the ceremony.
• Your mom can also light a unity candle and read a verse or give a spiritual reading.
• Wite a special acknowledgement to her in the wedding program.
• At the reception, let her take the mike and give a toast. And in your toast, be sure that you tell everyone how much you appreciate all the love and guidance she gave you through the years. I promise there won’t be a dry eye in the house, and your mom will always cherish these heartfelt memories!

—Diane Forden 

Let's face it: There are some aspects of wedding planning that are less fun than others. Even the most happy-go-lucky bride can lose her patience when bills are mounting, tensions are heating up between parents or the bridesmaids, and weekends/vacation days are nonexistent (they're reserved for vendor appointments). We can empathize!

I thought I would round up some of the most romantic wedding moments that make us want to say "awww," because as stressful as wedding planning can be, it's all worth it to marry your best friend.

1. A sweet note is the perfect way to begin the day. 
Photo Credit: Dream Love Photography

2.  I vote for a first look that is sure to capture a priceless moment! This bride is practically toppling over with excitement (and Eskimo kisses).
Photo Credit: Jennefer Wilson Photography

3. Pack tissues just in case.

1920s glamour is having a moment in the spotlight right now, thanks to the latest film adaptation of The Great Gatsby. On the bridal runways last month, we saw so many beautiful gowns inspired by Gatsby. And when it comes to décor, couples are embracing glitz, glamour, and opulence. 

This styled shoot, photographed by Siegel Thurston Photography, took place at the Del Mar racetrack, a stunning historic track originally opened by Bing Crosby and partners. The bride wore four different looks, each reflecting the best of the time period — from a flirty feathered frock to an embellished lace gown. A luxe headpieces completes each look. The groom looked dapper in a fedora and classic suits. 

For the décor, furniture and table accessories from the time period were provided by Pow Wow Vintage Rentals. And completing the look was a classic 1927 car from Haynes Chauffering!

Get inspired by these gorgeous photos:

Recently, I experienced one of the best cuts of my life at premier NYC salon Eiji Salon. I must confess, when I left the salon, I felt like a Pantene commercial; my hair moved beautifully! The secret to this fabulous cut: "The Dry Cut."

Eiji Salon specializes in the artistic dry cut. A protégé of dry-cutting master John Sahag, Eiji Yamane leads a professional team of stylists in this serene loft-like salon that focus on the dry-cut. The salon boasts a client list that includes Catherine Zeta-Jones, Yoko Ono and Sarah Jessica Parker.

After receiving this amazing cut I felt I must share this best kept secret with Bridal Guide's readers. I sat down with Eiji Salon stylist Akira Yamane to learn more.

1. Why is the dry cut more desirable than the wet cut?
The dry cut creates balance and shape, meaning the hair has better movement and falls into shape impeccably. It is a more visual, creative technique compared to a traditional “wet hair cut,” which is more of a structured cut according to a guide line. Every dry cut has its own uniqueness and originality to the shape and details. The dry cut allows the stylist to follow the natural patterns of your hair, as opposed to a status quo approach that does not consider the uniqueness of each person.

2. How much time does a dry cut take?
The dry cut is roughly an hour and a half per client. We value our time with our clients and utilize our unique technique and precision by taking smaller sections of the hair to have more control of the weight and balance of the hair. When cutting hair, we check for movement, weight and feel. Every strand is as important as the next.

Loverly is the heart of weddings: a visual inspiration search engine designed to help brides discover ideas, people to hire, and things to buy. Loverly makes finding beautiful wedding inspiration easier than ever! Their images are powered by the best wedding publishers and wedding shopping partners on the web. Find Bridal Guide on Loverly >>

It's not surprising that DIY weddings are everywhere these days — making your décor, food, and even your wedding dress yourself can save tons of money and be really fun and satisfying. But just because you can DIY your wedding doesn’t always mean that you should. Here are a few reasons you may want to skip doing it yourself and just hire a pro.

A new poll by American Express reveals that wedding spending is on the rise — and it's not just the bride and groom who are shelling out more on their dream day. According to data collected from over 1,500 respondents in the United States, about 69 million people will attend at least one wedding in 2013, and they plan to spend 59 percent more than they did last year. So where is all of this money going? Here, a breakdown of what it costs to attend (and throw) an average wedding.

"The story begins and ends with the ring," declares Monique Lhuillier's Spring 2014 collection run of show. A symbol of eternal devotion, your future together never looked so bright.

You might already be familiar with the renowned designer's ravishing wedding gowns, but her new fine jewelry collection, sold exclusively at Blue Nile, has given us 20 new reasons to fall in love all over again. It features 23 engagement rings that fall into four different categories (romantic, modern, antique-inspired and traditional); all of which are classic "Monique" and embody her luxe sense of style that brides clamour for worldwide.

Monique Lhuillier posing with her beautiful creations backstage at her show.

Can't choose which ring you like best? Below, we've matched up three of our favorite new looks from the catwalk with complementary diamond cuts and settings.

In just a few days, The Great Gatsby will arrive in movie theaters everywhere, and Gatsby-mania has been building for weeks. TV commercials inundate the small screen, and 20s-inspired fashions are everywhere. (We saw lots of beautiful Gatsby-esque gowns and accessories at the April bridal shows.) Baz Luhrmann’s 3-D film promises an über-glamorous version of the 1920s — that glorious, free-spirited time when those with means let their money and champagne flow as they partied with wild abandon. 

Well, we may not all have the carefree, moneyed lifestyle of Daisy Buchanan, but we can certainly incorporate some fun Gatsby-esque details into our own celebrations. Sarah Lowy and Jodi Cohen of JOWY Productions in Los Angeles have created chic, elegant weddings that would have undoubtedly been met with Jay and Daisy’s approval.

By now, everyone has seen the stunning posters and trailers for Baz Luhrmann's film, The Great Gatsby. How much are you dying for the Carey Mulligan's fabulous jewels? Her Roaring Twenties-inspired jewels worn on set are a collaboration of Tiffany & Co and the film's costume designer, Catherine Martin — the jeweler created bespoke pieces for Mulligan's character, Daisy Buchanan, to wear throughout the film.

"The jewelry we created for this momentous production of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous novel and our designs for the Ziegfeld Collection reveal the style of the period and Tiffany as its premier jeweler,” said John King, executive vice president of Tiffany & Co. “Tiffany was certainly part of this era. The brand was at the center of the parties of the rich and famous." 

Here, check out two of our favorite pieces:

Hand ornament with a daisy motif in diamonds, cultured pearls and platinum. From The Great Gatsby Collection by Tiffany & Co.

Mother's Day is right around the corner — but there's still time to snag the perfect gifts that your mom and future mother-in-law will love! Here, find the perfect gift for her personality.

For the Sweet Tooth

Who doesn't appreciate a sweet treat? But instead of a run-of-the-mill box of chocolates, send her one of these intriguing packages:

Harvard Sweet Boutique, Inc.'s Mother's Day Build Your Own Gift ($39)
Personalize this gift of gourmet treats! You can choose from six brownie flavors, including mint chocolate fudge, vanilla sea salt caramel, and peanut butter fudge, and 12 cookies, including chocolate chip, cinnamon-sugar snickerdoodle, coconut chocolate chip, and white chocolate macadamia nut.

Fannie May Mother's Day Chocolate Strawberries ($59.99 for 12)
These aren't your standard chocolate-covered strawberries — unique flavors include milk chocolate with almonds, dark chocolate with chocolate chips, and white chocolate with coconut.