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Are you one of the 61 million Americans attending at least one wedding this year (besides your own)? New research from American Express reveals that wedding guests expect to pay $339 in general and $377 if they’re in the bridal party (down from $490 and $539 in 2011, respectively). This includes not just the gift, but also travel arrangements, clothing, pre-wedding celebrations and childcare.

"Saying 'I do,' isn’t just an investment for those getting married, guests have to consider their costs as well," said Claire Bennett, the EVP of Loyalty & Membership Benefits at American Express. "From the suit to the suite to the sitter, the expenses for attending a wedding add up and we’re seeing consumers cutting back a bit this year to manage the cost." 

In addition to the national average, the survey of 1,500 participants determined how guests decide what amount to give as a wedding gift. Almost half of respondents said that their relationship to the couple was the most important factor: On average, they spent $166 on relatives, $105 for close friends and $56 for coworkers.

Marriage not only strengthens the bond between two people, but promises a lifelong commitment–only growing more cherished with each passing anniversary. Well, here's a wedding ring that depict that journey!

This precious ring, created by Torafu Architects, is dressed in a silver coat, which protects the prize inside–an 18-carat gold ring. 

Guest blogger: Rosanna Casper, co-founder of Idojour.com, a new wedding website where brides, grooms, family and friends can purchase a stylish and affordable mix of beautifully curated pieces. Designed to make wedding planning all the more inspiring and enjoyable, Idojour offers accessories and apparel for your wedding weekend, complemented by both inspirational and practical content. Rosanna oversees content, among many other things, and makes sure that everything comes together beautifully on the site.

Here, Rosanna shares the top trends she's seeing right now.

Each week, we feature wedding music recommendations from Scratch Weddings, the nation's leader with the best wedding DJs at affordable prices. This week's post comes from DJ Buck City, an international DJ phenom who has opened for artists like Kid Cudi, Redman, Citizen Cope and the Whigs. He brings a broad range of musical expertise to every wedding that he spins. "It's important to understand the couple's musical taste, key songs, dance style, and background. This will give me a better understanding of what I need to do to make everyone happy.” 

Photo Credit: Becky Brown Photography

Indie music is characterized by its incorporation of new sounds, cutting edge style, and independence from commercial music (Indie = Independent). You may listen to some Indie music already and not even know it. Groups such as Foster The People and Arcade Fire have earned top spots on the Billboard charts, and have even earned Grammy nominations, making this genre really stand out and shine.

We caught up with Ron Ben-Israel, celeb pastry chef and the judge of Food Network’s hit show Sweet Genius (which airs on Thursdays at 10pm/9c) to find out exactly what goes into a wedding cake, from conception to that last bite on the big day.

1. Inspiration can come from anywhere.

“I’m very much influenced by the bridal designers, such as Carolina Herrera and Vera Wang, of course,” said Ben-Israel. He was motivated to create bold, colorful cakes when the latter introduced a "light sage green" gown a couple of years ago that featured "a black satin ribbon on the waist."

Think like a sweet genius and use your own gown to inspire your cake design. If you're wearing an elaborate ball gown, then a five-tiered cake fit for a pedestal will match its grand style, while an architectural, sleek dress would better suit a square-tiered, modern cake. 

Being a few minutes late to a wedding, although embarrassing, is usually forgivable. But what happens when your husband-to-be is more than a few hours late to the nuptials?

A groom named Jameel in Ghaziabad, India is making news headlines after arriving at 6 p.m. to his scheduled wedding to bride-to-be Nagma, which was supposed to start at 10:30 am. Jameel was confronted by the bride's relatives, a fight ensued between both parties and police had to interfere to end the brawl. Despite the commotion, the wedding still went on: After finding a replacement for the groom, the bride wed a different man that same day. Why waste a wedding, right? Let's just hope that Jameel had his own back-up...

The reason for Jameel's late arrival is unknown, but arranged marriages are still customary in some parts of India, so it's possible that the couple had never met before. In the United States, certain churches and venues may charge a hefty late fee if you show up even 10 minutes after schedule, all the more reason to skip the fashionably-late entrance.

Photo Credit: SJ Images/Serenandjason.com

Angel Sanchez designs for a bride who is "a balance between the modern and classic. On her wedding day, she wants timeless elegance with a unique modern twist.” The latest collection features intricate embroideries that give off a delicate, romantic feel. 

You've probably seen our Bridal Fashion Week coverage plastered everywhere—in blog posts, live tweeting, Facebook albums, Tumblr recaps and Pinterest boards—but did you ever wonder what it must be like to actually attend a runway show? This past weekend, I had the opportunity to visit the Kenneth Pool and Amsale shows with my MOH and sister, Laura. We went on behalf of BELLA NYC, a bi-monthly beauty and wellness magazine. Amazing bridal fashion and my best friend—what more could a girl ask for? 

Kenneth Pool

The Kenneth Pool collection was the epitome of high glamour: I saw lots of strapless, shimmery tulle gowns and embellished sheaths. The models donned blue eyeliner and sleek bobs, a nod to the 1940's. I was left breathless after seeing the Rio and the Elody, two very different, yet equally noteworthy designs.

The Rio’s ruched bodice was complemented by an embellished natural waist. How incredible is that tiered tulle skirt? It shimmered as the model walked across the runway.

In celebrity news for the week, nothing was bigger than the engagement of Brangelina. We’ve seen the ring, and we know Angelina said yes, but how did Brad pop the question? It seems that every tabloid has its own version of the engagement story. 

OK!

 

OK! magazine released a “special collector’s edition” of the magazine for celebrity gossip junkies with a cover photo of the happy couple and promised details of their romantic wedding plans inside. OK’s version of the proposal cites an anonymous source who states that “they had been fighting about their conflicting schedules and it was pretty nasty… Then Brad comes in and says, ‘Will you marry me?’ They both stared crying and hugged for like 30 minutes.” Their children, Zahara and Maddox particularly, had apparently been thinking about wedding bells ringing for their parents for years

 

 

 

 

 

Whether you’re a Florida bride or seeking a convenient destination wedding location with beautiful venues and vendors within easy reach, the possibilities are endless in Kissimmee, the Heart of Florida. If you are thinking about planning a Central Florida wedding, it’s in Kissimmee where you’ll find inviting and unique locations from quaint chapels to impressive resorts, from impeccably manicured golf courses to lakefront parks. You can even tie the knot under a canopy of 100-year-old oak trees or while sailing through the sky on a hot-air balloon.

At the world-class Gaylord Palms Resort, the perfect setting for your big day awaits. Imagine saying your vows amid nearly 4 acres of  lush gardens and winding waterways – all indoors under a unique glass atrium! You can choose from different sections of the atrium, each designed with a Florida-inspired theme: Everglades, Emerald Bay and Key West. The Omni Resort at ChampionsGate will also undoubtedly impress guests with its 36-hole championship golf course, stunning banquet rooms and outdoor reception areas.