Blogs

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.

Badgley Mischka is known for creating beautiful gowns inspired by Old Hollywood, and this season's bridal collection is no exception! The muse for this collection, featuring slinky silhouettes, dramatic beading, and embroidery: 1930s fashion icon Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, known for her sophistication and elegance. 

To complement the gowns down the runway, hairstylist Peter Gray for Moroccanoil created a modern take on a '30s look, playing up the simple elegance and soft, natural glamour. 

Here, get step-by-step instructions on how to replicate this look:

1. To prep the hair, Gray used Moroccanoil Frizz Control to keep the hair smooth and manageable. Then, he added Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream to give the hair substance without weighting it down. Next, he gave each model a blowout.

2. Choose your part: Gray parted the hair directly in the middle (in homage to Wallis Simpson) or slightly off-center, depending on the model's features.

3. To keep the front smooth, place a comb or clip right above your ear to mark the start of the twist. Then begin rolling your hair at an angle, pulling in more hair as you work your way down to the neck. Repeat on the other side. 

One of the pleasures of attending bridal runway shows is getting to see the fully-realized vision of each designer—not just the gown, but the headpieces, the shoes, the hair, the makeup and, increasingly, the nail-polish choices.

Two standout shows took two very different color directions—each to gorgeous effect. 

At Vera Wang, a riot of red (yes, RED) gowns were beautifully offset with loose, undone hair and quietly nude nails.

"Did You Ear Van Vogh" by OPI

Over at Angel Sanchez, dreamy blue-gray nail lacquer was the color of the (big) day. 

"I Don't Give a Rotterdam" by OPI

—Mary Clarke

Since the moment I got engaged, I have truly relished wedding planning. I never really understood how much work and love goes into weddings until I became a bride-to-be; I can count the number of nuptials I've attended on one hand and only three of them took place within the last 10 years! Now, almost four months away from my own walk down the aisle, I have a much better understanding of weddings and a new outlook on celebrations in general.

1. I vow to never be upset if I’m not invited to someone’s wedding.

Prior to getting engaged, I had no clue how much weddings cost and what a huge impact just a few guests can have on the party budget. As a result, I will never be upset if I'm not invited to someone's wedding. On the flip side, I won't find it strange if someone I'm not particularly close to does invite me to their wedding in an attempt to be inclusive and not leave anyone out.

Technology is everywhere: At home, at work... and even on our dates? Mike Duerksen proved that to be true as he live-tweeted his 12-hour marriage proposal, consisting of eight dates on Friday the 13th, while hundreds of Twitter fans followed along.

The day before the proposal, Mike let Twitter followers know what he was planning (his girlfriend doesn't use Twitter) and invited them to follow him with the hashtag #MikeProposes. The next day, he led his girlfriend—and the Twitter world—on a whirlwind romance to eight different locations, each with a special meaning.  

He kept his followers in the loop with tweets and instagram photos from each place.

“Wishing best of luck to @mikeduerksen today! #MikeProposes is such a cool idea!” tweeted @MClinton007.

“@mikeduerksen #mikeproposes I'm not one for total mush but this is freaking adorable. Setting the standards high for all the guys out there!” @_dianer tweeted. 

Mike kept his followers updated every step of the way, even if his girlfriend may have disliked it.