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Our Favorite Floral-Inspired Dresses for Spring Brides

 

spring wedding dresses With all the engagements over the holidays, I am sure there will be many upcoming spring brides. The floral dress trend is the perfect style choice for the spring bride; gowns embellished with three-dimensional blooms, lace appliques, or organza blossoms will look gorgeous against a blooming spring background.

Tip: When styling one of these fresh dresses, consider accenting the organic look with flowers in the hair or contrasting the lavish look with a pretty updo. Also, it's a great idea to show a picture of your dress to the cake designer and florist ,who can then incorporate the flowers of your dress in their work. 

Above are a few of our favorite floral dresses from Jim Hjelm, MarchesaMonique Lhuillier, Claire Pettibone, and Jasmine Couture

—Naima DiFranco

20 Winter Wedding Dresses We Love

New Year, New Ring: Tips for the Newly-Engaged

We are already a week into the New Year, and I hope all of you enjoyed a fantastic holiday. And, to those of you visiting bridalguide.com for the first time, I’d love to extend my heartfelt congratulations on your engagement! Yep, holiday season is primo proposal time, and I know that there were plenty of sparkling rings being placed onto fingers shaking with delight! I’m sure it was beyond thrilling and you’ve been basking in all the joy and excitement. In fact, I ran into a newly engaged couple just last week in my local Barnes & Noble and they were so happy, it was contagious. (Of course, I was also happy to see that she was purchasing Bridal Guide to help get her started.) She admitted to feeling overwhelmed, so I told her to relax, put her feet up, read the issue and visit our website. Everything you need to know to plan a dream wedding is right here.

As you start planning your party of a lifetime, it will seem overwhelming at times, but if you stay organized and make it a point to really enjoy the process, it will be fun and exciting. And before you know it, the big day will be here, and you’ll be husband and wife! Here’s my best advice to help get you started:

1. Find Your Wedding Style

Website Watch: The Travel Curator

melanie brandman
There are a thousand and one ga-jillon travel websites out there, and figuring out which one to trust can be a major time-suck. That’s where I come in.

Melanie Brandman is hands-down one of the glammest gals in travel. Sure, DVF may that whole “I’m a fashion icon” thing and a titled marriage going for her, but Melanie still may beat her in our little travel industry. As the head of one of the hautest travel PR agencies around, Melanie often spots trends in travel before the rest of us. It’s also her job to test the local waters while she visiting her clients or just jetting for fun.

Ever the savvy source, Melanie recently began an online journal of sorts highlighting her travels. The result is a chic insider view that she publishes monthly called The Travel Curator. In her monthly updates, Melanie highlights her must-sees, -dos, -eats and -experiences at some of her favorite destinations. She shares some of her secret spots, too, and of course, it is all so glam.

Sign up for The Travel Curator and read more about Melanie at thetravelcurator.com

—Jenna Mahoney

Drew Barrymore Engaged!

drew barrymore will kopelman
It's definitely engagement season! People reports that Drew Barrymore is engaged to art consultant Will Kopelman. While the pair has never commented publicly about their relationship, sources say they started dating in February of 2011.

A few months back, Us Weekly reported that, according to a friend, Barrymore was "'yearning to get married and have kids,' with Kopelman poised to propose 'around the one-year mark of their dating.'" 

Kopelman popped the question over the holidays while in Sun Valley, Idaho. The ring was designed by Graff.

Here's hoping third time's a charm for Barrymore. The actress was married to actor/comedian Tom Green from 1999 to 2001 and bar owner Jeremy Thomas for 39 days in 1994.

 

More Celebrity Engagement News:

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel
Britney Spears and Jason Trawick

Delicious (Healthy!) Recipes for the Hungry Bride

Photo Credit: Smitten Kitchen

I’ve decided to refocus on my health in 2012, not just because I’m hoping to look amazing in my wedding dress, but also since the cold weather has really been stalling my fitness routine. That being said, this is not a diet. I feel like the word "diet" is intimidating and sets some women up to fail.

Instead, I will make small changes to my eating habits and commit to working out more. Corey and I are both going to be in this together, so it will be nice to have his support. First, we'll start with some simple changes, like switching to whole wheat pasta, ordering half-tomato, half-Alfredo sauce to cut calories and drinking more H20. I am also going to try cooking more healthy recipes, including the following yummy options.

Bank Refuses Wedding Checks Because Bride Kept Her Maiden Name

couple at deskBank of America is coming under fire for refusing to deposit a newlywed's wedding gifts because, since the wife chose to keep her maiden name, she was not legally "Mrs. Peter Iorizzo."

Pete explained, "Most of the checks were made out to 'Mr. and Mrs. Peter Iorizzo.' I endorsed them, designated them “for deposit only” and gave them to my wife. She planned to deposit them into our joint account."

But when she reached the teller, the checks were refused, since her name did not match the name on the checks. "Bank of America told us there was no way around it: All the checks were void. We would have to go back to our guests and request new checks."

Obviously, this wasn't a practical solution. Even though the couple offered to present their marriage license, arrange a meeting with the bank involving both of them, or bring a witness, the bank still refused. The bank's advice? Alert your guests beforehand that you're not changing your name:

Confirmed: Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel Engaged!


Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel are getting married!



After weeks of speculation, Us Weekly confirmed that Timberlake has indeed popped the question (get the full scoop on the proposal when the issue, pictured left, hits newsstands on Friday). Where did Timberlake drop down to one knee? According to Extra TV, the former N’ Sync member popped the question during a romantic getaway in Wyoming. Tabloids were quick to pick up the story when local jeweler Tayloe Piggot Gallery posted a message that read, "Word on the street is that Justin Timberlake proposed to Jessica Biel at the Amangani last night…We're picking out post-engagement presents for them just in case they come in! Trying to play it cool..."



New Year's Resolutions: Bridal Edition


New Year's Day marks the start of a brand new year and exactly six months until Michael and I become husband and wife. With wedding bells ringing in my ear, it's only natural that my resolutions for 2012 reflect our upcoming nuptials. My first resolution will help to ensure that I’m healthy for our big day. I plan on resuming my workout regime, which has come to a complete halt in recent months. I only have four pounds to go until I reach my target weight! Exercise is the push I need to be fit and trim for my walk down the aisle and energetic for the long hikes Mike and I have planned for our honeymoon.

My second resolution is necessary during these next few months of planning and celebrating. I promise to live in the moment. The past year and a half, I've constantly been focused on the future. Which vendors should I book? When’s the next deposit due? What's next on our to- do list? I know you ladies know the drill, but this upcoming year, I plan on cherishing every moment—something I should have started doing a long time ago. I don't want to miss out on any of the days leading up to our wedding. Big changes will be occurring (moving out of my parents' house for the first time ever and house-hunting with my soon-to-be husband), and I want to be sure that I appreciate each and every moment, big and small.

Three Fun Gifts for Recently-Engaged Couples

Along with the holidays come candy canes, presents, cookies, and (inevitably) engagements. It can be difficult to shop for someone who is engaged if they haven’t registered for gifts yet. I wanted to share some easy, relatively inexpensive options that can be purchased at the last-minute for those love birds in your life.

For the Lady

I am in love with this Say Yes "Mrs." Necklace from Kate Spade. Sure, she might not be able to wear it just yet, but as a real bride blogger, I’ve discovered that I’m obsessed with anything marriage or wedding-related right now, and I don’t think I’m alone on that one. 

Another option for the bride would be something practical. She’s likely cutting back on costs in order to pay for upcoming nuptials or a honeymoon so a practical gift will be much appreciated. Try a cozy scarf and gloves or an oversized sweater.

For the Lad

If you truly want to show a friend, coworker or family member you’re happy for him and his future wife, how about a toast? Try gifting a case of beer from a local brewery paired with drinking glasses embossed with his favorite team’s logo. My sister bought Corey this Pittsburgh Penguins 2 Piece Glass Pilsner Set a few years back and they were a hit!

First Dance Songs That Sound Romantic (But Aren't!)

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 Alkimist. Originally trained as a classical violist, Alkimist's firm grasp of music theory allows her to create seamless transitions between songs as diverse as a 60's pop hit and a house-inspired club remix. She loves to stretch her limits. "I will play exactly what a couple wants – if they want to get specific, that's great, but even if they just communicate the feel they are going for, I can create an entire playlist based on that vibe.” Alkimist's keen ear and effortless DJ style are quickly earning her the distinction of being one of DC's rising DJ stars.

first dance


Photo Credit: K and K Photography

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