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From the walk down the aisle to the father-daughter dance, the wedding day is filled with special moments with dad. And now, more and more brides are opting for another special moment: a first look with dad!

We've always loved those photos where you can see Dad's misty-eyed first glance at his little girl all grown up in a wedding gown, so it makes sense for brides (and their photographers) to take it a step further and arrange a special first look with dad. Check out these two sweet shoots!

A Happy Family Reunion

While planning the wedding, Rhianna's family was hit with a huge blow. Her dad, who has been in the Army for 26 years, planned to retire. However, his retirement papers were rejected and, instead, he was deployed to Iraq.

"Once we realized he was not going to be in the country for our original wedding date, the prospect of planning a wedding kind of became pointless to me," said Rhianna. Rather than pulling together a wedding before the deployment or waiting another two years for his return, Rhianna and her husband, Patrick, went to a Justice of the Peace in November 2009. His parents acted as witnesses while hers listened over the phone. "It seemed like the perfect answer," said Rhianna. "However, I didn't realize how wrong it was going to feel. I cried through our vows, but not out of happiness. I cried because my family was missing. To make matters worse, my mom told me much later that my dad became teary-eyed and had to leave the room on the other end of the phone." 

Finger Foods

I love this photo of mini tacos and little salt-rimmed margaritas. How cute are the tiny tortilla chips used as taco shells? Miniature-sized appetizers allow you to incorporate a variety of different flavors and foods into your menu without breaking the bank. If you’ve got plates of mini tacos, mini sliders and mini pigs in a blanket going around, chances are there will be something to please everyone at your reception.

Check out more of our favorite mini food photos!

Photo Credit: peppermintbliss.com

Cake Pops

First it was the cake, then the cupcake, and now the cake pop! I’ll admit this is a tiny trend I’m not crazy about—my heart dies a little each time the cake gets smaller. I am very much looking forward to having cake (not just a bite, but a whole slice!) on my wedding day. Although cake pops are cute, without a doubt, I don't think one or two bites of dessert is ever enough, but I digress...

We've got an early holiday gift for our Cali brides: ban.do is hosting their annual studio sale this Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7958 Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles. (Keep a lookout for their pink balloons and you'll know you've found the right spot!). Shop between noon and 4 pm to snatch up accessories discounted up to 75% off and the chance to win door prizes and other special giveaways.

Don't hail from the Golden State? Sign up for their mailing list and you'll automatically get 15% off your next online order.

Here's what's on our fantasy stocking stuffer list this year:

We keep hitting refresh and repeat, hoping this Crystal Swirl Bobbi Pin will come back in stock.

If you're secretly a sparkle bride like us, then this Dazzle Crystal Headwrap is just the ticket. It illuminates the face and would look great with a LWD at pre-wedding festivities.

Apologizes for the crazy headline, I was trying to get all owl-y and I’m not sure it really worked. Anyhow, I just got word on this fabulous engagement package at one of my favorite castles in the world. Yes, you read that correctly—a Castle!

Set in the verdant countryside of the gorgeous emerald isle of my ancestors, the Ashford Castle is everything you’d expect from a stately manor house. There are fireplace-lit common rooms, and overstuffed furniture, expansive grounds and delectable treats at teatime.  The castle, which dates back to 1228, also has an awesome falconry program that’s renowned throughout the world.

Now comes the part of the post with the even more fun and excitement! The intimate hotel just announced a new proposal package, which features a falconry lesson and the appearance of property’s owl, Dingle. Now, isn’t that a hoot! (Again, I just can’t resist.) Couples who are wise enough to book the package will also receive three night, champagne, a couple’s massage, a romantic candlelit dinner, a champagne breakfast in bed and a cool boat ride on the property’s river. Rates start at about $1,940. Go to ashford.ie for more information. 

—Jenna Mahoney

Following the success of her hugely popular White by Vera Wang line with David's Bridal, the revered wedding gown designer will launch a collection of tuxedos with Men's Wearhouse in spring 2012 called Black by Vera Wang.

The first collection will offer two styles: a black tuxedo with a two-button notch, grosgrain lapel with side vents, and flat-front pants with a grosgrain stripe detail, and a gray tuxedo with a two-button, satin edge notch lapel with side vents and classic flat-front pants.

The rental collection will start at $219.99 for the complete outfit, available in standard fit, slim fit, and big & tall sizing. 

"For more than twenty years, I have shared my design vision with women around the world, so it is exciting to now have the opportunity to share that with men as well," said Vera Wang in a release. "With an exceptional reputation as one the largest men's specialty retailers, Men's Wearhouse was a natural retail partner for the Black by Vera Wang collection."

We can't wait to check out the collection!

—Kristen O'Gorman Klein

For formal events, I typically play it safe when it comes to my hair. I often opt for a simple half-up, half-down style complete with loose curls (see above).

I've been contemplating which hairstyle to choose for our wedding day, and my gut instinct is to continue the tradition by pinning a few pieces back and calling it a day. There's only one small problem: My dress would look best with an updo. 

For this reason, I've spent the past year (maybe a little more) searching for the perfect wedding updo. I am totally out of my comfort zone when all of my hair is pinned up, so I'm thankful that I will at least have a trial prior to the big day. 

I’m so excited to share my findings with my fellow BG brides! Here are some of my favorite hairstyles that I’m considering…

Photo Credit: Richard Israel

The first time I went to the Eternal City, I walked all around it from the moment I landed in the morning until the sun set. Rome (like any great city, really,: New York, Paris, Buenos Aires...) is best explored on foot. The big-deal sites are often located closer to each other then they look on the maps, and you just get a better feel for what life is like when you are strolling among the Romans, New Yorkers, Parisians or Porteños.

And now, it looks like walking around Rome is about to get even easier for my fashionable friends. According to the English ITALY Magazine, Mayor Gianni Alemanno has announced a rehab of some of the city’s old cobblestone streets, so stiletto wearers can stroll without getting a heel caught.

While I love the idea of being able to tour a favorite city in my highest Prada heels, I can’t imagine stripping away some of the character and history. Perhaps they’ll renovate the streets to have a look of cobblestone with the smooth feel of flat ground. You know, something like an IKEA floor covering for the city streets...

—Jenna Mahoney

Afraid that your wedding cards will end up being shoved away in a desk drawer, never to be seen again? Us too. That's why we can't wait to create this beautiful keepsake album to give our endless stack of cards a home and banish desk clutter for good.

Our blogger friend Jen at Somethingturquoise.com (remember her handy seating chart?) came up with this craft, and we knew BG readers would be up to the challenge. Although the long instructions may look daunting, we promise the end result is worth it.

Supplies You'll Need:

• Two pieces of cardboard
• Three pieces of patterned paper that all complement each other
• Ink pad
• Glue dots
• 30″ of ribbon
• Two large brads
• Large ring

Step 1: Prep the Front and Back Covers

You'll need two pieces of cardboard to make the mini-album. The size of your album will depend on the largest card in your stack. Start by gathering up your wedding cards (we know, that might take awhile) and shuffle them together to find your largest card in the bunch.

Measure about a quarter of an inch past each side of your largest card.

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 Brooklyn-based, Cali-bred DJ Kev Sakoda, who has more than two decades of experience DJing  clubs, corporate events, live shows and on radio across the country. He can also be found at a weekly residency at NYC's Happy Ending Lounge on the Lower East Side. Kev works with couples to create a crowd-pleasing musical vision for every wedding he spins. "Music is such an important part of creating the emotion of the reception; not just for the bride and groom, who are the most important people that night, but for all of the guests.” 

Photo Credit: Meg Baisden Photography