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I am so excited about our May/June issue! It’s not only packed with lots of gorgeous gowns, but it’s also filled with tons of ideas you can use for your big day from pretty cakes to dreamy honeymoons.

This is truly a star-studded issue as top celebrity pros share their best tips starting with the host  of My Fair Wedding, David Tutera. You’ll go behind the scenes of the “Mini-Truck Bride” episode that first aired on February 13 (catch the reruns on WEtv). Our Fashion Editor, Naima, and I flew out to Los Angeles to photograph one of David’s lucky brides, self-professed tomboy Michelle Smith, who tried on several dazzling gowns for her makeover. I was amazed at how natural she was in front of the camera, which made photographing her a breeze. Michelle was every bit the beautiful bride—we loved our day on the set working with David, Michelle and all the crew. And don’t forget to check out David’s column, “Ask David”, in which he helps you determine your bridal style whether it’s classic and traditional, modern and sophisticated, or even a bit eclectic.

Last night, tons of brides-to-be tuned in to watch VH1's latest reality show, Wedding Wars, which airs on Monday nights at 9 PM. The competition-meets-elimination show features 12 engaged couples, including Johnny and Celestria (left), who arrived at the luxurious Turtle Bay Resort in Hawaii only to later find out they'll be staying in lean-tos on a remote island. With only rice and beans (and of course, some red and white wine) as sustenance, the fiancees duke it out each week for a gift—like last night's bridal party outfitting by Mori Lee. But the fun ends when the couples next compete in a security challenge for immunity and the chance to spend one more week on the island . The ultimate prize?  A $100,000 dream destination wedding and honeymoon. Now we'd even fight tooth-and-nail for that. Bridal Guide checked in with last night's eliminated couple (as we will every week), Johnny and Celestria, to get the inside scoop on their short stay.

From left: Notte by Marchesa, BCBG Bridal, Catherine Deane.

Shopbop.com, a veritable online department store of the most fashionable kind, has opened their brand-new Wedding Boutique. The shop, with prices ranging from $195 to $5,000, will not only feature big-name labels the site already carries like Halston Heritage, Alicia & Olivia and Calvin Klein, but also gowns from small, young New York-based designers who can create one-of-a-kind confections. The boutique will also carry lingerie and gift sets, as well as accessories from Giuseppe Zanotti, Lauren Merkin and Loeffler Randall to compliment each and every gown. If you're a one-stop-shop kind of girl, you're in luck: You can find all of your honeymoon essentials here too. String bikini, anyone?

—Emily Gardner
 

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You may not have scored a royal wedding invitation—via fax, natch—but you can still celebrate with the new line of princess-inspired goodies from Bath and Body Works. The company known for their delish-smelling goodies has rolled out three anti-bacterial hand santiziers and four lip glosses perfect for the bride-to-be on her wedding day. Got pockets in your gown? Stash one in each! The regal hand sanitizers come in three fun flavors including apple-scented "Princess in Training," the grape-infused "Royal Pucker" and the berry-delicious "If the Tiara Fits." For your pout, dab on the melon-scented "Kissed By a Prince," which is a super-shiny pink shade that flatters most skintones. If you're looking for a darker, slightly more glam lip, try "Royal Pucker", a glittery, dusty rose with a spicy vanilla flavor. Head to your local B&BWorks store now, or visit bathandbodyworks.com for your own taste of royalty.

—Emily Gardner


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We've lusted after crazy-cool shoes from Loeffler Randall for some time, so you can imagine the excitement that came through the office when the designer announced a capsule collection of five bridal shoes. These edgy bridal styles will work longer after you say  "I do," especially if you choose the soft blush or silver tone instead of bridal white. Although they may be a bit expensive—prices range from $295 to $625—we can't help but drool over the sexy stilettos. We love the "Rowena" ruffled thong (bottom) for a destination wedding or beachside affair, and the "Paige" style (middle) is hot enough to wear dancing late into the right on your honeymoon. And for the hipster bride (sorry, I had to call myself out), there's the lace-up-bootie (top) dubbed "Georgia" They'd look fabulous with one of the new gowns from BHLDN, don't you think?
—Rachel Jacoby

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If you’re about to start registering, or even if you already have, be sure to check out these chic items from iconic fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg and add them to your list. Yes, the creator of the fabulous wrap dress and so much more, is now bringing her incredible design talents to the home arena.  You can dress up your table in bold patterns and mix and match colors to create unique table settings each and every time. Choose from:

Dynamic Chargers

Gorgeous Tableware Sets

I seriously love TOMS—to the point where I pretty much wear them exclusively. I have three pairs: black canvas (that mimic as office-appropriate flats), gray canvas for the weekend, and silver glitter for when I want to go out dancing. But I don't buy them for their comfort—ok, maybe a little bit—rather, I buy them because of TOMs Shoes One for One Policy, which mandates that for every pair purchased, the company will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. Charity and shopping? What's not to love!
So I guess you can imagine my excitement when I learned that TOMS was rolling out an expanded bridal collection—I never thought I could get married in the things! But the designers have veered away from their famous canvas, and opted to fabric the shoes in glitter or grosgrain. (Check out the Blue Glitter and Petal Grosgain, my two faves, on the right.) Plus, they retail for $54—a steal compared to those Manolo Blahniks you were eyeing.
If your hubby-to-be gets jealous, let him in on the fun, too—TOMS also offers mens' versions in black perforated leather and black velvet.

—Rachel Jacoby

Roll the dice and you may win a free honeymoon. The folks at the uber-luxe, super-gorge Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas are offering the chance to win a five-night stay at any one of the chain’s sister properties around the globe. All you have to do is host your wedding at the new resort, which is part of the exclusive City Center, a high-end enclave in the bustling City of Sin. You can host your guests in a dazzling room high above the Strip, invite them to an intimate dinner in an enormous city-view suite or, make a splash and book out the rooftop pool and cabana area for your “I Do” party. Then enjoy five fabulous—and free—nights at any one of the five-star Mandarin Oriental hotels in the world. Choose from the tropical hideaway in Mexico’s Rivera Maya, the hotel to boast New York’s best Central Park views, and the marquee hotel in the group, the Bangkok location, which has been greeting guest for 135 years. A Paris hotel is set to open this summer, which will add to the group’s 26 high-end offerings.
In order to be entered into the sweepstakes you must reserve a wedding of 100 guests or more before the end of March. Go to mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas for more info.

—Jenna Mahoney