Blogs

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

If you’re newly engaged (congrats!), you know one of your first duties is to set up your registry. Hurry up and register with Crate & Barrel, not only for their choice selection, but also because they have announced their second annual Ultimate Wedding Contest. One lucky couple will get the chance to win a $100,000 wedding designed by celebrity wedding Yifat Oren (check out her major work above), who has worked with A-listers like Jason Bateman and Kevin Costner.  How, do you ask? You and your fiancé will need to submit three things: your love story, three important details of your dream wedding and a description of how you would design and decorate your dream home. In order to be eligible, you’ll need to maintain a Crate & Barrel registry of $2000 and 50 registry lines.
Hurry up because there is only one month left to register! Winners will be announced in early June and then the planning with Yifat begins.

—Emily Gardner

More on BRIDALGUIDE.COM
Your Wedding Registry Checklist
Wedding Planning Basics
Build Your Perfect Registry
 

To find these sparkling white carpet looks, visit jennypackham.com, kennethpool.com, moniquelhuillier.com and inesdisanto.com.

—Naima

Move over, Hangover 2! In Judd Apatow's latest comedy, Bridesmaids (which hits theaters on May 13), follows a maid-of-honor (played by SNL fave Kristen Wiig) and the rest of the bridal party as they attempt the road down to matrimonial bliss. After watching this, I'm completely psyched. I'm definitely going to check this film out! Now tell us: Will you see the flick?

—Rachel Jacoby

If you haven’t already booked your musicians then pick up a copy of The Bride’s Guide to Musicians…Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable by Anne Roos (Hal Leonard Books, $25; available on amazon.com). Ms. Roos, an accomplished musician who has performed at weddings for over 25 years, provides one of the most comprehensive guides I’ve ever come across. It details everything you need to know about wedding music, and if you think your budget will allow only a DJ, then think again. Ms. Roos offers plenty of sound advice and great tips on how to incorporate live music into your ceremony and reception. You’ll learn how to audition your musicians, how to spot overpriced ones and how to recognize a bargain. You’ll also discover how to work with musicians on selecting songs that reflect your personality and theme. There are checklists, sample contracts, and hundreds of song ideas for both the ceremony and reception. Here are just a few favorite popular and country love songs to consider (an ever-changing list for sure!):