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Posted by Naima at 10:26 a.m.

Party Time!

A couple of nights ago Diane Forden and I taxied over to the W Hotel in Union Square for David Tutera’s book-signing party. (I wrote about the book a couple of blogs ago—scroll down!) Tons of you “real brides” were there, mingling in the ballroom and enjoying cocktails and wedding cake while waiting for a glimpse and an autographed book. When he appeared on stage, there was so much screaming and picture taking I thought, Wow, David’s getting to be as popular as the Beatles! He took questions from the happy crowd and gave a shout-out to us Bridal Guide ladies in the back, and then off we went.

Now I’m putting my budget guru hat back on to quote a morsel of wisdom from David’s Big White Book of Weddings: “If you’re in a bind with affording a big wedding, do just a cocktail party reception. If you have to choose between doing something big on a sparse budget or doing something small with a grander budget, choose the latter—your guests will enjoy it more!” So be it!

Take a look at these fun shots from the event:

travel tip:

Jenna Mahoney?

The short answer is at my desk with a blinking light above my head. But the longer and certainly more travel-interesting answer is that I’ve been getting all Carmen Sandiego lately. After my big Club Wed extravaganza (look out for the actual wedding photos in the May/June 2010 issue), my wanderlust kicked it into high gear and I’ve been bouncing from country to country like a pinball. That also means more time in the airports. Now this is the part in the movie where I whine because I’m not a big fan of flying. I hate it in fact. But it is a necessary evil if I’m going to jet—literally to Peru, Jamaica, Thailand, Mexico and Spain (and that was just in the past five months!).

So what’s a gal to do when she is sitting all alone in the airport destined for great destinations? Well, here’s a tip: Hit the lounge. First and Business Class lounges are the bomb-diggity (oh, sorry TSA, was I not supposed to use that word?). They offer Wi-Fi, food, booze, cable TV and sometimes showers, all gratis. That’s right, all those First Class folks can get nice and liquored for free before soaring high in the friendly skies. “But, Jenna,” you’re saying, “I got a great deal on a tourist class ticket, so who cares about all that lounge activity since I can’t get in?” To that I say: Yes. You. Can. All you need to do is buy a day pass.

OK, not that I want to add any more stress to your day or another task to your to-do list, but do you realize that when you change your name there are a gazillion places that need to be notified? Let’s see, you have to inform Social Security, the IRS, the U.S. Postal Service, banks, medical institutions, insurance companies, mortgage companies, voter registration as well as get your driver’s license and passport changed. I don’t know about you, but I hate filling out forms and just renewing my license or passport is an ordeal, so imagine the time and effort you’ll need to invest in order to fulfill all these name-changing requirements. Not fun.

Until, that is, MissNowMrs.com was created to do all the legwork for you. I recently received a press kit from Founder/President Danielle Tate who started this site two years ago after she herself went through hours and hours of researching and completing all the proper forms. “I got married in 2005 and took one day off from work thinking I could take care of all the name-changing obligations,” Danielle told me. “Well, after three trips to the Department of Motor Vehicles and lots of frustration I asked my fiancé why there wasn’t one website devoted to everything needed for a name change? He said, ‘Why don’t you start one?’ And so I did!” (Isn’t it amazing how genius ideas happen?)

Visit zales.com for more information.

Posted by Maureen at 1:15 p.m.

For more information, visit oscardelarenta.com, amsale.com and carolinaherrera.com.

Posted by Naima at 4:15 p.m.

Creating a wedding registry used to be simple. There was a standard list of everything you needed as a married couple—toaster, towels, bed linens, utensils, etc.—and all you needed to do was add them to your registry. Today, that list doesn’t exactly apply. Most of us already have all those basics and more. So that leaves each couple with the same question: What do we register for since we both have the same items?

The nice thing about registering today is that you don't necessarily have to ask for all the traditional items. It’s perfectly acceptable to ask for other things, such as furniture, luggage, romantic honeymoons and even supplies to fit in your new camper. Some wedding vendors are even allowing you to register with them so that you can get a better video package or photo book. Did you know you can also register for a down payment fund with your local bank? For those who are looking for a fast way to save a lump sum this is certainly a winner. Your guests will love the fact that their gift has allowed you to buy a home together!

I’ve always wondered what celebs ask for when they obviously do well enough to afford anything they want. Here are a few celeb couples that had some interesting items on their registry!

Let's take one of our recent brides, Ivanka Trump. What does someone like Ivanka ask for? One of the least expensive items one her list was a silicone spatula from Williams-Sonoma for $7. You would think the millionaire couple could afford their own cookware. Well think again! The couple also asked for a $1,300 silver bowl from Tiffany, a $500 sterling silver picture frame, an Elsa Peretti carving knife for $225 and a $290 silver vegetable spoon. Yes, you heard me, $290 for a veggie spoon! I hope it has other benefits, too.

Summer is coming—at least in magazine land it is. We work months ahead of the rest of the world! Anyway, I just did a lovely interview for our July/August issue with floral designer Lisa Moreta of PaisleyNY. Lisa’s bouquets have appeared on Bridal Guide’s covers in the past, and we think her work is gorgeous.

I asked Lisa what to do when you’re on a strict budget but also want a reception that’s fabulously full of blooms. Here’s what she said: “As a flower person, I want to see flowers everywhere, of course, but if I had to eliminate them from any part of a wedding, I’d skip them at the ceremony. Flowers are far more important at your reception venue. But I’d also warn brides not to try to save money by using the same arrangements in both. If you bring flowers from the ceremony space to the venue, especially in winter or summer, when the weather is more extreme, the arrangements are unlikely to bear up, and they may not even work in the space. Plus, you might have to pay to transport them from one location to the other, and it probably isn’t worth it. It’s better to just keep it simple at the ceremony.”

Here are some of her beautiful arrangements:

Happy New Year brides-to-be! With 2010 ahead of us, take a cue from the new Spring collections and dress your gals in style! From cobalt to periwinkle--and everything in between--this season's bridesmaids' looks are full of daring new shades of blue. Here are a few of our favs!

Go to dessy.com (1, 5), amsale.com (2), badgleymischka.com (3) and verawangonweddings.com (4) for more information.

Posted by Maureen at 6:07 p.m.

Our March/April 2010 issue is on the newsstands and I’m so excited to tell you about it.

This issue was truly a labor of love requiring hours of planning, producing, writing and designing in order to give you the best advice, showcase the most beautiful gowns and fill you in on some of the hottest spots for honeymooners. As always, we have smart money-saving tips, fun ideas for your reception, the latest runway styles in bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses, bridal beauty tips and terrific registry ideas. Quite frankly, there is so much packed into this issue that I know you’ll refer to it again and again. Plus, as an extra bonus you’ll find a separate Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Guide included: