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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:

I hope all of you enjoyed a fun, relaxing holiday season. The BG offices were pretty quiet as most of us took some time to unwind and spend time with family and friends. I visited my family (all down in the D.C./Maryland area) and had a blast. And, I don’t know about you, but I am looking forward to a brighter, better 2010! Now, it’s full steam ahead as we hunker down to put out another fantastic issue for you.

Since more engagements take place in the month of December than any other time of year, I’d also like to extend my congratulations to those of you now sporting a sparkling gem on your finger! You must be absolutely thrilled and I’m sure you also have lots of questions about what to do first and how to plan. Relax! Our magazine and website are filled with tons of tips and invaluable advice: You’ll find everything you need to get started.

I hope you enjoy this amazing time of your life and please…try not to freak about all the planning details. Take time to talk with your fiancé: Do you want a large or small wedding? How many guests? Where do you want to marry and at what time of year? And, most importantly, how much do you want to spend? Once you tackle these bigger issues and set your budget, the rest will fall into place. (Be sure to take a look at our Wedding Countdown Calendar—it will help guide you through the planning process.)

In the meantime, I’d love to hear your proposal stories so let me know how he (or maybe you!) popped the question and don’t hesitate to ask for any advice. I’m here to help!

Posted by Diane at 12:25 p.m.

Guess who blew into our offices yesterday, all bundled up in a cozy winter jacket? Every bride’s best friend, David Tutera of WETV’s “My Fair Wedding.” David and our editor in chief, Diane Forden, have been bridal-industry buddies forever. David’s a regular whirlwind of activity, and now his new book The Big White Book of Weddings, a how-to wedding planner, has hit the bookstores.

Here are some budget gems about venues that I pulled from the book.

I don’t know about you, but I’m finding it hard to believe that another year has zoomed by (although I must confess we started planning our 2010 Bridal Guide issues back in June!). With a new year and a new decade on the horizon I started to think about the many ways weddings have changed over the years. We’ve seen the celebrations become much more personal as couples express their individual styles and honor their cultural backgrounds. And weddings have definitely loosened up as evidenced by the popular You Tube video—that soon made national news—featuring a wedding party dancing and rockin’ down the aisle. So, as the year comes to a close here’s my own Top Ten list of 2009 wedding trends that will undoubtedly continue well into 2010:

global goss:

Clear turquoise lagoons, of course.

Sunset cruises, a necessity.

The most romantic island in the world? Definitely.

Have you dreamed of your wedding taking place in a Polynesian paradise in the Pacific? No longer are brides to be persona non grata in French Polynesia with a new law passed that allows foreign tourists to be married on the islands. Le Meridien Bora Bora jumped on the nuptial bandwagon and constructed a new chapel over their brand spanking new interior lagoon that offers beautiful views as well as the lagoon itself visible underneath the chapel’s glass floor. Imagine saying ‘I do’ as fish swim underneath your feet and sea turtles waddle down the aisle with you! With room for up to 20 guests you and your loved ones can feel like your own island nation with a private, intimate wedding experience not soon forgettable by any member of the wedding party.

Le Meridien Bora Bora offers four wedding ceremony options but who wouldn’t want to be married in the gorgeous chapel? Of course, if you’re really feeling the island spirit, there is always the Otemanu Polynesian ceremony, which is performed on the beach facing Mount Otemanu. Sailing up at sunset to be married to your Polynesian prince has to be one of the most romantic backdrops possible! Musicians play songs indigenous to the island and all of a sudden it feels like you’ve entered another dreamy world. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a native, these packages are here to help you indulge!

I recently received a very handy book, The Bride’s Thank You Guide: Thank-You Writing Made Easy by Pamela A. Lach (Chicago Review Press). Now, you may be thinking, “How can an entire book be written about a thank-you note?” but Ms. Lach’s guide covers more than just a thank-you note and contains a lot of valuable info couples can certainly use. She tells how to write an outline, get organized, offers samples of thank-you notes for a variety of gifts and answers etiquette questions such as “Can I e-mail or text my thank yous?” and “We posted a nice thank-you message on our wedding Web site. Isn’t that enough?” (Answers? No to both questions; only a hand-written note will do.) She also provides sample letters for those who helped out or assisted in some way and mentions several gift ideas for the wedding party. It will be available in bookstores this April and for only $8.95, you and your new husband will be glad to have this at your side when you’re about to write 100+ thank-you notes!

Posted by Diane at 9:14 a.m.