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You’ve heard of ice sculptures at weddings, right? What if you had a beautiful piece of art that was …(wait for it)… edible? (Other than the wedding cake, of course.) Well, there are some designers doing really cool things with food.

Check out Vincent Pilon, the Executive Pasty Chef at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. He’s creating sculptures out of one of my favorite things—chocolate—for the Food Network, for celebs like Celine Dion and even for upscale weddings. I wonder who gets to eat it when the reception’s over?

That said, Sarah Kaufmann's sculptures have also appeared on the Food Network, but they’re carved from a more savory substance—cheese! (Also one of my fave foods, but I’m not sure I’d want to nibble on it after it’s been sitting out the entire reception.) Sarah—“The Cheese Lady”—has sculpted everything from a violin to a 120-pound Mickey Mouse. Personally, I like the bowl of fruit featured in the cheese ad below.

I have a soft spot in my heart for Indian weddings—the vibrant colors, the gorgeous henna painted hands, the intricate gold jewelry and the age-old traditions. How could you not love a wedding that lasts for days on end? There are more and more photos of Indian weddings that cross my desk each day, so I know they’re popular. (I choose the real weddings to feature in Bridal Guide’s “Wedding Album” section, so I get a sneak peek at a lot of celebrations.)
I was lucky enough to get some insider secrets on planning an Indian bash from Sneh Mehtani—and her son Shaun—of The Mehtani Group, which has been planning these celebrations throughout New Jersey for over a decade. Here’s what they advise:

Plan pre-wedding festivities.
Sometimes the Mehndi (henna party) and Sangeet (rehearsal dinner with “lots of drinking and singing,” according to Mehtani) can be the most memorable and fun parts of the wedding.

Decorate in red.
“Red is traditionally the color of matrimony in Indian weddings, so try to use reds in your theme,” says Mehtani. “Gold creates a great compliment to red and will create an elegant feel.”

Use Indian flavors.
“Spice plays a big role in Indian food,” says Mehtani. “Incorporate that into mixed beverages by serving Mango Lassi Bellinis and Grilled Pineapple & Cracked Pepper Martinis.”

Grilled Pineapple & Cracked Pepper Martini (as served by The Mehtani Group)
a stunning mix of freshly grilled succulent pineapple muddled with lemon juice and chamomile syrup, then aggressively shaken with peppercorn-infused belvedere vodka – served straight up

OK, I admit it: I’m a sap. I love cheesy romantic comedies like Sleepless in Seattle and other so-called chick flicks—I completely lost it after watching The Notebook, and don’t even get me started on Atonement. (Thank goodness for dark movie theaters!) So, naturally, I’m a sucker for great, heartfelt love songs—from soulful classics to today’s angst-ridden melodies. If you’re like me, you’ll be just as excited to hear about the newest CD compilations from Legacy Recordings (a division of Sony BMG Music Entertainment), released as part of its Beautiful Ballads & Love Songs series. The five new volumes feature, respectively, the music of jazz great Miles Davis, “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin, chanteuse Billie Holiday, beloved showman Barry Manilow and “Ol’ Blue Eyes,” himself, Frank Sinatra.

I admit it, I grew up in the ’burbs and hung out at shopping malls, so I’ve long known Things Remembered, the store full of personalized gifts like lockets, money clips and picture frames. (In fact, TR has been around for 40 years, and there are 600 locations across the country.) Well, I met with some folks from TR the other day, and they told me something I didn’t know—that you can bring most anything into the store, and they’ll engrave it.

An idea I love is having champagne bottles engraved. Yes, whatever phrasing you want can be etched right into the glass. You could give a pricey bottle to Mom and Dad or your wedding party members as a thank you gift. Wine splits for guest gift bags or favors would be really fun, too.

These days, personalization is important to brides and grooms. It’s one way to make the wedding feel unique—and to pull all the elements together. How are you personalizing your wedding day?

Posted by Elena at 7:01 p.m.

Last weekend I went on a girls’ trip to Atlantic City. It reminded me of so many bachelorette parties I’ve been to. When the other gals and I arrived at the hotel, we were all wishing we’d brought along something to sip while we got ready for our night on the town. Next time, I definitely want to throw a bottle of spirits in my overnight bag. Something very festive and girly.

Like these new pink vodkas that have cropped up. It’s like everyone realized at the same time that women love libations and we deserve something totally feminine for events like bachelorette parties and bridal showers. Here are three to try:

Pinky
The look: this bottle has the feel of a vintage perfume flacon.
The taste: a mix of violet, rose, strawberry, mango, citrus—and even green pepper.
How to drink it: on the rocks or in a cocktail. Mix it with cranberry juice, two squeezes of lime and a splash of simple syrup for a sophisticated cosmo.
Celeb fans: Eva Longoria, Beyonce, Rebecca Romijn and Selma Blair.

Nuvo
The look: inspired by a lipstick tube and feminine curves. I like the floral design on the neck.
The taste: vodka mixed with sparkling Chardonnay and Pinot Noir—yes, it’s bubbly!—and blended with fruit nectar.
How to drink it: chilled in a champagne flute.
Celeb fans: Mena Suvari, Brooke Shields and Kim Kardashian.

Elena and I recently braved a soggy day in the city to attend what turned out to be a fabulous press luncheon at The Players, a private club for stage actors and literary greats that’s located in a Manhattan townhouse—the ideal setting for brides hoping to channel a classic New York sort of vibe (think gorgeous Greek Revival architecture, damask textiles and walls covered with life-size portraits of noted club members, including founder Edwin Booth and Mark Twain).

The event was a showcase of mostly wedding experts, so we got a chance to meet Andrea Correale, president of Elegant Affairs (The Players’ exclusive catering team), and mingle with the creative talents behind Harriette Rose Katz Events/Gourmet Advisory Services and Bentley Meeker Lighting & Staging. Also on hand were reps for DwellStudio and DwellStudio for Target (their mod designs would make great additions to your registry) and the co-owners of fitness studio Station NYC, which offers a Brides To Be (and Grooms too!) package.

Cue the Wedding March. Get ready for your nearest and dearest to rise from their seats—with all eyes on you. You, with your perfectly coifed hair and expertly applied makeup and wearing the dazzling wedding gown you searched high and low for. And standing at the altar: your darling groom—the person who’s the most anxious of all to see your grand entrance. This is your big moment and you’ll be positively glowing! So why not roll out the red carpet—glitterati style—for your walk down the aisle? The Original Runner Company offers a gorgeous array of fabric, non-slip runners that’ll do just the trick. Choose from 17 solid colors to coordinate with the ceremony décor or a number of patterned styles (walk on rose petals or colorful autumn leaves without the mess!). If you want something a bit more personalized, the company also creates custom designs (think hand beading, borders, 3-D effects, monograms and love quotes). Prices start at $135 for a 25-foot-long runner that’s 44 inches wide. Go ahead, make it a walk to remember!

More than one bride has told me that they think traditional guest books are boring. And I’ve seen everything from photo mattes to platters guests can sign. If you’re looking for more than just your loved ones’ John Hancocks preserved forever, try the “wishing well” trend, where guests can write little notes with their best wishes for you and your guy and then pop them into a pretty jar, hang them as ornaments on a tree (they should be prettily shaped) or even use nice push pins to hang them on a silk-covered corkboard.

Another idea is the wishing well created by Zinke Design, which recently showed up on my desk. It’s a nice, fabric-covered memory box with a place to put a photo of you and your fiancé on the cover. Inside is a pen and note cards for guests’ messages. You could even give family and friends inspiration for their well wishes. For example, place a sign nearby that says, “What’s your favorite memory of Nancy or Ken—or both? Please write it here for the bride and groom to read together and to reminisce for years to come.”

Do you have a great idea for a guest book—or guest book alternative? Please tell us about it!

Posted by Elena at 11:14 a.m.

The other day I received samples of the new Martini & Rossi Asti single-serve bottles of sparkling white wine (yeah, I know, tough job), so being a diligent editor, I immediately placed—or squeezed them, rather—into our office fridge. When the time came for the taste-test (um, later that day), I wasn’t disappointed. The wine, made with 100 percent Italian Muscat grapes, was aromatic, sweet and so refreshing. (My colleague Elena and our 22-year-old intern, Carie, also gave their thumbs up.)

You can serve these sparklers in champagne flutes (or simply as is, with a beverage straw—the metallic-blue bottles are certainly stylish enough) during your cocktail hour or with your wedding cake, since they pair well with desserts. And, of course, the wines can be used to create a delicious signature drink. Give these recipes a whirl:

Blushing Bride
1 part pink lemonade
1 part Martini & Rossi Asti sparkling wine
grenadine

Pour pink lemonade and sparkling wine into a champagne glass and top with grenadine.

The Bride’s Something Blue
1/2 part DISARONNO Originale liqueur
1/2 part blue curaçao
Martini & Rossi Asti sparkling wine

Pour liqueur and blue curaçao into a champagne glass and top with chilled sparkling wine. Garnish with a lemon twist.

The Ever After Asti Kir
1 part crème de cassis
4 parts Martini & Rossi Asti

New York-based party planner Lindsay Landman of Lindsay Landman Events knows a thing or two about creating a dazzling wedding—and how overwhelming it all can seem. She and her talented design team have nearly 10 years of experience and hundreds of spectacular events under their belt. (The wedding pro has even lent her expertise to The Style Network’s Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?) Here, Lindsay offers the first five steps any newly engaged—and slightly anxiety-riddled—bride should take.

1. Enjoy the moment! “Be sure to bask in the engagement euphoria before tackling your wedding plans right away,” suggests Lindsay. After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime period of celebration for you and your hubby-to-be.
2. Make a list. What are your wedding priorities? “Knowing what you want most will give you keys to what you should spend the most on and what you should select first in the planning process,” she says.
3. Determine your budget. That way, you can avoid overspending. A budget also lets you allocate dollars to specific elements of the wedding, and then easily redistribute the money as needed down the line.
4. Decide whom to invite. Creating a guest list early on will make choosing a venue that will accommodate everyone that much simpler—and it’ll keep your budget in check.
5. Manage your time well. “Allow yourself enough time for each aspect of planning so you are not harried in the end,” she warns. Keep work and social schedules in mind when booking vendor appointments. And try not to do everything all at once. Then you can just focus on the joy and excitement leading up to your big day!

What aspect of planning your wedding has got you frazzled? Tell us in Comments.