Blogs

In our new "Friday Favorites" column, we'll share our top five inspirations of the week culled from real wedding submissions, industry events, what's trending in the weddings world and more!

1. Bridal Fashion Week is over, and the BG editors are still reeling from the parade of beautiful new dresses we saw in every imaginable style and price point. This season's trends include pink-hued gowns, gold embellishments and cap sleeves. 

One great tip I got was from designer Pnina Tornai, who told me that she finds inspiration in the fine line between fantasy and reality. Search for a wedding dress that makes you feel like you're living in a dream every time that you put it on — this is your moment to try something really spectacular. Stay tuned for a recap on the most buzzed-about 2014 styles from each major designer.

2. Ramani and David's engagement photos make me want to bite the bullet and schedule a wedding anniversary shoot! They feature a wide variety of backdrops, including a rustic cabin, a ferris wheel, the changing fall leaves, and — my personal favorite — a boat filled with biodegradable confetti.

We're excited to announce the launch of our first EVER Fashion Issue, available for iPad. This exclusive digital magazine is filled with BG editors' favorite wedding gowns, bridal party fashion, jewelry, accessories and more. A definite necessity for fashionable brides-to-be! The style guide also features gorgeous new dresses and tuxedos from our special edition sponsor, Allure Bridals. You can easily download the issue by searching for Bridal Guide Magazine in the iTunes App Store. Once you have downloaded our free App, search our store for The Fashion Issue and tap to buy! The best part? It's only 99¢!

Here are 5 reasons to download The Fashion Issue:

...this sturdy, stainless-steel workhorse of a pan by would be in the upper reaches of my wish list. The generous 4-quart capacity, wide, flat base and high, rounded sides make this “ideal for preparing one-pan meals during a busy week,” the manufacturers (that would be All-Clad) tell us. Now that’s a pan with my name on it!

As a busy person who lives for the one-dish meal, I was delighted to take the Weeknight Pan ($179, crateandbarrel.com) for a test drive. On the menu: fresh tomato soup topped with homemade croutons, adapted from a recent recipe in The New York Times.

Step one: The croutons — ciabatta cut into cubes and browned in olive oil. (Remove from pan, place in a bowl and sprinkle with sea salt.) Tip: If you’re new to cooking with stainless steel, note that you’ll get the best results using low to medium heat.

Known for her corset designs embellished with crystals, Pnina Tornai's gowns — sold exclusively at Kleinfeld Bridal and frequently featured on Say Yes to the Dress — never fail to impress. She's dressed countless celebrities over the years, most recently Kim Zolciak and NeNe Leakes from Bravo's Real Housewives franchise.

On her inspiration this season: "I fell into the 'between' of reality and fantasy," said Tornai. "I guess I found the inspiration right there — how these two worlds really have a very, very fine line in between them, and that's where illusion exists."

Tell us: Which dress is your favorite? Tornai describes herself as a Cinderella bride; if she were to get married again, she'd wear the second to last dress in the runway show. (For her last wedding — her third — she wore a taffeta A-line gown with 52 roses on the train).

—Kristen O'Gorman Klein

Photo Credit: Justin Baldoni on Instagram

Justin Baldoni wanted to ask his girlfriend, Emily Foxler, to be his wife in the most romantic way possible, but he couldn't decide how to do it. Should he call into a local radio station? Profess his love N*Sync or Boyz II Men-style, crooning classic love songs from the '90s? (After all, what teenage girl didn't have that particular fantasy at one point?) Dance with a professional flash mob? Create a mock movie trailer for the proposal, complete with home video footage?

In the end, the 29-year-old actor/director went with Option E, "all of the above." The result is a 27-minute video mash-up that pokes fun at everything we love (and roll our eyes at) when it comes to viral engagements. We're looking at you, Bruno Mars!

The premise: Foxler visits Blu Jam Cafe, a restaurant in Los Angeles where she and Baldoni had their first date. While she waits for him to arrive, the video starts playing, and hidden cameras capture her reactions. 

Becky Swales' lifelong dream was to have all three of her daughters get married. On Oct. 13, in Snellville, Georgia, her wish came true with a triple wedding.

The 43-year-old mom watched from the front pew as her husband, Otis Swales, walked their girls — Sarah, Kaylee, and Jodie — down the aisle. The couples recited their vows and kissed in unison when the priest declared, "you may now kiss the brides." It was an emotional moment that the Swales family will never forget.

Photo Credits: Jodie Mankus/Facebook

Just 12 hours later, Becky lost her four-year-long battle with cancer, which had recently spread from her breasts to her liver. Jodie, the oldest daughter, posted the following on Facebook, in memory of her Mom:

"My mommy Becky Nickerson Swales went to be with the Lord this morning. She was the most beautiful person I knew, and I bet she is the most beautiful angel. My mom was strong and fought the fight for a long time and I know she's watching me and my family and I'm gonna [sic] give her a life that she'd be proud to watch. Thank you God for letting her be here for the wedding yesterday. I love you bigga bunches mommy. R.I.P."

Our fashion team is reporting live from the bridal runway shows in New York! You can follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates.

Here, get a quick look at the latest buzzworthy gowns:

Mark Zunino

Inspired by asymmetry and "going against the grain of what is expected," this collection uses crushed crystals to resemble broken glass and silver beads all over the body to reflect liquid platinum.

Grand proportions:

Glamorous diamond back:

Loving this dreamy one-shoulder mermaid:

See more new gowns by Mark Zunino ►

To celebrate his golden anniversary with wife Marie, Paul Derthick took an untraditional approach — he created a maze through 17 acres of golden corn that resembled the couple's wedding portrait!

Photo courtesy of Derthick's Corn Maze

"He did it with the kids. They kept it a secret," Marie told Good Morning America. "It was at the end of June that I finally did find out. I thought they were nuts, but it's actually turned out very well."

This isn't the first corn maze the family has made — they've been transforming their 181-acre farm in Mantua, Ohio for seven years — but it's certainly Marie's favorite design.  "Last year, we did John Glenn, because he had his 50th anniversary of going around the world, and in 2010, we had the Twin Towers in honor of the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11. And we've done the Steelers and the Browns because, of course, they're our favorite," Marie explained.

"They put it together very nicely with the church where we were married at the top, and our wedding picture of the two of us in the middle and the old tractor at the bottom," she said. 

—Kristen O'Gorman Klein

Our fashion team is reporting live from the bridal runway shows in New York! You can follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates.

Here, get a quick look at the latest buzzworthy gowns:

Elizabeth Fillmore

A vision in blue:

Dreamy sheath with organza spirals for the boho bride:

Chic shift dress:

Last weekend, Rene and I went back to the Pocono Palace Resort in the Poconos, where we got engaged. We had the absolute best weekend! Our room this time was called the “Fantasy Apple Suite” and it had a private swimming pool, a heart shaped Jacuzzi, a sauna, and a balcony overlooking the beautiful lake. If you and your significant other are looking for a weekend getaway I highly recommend the Cove Haven Resorts, especially Pocono Palace. Your stay is all-inclusive and includes a delicious breakfast, dinner, and activities. This past weekend, we went rollerblading, played basketball, played games in the arcade like skee ball and air hockey (we were kids again and it was so much fun!), saw a comedian and magician, and took full advantage of the amenities in our room. We also went over to Mount Airy Lodge Casino, which is only about a half hour away from the resort, and played some slots.