Blogs

With warm weather around the corner, some of you may be looking forward to your outdoor summer wedding. You’ve no doubt tried to think of everything, from what type of décor is best to the farewell favors. Let’s see: indoor location or tent in case of rain? Check. Bottled water provided for guests before the ceremony? Check. Pashminas on hand for cool breezes — or parasols at the ready for bright sun? Check. But what about those most unwelcome of guests that might just show up and ruin your party: the dreaded insects! You know, those annoying buzzing flies and mosquitoes that bite and bother everyone?

Well, here’s a terrific solution to ward off these pesky visitors: ThermaCELL’s new bronze-colored lantern (priced at $22.99) not only looks great but will keep the pests away allowing you and your guests to thoroughly enjoy being outdoors.

Good news: The ThermaCELL Lantern’s repellent mat contains a natural insecticide found in chrysanthemum flowers and each one creates a 15 ft. x 15 ft. comfort zone with up to four hours of protection (3 mats are included with each lantern). They’re silent, odorless, and the lantern’s light just needs three AAA batteries. You can use the lit lanterns with or without the repellent mats to give your tables a soft glow as night falls.

Guest blogger: Kate Harrison, creator of greenbrideguide.com.
After planning her own green wedding in 2007, Kate wrote the best-selling green wedding book, The Green Bride Guide: How to Plan an Earth-Friendly Wedding on Any Budget (Sourcebooks, 2008). In 2009, she founded greenbrideguide.com to help couples use their weddings to promote social and environmental change while supporting the local green economy. Kate has a JD in Environmental Law and a Master's from Yale in Environmental Policy.

Spring is right around the corner — and it can’t come soon enough! I always find this time of year interminably long and a bit dreary. Come on sun! Show yourself! So when these lovely, picturesque wedding-perfect images of the Villa Poggio Bartoli in Tuscany, Italy came across my desk, I had to share them with you: It’s the ultimate fantasy wedding.

Even if you don’t plan on marrying in Italy, you’ll still appreciate the splendor and romance of the Villa and its surroundings — and you may just change your mind and book your nuptials in Tuscany! The Villa, originally a country home for the Medici family dating back to the 15th century, is now a luxury bed and breakfast. Located in the Tuscan town of Vicchio di Mugello, Villa Poggio Bartoli is just 30 minutes outside Florence — ideal if you and your guests want do a little sightseeing and shopping. (The Villa accommodates 24 overnight guests and will assist in making arrangements for guests to stay nearby or in Florence.)Just picture it: Sun-dappled vineyards, verdant rolling hills, lush flowers and, of course, fabulous food. Couples who marry here can hold their ceremony (up to 250 guests) in any number of spaces throughout the property and outdoor grounds. Or, for a more intimate gathering, the onsite chapel that was restored last year holds 16 guests.

Each week, we feature music recommendations from Scratch Weddings, the nation's leader with the best wedding DJs at affordable prices. This week's post comes from DJ Carver. With experience spinning everything from magazine parties to A-list clubs, he has quickly established himself as one to watch on the NYC music scene. He loves to spin weddings and build the musical momentum for a perfect event. "Everyone at a wedding is in a great mood and dressed in their best, which creates an exciting atmosphere. I can complement that environment with a unique musical landscape for my client's most important day.” 

Photo Credit: Amanda Marie Photography

With many wedding couples coming of age in or near the '90s, it’s an increasingly popular genre to serve as the keystone of the playlist, and we’re seeing brides and grooms ask for '90s hits and deeper cuts constantly. Though grunge was hugely popular, keeping it dance-friendly with classic '90s pop, hip-hop and R&B is a safer bet for keeping the dance floor alive. Watch your friends get transported straight back to high school (or college, or elementary school, or…pre-k?) by serving up a playlist packed with '90s jams like these.

Loverly is the heart of weddings: a visual inspiration search engine designed to help brides discover ideas, people to hire, and things to buy. Loverly makes finding beautiful wedding inspiration easier than ever! Their images are powered by the best wedding publishers and wedding shopping partners on the web. Find Bridal Guide on Loverly >>

Picking out a wedding dress can be a tough decision, so it’s really no surprise that some brides skip choosing altogether and just wear two dresses! Changing into something fun and flirty for your reception is a great option if you are getting married in a conservative setting but your personal style is a little more bold. But even if it’s "anything goes" for your wedding gown, a wardrobe change can just be a fun way to show off your personal style or help you bust a move on the dance floor (surely, I’m not the only one who can’t imagine getting down to “Party Rock Anthem” in a ballgown, right?).

On the drive home from the airport, after the first time I met my fiancé Edwin, my dad insisted that I should give the boy a chance. “This one is different,” he said.

Dad has always been my best friend. From the moment I was little, he's been a safe place from all of my fears (I used to scale him like a building whenever I saw cats, which terrified me). He had numerous heart attacks throughout my childhood, but his stubborn streak always superceded doctor's notes. This winter, my father had a stroke, and his stubborn streak vanished alongside my hope. This time, I found myself saying, "This one is different." I don't know how at 26 years old, I still feel like I'm his little girl, but I do.

After two months of back-and-forth hospital trips, he's finally healing and making a full recovery, as is my heart. I feel blessed and amazed to have him in my life. With that said, I want to honor this man who has taught me so much, on my wedding day. Here, some of my favorite ideas for saying "I love you," whether it's to Mom, Grandma, a cousin, or even a best friend.

1. Do a First Look
Everyone talks about the first look for the groom, but truthfully, I am excited to see my dad’s face when I put my wedding gown on. He isn’t an emotional guy, but I’m holding out hope that there’s a tear or two in his eyes all caught on film. Check out more sweet photos of dads seeing their daughters as brides for the first time!

Q: Instead of writing addresses by hand on the envelope, is it okay to use pre-printed labels?  

A: As much as it would seem more efficient and less labor-intensive, using pre-printed address labels on your wedding invitations is not recommended. Your invitation is a reflection of your personal style and how you view your wedding. According to Mary Mitchell, spokesperson for stationery giant Crane & Co., "The invitation sets the tone for your wedding at the very beginning and is just as important a detail as your flowers, decor and menu. Hand-written envelopes indicate that you care to make your wedding a truly memorable occasion."

The message you send with pre-printed labels? "Let’s just get this over with!" So take the time to write out names and addresses. Why not try your hand at calligraphy or hire someone to do it for you?

Make addressing your invitations an opportunity for a fun get-together rather than a chore. Ask your fiancé, bridesmaids, mom or other family members and friends for some help (don’t try to do it all yourself). You’ll discover that your guests will not only appreciate the time taken but will also regard your wedding as the special event you want it to be.    

—Diane Forden

In a new promo pic for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which hits theaters on November 22, Katniss is wearing a gorgeous wedding gown:

In the book, President Snow orders Katniss to wear Cinna's winning wedding gown design for her televised interview to kick off the Quarter Quell. Katniss describes her gown as "heavy white silk with a low neckline and tight waist and sleeves that fall from my wrists to the floor. And pearls. Pearls everywhere. Stitched into the dress and in ropes at my throat and forming the crown for the veil." 

And when she twirls... well, fans know what happens there!

Obviously, the costume designers took some liberties with the design, but we can certainly imagine how this dress will transform when she twirls. What do you think?

Updated: The designer has been revealed! Though previously speculated to be Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, Catching Fire costume designer Trish Summerville reveals that this frothy confection was the brainchild of Tex Saverio in Jakarta. "He is amazing! I found his designs quite some time ago and saved his information for a fitting project, then came Catching Fire —perfect!" she told The Hollywood Reporter. After several Skype calls and countless sketches, they nailed the final design: a Swarovski-crystal-covered "organza corset under a metal cage." The metal pieces on top represent fire and flames, while the laser-cut feathers at the waist and shoulder are a nod to her transition into a Mockingjay.