Blogs

"During my time at Bridal Guide, I've had the opportunity to browse thousands of gowns in our online gallery, editorial fashion spreads and designer ad pages. But nothing could prepare me for the surreal experience of actually trying on a wedding gown for the first time. One of the key things I learned was that trying on a variety of styles—even ones I never thought I'd wear—helped me a great deal. It also helped to have my go-to BG fashionistas, Rachel Dichter (fashion sales associate), and Noelle Gharbi (multimedia marketing coordinator), provide real, uncensored feedback. Here's an account of my dress shopping adventure through their eyes."

Congrats to Amy Rauch, Bridal Guide’s digital marketing director, on getting engaged!

You’d think that when one of our own “says yes,” she’d know exactly what kind of wedding gown she wants, right? Wrong! When you work at a bridal magazine, you become overexposed to thousands of gorgeous white options. That’s why we went straight to one of our favorite NYC bridal salons, Designer Loft, for help.

All I want for Christmas is... washboard abs! You, too? That’s why I’m here; it's no exclusive secret, and it doesn’t take "perfect genes" — anyone can get them. It just takes the right training and the drive to do it. Here’s one of my newest intense ab workouts – go for it, and share your results and feedback! Plus, check out last week's video here, and subscribe to my channel for new, free workouts every week.

The Workout:

► 15 Full Sit-Ups
► 15 V-Ups
► 15 Bicycles (15 each side)
► 15 Reverse Crunches
► 15 Rower Crunches
► 1 Min Anti-Gravity Plank Hold

Do as many rounds as you can in seven minutes — or go for as many rounds as you can! Either way, you'll really feel this tomorrow in your abs. Leave a comment and share how many rounds you did. 

But don’t forget, the key to perfect abs is in the perfect recipe; it’s not just about the exercises, it’s about the right combination of the right diet, paired with the right workouts on the right days! 

Join us every Friday for our Q&A column, where editor-in-chief Diane Forden answers one reader's biggest etiquette question.

Photo Credit: Misty Miotto Photography

Q. One of my bridesmaids lives in another state. Am I responsible for paying for her transportation to and from my wedding?

A. You’re not required to pick up your attendants’ travel expenses, nor are you expected to pay for any of their accommodations. You should, however, be mindful of how easily expenses can add up. After all, they are expected to contribute to the cost of the bridal shower, give both shower and wedding gifts and purchase a dress and accessories. They may even chip in on a bachelorette party for you! With that in mind, you should make arrangements for your out-of-state attendants to stay with you, with another member of the wedding party or with friends and relatives who graciously offer a room in their homes. And be sure to discuss travel costs with your bridesmaids now, so there is no misunderstanding about fi nances later on. If the costs will be too much of a burden for her, you may want to contribute to her expenses as a gift

—Diane Forden

Meeting your future in-laws for the first time is always a stressful occasion — but the pressure increases tenfold if you're meeting them for the first time at a holiday gathering with the whole gang. You want to make a good first impression — without looking like you’re trying too hard. Start with the perfect host and hostess gift! 

Send-Ahead Flowers
The problem with bringing flowers to a holiday party is that your hostess then has to scramble to find a vase and a place to display them. If you send the flowers ahead of time, though, she can find the perfect spot for them when she’s not also busy worrying about refilling drinks and dishing out appetizers. We love this cheerful arrangement from 1-800-Flowers:

Joyful Lights, from $44.99, 1800Flowers.com

Breakfast
After all of the cooking, baking, prepping, and cleaning required for a holiday party, your hostess is going to be pretty exhausted the following day. Make her life a little easier by with a breakfast basket:

The day after our wedding in Indianapolis, I woke up next to my husband Corey for the first time. That in itself was a wonderful feeling, but what made it even more exciting was the anticipation of departing for our Mexican honeymoon later that day! Check out some highlights from our romantic trip, below. 

Why we chose Mexico...
Corey and I had traveled to Mexico before and we loved it there, so we knew we wanted to go back for our honeymoon. We stayed at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya, an all-inclusive resort situated on the soft, sandy beaches of Riviera Maya, near Playa del Carmen. We chose a hotel chain that we were familiar with (we'd stayed at Riu's Cabo location before), so we knew exactly what to expect. Plus, the weather in Riviera Maya is beautiful, the flight is short (from where we live in Indianapolis), and the trip fit into our budget.

Plus, get more information on Where to Stay in Cancun and Riviera Maya.

Are you feeling sluggish and worn out in the final days leading up to your nuptials? Do you find yourself in a state of sheer panic over your inability to ban the bloat? Here, a last-minute fix to your final-stretch funk.

BluePrint Cleanse is the first 100% USDA certified organic juice cleanse and offers a wide array of nutritious and delicious fruits and veggies blended down into a lusciously liquefied confection. They offer three different degrees of intensity — so whether you’re someone who counts French fries towards your daily intake of vegetables or you’re a true juicing junkie, there is a program that caters to everybody. I chose the beginner level, Renovation:

Whether you’re planning a cozy dinner-for-two, a chic New Year’s Eve party or just want a unique look for your reception tables, you’ll love these super-cool paper shades from dipotter.com. Not only do they look fantastic, they’re also economical (six shades for $22). Simply put a battery-operated tea light (six for $15) in a wine or champagne glass, and place the appropriately sized shade over the glass for a soft, dreamy glow.

You can choose from silver, white, gray and parchment tones to graphic black and white shades:

 You can even have them monogrammed:

Why buy a generic ornament to mark your first wedded Christmas when you can create one that is truly unique to you? These Wedding Invitation Ornaments from our blogger friend Jen at SomethingTurquoise.com are quick, easy, and inexpensive to make; they'll showcase a couple's love for years to come. Grab a pair of scissors and start creating some holiday magic!

Materials:

• Wedding invitation
• Large 4'' globe ornament
• Your choice of glitter or paint (you can also use both)
• Ribbon
• Mod Podge
• Scissors
• Paper trimmer
• Paint brush

​Option 1: Glitter-Glam Ornament

Step 1: Assemble the Paper Strips

• Gather your invite card, RSVP card, and map card (if you have one). 

They say the devil is in the details, but I happen to think that personality is what makes any wedding shine. One of my favorite places to add creativity is in the wedding programs—they don't have to cost a fortune to be a winner with guests. From whimsical to romantic to modern, here are a few of my favorite things (can you tell I'm in the holiday spirit?).

Unique Packaging

I've been in love with chalkboards for as long as I can remember, so this idea is my personal favorite. My mom was a schoolteacher for over 20 years and every day after class, I would make pretend that I was a teacher, just like her, by doodling all over the board! There are so many ways that you can incorporate this nostalgic element into your wedding. Check out more chalkboard-inspired décor here.

Photo Credit: Jessamyn Harris

How adorable is this crossword puzzle? You can also include fun facts about your bridal party—we can't wait to try this steal-worthy idea.