It may have felt like 110 degrees in the shade in NYC last week, but Executive Editor Mary Clarke and I had a very cool meeting with the “Cake Boss” himself, Buddy Valastro.

I love his hit TV show on TLC and am always amazed at the inventive cakes he and his team create. Buddy is a true master and in his latest book, Baking with The Cake Boss (Free Press), he shares his best recipes and decorating secrets.

Buddy is a firm believer that practice makes perfect (“filling four thousand cannoli will help you become a better cake decorator’) and that in time you’ll easily learn how to create your own masterpieces. His book is a terrific step-by-step guide that teaches everything from how to roll dough to how to make and decorate a cake for every special occasion. And the recipes are easy to follow as well.

Join us in a new installment where we scout out some of the most amazing do-it-yourself projects from the blogosphere. Check back each week for our latest high-style finds at a super low price, so you can save your wedding funds for the stuff that really matters to you...

The editors at BG have been obsessing over this bubble chandelier ever since we saw a picture of one last week on 100 Layer Cake. So we did a little research and found out that Gail and Alison Rubke, the mother-daughter owners of Faire Frou Frou, a luxury lingerie boutique in California, are the masterminds behind this creative decoration. Instead of paying $3,000-$7,000 on a chandelier to illuminate their store, Gail and Alison decided to create their own unique chandelier and are now sharing this fun DIY project with crafty gals everywhere. We think it's a great idea for brides on a budget looking to dress up their wedding venue with something eye-catching and whimsical. We've provided their step-by-step instructions below so now you can grab a friend and make one for your big day!

Attention, BG brides in the NYC area: Kleinfeld is having their biggest sale ever! Save up to 70% on select sample bridal gowns, headpieces, veils, and accessories during Kleinfeld's Anniversary Blow Out Sale on Tuesday, August 9 from 3pm to 7pm. Designers include:

Let's take a quick questionnaire: Have you had The Big M. Talk with your SO but are still waiting anxiously for them to propose? Searching for that shiny once-in-a-lifetime engagement ring or wedding band? Looking to swap out an heirloom setting for something that's more "you?"  Do you live in NYC?

If you answered A, B, or C + D, you've come to the right place. Head to Michael C. Fina on August 3rd and 4th from 11 am - 8 pm for their Third Annual Sample Sale! This swanky 5th Avenue establishment just celebrated its 75th Anniversary, and is every diamond girl's dream—all of their sample designer engagement rings and wedding bands will be up to 70% off.  One draw: The sale items will be featured in-store only and it is for items that are in stock—nothing can be ordered.  

Here in New York, hundreds of same-sex couples celebrated their long-awaited weddings yesterday as the law came into effect. In honor, here are some vendors offering special deals:

For the Reception

                                         Photo Credit: InterContinental New York Barclay

The InterContinental New York Barclay's "Worth the Wait" (aww!) package includes: One-hour cocktail reception with passed hors d'oeuvres, four-course sit-down dinner, champagne toast, open bar, rainbow wedding cake, a reception serenade by New York's famous Stonewall Chorale, and a complimentary specialty suite for two nights. Packages start at $175/person (40 guest minimum), and a percentage of the wedding cost will be donated to GMHC, which provides HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and advocacy (intercontinentalnybarclay.com)

It's not often that we get to see a TV star's wedding invitation, so we were extremely psyched to see the invitation that Ceci Johnson, of Ceci New York, designed for Reshma Shetty (actress on "Royal Pains") featured in this week's CeciStyle Magazine. We couldn't wait to share it with you!

Reshma, who is of Indian descent, wanted her wedding (and invitations) to reflect that strong culture. The peacock is the national bird of India, making it the perfect focal point of the stationery. Ceci also incorporated the lotus flower, which symbolizes purity of heart and mind; it also represents long life, health, honor, and good luck. Such a perfect fit for a wedding day!

And we are definitely swooning over her wedding pictures. Such an amazing venue, and the décor is absolutely jaw-dropping.

Check out the incredible stationery below:

Venue-hunting? Before you sign the contract, here are some factors you should consider!

1. DON'T rule out venues automatically. 
It's tough to guesstimate how much a potential venue is going to set you back based on the photos alone. Give yourself free reign to visit any and all wedding locations that pique your interest — whether they're must-sees or just maybes — if you have the time and aren't getting hitched in 6 months or less. When we walked into The Palazzo Room at The Venetian, a venue in Garfield, NJ, my now-husband Jason nearly passed out when he saw the sky-high ceilings and glittering chandeliers. But when we started to comparison-shop and crunched some numbers, we realized it matched up with many other venues in price. In fact, it offered more food options and amenities than the others.

The Venetian: The venue we ended up booking!

We've seen a lot of weddings lately that incorporate photos into the table number cards — typically showing the bride and/or groom at the same age as the number of the table or incorporating photos from the engagement session.

Here's a creative idea that takes it up a notch: Have a photo shoot with your fiancé holding up a sign with each number! Alison and Brian, pictured below, did a different fun pose for each of their 17 tables while holding up the number on a chalkboard.

You can work this into your engagement session so that you don't have to book (and pay for) an extra shoot. Or just have a talented friend or family member take the photos. Alison's sister Jill snapped the great photos below one afternoon in her backyard and a nearby park. The couple had a few ideas in mind before heading out, but most of the poses were improvised while shooting.  "Brian wanted some to be funny, so we made sure to just have fun with it and act as natural as possible," said Alison.

Then, print out your photos and glue onto card stock. Don't be surprised if you catch your guests roaming around the room to check out all of the pictures!

—Kristen O'Gorman Klein

You'll probably take more pictures on your wedding day than you will on any other day of your life. And with any luck, you're going to have dozens that you love. Here's a great way to make your favorite photo an instant focal point of any room—turn it into a custom piece of art!

AllPopArt.com doesn't just print your photo on canvas—their artists add brushstrokes that transform your photograph into a one-of-a-kind painting.

Check out how this great moment was converted:

Another option: Turn your photo into a LichStyle comic-style print!