Although most couples today pay for the majority of the wedding themselves, much of the planning is still the bride’s responsibility. You may both decide on the budget, place and date, but after that, it’s all systems go…for you. You’ll have your wedding checklist at the ready and schedule appointments to dress shop and meet with all your vendors. More than likely, you’ll be the one who decides on the wedding colors, invitations, decor, favors and flowers, and you’ll spend hours online researching all these details. Your guy is probably happy to let you handle this to-do list solo (be sure to include him on registering, taste-testings, wine sampling and the DJ/band selection!) but that doesn’t mean he should take a backseat thinking his only job is to show up at the wedding. Nope, those days are over! To the rescue: A Gentleman Walks Down the Aisle: A Complete Guide to the Perfect Wedding Day (Thomas Nelson) by John Bridges and Bryan Curtis.
  

CardAvenue.com
Concept: Dying for a $2,000 couch from Crate & Barrel—but also aware that your guests will think you're crazy if you add it to your registry? Register for gift cards instead to whichever stores you select. Your guests can then select the amount they'd like to give.
Pros: A nice option for a couple who doesn't need any more housewares. It's also helpful if you're planning a home renovation project (just select Home Depot and Lowe's for your cards), where you don't know what exactly you'll need—and let's face it, a new toilet isn't a great wedding gift anyway.
Cons: Call me old-fashioned, but it feels a little too much like flat out asking for money—a big etiquette no no.  

 

It's practically a given that celebrity weddings will air on TV these days—and that TLC will be behind it. Tentatively titled "Nick and Vanessa's Dream Wedding," TLC's new special will include everything from their joint wedding shower to shopping for the dress to the actual wedding ceremony.

The airdate is still TBD but will be within weeks of the event. Will you tune in for Nick and Vanessa's wedding special?

Here at BG, we can't help but wonder if it'll have anything in common with Nick's last wedding... and we're more than a little surprised that Nick has agreed to more reality TV.

—Kristen O'Gorman Klein

 

Alison Duke

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If, for your big day, you plan to be "in the pink", here are a few rosy picks to complement your theme. Love the pink bridesmaids dresses by Bill Levkoff, Love by Enzoani and Bari Jay—so dreamy!  Physician's Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush, at $11.99 is a perfectly pink bridesmaids gift.  The powder features Euphoryl, which has been shown to promote a feeling of happiness (everyone needs this!) Another great gift for the bridal party is Veuve Cliquot Rosé champagne. Get your pink on! And of course, if pink is your plan, you will want these blush-tinted butterfly heels by Aruna Seth.  Don't forget the honeymoon;  rose-tinted shades by Swarovski will have you seeing pink all the way to Aruba!

—Naima DiFranco

Shhh…don’t let my bosses hear me, but sometimes wedding planning can be overloading. I know! I was there myself almost exactly two years ago. And I wanted to throw in the planning towel on more than one occasion. Had I known about these awesome elopement packages from the ultra gorge Lake Placid Lodge in the Adirondacks, I would have opted for that. The rustic, yet luxurious lodge is surrounded by pristine woodlands and that picturesque shimmering lake (look! it’s not just a clever name!) and offers an array of ceremony sites, as well as yum-o food. Wedding packages start at just five hundred greenbacks. There are also larger ceremony and reception options for those of you who wish to swap vows in front of friends and family. Special discounts apply for exclusive use and number of rooms booked. Go to lakeplacidlodge.com for more info. And tell them I sent you!

Photo courtesy of Jon Zander

 

—Jenna Mahoney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Show me a girl who doesn't swoon over the fashion, look and romance of the classic movie Breakfast at Tiffany's and I'll show you a girl who doesn't love diamonds. So it stands to reason that together we can easily find a bunch of ladies who'd love to stay in the new Tiffany Suite at the St. Regis New York. Painted in the emblematic blue, the sprawling one-of-a-kind room features a living room, giant foyer and enormous bedroom, all with views of iconic 5th Avenue. The décor is jewel-toned and inspired by the sparklers of the famous house. Rates are just as precious starting at $8,500 a night, but what did we expect for a diamond in the sky?
 

Go to stregis.com for more information.
 

 

— Jenna Mahoney

 

Have I mentioned that I'm an indoorsy glamping kind of gal? I adore the great outdoors as long as high-thread count sheets and champs are involved. Admittedly, there is something so infinitely romantic about sleeping under the twinkle of stars. And there are days in the summer (or when I'm at the beach in Mexico) that I wish I could drag my mattress onto a verandah and slumber glampy, city-style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Candice Crawford, former Miss Missouri USA and sister of Gossip Girl heartthrob Chace Crawford, dazzled in Badgley Mischka Couture for the reception of her wedding to football star Tony Romo on May 28. The BG editors love the simple elegance of her white matte jersey gown — the beaded neckline and belt give it just the right amount of sparkle — that was appropriate for an outdoor tent reception where guests danced the night away under trees wrapped with strands of tiny white lights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crawford's 15 bridesmaids also wore Badgley Mischka Couture for the ceremony and reception. The gorgeous group embraced summer's popular nude hue in cream silk cocktail dresses with gold tulle overlay and beaded belts that complemented Crawford's reception gown. With bouquets of cream flowers and strappy nude heels to accessorize their look, these beauties stayed cool in the Texas heat while reflecting the elegance of the bride herself.

 

 

 

 

 

There is a well-known saying that "The pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of queens." Naturally, what better bauble is there to wear on your wedding, the most royal day of your life? June is Pearl Month, and to celebrate, Online Marketing Director Amy Rauch and I paid a visit to the Honora store, aka the pearly gates of accessory heaven, in NYC. Although it was a sweltering 90 degrees that day, as we tried on strand after strand of these regal (and even surprisingly, rock-and-roll) beauties, we felt the heat start to melt away and a cool, calm and collected elegance take over us, the way a bride must feel when she looks into the mirror and sees her entire bridal ensemble for the first time. Slip these editors' picks on for size to look (and feel) like a queen at your nuptials, plus we've got great thank-you gift ideas for your bridal party as well.  Find out how BG readers can get 10% off the pearls below!

The aptly titled "Forget Me Knot" Collection includes 9.5-10mm freshwater cultured button pearl earrings (LE5563WH, $140.00), a sterling silver 18-inch necklace (LP5563WH,  $175.00) and a 10.5 mm ring to match (LR5563WH, $140.00). These pieces opitimize bridal elegance at its best, without having to empty your bank account.