Hi BG Brides. My name is Jason and I am lucky enough to be engaged to the beautiful Stefania, the Web Producer at Bridal Guide. While checking out her blog, I thought it might be interesting to give some insight into the wedding-planning process from the groom's perspective. I'm currently getting my doctorate, so studying is my full-time job, which makes it impossible to hold down a 9-to-5. I thought saving up for an engagement ring was difficult—fellas, it's a mere fraction of what your total wedding will cost, and the knee-shaking feeling you get when proposing is peanuts compared to signing wedding contracts!

The cost of the wedding really began to hit me once we started looking at different venues. Living in Brooklyn allowed us to look at venues throughout the five boroughs of NYC, plus Long Island and New Jersey. When we visited the first hall, the place was absolutely stunning: It also had a pricetag to match. As we looked at other venues (photos of our 10+ road trips, coming soon!), I realized that sticker shock is the norm and picking a place was going to take up much more of our total budget than I initially thought.

We got a sneak peek at the hottest hair accessory trends for fall/winter from Bride's Head Revisited, and we're in love with the gorgeous styles. Check them out!

Princess Tiara

No surprise here—between Kate Middleton and Charlene Wittstock, this is the year of the princess. This Swarovski crystal tiara ($300) is subtle and sweet, giving you just the right amount of regal glamour.

Romantic Crystal Elements

We love these gorgeous combs that'll work with any hairstyle you choose (need some ideas? Check out these chic hairstyles). The Swarovski crystals add instant polish to your wedding-day look.

From left to right: Swarovski Crystal Comb Model 615 ($150); Swarovski Crystal Bow Shaped Comb Model 606 ($125); Large Swarovski Crystal & Pearl Comb Model 208a ($250)

For most brides, one of the biggest challenges they face when planning a wedding is how to stay organized. After all, there are a gazillion details to consider from dress shopping to ordering invitations to booking your honeymoon. You’ll be making phone calls, researching vendors online, scheduling appointments, getting price quotes and constantly trying to keep track of it all. And, unless you’re really organized, planning will be overwhelming and stressful.

I may not be planning a wedding like you are, but just trying to keep track of everything in my office drives me crazy (just ask my staff!). I have folders, e-mail print-outs, books, magazines and products everywhere. So anything that can help me keep track of stuff in an organized fashion is a joy! Which is why I want to share this great item with you that I recently discovered, Clip-It USB drives that function like paper clips. Check them out:

Clip them right onto your folder/paperwork/planning notebook and you’ll never have to go wading through drawers or tote bags (like me!) trying to find a drive. Each one holds 4 GB of memory and costs $18.62 (without shipping or tax if ordered online. Go to verbatim.com). They are also available at Office Max stores.

TLC's new spinoff Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids makes shopping for a wedding gown looks like a cinch compared to shopping for one dress that pleases every bridesmaid. Check out a dramatic preview of the show, which premieres tonight at 10/9c, on tlc.com. 

And to avoid seeing the claws come out when you go dress shopping with your own 'maids, keep these simple tips in mind:

1. As the bride, it's within your rights to choose the color and fabric of the bridesmaids' dresses. But don't forget to take your bridesmaids' personal styles, body types, and budget concerns into consideration. Their dresses should complement yours while also being comfortable and attractive. If you don't care about being matchy matchy, a great option is to choose a color and let your bridesmaids pick a dress that fits her shape and taste the best. 

2. But don't allow too much feedback from your bridesmaids in picking out their dresses or you'll never get a consensus and will drive yourself crazy trying to make everyone happy. At some point you just have to say, "this is what I've decided."

Just before Valentine’s Day, Brooke Daniels received a surprise package in the mail from her boyfriend, Roy Williams. In it, there were funds to pay her bills, a baseball (???), and…an engagement ring, along with a recorded message. BG brides, if you're cringing at the thought of being proposed to from a box, you aren’t alone—Brooke turned him down. But here's the kicker: She kept the rock.

The catch to this story is that she’s a former Miss Texas and Roy is a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys who just filed a lawsuit over the $76,000 diamond after being dumped.

Aside from the he-said she-said debates (Brooke’s dad allegedly reported the ring lost, Roy allegedly initially said she could keep it), we can’t help but wonder: What happens to engagement rings when popping the question on bended knee (or in this case, UPS) doesn’t lead to happily-ever-after?

Granted, it’s probably the last issue ex-couples worry about, given the seriousness of breaking off a potential marriage, but it’s a valid Q given the investment that goes into purchasing a ring and the numerous court cases dedicated to this topic each year. Etiquette dictates that giving the bauble back to the suitor would be the right thing for Brooke to do, since she called off the engagement. Crystal Harris, Hugh Hefner's "Runaway Bride", also recently made headlines when she was spotted cavorting in Vegas on what was supposed to be her wedding day, flashing a smile for the cameras with her sparkler intact. At least she returned the couple's dog at the Playboy Mansion...

We may have all been a twitter celebrating the birthday of our nation this past weekend, but over in arguably the most glam European principality, the crown heir wed. That's right, I'm not talking about the Prince of Monaco AKA son of the most influential bride ever, Grace Kelly (ahem, Duchess of Cambridge, you know what I'm talking about). Prince Albert and his new wife celebrated in typical (read: posh) Monegasque-style, feted by international royals and luminaries in a grand space overlooking the sea.

Now, I know it may sound all so fab and far-off, but you too can host a fit-for-royal wedding in Monaco when you stay at the gorgeous Villa Fleur de Lys in Cap D’Ail. Recently renovated in a chic, modern look, the intimate, yet grand home stands proudly over the sparkling Mediterranean.

What do Kim Kardashian, Jessica Simpson, Ali Fedotowsky and Julie Benz have in common? A sparkling diamond ring, an upcoming wedding ... and a Kindle. We've got the scoop on what these four engaged celebrities are reading this summer (and possibly on their honeymoons!). Find out if your summer reading picks overlap with any of their choices.

Kim Kardashian's Kindle Reading List:

1. Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom
2. Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea, by Chelsea Handler
3. The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren
4. Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul, by Deepak Chopra

Jessica Simpson's Kindle Reading List:

1. Shantaram, by Gregory David Roberts
2. How to Cook Everything, by Mark Bittman
3. The Best Kind of Different, by Shonda Schilling
4. Deception, by Jonathan Kellerman
5. The Whole Truth, by David Baldacci
6. Made for Goodness, by Desmond Tutu
7. The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle
8. All books by Paulo Coelho
9. Shape magazine
10. Time magazine
11. USA Today
12. The New York Times

Ali Fedotowsky's Kindle Reading List:

1. Consider embracing an all-white look. When else is it acceptable to dress head-to-stiletto in one hue? This is a great option for BG readers who love the short reception gown trend, but don't have the funds to buy two frocks for their wedding day. If you're dead-set on color, we recommend two chic new bridesmaids collections we've seen recently: White by Vera Wang and the detachable Bari Jay collection. Skeptical? Don't be—no one will know the dress' original intent except us budget-savvy brides...

Making a charitable donation in lieu of wedding favors has been a popular choice for a while now. And edible favors are always a guest-favorite. That's why we love Baking for Good, which combines the two!

15% of every purchase is donated to the cause of your choice. And Baking for Good is now offering customized wedding favors, so you can create your own cookie incorporating your monogram, colors, theme, or anything you want.

We also love the delicious gourmet brownies, which are available in a bunch of tasty flavors.

Prices range from $1.00-$4.00 per favor and all are made from all-natural, organic, local, and seasonal ingredients. Also available: dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options.

Check out some of the delicious treats below.

—Kristen O'Gorman Klein