Now that we’re getting close to the main event, my mom is becoming much more involved in the planning process. While I appreciate her eye for detail, it’s making the process more complicated. You know the saying, “Too many cooks spoil the broth?" It’s just as true when it comes to bridal plans.

My mom is a sophisticated lady, and her main concern is that everything looks elegant. I think she’s asked me three times if the caterers will use chafing dishes instead of foil tins. She’s all about the details, while my dad is more of a big picture kind of guy. He’s really created this thing from scratch, so he has yet to work out the finer points. Because he’s in such close contact with many of the vendors, he trusts them and assumes they know what they’re doing, while my mom questions everything.

Until we live in a perfect world free from disagreements, here are my tips for dealing with contradicting forces:

1. Stand up for what you want, even if you think it’ll ruffle a few feathers.

It’s important to be straightforward about what you like or don’t like. Recently, my dad and I were finalizing the catering contract and I ran through the expenses with my mom, who immediately raised concerns about a minor detail. Next thing you know, my dad calls to tell me that we’re ditching this caterer to find a new one, per my mom’s advice.

I'm addicted to finding fabulous couture options for my bridesmaids. I've asked four girls to celebrate my big day: My best friend from childhood, my older sister, my future sister-in-law, and my cousin. A few years ago, when I originally chose them, the dress styles were very limited. Sure, there were some nice options, but never any that were full-on stylish.

To make matters even more complicated, they all had their own agenda of what they wanted to wear. The mismatched dress trend hadn't been born yet, and it's the one I'm officially crushing on for my Italian nuptials in 2014. Forget boring taffeta and horrid shades of pea green—the dresses below are incredibly chic!

1. One-Shoulder Dresses

The latest craze is a bridal party with asymmetrical details, and this soft neutral is perfection.

Photo Credit: JLM Couture

Black dresses are purely chic, but do try pops of color on your bouquet to make a bold statement.

Photo Credit: JLM Couture

If you want a dramatic color but you don’t want to commit to a dark shade, try gunmetal for an elegant option.

Guest Blogger: Nathaniel Neubauer, owner of Contemporary Catering
Nathaniel’s mom says it best: “When Nathaniel was turning three, I asked him what he wanted for his third birthday. He said, ‘Quiche.’” Ever since, Nathaniel’s love for food has never been far from reach. With his presence, Contemporary Catering quickly became a major contender in the Los Angeles catering industry. From overseeing production to designing a nine-course tasting menu with five-star service, Nathaniel’s dedication to his clients and his company is unparalleled.

After the ceremony, you newlyweds will probably want to sneak away and enjoy a few alone moments. To ensure your guests stay entertained, we've put together some of our best cocktail hour beverages and bites that will be sure to give your guests something to talk about.

What better way to kick off your cocktail hour than with some super fun “poptails”?! Take some of your favorite summer drinks, freeze in popsicle molds and place in cute glasses and trays so everything stays mess-free as they melt. Don’t forget to freeze some popsicles sans alcohol for the little ones! Pomegranate, peach, strawberry, mojito… the flavor possibilities are endless.

Brides have often been depicted in the media as selfish, demanding “bridezillas” but I find that nothing could be further from the truth. Okay, there will always be a few out-of-control divas who make life miserable for everyone around them (and will continue to do so after the wedding!) but most of the brides I’ve known have made their family, friends and bridal party’s happiness a priority. They are conscious of doing what’s right and what’s best for others. For such brides, giving guests a charitable favor is a plus, and what better time is there than now, National Breast Cancer month, to consider doing just that? The American Cancer Society offers beautiful Wedding Scrolls that can be placed at each guest’s seat or Tent Cards for display on each table acknowledging that a financial contribution has been made toward the fight against cancer.

Looking for ways to individualize your bridal look? We took a style cue from Oscar de la Renta's bridal collection to see which accessories make a "Big Day" style statement.

1. Consider a textured veil with detailing that complements the beadwork/lace/floral accents of your dress; it is sure to give you a pulled together look. If you desire a look of cool refinement, a veil is a magnificent choice.

2. Statement earrings are sure to give you fashionista style points. We love the pairing of statement earrings with a more clean, polished hairstyle — this keeps the look balanced.

3. Cute fingerless gloves are adorable and add a touch of whimsy to your big day look. We love how Oscar de la Renta complemented the gloves with a "something blue" nail polish. Gloves pair well with a short dress: they imbue the look with a bit of chic formality — ideal for your wedding.

Tell us: What statement accessories are you considering for your wedding day?

—Naima DiFranco