My bridal shower was truly one of the happiest and most beautiful days of my life. It was hosted by my mother, Joan, and sisters, Lisa and Laura, on April 29th at a local country club. I spent the afternoon surrounded by my closest friends and family members. I had some amazing food, played hilarious games and enjoyed opening everyone's thoughtful presents.

My top three highlights of the day included:

Not too long ago, reception tables were identified with big black numbers on white cards. The look was plain, simple and, well, a bit boring until brides decided to personalize their weddings and make a unique statement with each detail, including the table cards. Now, you’ll see reception tables bearing the names of cities and places that have a special meaning to the couple. Or they might be named after the couples’ favorite bands, composers, movies or even food.

Recently, I came across a genius table card that was created by Leslye Wood for her own son’s wedding. Her “Love Letters” consist of 26 cards, one for each letter of the alphabet, and each card features six words about love and marriage. ($125 plus shipping for 26 cards). You can, of course, personalize with custom words that have a special meaning to you as a couple.
The cards look fantastic on the reception tables and will probably inspire guests to come up with more pithy words of their own.
And if you don’t have 26 tables at your reception, display the rest of the cards on the guest book table or bar:

Earlier today, we live streamed Pronovias' 2013 bridal runway show from Barcelona. We spotted all of their gorgeous new styles without ever leaving our computer! Missed the video? Below, a recap of some of our favorite gowns from the collection.

Today's guest blogger is Sharon Naylor, the bestselling author of over 35 wedding books, including Bridesmaid on a Budget, The Mother of the Bride Book and more. She has appeared on Good Morning America, Martha Stewart Weddings, the BBC, Lifetime, ABC News, and countless other media programs. Visit her website sharonnaylor.net and follow her on Twitter @sharonnaylorwed for her latest news and to potentially be featured in her upcoming wedding articles, blogs, and television segments.

Your credit score is paramount to your financial wellbeing, credit card interest rates, and that loan you will (or won't) receive towards purchasing your first house, so guard it with your life! Brides are a prime target for identity theft: It can be painful enough to pay for all of your wedding purchases and vendors, but what would be even more stressful is to have your credit get destroyed in the process. Follow these smart steps to protect your finances while planning your special day.

Our party calendar for May is packed with bridal showers—stay tuned for an upcoming feature on real-life parties with loads of stealable inspiration! In the meantime, we found this gem to hold you over from our blogger friend Taryn, who runs formalfringe.com. All of the stunning showers we've seen recently have two things in common: handmade details and customization. This do-it-yourself apothecary jar would make a thoughtful guest favor or bridesmaid gift. Display them in neat rows near the entrance to make a sweet first impression.

Materials:

• Decorative bottle with a cork
• Decorative drawer pull knob with a screw
• Glue or decoupage solution
• One sheet of printable acetate
• Screwdriver
• Paint brushes
• Printer

Fine china, kitchen appliances, bedding and...a Star Trek chime? More brides and grooms are choosing to scan unique products that reflect their own personality and style, in addition to the classic staples Mom told them are a must. We got the scoop from MyRegistry.com, the leading online universal gift registry, on which non-traditional items are most popular with couples who register for the site.

1. Garden Charging Station

Raise your hand if your countertop has become a tangle of charging cords thanks to your iPhone, iPod, iPad, and i-everything. Rather than stockpiling your gadgets in a corner somewhere, show them off with this cheeky charging station (Amazon; $21.23).

Sawatdee Kaa, Hola and Hey, my fabulous honeymooners! To say I’ve been on the road loads in the past eight weeks is like saying Brad Pitt is attractive—it is inherently true. I’ve crisscrossed a few countries since February and even found a weekend to snuggle with my own special groom at the fabulous Amanyara in Turks and Caicos.

One of my favorite recent trips was a festive tour of Thailand. I’ve been to the warm (in both temperature and hospitality) Southeast Asian country before, but this trip was all about experiencing its diverse natural beauty. In the north, we stayed at the Four Seasons Chiang Mai, a jungle retreat known for its celebrated cooking school. Not only did I score a master chef certificate, I also got wet, Songkran style. Songkran is the New Year celebration in Thailand that’s both religious and secular. Pouring water on images of Buddha is said to bring good luck. In the olden times, splashing elders with a bit of water on their shoulders was considered respectful. And these days, Buddhist monks sprinkle water onto worshipers to bring prosperity. On the streets, there are parades, buckets and super soakers. Staying dry is almost like an acrobatic event.

Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Chiang Mai