Colin Cowie doesn't need an introduction — his 25 years of event-planning expertise and larger-than-life personality speaks for itself.

He pulled out all the stops at  Kim Kardashian's "Welcome to NYC" fête the BG editors attended last month. (She's not the only A-list admirer: Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez, and Huge Hefner all speed-dial Cowie when they need to throw a slammin' party.)

Now, we shifted gears and asked for his advice with a different scope in mind: The budget-conscious bride! Read on to find out how you can emulate his luxe five-senses approach to wedding planning for less.

1. Choose a Budget Bloom With High Impact

One of my favorite affordable flowers is the carnation. It looks lavish and elegant when used en masse on its own in a centerpiece. Carnations can also take on a sculptural element when used correctly.

I also love mixing different materials in my arrangements. Consider augmenting your décor or creating an entire look based on non-floral elements, such as fruit. The color and size of the fruits you select need to work in harmony with your overall theme. You can also paint them gold or silver leaf and sprinkle them with some sparkle to add dimension.

The 2011 DEBI (Distinctive Excellence in the Bridal Industry) Awards were a night of glitz and glamour at The Chicago Field Museum. Hundreds of the best and brightest in the bridal industry dressed in black-tie attire for the gala. The night of drinks, dinner, and dancing was hosted by county music star Laura Bell Bundy. Manufacturers and retailers watched with bated breath as models strutted down the runway in the nominees' gorgeous gowns and dresses. And, of course, Bridal Guide was right there in the action to deliver the scoop on the winners! 

Bridal Guide's Fashion Sales Rep. Rachel Bashner, Associate Publisher/VP Jim Duhe, and Fashion Advertising Coordinator Rachel Dichter at the DEBI Awards

A big congratulations goes out to Mon Cheri Bridals, who took home three DEBI Awards! Mon Cheri won the Flower Girl category with its Joan Calabrese line; the Special Occasion category with its Montage line; and the Prom category with its Tony Bowls collection.

Designing your centerpieces requires careful consideration since your guests will be looking at these arrangements for a whole four hours. As the bride-to-be, I desperately wanted my own flowers to be unique, modern, romantic and —most importantly —blend in with the overall vision of our wedding day.

Michael and I finally decided on our florist and arrangements this past May. Although I am keeping our floral design under wraps until July 2012, I am thrilled to share some helpful advice I learned along the way.

Inspiration First

I highly recommend creating an inspiration board to provide your florist with a clear idea of your
thoughts and expectations. I spent hours snipping images of centerpieces I loved from wedding blogs and websites. Then I compiled everything and printed a hard copy of the document to take with me when interviewing potential florists. That way, I had photos to explain what I was looking for in my modern, romantic centerpieces.

Not sure where to start? Check out David Tutera's guide to choosing seasonal flowers based on your wedding month. Consider your favorite colors, films, even items of clothing—your florist will be able to draw upon those preferences to come up with a unique floral concept.

PRO Beauty Tools just released a limited-edition Twilight collection, featuring five styling tools and four hairbrushes. The collection includes a ceramic ionic dryer, ionic steam hairsetter, ceramic curling iron, ceramic flat iron, and ceramic detailer. 

Hairstylist Beatrice De Alba, who worked on the Twilight stars in Breaking Dawn, created a series of how-to videos with step-by-step instructions so that you can copy your favorite star's look, from Bella's loose waves to Esme's sleek style. Check them out!

About the Products:

How to Get Bella's Hairstyle:

How to Get Edward's Hairstyle:

How to Get Alice's Hairstyle:

How to Get Rosalie's Hairstyle:

How to Get Esme's Hairstyle:

Looking for a fun bachelorette party idea? Or an out-of-the-ordinary date night with your new hubby? Then you'll love Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the Tony Award-winning musical. 

This hilarious comedy, presented by Bette Midler, follows three best friends as they search for love and friendship on a wild road trip across the Australian outback. With over 500 dazzling costumes and a hit parade of dance-floor favorites, including “It’s Raining Men” and “I Will Survive," Priscilla promises the two happiest hours on Broadway!

Why do we love it? Priscilla Queen of the Desert isn't just another Broadway musical; the audience can become a part of the show with these special packages:

This might be the cutest proposal video ever...

After dating for over five and half years, Jamin wanted to make his proposal to girlfriend Valerie extra special—so he organized a flash mob to "Marry You" by Bruno Mars in the middle of Downtown Disney!

We love the look on Valerie's face when Jamin joins the mob. Check out the video!

—Kristen O'Gorman Klein