Wedded Bits

Wedding Dresses

The best in ballgowns

Dan Lecca (2)

Designers are always riffing on the classic ballgown silhouette—and this season was no exception. There was certainly something for everyone: Beaded bodices teamed up with voluminous skirts in every imaginable fabric. Light and airy confections floated down the runway, while out-there couture creations followed like majestic elephants in a circus caravan. Here are our favorites of the bunch. —Kim Forrest

NY, NJ and CT

True Romance

Photo by Chris Craymer

When Chris Craymer's new book Romance [$50, Bene Factum] arrived at our offices, we were all intrigued. The London–born photographer has taken the unbridled passion of what he refers to as “pre–mortgage love” and captured it in a series of glossy, sexy photographs that would make even the most jaded of cynics wish that she, too, were making out on a window seat at a charming English estate or beneath a blanket on a deserted beach. If you're planning a stylish engagement shoot, these photos provide great inspiration.

And just in time for Valentine's Day, Craymer will be exhibiting 45 selections from the book at the Trask Gallery inside the National Arts Club on Gramercy Park South through February 16th. The artist will be donating 50 percent of all proceeds from photograph sales to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

For more engagement photo inspiration, click here . —Amanda Dennis, Editorial Intern

BRIDES Magazine

Locavore on the Jersey Shore

Courtesy of One Atlantic

Forget what you might assume about Atlantic City—boxing matches, gambling, bachelor parties, Donald Trump. With the opening of event space One Atlantic, the over-the-top town may become the destination for eco-minded brides looking not only for a romantic oceanfront reception space but also for an impressive roster of seasonal dishes. The cuisine of the "100-mile menu" is inspired by other countries, but most of the ingredients (including organic meats, wines, and fresh fruits and vegetables) are grown and harvested within a 100-mile radius of One Atlantic. Brides and their fiances can visit the site six months before the wedding and actually plant what they want to eat on their wedding day. Just some food for thought... —Jackie Lebowitz, BRIDES Features Department

I Will/I Won't

Which red carpet hairstyle is your favorite?

WWD (4)

Stars have done a great job so far this year providing us with wedding-day fashion and beauty inspiration from the red carpet. We compiled a slide show of some of our favorite celebrity hairstyles from the 2010 Golden Globes and SAG Awards, and now we want to know which is most likely to inspire your bridal look.

See more of our favorite red carpet hairstyles.

Houston

A happy Valentine

Courtesy of A Punkin Card Company

Not into cheesy Valentine's Day traditions, but still want to show your fiance some love on February 14th? I'm digging the assortment of pretty and "straight to the point" cards from A Punkin Card Company. This stationary designer is based in The Woodlands, a community just north of downtown Houston. Amie, the designer, has a clean, whimsical style and has been in business since 2007. Not only does she create greeting cards, but also journals, card sets, and wedding stationary. Connect with the artist through her website apunkincardcompany.com.—Abigail Reid, Editorial Assistant, Brides Houston

Photography & Video

Photo Station Backdrop Inspiration

Anthropologie

Oh, Anthropologie I love you so. The latest catalogue from one of my favorite retailers is gorgeous as usual, and I was particularly captivated by this image. I thought the lace tablecloth backdrop would be a great choice for a portrait station at a wedding. It feels a little more "Old World" than the brightly colored fabric we often see couples using in the real wedding photos we review for the magazine. And the pattern would shoot beautifully in black and white, too. I did some hunting around online and it looks like eBay is the best bet for a variety of tablecloths that would look similar to this one. —Leigh Crandall, Managing Editor

California

Adele Wechsler trunk show helps save the whales

Courtesy of Adele Wechsler

Attention environmentally conscious brides! Tarzana–based bridal boutique Lili Bridals will be hosting a trunk show by eco–friendly designer Adele Wechsler February 5–7, 2010 to benefit the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's save the whales campaign.

On January 6, 2010, the Ady Gil, an anti–whaling powerboat donated to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society by Woodland Hills resident Ady Gil, sank after a collision with a Japanese whaling ship. Teaming up with Adele Wechsler (who will be on hand at the show), Lili Bridals will donate five percent of every dress sold to constructing the Ady Gil II.

The trunk show will be held Friday, February 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday February 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, February 7 from noon to 5 p.m. (by appointment only). Lili Bridals is located at 18663 Ventura Blvd. in Tarzana. For questions or to book an appointment, please call 818-774-9700. —Amanda Dennis, Editorial Intern, Brides Southern California

Celebrity Insider

Kristen Bell's engagement ring

Courtesy of Neil Lane

Tons of great jewelry was seen on the red carpet at the Grammy awards this past Sunday, including this engagement ring worn by When in Rome's Kristen Bell. We didn't even know she was engaged to boyfriend and co-star Dax Shepard. The 3-carat emerald-cut, fancy-colored diamond was designed by Neil Lane and is set in platinum with tiny white diamond accents.

Check out some of the bridal fashions seen in When in Rome. Perhaps it gave the future bride some ideas for her own wedding. —Cari Wolfert

BRIDES Magazine

Hope for Haiti

Courtesy of Bliss

The tragedy in Haiti has made us all wonder how we can do our part—albeit small—to help with relief efforts. Brides-to-be in the throes of wedding planning need to do just one easy thing: shop. The following pieces of jewelry and beauty products, a portion of the profits from which go toward organizations working in Haiti, would make extra-thoughtful bridesmaids' gifts and pre-wedding treats:

Jewelry designer Alex and Ani has created the "Cornelian bracelet," a wire bangle with a cornelian stone, available for $18; all proceeds will be donated to Doctors Without Borders. Available at alexandani.com.

Ben-Amun has reduced the price of its red, multistrand seed-bead necklace from $80 to $20; $10 from each necklace sold will benefit the American Red Cross. Call 212-944-6480 to buy one.

Jewelry designer Judith Kuperman has collaborated with the Wayuu Taya Foundation to create the "H" pendant, available for $10 each; 20 percent of the proceeds will raise money for an orphanage and school in Haiti. The pendants, which can be bought in necklace or bracelet form, are available at helphaitihope.org.

Fine-jewelry concierge service 27 Facets is donating 25 percent of all proceeds through Valentine's Day to the Yele Haiti Charity—making it a perfect time to buy an engagement ring or Valentine's gift. Go to 27facets.com for more information.

Danielle Stevens's engraved "Hope, Faith, Support, Strength" pendant necklace will raise money (80 percent of all sales) for the American Red Cross. The price is $40, and it's available at daniellestevens.com.

Pamper yourself before the big day with Bliss Softening Socks and Glamour Gloves ($48 each). Seventy-five percent of your purchase will be donated to an international children's organization. Both items are available at blissworld.com.

The perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon? Go to Scenterprises's "Heart-to-Heart for Haiti" auction on Valentine's Day at FireBird restaurant in New York City, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $150 each; you get a champagne brunch, a fragrance seminar, and the chance to create your own perfume. Go to scenterprises.com to RSVP. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the American Red Cross.

Groomsmen can get a little something, too, with Polo Ralph Lauren's blue "Haiti Relief Polo" shirt. All proceeds will go to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund. Available at ralphlauren.com.

Looking for a wedding or bridesmaid dress? Check out Enzoani—through the end of February, $10 for each of its bridal gowns and $2 for each of its evening dresses sold in the United States and Canada will support UNICEF's relief efforts in Haiti. Go to enzoani.com or unicefusa.org for more information.

—Beth Swanson, BRIDES Fashion & Beauty Department

Music Playlists

Songs that will make the crowd go wild

BRIDES magazine asked real brides what songs got their guests dancing at their weddings. Here are what some people said:

"The place came alive after the band left and someone put on a Journey CD. One guest did a cartwheel to 'Any Way You Want It,' and boxes and boxes of candy (he'd been 'collecting' favors) fell out of his pockets!" —Theresa D,. 38, Washington, DC

"When the bank played Justin Timberlake's 'Sexy Back,' my straitlaced, reserved Uncle Bob surprised us all by going nuts on the dance floor. He had moves I don't think anyone has seen before—or since." —Kelly L., 22, Peekskill, NY

"When Meat Loaf's 'Paradise By the Dashboard Light' started playing, the guys and girls on the dance floor lined up across from each other—completely unplanned—and each side sang it's part and totally got into character. It was so hilarious, people are still talking about it!" —Melissa D., 20, Gainseville, FL

Listen to these and more real brides' picks below.