Wedded Bits

Colorado, Brides Colorado

Get out of town

Courtesy of The Osprey at Beaver Creek

A night out on the town is fun, but for the ultimate bachelorette bonding experience, nothing beats taking a mini-vacation with your bridesmaids. The Osprey at Beaver Creek will be hosting "ReTreat Yourself," a women's getaway, from January 6-9, 2010. The program includes a three-night stay at the resort, daily ski and snowboard lessons, yoga classes, life coaching sessions, daily breakfasts and lunches, a consultation with a skin esthetician, and a party complete with mini spa treatments, delectable cuisine and wine, and a silent auction/raffle to benefit B4BC (Boarding for Breast Cancer). The package costs $1,429 per person (based on double occupancy). For more information and to book ReTreat Yourself, visit vbcrp.com. —Lauren Matthews, editor, Brides Colorado

Accessories & Jewelry

Bangles for your bridesmaids

Courtesy of Sarah Chloe

Whether you are looking for gifts for your bridesmaids or just budget-friendly presents to give to family and friends during the holiday season, these adorable bangles from Sarah Chloe should do the trick. The sterling silver bracelets retail for $49 and are available in four designs, open heart, solid heart, peace sign and engraved initial. They also come in child sizes for your favorite little flower girl. Bracelets in yellow and pink gold vermeil are available for $10 more. Check them out now at sarahchloe.com.

Ceremonies & Receptions

Our favorite country music songs for your wedding

Brooke Mayo Photography

Last week's Country Music Awards got us in the mood for some songs with a southern twang, so whether you're a born and bread country music fan or just like some of the tunes for their sweet lyrics, incorporate these tracks from the genre's favorite artists into your big day.

Boston

Win a free wedding

Courtesy of Groveland Fairways

Are you or someone you know struggling to pay for your dream wedding? Reason to Give, a community giving project, is sponsoring a contest where one deserving couple who resides on the North Shore, will win a free wedding for 75 guests. Bella Sera Bridal, Natasha Bansfield Events, and Bee Custom Designs, are among the dozens of vendors who are volunteering their services to the cause. The wedding will take place at the Groveland Fairways in Groveland, and pretty much everything will be gratis, from the invitations to the bridal gown, the photographer, catering, DJ/band, and lots more. Visit Reason To Give's website to fill out an online entry form and for more information. —Kim Forrest, Editor, Brides Boston

Accessories & Jewelry

Keeping the chill away

Courtesy of Chilly Jilly

Guests who have a hard time keeping the chill away at an outdoor reception, or an indoor one with a powerful air conditioner, no longer need to worry about carrying a bulky wrap or draping their date's jacket over there shoulders. The solution: A Chilly Jilly!

Chilly Jilly is a micro-fiber wrap that folds up easily into a small pouch you can fit in your purse. The wrap is sure to keep you warm and there are a variety of colors and patterns to choose from so you can get one for casual and formal outings.

Available at chillyjilly.com for $30 to $35. —Anne Chertoff

BRIDES Magazine

Party Style: Winter Theme

Courtesy of art-a-peel.com

Take a cue from the crisp winter weather and bring the outdoors in with ideas from our November/December issue. This time of year, we're loving pinecone bouquets, sparkling Swarovski brooches, snowflake-inspired invitations, and white-hot mini cake sculptures. One of the easiest (and fastest) ways to bring your winter theme to life is by making your own decals: snowflakes, stars, and swirls. Place them on mirrors, candle holders, even champagne glasses for a finishing touch that's inexpensive and can pull seemingly unrelated objects together. —Jackie, BRIDES Magazine

Romantic flowers

Courtesy of Robert Swiderski

In the current issue of Brides Chicago we featured an elegant wedding held in the Chicago Botanic Garden. While the whole wedding was peppered with sweet details, I particularly loved the bride's presentation-style bouquet. The bouquet, arranged by Lincoln Park-based Dilly Lily, featured orchids, peonies, jasmine and clematis vines. To see more images from this wedding, check out the Fall/Winter 2009 issue of Brides Chicago, available online here or on newsstands near you. —Allison Bean, Editorial Assistant, Brides Chicago

Beauty & Fitness

Bridal beauty tips from a pro makeup artist

Courtesy of Michelle Lo Conte

Glowing skin, kissable lips, long romantic lashes—we're guessing that while you might have a pretty specific idea of the kind of impression you want to make on your wedding day, you're probably still not sure exactly how to achieve it. Here, we asked Michelle Lo Conte, noted makeup artist and owner of the New Jersey-based Pink Comb salon, for her best beauty tips for brides. —Kathryn Papanek

What can a bride do in the weeks before her wedding to prepare her face for the big day?

Start to moisturize every day and night and be sure you are wearing at least SPF 30 on a daily basis. Schedule a series of deep cleansing facials every 6-8 weeks to really be persistent with keeping your skin clear and radiant. If you suffer from acne, rosacea or scarring from old skin issues, schedule a few appointments with your dermatologist to start getting to the bottom of it.

Where do you recommend a bride look for inspiration for her wedding day makeup look/style?

The bride-to-be should ..read more

Cocktails, Menus & Catering

Give the gift of wine

The holiday season is right around the corner so instead of picking up a useless tchotchke for that already-has-everything family member, make your life simple by gifting an easy-to-find bottle of wine from online wine retailer Bottlenotes. We already told you about their awesome feature where you can create a wine registry, but if you want to give a gift to your friend or perhaps order a few bottles for an engagement or holiday party they have got you covered. You can search for the perfect bottle by price, taste, and occasion. Start browsing for your perfect vino now at bottlenotes.com.

Runway Review

Our runway report

For Fall 2010, designers ignored the country's dark mood, and instead focused our attention on the joyful spin of a gown that feels as light as a cloud. Mermaid shapes were scaled back from most collections and A-line silhouettes were even harder to track down. In their places were voluminous ball gowns or slinky sheaths. In our first round-up of favorites, we've chosen broad categories of styles that crossed all runways--light and airy, tiered skirts, and some much-needed cover-up options from practically everyone.

Check out all of the gown inspiration here.