Photo: Brides

On a drizzly Friday morning a few weeks back (how positively British!), I popped by the gorgeous Jo Malone London flagship store on New York City's Bleecker Street for a full debriefing on the umpteen scrumptious scents, candles, body crémes, and Vitamin E-laced skincare the brand offers.

Why the store pop-by? To meet Shaun Rowan, Jo's charming and dapper trainer extraordinaire. Happily, Shaun agreed to coach me for my upcoming role in Beauty Editors' Day at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York, where I'll be behind the Jo counter all day on August 16, dispensing wedding beauty tips (and just generally creating mayhem). See the full details a the bottom of the post to sign up to come chat with me!

Photo: Courtesy of Jo Malone

I learned oodles during my two-hour tea-and-crumpets session that could be of use to all you beautiful brides. But I've narrowed it down to these bite-size bits of intel:

1) There's something called a "Fragrance Arc." And it makes narrowing the field of yummy Jo scents a much easier task. When you're on the hunt for the absolutely perfect wedding fragrance, you'll need a scented jumping-off point. Why not choose among such crucial perfume categories as Citrus, Fruity, Light Floral, Spicy, and Woody?

2) Fragrance-combining is the key to a "bespoke" wedding scent. You could find just one delicious Jo scent and be done with it, but chances are you'll want to go for something completely "you." Let's say you pick a scent from the Citrus family, such as the much-beloved Lime Basil & Mandarin—by combining it with one of the spicier numbers, like the intoxicating Pomegranate Noir, you'll have crafted your very own big-day signature scent.

3) Arm massages are a crazy-relaxing way to defuse bridal stress. And when you pop by any Jo Malone counter, they are yours for the asking.

4) Massive candles can scent your entire reception space. (The jumbo-sized Jo Malone candles are unspeakably divine.)

5) How's this for cute? There's a rose called "Benjamin Britten." It's one of the heart notes in Red Roses (above), perhaps one of the bride-iest, most wedding-perfect scents of all time.

—Dana Wood

Beauty Editors Day is August 16 from noon to 7pm at Saks Fifth Avenue's flagship store in NYC. For a $30 donation, you'll get all your bridal beauty questions answered, plus an awesome free gift from Jo Malone London. Proceeds go to Look Good Feel Better. Call 866-395-LOOK(5665) now to book.

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Photo: The Cream

Great news: Brides is partnering up with The Cream—a really cool wedding fair that's coming to the east coast next week—and we have a way for you to score discount tickets! Simply enter the discount code 'BRIDES' at checkout to save $5 off the cost of a full price ticket.

Carefully curated by the ladies at the L.A.-based event-planning firm Bash, Please, The Cream event will be held in Manhattan on August 14 at Center 548 in Chelsea. If you're a bride-to-be in search of fresh, inspired ideas for your wedding, then you've got to come check out the cool crop of vendors: stationer Paper + Cup, Gabriella New York Bridal Salon, florist Peartree Flowers, and more. Plus, you can meet the editors behind Brides magazine—our staffers will be there to meet, greet, and chat with you about your wedding, so definitely come by and say hello!

To purchase tickets for The Cream Event, click here.

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Photos: Courtesy of Bella Figura

Bella Figura, based in Syracuse, NY, is one of our favorite stationers for gorgeous letterpressed wedding invitations. This Saturday (June 16), Southern California brides can check out their newest invitation designs at the Bella Figura trunk show held at Urbanic Paper Boutique, a sweet stationery shop in Venice, CA. Sip champagne, learn how to DIY your reception centerpieces, and browse the brand-new "Panorama" wedding album—I got a sneak peek at the National Stationery Show last month and loved the metallic foil-stamped invitations and colorful patterned envelope liners. The best part: If you order your invites that day, you'll receive 25 free invitation sets (on orders of 75 or more). Urbanic Paper Boutique is located at 1644 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice, CA; the trunk show runs from 11am-4pm and you can RSVP to hello@urbanicpaper.com.

—Heather Lee

Photo: Joy Jacobs

Tracy Reese is one of my favorite clothing designers—she designs for real women (i.e. women with curves). So an invite to meet with her at her store was a no-brainer. The reason for the invite was her recent partnering with Clos du Bois wine in creating a custom picnic basket that borrows from one of her very popular and iconic Summer Bloom print. Her breezy design translates really well as the happy lining in this adorable basket. The basket is outfitted with everything you need for an intimate picnic—two bottles of wine, two stemless glasses, corkscrew, bottle stopper and chic cocktail napkins in the same floral print. Add cheese, great crusty bread and charcuterie—instant spring soiree.

Also on hand to speak with the guests was Katie Lee, the Clos du Bois wine ambassador—love that job title. Not only is Katie beautiful in person, but super creative in the party planning expertise. She suggested some great food pairings with Clos du Bois that is easily packable for a picnic.

I also had the pleasure of shopping with Tracy Reese, who doled out her tips on spring trends without ever sacrificing comfort—love her! I ended up walking out of there with a pair of her colorful yet comfy wedge shoes that would be perfect for a garden wedding or rooftop cocktail party.

The Clos de Bois Chic Picnique by Tracy Reese, $135

For more behind the scenes action from the editors at BRIDES, follow us on Twitter.

—Machell Espejo

Photo: Courtesy of Etsy

You already know Etsy as a font of endless inspiration and handmade items (many perfect for an array of creative weddings), but now the online retailer is pooling its expert offerings for To Have & To Hold, an in-person weddings event in New York City on Saturday, April 28. (As in, get out your calendars now!) The $20 entrance fee grants you access to Etsy's unique communty of wedding vendors. Browse both handmade and vintage displays of wedding dresses, accessories, décor, and stationery, as well as items for grooms and guests.

Visit Etsy for more details and to find out how to register now.

After a couple years of designing custom wedding invitations, MaeMae Paperie—one of my fave stationers!—is set to launch a full invitation collection. Southern California brides can see all the new invites in person at the trunk show on Saturday, March 17, at Urbanic Paper Boutique (1644 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice). The full collection will be on display and will be available in stationery stores nationwide thereafter.

The designer behind it all, Megan Gonzalez, sent me a sneak peek of the inspiration boards for several of the invites; my favorites are pictured below— Hermie, Marlowe, and Quimby. Stay tuned for photos of the actual invites, which Megan will share with us next week!

—Heather Lee

Photo: Courtesy of Pizza Hut

We kinda can't blame them—between the sizzling pepperoni, cozy booth seating, and ample parking, proposing at Pizza Hut sounds like the ultimate scenario for couples who love stuffed crusts and marinara.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Pizza Hut announced their Tie the Knot with a $10 Pizza Hut in a Box engagement package, which includes a ruby engagement ring, limo service, flowers, fireworks, a photographer, a videographer, and of course, pizza (the $10 Pizza Hut Dinner Box, to be exact). The $10,010 proposal package, which is limited to 10 lucky couples, seems to be an instant hit. According to The Huffington Post, a rep for the company said that after announcing the package, they have received 800 "serious inquiries." If you had to choose, which fast-food chain would you want your boyfriend to propose in?

If you're in the New York City area this weekend, grab your girlfriends and stop by our White Hot Style Shop at 477 Broome Street in Manhattan, where you can enjoy manicures, cake tastings, Q&A sessions with wedding professionals, and much more. Admission is free. (Being a BRIDES bride sure has its advantages!)

You can also get a huge discount on the wedding gowns featured in our October issue! All proceeds from the sale of the dresses will go to Operation Smile and Dress for Success. There's only one of each, though, so hurry and get to whitehothope.com/buy before your favorite look is gone!

—Beth Swanson, BRIDES magazine

Our industry-wide shopping event, WHITE HOT HOPE, kicks off for the second year on Oct. 1 with a month of freebies, discounts (including exclusive flash sales from ideeli), deals, and events with designers and stores across the country. Here in NYC, our Soho style shop will be popping up Oct. 13 for four days of free makeup and hair trials, cake tastings, and cocktails. But, don't worry, plenty of other cities are serving up their own cocktail nights—in Atlanta, Dallas, DC, and San Francisco, Macy's and Waterford will be hosting WHITE HOT Mixology events with two hours of open bar and hors d'oeuvres. Better still, when you shop with one of our participating retailers during the month, a portion of the sale price will go to the charities Operation Smile and Dress for Success. Visit whitehothope.com for more details.

Photo: Courtesy of Ashley Morgan

Boston brides take note! If you haven't yet selected your wedding accessories, be sure to stop by Bloomingdale's in Newton this Friday and Saturday to view a selection of Ashley Morgan jewelry and meet the designer, Ashley Berman. Her stunning collection of earrings, necklaces, and rings has a delicate, organic vibe, that easily lends itself to bridal. Still looking for your dream ring? Ashley can work with you to create a custom design. Pre-shop the collection on the Ashley Morgan website and get all the event details under the jump. Read more ››

Photo: Jeff Cassuto

It's almost here: BRIDES' second-annual White Hot Hope bridal bash is going down October 13-16 in New York City. Don't live in the Big Apple? Now's your chance to enter the VIP Style Shop Weekend sweepstakes that would let you and a friend attend the event and get the star treatment.

One grand-prize winner will receive a trip for two to BRIDES' White Hot Style Shop, including round-trip airfare and four nights accommodation at The Westin New York at Times Square. The winner and her guest will also receive a complimentary VIP Style Pass (which means preferred beauty appointments at the BRIDES Style Shop, a White Hot Hope bracelet, VIP gift bags, and more)—plus the opportunity to sit runway-side with a BRIDES editor at the Rivini fashion show!

To read the full rules and enter the sweepstakes, head to condenastdirect.com/weekend.

Photo: Fred Marcus Studio

One of New York City's biggest bridal shows, The Wedding Salon, is going down tomorrow, Wednesday July 20th, from 4-8 p.m at Capitale (above). In addition to the usual smörgåsbord of top NYC vendors (Sylvia Weinstock, Shawn Rabideau from Bethenny Ever After, Ariston Florist) and hefty swag bags (filled with products from the likes of Philosophy, Smashbox, and Urban Decay), The Wedding Salon will also be celebrating the passage of gay marriage in New York with a same-sex couple fashion show featuring couture looks from designer Matthew Williamson. Register for tickets by clicking here. —Lauren Matthews, Brides New York

Obviously, we're big fans of using online resources to help you plan your wedding—but there's still nothing quite like meeting experts in person to soak up their advice, inspiration, and expertise. The Georgia Bridal Show on June 26 at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth is a perfect opportunity for all of you Southern belles to make some crucial decisions about cakes, calligraphers, limos, photographers, and everything in between. The event starts at noon and ends at 5 p.m., but be sure not to miss the fashion show at 3:45 p.m. (check out the preview above). To purchase tickets click here, and enter the promotion code FALL2011 at checkout to knock $2 off the price of your ticket. —Louisa Bilbrough

Photos: Courtesy of The Fairmont

On June 18, The Fairmont Hotel in Washington, DC, will debut its "Wedding Belles Package," a luxurious weekend for brides-to-be and a guest. The package includes an overnight stay in one of The Fairmont's spacious rooms, as well as complimentary admission to the nearby Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens, which features an impressive collection of Russian imperial art and 18th-century French decorative art and furnishings. The museum was founded by American collector and heiress to the Post cereal empire Marjorie Merriweather Post; fashion lovers and history buffs will enjoy the exhibition of her family's collection of bridal gowns dating from 1874 to 1958 that's currently on view at the museum. The Wedding Belles Package is valid through January 1, 2012, giving even the busiest brides enough time to plan a weekend getaway. To learn more and make a reservation, go to fairmont.com/washington or call 800-441-1414. —Louisa Bilbrough

Photo: Courtesy of Weddings by Couture Consulting

Listen up, Colorado brides: The upcoming Summer Solstice Wedding Inspiration Party in Denver on June 21st is sure to be an excellent source of wedding inspiration. The lavish event will feature a round-up of stylish gowns from Marie James Dress Boutique, floral arrangements from The Perfect Petal, and cake designs from The Four Seasons Vail's catering team—the creative juices (and the Champagne) are guaranteed to be flowing. This free event begins at 6 p.m. at the Marie James Dress Boutique (747 South University Boulevard). For more information, visit weddingsbycc.com or call 720-261-3568. To RSVP, e-mail weddings@weddingsbycc.com. —Louisa Bilbrough