Bridesmaids

A Butterfly-Printed Bridesmaid Dress by J.Crew

J.Crew butterfly-printed bridesmaid dress

Photo: Courtesy of J.Crew

This butterfly-printed bridesmaid dress by J.Crew is perfect for the bohemian bride who adores a dash of whimsy. With a free-flowing fabric to match a free-spirited personality, this printed chiffon shift would be right at home at an outdoor bash. With wild flowers in hand, and a loose, textured hairstyle, your girls are bound to enchant your guests in this magical dress.

"Arabelle" dress in silk chiffon, $250, J.Crew

—Lauren Frankfort

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Runway

Watch: Maggie Sottero's Fall 2013 Runway Show

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Photo: Brides

Maggie Sottero's gorgeous Fall 2013 collection featured gowns for every kind of bride, with jewel-encrusted bodices for glam goddesses and sleek sheath dresses for gals seeking understated elegance. Watch the full collection walk "down the aisle" in our Maggie Sottero Fall 2013 runway video. And don't forget to peruse all of the newest collections showcased on our Bridal Fashion Week page.

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Etiquette

How Do We Plan a Post-Destination Wedding Reception?

Post-Destination Wedding Reception Tips

Photo: One Love Photo

Exotic, faraway destination weddings are romantic, unique and memorable, but their locations often preclude guest from attending. How do you celebrate with the friends and family who couldn't travel for your big day? Our wedding experts are here to answer your etiquette questions in our daily post.

How do we throw a post-destination wedding reception?

Have the party whenever you'd like: as soon as you get back from the honeymoon, or even three to four months afterward. (Wait longer than a year, however, and the guests may not be as excited to come and celebrate.) If you're throwing a formal party, tuck a wedding announcement inside the envelope along with the invitation. The invite wording goes like this: Mr. and Mrs. (your names here) request the pleasure of your company at a reception Sunday, the first of August time, place, etc. If you're having a less formal party, you can get more creative with both your wording ("Join us for a celebration of our recent marriage!") and the invitations. Maybe you can even build the invite around a photo of the spot where you said I do.

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Flowers & Decor

A Single-Bloom White Magnolia Wedding Bouquet

single bloom magnolia wedding bouquet

Photo: Jose Villa

This gorgeous extra-large magnolia looks fake (like a giant, immaculately crafted paper flower), but it's the real deal! It was plucked right out of a tree moments before the shot was taken, actually. While the bride was getting ready, she spotted some outside her window and sent her wedding photographer, Jose Villa, out to pick one for her portrait session. "Simple is always better," says Southern California-based Villa, who happily obliged.

See more white wedding flower ideas.

—Gillian Nigro

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Wedding News

Kristin Cavallari Marries Jay Cutler in a Nashville Wedding, Wears a Monique Lhuillier Wedding Dress

Kristin Cavallari Wedding Married

Photo: Getty Images

Reality star Kristin Cavallari and Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler tied the knot on Saturday in a Nashville wedding bash. Their 10-month old son, Camden Jack, was a member of the processional, pulled in a wagon by two flower girls before Kristin walked down the church aisle. According to People, after the ceremony guests enjoyed Southern comfort food and music by a Motown band at a reception held in a nearby warehouse space.

Kristin also told People all about the planning surrounding her big day. "The flowers and everything were very simple but it was very warm and cozy," she said. "It was all about the lighting and the candles and the atmosphere was just so warm. It was absolutely perfect."

kristin cavallari monique lhuillier wedding dress

Photo: Steve Eichner

For her wedding style, Kristin chose a strapless mermaid silhouette Monique Lhuillier gown with bustling detail at the bottom of the dress; we found a similar style from Monique Lhuiller's Spring 2012 collection (above). She also carried a formal, all-white peony bouquet but opted for a more laid-back, California-cool beauty look, wearing beachy waves for the nuptials.

—Courtney Lindstrand

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RunwayWedding Dresses

A Short Sleeve Wedding Dress with Floral Appliqués by Temperley Bridal

Short Sleeve Wedding Dress by Temperley Bridal

Photo: Steve Eichner

The scalloped short sleeves and floral lace on this Temperley Bridal Spring 2014 wedding gown are insanely romantic. I can picture rocking it at a summer wedding in an English rose garden. (It's just begging for a loose, lush peony bouquet and a head wreath made of just-plucked blooms.) The airy, effortless silhouette guarantees movement when you walk down the aisle—and ease when you're ready to hit the dance floor.

View the entire Temperley Bridal Spring 2014 collection and other looks from Bridal Fashion Week.

—Yolanda Crous

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Etiquette

Do I Have to Give My Single Wedding Guests a Plus-One?

Invitation etiquette for plus-ones

Photo: Heather Kincaid

Wedding invitations create quite a few sticky etiquette situations, one of the trickiest relating to plus-ones. How do you decide who (aside from married couples, of course) gets to bring a date? Our wedding experts are here to answer your etiquette questions in our daily post.

I'm inviting friends to our wedding whom I know do not have a significant other. Do I still have to include a guest on their invitations?

Nope. You're expected to invite the spouses, fiancés, live-in partners, and serious beaus of your guests, but anyone less committed can fly solo. Just make sure that what you think of as "less committed" mirrors the sentiment of the guest that falls into that gray area, to avoid offending someone who's fallen head-over-heels in the last three weeks. Ask a trusted friend if you aren't positive about someone's dating status. Rest assured that at least one or two of your single pals will call and ask about bringing a tag-along. If they do, tell them that you simply can't accommodate any extra guests. If they refuse to come without a date, then so be it. Invite someone else who might turn out to be a better friend in the long run.

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Celebrity Weddings & Style

A Video Save-the-Date from Keltie Colleen

keltie colleen engagement photo

Photo: Courtesy of Keltie Colleen

What do real brides have to say about the wedding planning experience? Well, it's not all happy tears at the bridal boutique and indulgent cake tastings. Over the next two months, guest blogger Keltie Colleen will share the ins and outs of planning a California wedding, balancing a public profile, and how to send your pet down the aisle in style.

The moment after I said yes to Swoon, part of me couldn't stop staring at him or the gorgeous engagement ring he had designed. The other half of me couldn't wait to tell the world! Even though I am a social media lover, announcing my engagement wasn't the kind of news I wanted my close friends and family to read over the internet. I imagined the excitement I'd hear in the voices of my loved ones when I spilled the news, and I didn't dare miss out on that moment.

Instead, I went about it the traditional way. First, I called my mom (who already knew since Swoon had asked my Dad for his permission to marry me). I called my best friends next. Then, only after I had gotten a hold of all my main people, did I tweet out a photo of us announcing the big news!

Video: Courtesy of Keltie Colleen

After Swoon and I set a wedding date, it was time to send out save-the-dates. I loved the idea of using video footage from one of our recent road trips. I'm really an internet-savvy gal, and I wanted our wedding to to reflect that right from the start. I knew I had nailed it when friends told me it was the most meaningful save-the-date they had ever received.

—Keltie Colleen

For more from Keltie, follow her on Twitter and Instagram!

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Jewelry

De Beers Wedding Jewelry for a Classic Bride

Classic Wedding Dress Classic Wedding Jewelry from De Beers

Photos: Michelle Gardella (top); Courtesy of De Beers (bottom)

Opting for a classic wedding style guarantees that you'll love your photos for years to come. Think elegant, traditional details, romantic flowers, and, of course, eternally stylish jewelry to complement. Diamond solitaire earrings and necklaces are always a popular touch, while a sparkling tennis bracelet can offset an otherwise simple gown. And though each of these items can be worn again and again, it's also fun to incorporate one statement piece—like this retro-inspired ring—that's special to your wedding day.

We asked the lovely ladies behind 100 Layer Cake to share their favorite pieces from the De Beers collection for a classic. Read about their picks below, and visit the complete slideshow to see more sparkling jewelry ideas for a modern and a romantic wedding.

1. "A staple in your wardrobe, diamond stud earrings really are a girl's best friend."
—100 Layer Cake

Style J2EX01B02P, DB Classic Stud Earrings, price upon request, De Beers

2. "Sometimes, simple is the best. This makes a bold statement without trying too hard."
—100 Layer Cake

Style J5HE01B10P, De Beers Signature Pendant, price upon request, De Beers

3. "This band of diamonds kisses your skin and is high on the sparkle meter."
—100 Layer Cake

Style J3DW04Z30W, Eternity Line Bracelet, $13,900, De Beers

4. "If you want to make a statement, this ring will do it. We love the retro feel it exudes."
—100 Layer Cake

Style J1FW05Z00W, Adonis Rose Cluster Ring, $20,000, De Beers

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Bridesmaids

A Gold Polka Dot Bridesmaid Dress by Shop Lovely

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Photo: Courtesy of Shop Lovely

We're currently obsessing over this gold polka dot bridesmaid dress by Shop Lovely. The sweetheart neckline, shimmering stamps, and playful flared skirt give this girly get-up the ultimate party-ready feel. With your BFFs by your side in this dress, it'll be hard not to boogie down on the dance floor. Plus, there's no way your gal pals will hate it—just look at the adorable model in her ivory oxfords! She's all smiles.


"Bank Street" dress, $68, Shop Lovely

—Lauren Frankfort

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Wedding Dresses

A Tulle Wedding Dress with Hand-Painted Gold Accents by Carolina Herrera

tulle carolina herrera wedding dress

Photo: John Aquino

This Carolina Herrera wedding dress showcases some seriously luxe sparkle in a fun, unexpected way. A dramatic burst of hand-painted gold leaf gives the otherwise classic ball gown and veil a modern, artistic feel. The effect of the shiny foil is akin to thrown confetti or champagne bubbles, making this wedding dress perfect for a bride who can't wait to party. Cinched at the waist with a crisp gold and white bow, we think the finished look is the perfect blend of glam and sweet.

View the entire Carolina Herrera Spring 2014 collection and other looks from Bridal Fashion Week.

—Courtney Lindstrand

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EtiquetteMoms

Should Mothers of the Bride and Groom Coordinate Dresses?

mother-of-the-bride-mother-of-the-groom-coordinating-dresses-197

Photo: Kate Webber Photography

Whether your mom wants to coordinate her outfit with your closest gal pals or select a dress that makes her stand out on her own on your wedding day, our wedding etiquette experts are here to answer your mother-of-the-bride (and groom!) dress questions in our daily post.

What's the dress-buying protocol for moms? Should my mom and my fiancé's mother coordinate outfits?

Back in the day, the bride's mother would pick her dress first—usually, it complemented the bridesmaid's gowns—then inform the groom's mom so she could coordinate. You could go that route, or you could give them a break and let each pick an outfit she looks and feels great in. But feel free to set some parameters (level of formality, colors you'd prefer they not wear, etc.).

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Real Weddings

A Tropical Destination Wedding at the W Vieques in Puerto Rico

Vanessa and Ariel got engaged on a family vacation in Long Beach, California. As Vanessa waited with family members to board a gondola at the city's quaint canals, Ariel "appeared out of nowhere with a bouquet of flowers and a ring," Vanessa recalls. "Everyone was in on the surprise except for me."

The couple whisked 40 guests away to a different beach for their October wedding more than a year later. "We decided early on that we wanted a destination wedding," Vanessa says of the couple's decision to host their fall fete in Vieques, Puerto Rico, at the posh and popular W Retreat & Spa.

Vanessa and Ariel left their reception through a tunnel of smoke and sparklers. "We felt so lucky and grateful to have our closest family and friends present for such a wonderful occasion," Vanessa says. "It went by so quickly, but it was the most fun we have ever had."

For more photos of Vanessa and Ariel's destination wedding in Puerto Rico, view the entire slideshow.

—Jillian Kramer

Venue: W Retreat & Spa || Reception Venue: W Retreat & Spa || Bride's Wedding Dress: Legends by Romona Keveza || Bride's Veil: BHLDN || Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka || Groom's Tux: Banana Republic || Bridesmaids' Dresses: Odylyne || Groomsmen Attire: Banana Republic || Mother of the Bride's Dress: BHLDN || Florist: Puerto Rico Wedding Flowers || Stationery: Wedding Paper Divas || Cake Baker: W Retreat & Spa || Entertainment: DJs of the Islands || Photography: Kimberly Chau Photography

Flowers & Decor

A Red Anemone Bouquet for a Modern Summer Wedding

red anemone wedding bouquet

Photo: Gisel Florez

This bold, red wedding bouquet is just what we envision for a stylish rooftop wedding in the city. Though the eye-catching anemone is a favorite amongst rustic décor-loving brides in white, we love how edgy the red-black pairing looks against a crisp ivory wedding dress. Going for a bouquet with a single bloom this bold makes a big style statement—and we can't get enough.

See more modern wedding bouquets in the completely slideshow.

—Lauren Frankfort

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Wedding DressesWedding News

Get to Know Angela Broyles Curanaj, the Designer Behind Winifred Bean

winifred bean off-the-shoulder wedding dress

Photo: Souder Photography

We feature hundreds of jaw-droppingly gorgeous wedding dresses worn by real brides, and Anna's Winifred Bean off-the-shoulder sheath was no exception. Here, we spend a few minutes getting to know Angela Broyles Curanaj, the designer behind Winifred Bean.

Brides: Tell us about your collection. How do you get inspired? What were the inspirations for your most recent collection?

Angela: I draw inspiration from the people around me, whether it's a creative friend or people on the street. For my first collection, I have to admit that fashion in the general sense was my biggest inspiration. Everything from Brooklyn hipsters and street-wear bloggers to the most sophisticated celebrity looks on the runway. As I thought through each piece, I kept in mind the girl who would wear this dress and look her best. That "girl" would be a friend of mine, and she'd throw fabulous dinner parties.

Brides: What's a common misconception about wedding gowns?

Angela: That you need to be a fairy princess! Most importantly, the bride needs to feel comfortable and be herself. There are no rules except for her own.

Brides: What are your brides looking for in a wedding dress?

Angela: My brides are looking for original and off the beaten path, but also sophisticated and beautiful. And it goes without saying, but my clients like working with a smaller designer versus larger, more ubiquitous brands.

Brides: Do you have a favorite current bridal trend?

Angela: I would say the different shades of colors: light grays, pretty blush tones. That combined with all the lovely soft draping styles that are gaining popularity right now is so dreamy.

Brides: What's a silhouette that's hart to pull off?

Angela: The Sheath dress. This style is fairly shapeless and hangs straight. Typically this style is the most flattering on very thin body types without many curves. Most brides like to find dresses that will flatter and accentuate their natural shape, which is why the A-line dress that accentuates the waist and bust is usually flattering on most girls.

Brides: Why are strapless gowns so popular?

Angela: Donna Karan once said shoulders were a woman's best asset because they never change. I think this is true and many woman feel sexy and beautiful with their shoulders completely bare.

Brides: How do you approach a bride's dress budget?

Angela: My dresses are all around the same price, which is considered mid-range in bridal. My goal is to have a range of price points which maximize quality and style regardless.

Brides: How do you help a bride decide between two different dresses?

Angela: You can usually tell which one they like better. However, sometimes brides hold onto dresses they think they should like. So I usually steer them towards the choice I know they've already made in their head.

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