Photo: Tanja Lippert

Photo: Via Mr. Porter

"Elegant clambake" seems contradictory, sure, until you see how today's featured couple, Amy and David, fused their upscale style with the rustic appeal of a seafood spread. As their reception proves, a marriage of contrasts often yields the most exciting results, seen again here in the shocking yellow soles and plush navy suede of these Mark McNairy loafers.

The shoes offer grooms a snazzy cocktail party look leading up to a wedding or an easy-to-slip-off footwear option while traveling (to a Hamptons honeymoon, perhaps?). Plus, McNairy's design even channels a bit of the dapper New England vibe brought out by David and Amy's "corporate and crunchy, exotic and unpretentious" wedding style.

Suede loafers, $405, Mark McNairy

Find more ideas for dressing your dudes and dads on our Grooms & Guys page.

—Phillip B. Crook

Photo: Courtesy of Laurie Bracewell Photography

Oh how I love a great bib necklace, like this floral variety from Enchanted Atelier. The necklace flaunts more than 500 handset Swarovski crystals neutralized by soft pearls and a satin ribbon for a look that is so je nais se quois. Not only does this necklace look fabulous for the big day, you can wear it again long after the last slice of wedding cake has been cut.

Vivianna Swarovski floral necklace, $725, Enchanted Atelier

Visit our Wedding Accessories Gallery for more pretty shoes, clutches, and other goodies with a bit of sparkle.

—Stephanie Davila

Photos: Conde Nast Digital Archive

Knowing that Drew Barrymore wants to wear "something tasteful, something timeless" to marry fiancé Will Kopelman and that the actress was seen leaving a doctor's office last weekend sonogram in-hand, we found three pregnancy-appropriate looks worthy of the star's boho-glam style—just in case that was her sonogram.

Empire-waisted gowns are a no-brainer for pregnant brides, although Pronovias' take on the style (left) feels extra special for Barrymore with the addition of silver-beaded rosettes across the bust that give way to a cascade of flowing tulle (read: baby breathing room). For an option that offers more coverage—pregnant bodies can be unpredictable, after all—we like the bateau neckline, fluttering sleeves, and roomy top tier of Angel Sanchez's design (center), which channels an effortless '70s vibe. But part of what we love most about Barrymore is her spontaneous, bubbly charm—which obviously calls for a shorter hemline, like this Elizabeth Fillmore dress (right) featuring floral appliqués and a burst of tulle beneath the bust, an ideal proportion for soon-to-be-moms.

If Barrymore turns out to indeed be pregnant, that might explain the boxy, boldly printed J.Crew dress she wore to appear on The Tonight Show earlier this month. See our picks for restyling the look three ways, and check out our slideshow of fantasy wedding gowns top designers sketched for Drew—before the big baby news.

—Phillip B. Crook

Photo: Sweet Monday Photography

In keeping with today's succulent theme, this buttercream-frosted wedding cake features asymmetrically stacked tiers studded with a cascade of fresh miniature succulents. The modern confection is topped with a bride and groom topper by Concarta that's handcut and sculpted from paper.

Check out more wedding cakes in our Cakes Gallery, and find a wedding cake designer near you in our local vendor listings.

If you have a wedding cake you'd like to submit for the blog, please email photos and a brief description to Heather Lee at contact@brides.com.

—Heather Lee

Photo: Courtesy of Studio222 Photography

—Rosie Purdy

Photo: Courtesy of Minted

Succulents have been a wildly popular wedding trend that's still holding strong—I love how modern and organic-looking they are. Today's featured couple Amy and David incorporated an assortment of succulents into their elegant table decor, and I think this sweet wedding invitation by Minted would be a great complement to a similar succulent-centric celebration.

See more invitation designs in our Wedding Invites & Stationery Gallery, and find a stationer near you in our local vendor listings.

If you have a wedding invitation you'd like to submit for the blog, please email photos and a brief description to Heather Lee at contact@brides.com.

—Heather Lee

Photo: Michelle Turner

When Amy and David were scouting wedding locations, they found themselves standing beneath majestic trees on Thompson Island and knew they'd found the perfect spot. "We love nature and the city, corporate and crunchy, exotic and unpretentious," says David. "Thompson Island perfectly blends all of these things."

Amy wore a Monique Lhuillier gown from Vows Bridal Outlet and David sported a Prada suit with a pocket square made from a swatch of Amy's gown. Amy carried a bouquet of berzelia, lady's mantle, ranunculuses, and fiddleheads.

The ceremony décor incorporated design elements and florals in white and green shades; Winston Flowers all arrangements. Emilie Chang of Pink Orchid Weddings served as the "day of" coordinator. The ceremony included a recessional to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," sung by Amy's cousins.

The couple wanted the reception to feel "inspired by the natural surroundings," says Amy. Inside a tent, custom lantern chandeliers by Ryan Designs hung above picnic tables covered in white linens. Vessels of steamed lobsters, votive candles, and glass vases lined with leaves decorated the tables. Vases were also filled with flowers, scabiosa pods, and succulents to complete the look. Two buffet tables offered clam chowder, barbecued ribs, corn on the cob, and vegetable lasagna. Catering was by Thompson Island Conference Center.

Photos: Michelle Turner

Amy and David performed their first dance to Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World." The band Men in Black provided the entertainment in the "dance tent." Guests who preferred not to dance took to the fire pit to play games on handmade blankets. "My friend Jeanne and I made three fleece blankets with floral and bird motifs," says Amy. "I loved seeing our family and friends enjoying the games and making s'mores around the fire."

Photographer: Michelle Turner || Ceremony and Reception Site: Thompson Island || Bride's Gown: Monique Lhuillier from Vows Bridal Outlet || Groom's Suit: Prada || Floral Design: Winston Flowers || Day Of Coordinator: Emilie Chang of Pink Orchid Weddings || Custom Chandeliers: Ryan Designs || Reception Music: Men in Black Band

Visit our Real Weddings page to find more preppy style inspiration.

Photo: Courtesy of Suzanne Hanover/Universal Pictures

Writing as a columnist for The Huffington Post, Ellen DeGeneres staked her case for this year's Original Screenplay Oscar nominee: Bridesmaids. "It's so relatable," she says. "I don't care who you are—male or female, young or old, Democrat or Republican—we've all gotten kicked off a plane for being drunk."

Joking aside, the talk show host goes on to point out that Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig defied expectations with their unruly story about a group of women thrown together in the trenches (and occasional trench warfare) of bridesmaidom—an answer, intentional or not, to Hollywood's bachelor-rumpus, The Hangover.

"They said a comedy with an all-female lead cast couldn't be successful," DeGeneres writes, "but they were wrong. The movie just broke the record as the most downloaded movie-on-demand ever. See? People aren't just renting it—they're demanding it.

"It's amazing," she continues, that Melissa McCarthy earned the film a second Oscars nod as a Best Supporting Actress nominee, "considering the Academy rarely recognizes comedies at all." (See our editors' pick for McCarthy's award-worthy gown.) "I don't know why comedies don't get more attention at the Oscars. There are so many great actors who have given amazing performances and have never been nominated... like Steve Martin, or Steve Carell, or Steve Guttenberg. I can't think of anyone whose name isn't Steve right now, but I'm sure there are some."

And Steve Buscemi. Let's not forget his pre-Boardwalk Empire role in 1998's Armageddon, because that movie was hah-larious, though maybe not in the Oscar-worthy way. "Anyway," DeGeneres concludes, "congratulations Bridesmaids, and good luck at the Oscars!" Make that from both of us.

See Glee's take on the movie's famous poster, and read behind-the-scenes details about the costumes from designer Leesa Evans.

—Phillip B. Crook

Photo: Courtesy of TLC

Congratulations to Next Great Baker winner Marissa Lopez, the season two champion of TLC's reality-TV show. Thirteen aspiring bakers competed for a grand prize that included $100,000, an apprenticeship with Buddy (the Cake Boss himself), and a spread in the June issue of BRIDES magazine. Contestants Marissa Lopez (from New Jersey) and runner-up Nadine Reibeling (originally from Minnesota) were left to battle it out in the last challenge.

If you missed any of the action, here's a video from the challenge that took place in the BRIDES fashion closet. (We may be biased, but we think it was the best one!) You can also find out more information about the three dresses featured in that episode—vintage romance, fantasy princess, and Hollywood glam—if you're still shopping for a gown.

Thanks to our Facebook fans for chiming in with some questions they wanted to ask her.

Photos: Via Kiwi Collection

Starting today through June 30, couples who mention BRIDES or Brides.com when booking their wedding with The Emerson Resort, Spa & Restaurant will receive one night in a complimentary room. Great deal, right? And you haven't even heard about the resort yet.

Situated on a 19th-century dairy farm in Ralph Waldo Emerson's beloved Hudson Valley, The Emerson boasts 53 rooms and suites, a new spa facility, two restaurants, a coffee bar, and a cornucopia of nearby activities. Choose from the adults-only suites in the Inn—featuring oversized windows and private decks with views of the property—and the family-oriented accommodations of the log-built Lodge nestled among New York State pines and maples.

For indoor weddings, the Catamount Restaurant and the Great Room both offer space for up to 150 people, although we'd opt for the latter's floor-to-ceiling windows and huge stone fireplace. If it's an outdoor affair you're after, the Waterside Pavilion features a backdrop of the mountains and the Esopus River—a perfect panorama, we'd say.

Find more information about wedding packages from The Emerson Resort, Spa & Restaurant.

—Phillip B. Crook

Photo: Aaron Delesie

If you're hosting your wedding in an outdoorsy venue—like today's featured couple Christin and Ben, who hosted their nuptials in Aspen—ask your cake designer to create a woodland-themed cake to reflect the setting. This confection by d'Elissious Cake Studio is decorated with marzipan mushrooms and fresh ferns and berries.

Check out more wedding cakes in our Cakes Gallery, and find a wedding cake designer near you in our local vendor listings.

If you have a wedding cake you'd like to submit for the blog, please email photos and a brief description to Heather Lee at contact@brides.com.

—Heather Lee

Photo: Sofa Bean

Photo: Bret Cole Photography

Photo: Via Bridal Bar

Photo: Tim Tab Studios