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Attending at least one wedding this summer? BG staffers' calendars are jam-packed with fun shindigs that are coming up soon! But once the excitement of receiving a wedding invitation settles in, there's one inevitable question to answer besides checking off "will attend" and "won't attend" on the RSVP card: What are you going to wear? It can be difficult to determine what's appropriate for each affair. That's where we come in — whether it's a black-tie, semi-formal, or a beach wedding, you'll be sure to look stunning in this season's editors' picks featured below.

Black-Tie
This is the most formal wedding dress code so pull out all of the stops for this glamorous affair. Long evening gowns or fancy cocktail dresses in dark colors or neutrals are de rigeuer. Don't be afraid to be dramatic with your hair and makeup, whether it's a slicked-back bun, red lips, or smokey eyes. From jewelry to shoes, accessories should polish off your look.

Shopping credits from left to right:
Saison Blanche tulle trimmed gown in Black ($330)
Pronovias high-low gown in Blue (price available upon request)
Eden Bridals one shoulder gown in Teal ($268)

Guest blogger: Bonne Marcus
A fitness industry expert for 27 years, Marcus holds numerous certifications from the Aerobic Fitness Association of America (AFAA), including Step, Spin, Bosu™, Pre/Post Natal, Youth Fitness, Aqua, and Personal Training. She has taught for New York City’s top health clubs, including Crunch, New York Health and Racquet, and Reebok Sports Club. A recognized name on Long Island, Bonne has taught at Dany Holdstein’s Two Worlds, North Shore Health Club, LA Fitness, Sport time, Equinox and currently teaches at the Sid Jacobsen JCC in Roslyn. Learn more at getfitwithbonne.com.

Now more than ever before, fitness information is available wherever we turn. Whether it's found on TV, in books, online, or even from your best friend, information about fitness and health is constantly being thrown at us. As a trainer, I’ve discovered that most of my clients suffer not from a lack of information but from too much of it. Research-based info gets confused with popular belief; one person’s facts get confused with another’s outdated beliefs. Pretty soon, we do not know what to believe, and sometimes, it’s far easier to just give up. If you want to maximize your fitness program, it’s going to take the correct information. So let’s review some of the most common fitness mistakes and myths that can be easily avoided.

Loverly is the heart of weddings: a visual inspiration search engine designed to help brides discover ideas, people to hire, and things to buy. Loverly makes finding beautiful wedding inspiration easier than ever!

Nothing expresses the beauty and romance of a wedding, creates ambience and thrills the senses more than flowers. And if you’re wondering what some of the hottest trends are in floral bouquets and décor we’ve got the answers from noted Dutch floral designer and spokesperson for Lily Occasions, Rene van Rems. Rene is not only a master at creating breathtakingly beautiful bouquets and floral décor, but he’s also authored several books you might want to check out for inspiration, Rene’s Bouquets for Brides and Rene’s Bouquets, both available on Amazon.

Rene has also created, exclusively for Bridal Guide, (thank you, Rene!) the bouquets pictured here to illustrate floral trends. According to Rene, “old is new again as brides fall in love with the vintage look, full of romance and history.” Here, Rene’s trends, tips and gorgeous bouquets:

Style Trends

Recently, we had the pleasure of helping judge the second annual bridal gown design competition from the High School of Fashion Industries (HSFI), in partnership with Kleinfeld Bridal. Last year, students designed the wedding gown of the future. This year, each student designed the dress she'd wear to her own wedding. From 180 sketches, the judges narrowed it down to five finalists, who then brought their creations to life with the help of small teams of fellow students, using fabric provided by Mori Lee.

Joining us on the judging panel were Mara Urshel, co-owner of Kleinfeld; Dorothy Silver, Director of Sales and Merchandising at Kleinfeld; bridal designer Henry Roth; Sandra Manning, instructor at the High School of Fashion Industries; and Robert di Mauro, founder of the Industry Partnership Program and Advisory Board Member at the High School of Fashion Industries. Before the final judging, students also met with a number of industry pros, including Kleinfeld's Mara Urshel, bridal designers Michelle Roth and Madeline Gardner, and Bridal Guide's editor-in-chief, Diane Forden.

The designers, models, and judges at Kleinfeld

Happy Monday, all! This is my first blog post on my long road to dropping the extra pounds. I had a very busy weekend consisting of friends' birthdays, BBQs, and booze, where I ate and drank way more than I should have. It’s time to get back on track and whip myself into shape!

Photo Credit: Kzenon/iStockPhoto

Quick Tips:

Prep your meals on the weekend. Last Friday, I wrote down my grocery list with all of the meals I planned on making for the week. I’m obsessively organized, so this is a great way for me to make sure I’m eating healthy. Plus, I save money at the same time. On Sunday, I made my and Rene’s lunches for the week, chopping up all my fruits and veggies and packing them out into small snack bags for the week. I’m not messing around!

Count calories (without going crazy). I’m using the app called MyFitnessPal to track everything I eat. It's awesome because I put my weight and height in, and it tells me how many calories I’m allowed for the day (right now, I'm allowed 1370).

My name is Jennifer Crow (soon to be Mrs. Galarza), but you can call me Jen. I’m 25 years old, I currently live in Levittown, New York with my very handsome fiancé and our two crazy big dogs — and I’m overweight.

My fiancé Rene and I met and became friends eight years ago, when we worked together for a sports marketing company. A few years later, we started casually dating. I finally got sick of the random hang outs with no title and told him I was done. That day, September 19th, 2011, he told me he wanted to be with me, and from that day on we have been inseparable. 

He proposed on February 8, 2013. We went to Pocono Palace in Cove Haven, PA for a romantic weekend away (yes, we had one of those rooms you see on TV with the champagne glass bath tub). It was a little cheesy but super romantic and just what we needed. When we arrived to our room, I went in the bathroom to shower and when I came out (completely naked, might I add!) Rene was down on one knee. The bed was covered in rose petals that said, “Will you marry me?” He told me how he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. It was absolutely perfect (and so is my ring!).

Bliss & Bone, which launched last week, now serves as a a great resource for the bride and groom who are looking to be unique, imaginative, and perfectionists throughout their wedding process. Bliss & Bone offers semi-custom luxury paper goods for your wedding; with products ranging from invitations, menus, and placecards to save the dates and cocktail linens, your whole wedding can have a seamless visually inspiring look. 

Crafted with materials such as acrylic, chiffon, tulle, and wood veneer, each piece is truly a piece of art. Check it out at blissandbone.com!

—Naima DiFranco

Bridal Guide's favorite wedding expert Kellee Khalil, founder and CEO of Loverly — the world's first bridal search engine — is being honored in Refinery29's Annual "30 under 30."

Each year, Refinery29 applauds those extraordinary young New Yorkers who have been pioneers in style and innovators in their field. It is easy to see why Kellee was honored in this prestigious group. Kellee's search engine Loverly is a bride's BFF. Whether searching by color scheme, theme, or even wedding location, brides-to-be can find anything and everything they need for their big day, all on one convenient, photo-packed site. Want a Mad-Men inspired wedding, complete with 50's inspired tea-length dress and vintage inspired barware? Looking for the perfect DIY-inspired signage? Loverly has it all! 

Check it out at lover.ly and start getting inspired!

—Naima DiFranco 

Designer to the stars, Zac Posen, is teaming up with David's Bridal to create couture-worthy wedding gowns at a fraction of the cost. The collection, entitled "Truly Zac Posen," will feature the designer's signature figure-flattering silhouettes and bold yet feminine style.   

The collaboration will include six ivory bridal gowns (ranging from $850 to $1,350) and five limited-edition social occasion dresses in neutrals and a lavender jacquard print (priced from $195 to $225). The initial launch is slated to take place in February 2014, so mark your calendars!

Photo via Instagram

Up until now, only A-list brides like Portia de Rossi and Coco Rocha have worn Posen's covetable designs down the aisle. The designer wants his "Truly" collection to embody that same one-of-a-kind feel, but be accessible to women of all sizes around the world. The showstopping styles will be available in sizes 0-14 off the rack, and 16-26 through special order.

In an interview with USA Today, Posen said, "A great deal of care and love goes in there, I wanted to try that on something that was going to have a lot of reach."  So why did David's Bridal choose Posen as their new featured designer? "What was missing was this aesthetic that speaks to a more red carpet, dramatic bride," said Catalina Maddox-Wagers, their Executive Vice President for Merchandising.