Blogs

Have you ever had a nightmare so terrifying, it took a good five minutes to realize it didn’t actually happen? I’ve always had a colorful imagination (even in waking life), but with only six months left until my wedding, so many movie-like plots have interrupted my slumber that I’d love to arrange a meeting with Mr. Spielberg. Among the most bizarre: I’m “outside” myself, watching my body walk into a house I’ve never seen before. Up the stairs, there’s a door with glowing red script. In a trance, as if possessed, I turn the knob against my will, even though every part of my body is screaming, “Don’t do it!” Then, I wake up.

Professional dream analyst Patricia Garfield, the author of The Universal Dream Key and Women’s Bodies, Women’s Dreams, explained to me that dreaming is like grand opera: it exaggerates and dramatizes in order to get our attention. Every dream has a purpose, whether it’s to warn us, inspire us, encourage us to slow down or get moving, and so forth. Dreaming is a biological rhythm that is triggered by REM (rapid eye movement) and it uses a deeper layer of the brain than the cortex (what we use most of the time when we’re awake), which is why dreams are highly emotional. “By coming to understand the images and messages within them, we become more aware of what matters to us,” said Garfield.

I’m not the only bride who tosses and turns 50 times a night—below, some of the most common nightmares our Facebook readers have had.

Each week, we feature wedding music recommendations from Scratch Weddings, the nation's leader with the best wedding DJs at affordable prices. This week's post comes from DJ FingerSmith. While most DJs have a sweet spot in a particular genre, FingerSmith's expertise stretches across a huge variety of tastes. When FingerSmith spins a wedding, he approaches each one with individuality and dedication. "Everyone comes to a wedding to celebrate. It's a joyous occasion where there's always a ton of fun to be had. Whatever a couple envisions for their celebration, it comes with a soundtrack, and I build a set to make that soundtrack come alive.” 

Photo Credit: Leigh Skaggs Photography

To create a great party atmosphere, nothing beats the music of America’s Party Decade: the 1970s. While they may have been released during the disco era, these songs are accessible to guests of all generations — retro gems for young guests, and favorite throwbacks for parents and grandparents. Nothing gets a dance floor united like everyone dancing and singing to a classic '70s jam. These selections will do the trick every time:

At the 85th annual Academy Awards, accessories took center stage (Quvenzhané Wallis' puppy purse! Hathaway's uh, perkiness! Dapper fiancés!). Here, the love it-or-leave-it looks that everyone couldn't stop buzzing about; which one would you like to see at a wedding?

1. The Back-lace

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture. Belle of the ball! The Silver Linings Playbook star was the epitome of bridal elegance in this dramatic fit-and-flare gown. When she turned the corner and we caught a glimpse of that showstopping Chopard necklace, she won our "Best Dressed" vote. Fun fact: She told Ryan Seacrest that she felt like "Steve Martin in Father of the Bride" while getting ready with her family that morning.

Photo Credits (from left to right): E! Online and Hutcher's Crown on Twitter

Nick Carter popped the question to his girlfriend of four years, fitness expert/actress Lauren Kitt, earlier this week while taking a boat ride to a secluded island on the Florida Keys. "I had the ring in my pocket for two weeks," Carter told People. "I was like, 'I don't want it anymore!' It was driving me insane. I just wanted to get it out of my hands and onto hers."

Photo via Instagram

I may have been slightly obsessed with the Backstreet Boys in middle school. So, in honor of my second favorite Backstreet Boy's engagement news, here's a list of classic songs from the group for your wedding:

First Dance Songs

►"I'll Never Break Your Heart" (Backstreet Boys)
"I'll never break your heart / I'll never make you cry / I'd rather die than live without you / I'll give you all of me / Honey, that's no lie."

► "As Long as You Love Me" (Backstreet Boys/Backstreet's Back)
"I don't care who you are / Where you're from / What you did / As long as you love me."

I would have been happy just to spend the rest of my life with my best friend, Claudia, but I've come to realize that the bond we share has become even stronger by blending our two families together as one. It was obvious from the beginning that something special was happening. Like many other couples, we spent those first few months laughing until it hurt and getting to know each other. We talked about our dreams, friends, goals, and families—especially our children.

I found it very meaningful that we each have two children, a boy and a girl, from previous relationships: Analicia (16), Carter (14), Juan (10) and Riley (10). Every couple who chooses to get married must learn how to create their own family unit, but the process becomes even more complicated when there are kids involved. We made the decision early on in our engagement that this wedding would be a celebration of the union of our family, not just the two of us. Here's a look back at how the kids have impacted our journey towards becoming husband and wife.

Photo Credit: Stephen Martin Photography

One of the most puzzling aspects of the wedding attire puzzle can be what undergarment to wear with your gorgeous gown. You want something comfortable but pretty, hidden but flattering. There are a dozens of options for bridal lingerie — the trick is finding a great bra that will complement your dress and your body type. Here, we've come up with a few wonderful, affordable options.

For a Backless Dress

Dress by Sophia Tolli

A strapless, backless adhesive bra is a must. We love the Intimates Nu Bra ($50). Because these bras are completely backless, they are not ideal for large-chested women, given their lack of support. But, when comparing all the backless, strapless bras out there, the Nu Bra is our favorite.

For a Slinky Sheath

Dress by Mark Zunino

Guest blogger: Kate Harrison, creator of greenbrideguide.com.
After planning her own green wedding in 2007, Kate wrote the best-selling green wedding book, The Green Bride Guide: How to Plan an Earth-Friendly Wedding on Any Budget (Sourcebooks, 2008). In 2009, she founded greenbrideguide.com to help couples use their weddings to promote social and environmental change while supporting the local green economy. Kate has a JD in Environmental Law and a Master's from Yale in Environmental Policy.

Many brides take a hands-on approach to their wedding details, but it's easy to become overwhelmed in the process. If you decide to DIY, make sure that you pick and choose your projects wisely, keeping your skill set in mind, and focus on details that take center stage in a small but memorable way — without breaking the bank. In keeping with the old less-is-more maxim, here are five stress-free (and eco-friendly!) DIY projects for your green wedding.

1. Chalk it Up to Creativity

Spring is just around the corner, so it’s a great time to start thinking about giving your home a lift with new bath and bedding options. And if you’re looking for some fantastic registry ideas, take a look at the following collections that are perfect for the two of you; the colors are neither too feminine or too masculine.

I love the serene colors of this DKNY Urban Space bedding collection:

For those who prefer a more neutral palette, the Donna Karan Essentials Urban Oasis bedding in Ocean is ideal:

This Kate Spade New York Spring collection in fresh cream (shown with the Charles Street coverlet) is equally chic and can be easily accessorized with a mix of pale and vibrant colors:

Or, go a bit more muted with the sophisticated DKNY City Rhythm in cobalt: