Blogs

I'm a manicure addict. I love painting my nails and adding color to my life, but I hate how the polish only lasts for a day or two before it starts chipping (and that's if I don't smudge it to begin with). That's why I was thrilled to discover gel manicures, which outlast regular pro manis by two to three weeks, making them the ideal option for busy brides-to-be who don't have time for constant trips to the salon. However, the average cost for a gel manicure is about $33—not exactly affordable when you're trying to save up thousands of dollars for your dream day. 

So when a new DIY kit promised to deliver the same results for much less, the BG editors and I couldn't wait to review it, naturally. The Red Carpet Manicure ($57.94, ulta.com) is the first at-home LED gel polish system. It averages about 20 applications total, so you're only really spending $2.90 per mani. Choose from 54 shades ($9.99 each) for your bridal shower, bachelorette, wedding, and honeymoon. It takes some practice to nail down the technique, so if you aren’t ambidextrous enough to paint both of your hands without getting any polish on your fingers, ask one of your bridesmaids to help you out.

Spring is in the air: It’s daylight savings time, the days are longer and warmer and our May/June issue is on the newsstands! What could be better? I can’t wait to give you a sneak peek, because no matter where you are in the planning process, this issue has fantastic stories, great advice and a ton of ideas you can use.

(Pictured from left to right: My sister Lisa, Mom, me, Michael, Dad, my sister Laura, and future brother-in-law Kevin)

We celebrated the upcoming Hunger Games movie release in the best way we know how at BG—by putting together a wedding inspiration board, of course. Suzanne Collins' bestselling trilogy is undeniably an unlikely source for wedding planning. (Even Lionsgate thinks so; they declined to comment on this story.) But if you can look past the twisted premise (a televised survival competition where districts must battle to the death for the sake of entertainment), you'll find that at the heart of it all is an incredible love story that sparks a revolution. 

The Invitations 

In lieu of traditional invitations, send lottery tickets to the reaping. Printable party invites by ClickableParty.

The Seating Arrangements

Sort guest tables into each of the 13 districts using this handy map.

Most brides-to-be plan to have their dream weddings filmed and photographed—but for Lainie Schultz, photographing the days leading up to her wedding has led to an outpouring of support and admiration across the nation.

"Since I have been diagnosed, I only want to help others see cancer as I see it—and not to fear it," says Schultz.  

In 2008, Schultz learned she had both stage-two breast cancer and Li-frameni syndrome, a rare disorder caused by a genetic mutation. Emily Harris, a photographer who had previously done work for Schultz's sister-in-law, contacted the bride-to-be, asking to photograph her cancer journey and wedding planning.

"[Emily] happened to call me the day before I was planning to shave my head, and I said, 'it was fate you called to come over tomorrow. Let's get this story started!'" says Schultz. Joseph Jones, Schultz's now-husband, shaved his fiancée's head weeks before the wedding.

The day was far from sad; the room was filled with plenty of smiles, food, drinks, and loving relatives. "I work with so many bridezillas, and it drives me crazy," Harris told Today.com. “This re-lit something inside me because this brings the focus back to a marriage being about the love and devotion between two people.”

Hi! I’m the new girl here in the BG fashion department. Naima, the one and only BG fashion and beauty editor, is out on maternity leave with her new baby Grace! Her little bundle of joy arrived on Feb. 23rd and is so adorable. I can’t wait to meet her in person!

Naima's baby Grace
Born on 2/23/12 at 6:25pm
7 lb 10 oz. 20.5 inches

To make a long story short, I am filling in for Naima until she returns in May. But I am no stranger to Bridal Guide. I was the Creative Director here for a long time but have been gone for several years now while Mary Cate has been so wonderfully running the show in the art department. Like Naima, my baby was born while I was on staff at Bridal Guide.

Here’s my baby, Jacob
Born 11 years ago while I was here at BG

So, I’m happy to be back and reporting to you about all the newest gowns from Chicago and NewYork Bridal Markets and putting together the September/October issue of Bridal Guide. Lots of great products and accessories come into our office that I would just love to tell you about, so stay tuned…

—Robin Zachary
 

Each week, we feature music recommendations from Scratch Weddings, the nation's leader with the best wedding DJs at affordable prices. This week's post comes from DJ Jon Blak, whose client list includes Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Jermaine Dupri and Ryan Leslie. He describes his style as "retro/future”, a seamless blend of old and new that translates well to wedding guests of all ages. "I love the challenge of crossing genres and generations and playing a diverse mix that's totally seamless. At the end a wedding, I'd like the bride and the groom to be exhausted from dancing!" Jon is known infusing any event with energy and cool, while always keeping the client's musical preferences front and center in his music selection.

Photo courtesy of Antonia Christianson Events

I'm very lucky to have four awesome bridesmaids who will stand by my side during my wedding. Although our special day is supposed to be about my fiancé Corey and I—the love we share and the life we're planning together—it's important to us to include loved ones in the planning process as well. Bridesmaid dress shopping was no exception. I know that the notion of finding one dress to fit multiple ladies (all with different body types and style preferences) can be nerve-wracking and challenging, but I'm happy to report that it can be done! Here, some considerations to keep in mind that I learned from personal experience.

1. Remember that no two bridesmaids are built the same. When choosing a dress, it’s important to keep the ladies’ body types in mind. All four of my 'maids are absolutely gorgeous, but they have different body shapes and heights (one bridesmaid is 5’2 while another is 5’11). No matter how fit or beautiful your bridesmaids are, not every dress style looks good on every woman—ask them in advance if there are any particular necklines or silhouettes they find to be unflattering. One of my bridesmaids didn’t think halters looked good on her figure, so we stayed away from that particular style.

Nikki and her sister Allison

Just goes to show you that you if you’re looking for an upgrade, you should dress like you belong in the upper class cabin. Pete and Penny the penguins rode from San Antonio to Atlanta the other day in first class. 


Now, I realize I’m making a bit of a joke here, but seriously, some airlines refuse to upgrade unkempt passengers. My traveling companion was denied access to business class on a flight from Bombay to Brussels because he was wearing shorts. And on a trip to Paris last year, I saw a few men in suits get the nod from the flight attendant.

So what's the real secret to scoring a flight upgrade? Wear a jacket—or even a suit. At the gate, mention you're on your honeymoon and ask if the flight is full; then say, very very sweetly, would it be possible to be put on the upgrade list? 

Also remember—you’re never fully dressed without a smile.

—Jenna Mahoney

In the latest issue of Us Weekly, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi reveals she wants a Jersey-fied fairy tale wedding (after her guido or guidette baby arrives!), complete with fireworks and "a princess-type gown with a huge train." Finding the perfect wedding dress for our favorite pint-size meatball was difficult, but we're guessing the future Mrs. Jionni LaValle will be choosing her gown from one of these three designers.

Pnina Tornai

With its semi-see-through and completely curve-hugging corset, we can totally see Snooki fist-pumping down the aisle in this dramatic style.

Check out more Pnina Tornai styles in our gown gallery. 

Coco Anaïs