Blogs

There are a thousand and one ga-jillon travel websites out there, and figuring out which one to trust can be a major time-suck. That’s where I come in.

Melanie Brandman is hands-down one of the glammest gals in travel. Sure, DVF may that whole “I’m a fashion icon” thing and a titled marriage going for her, but Melanie still may beat her in our little travel industry. As the head of one of the hautest travel PR agencies around, Melanie often spots trends in travel before the rest of us. It’s also her job to test the local waters while she visiting her clients or just jetting for fun.

Ever the savvy source, Melanie recently began an online journal of sorts highlighting her travels. The result is a chic insider view that she publishes monthly called The Travel Curator. In her monthly updates, Melanie highlights her must-sees, -dos, -eats and -experiences at some of her favorite destinations. She shares some of her secret spots, too, and of course, it is all so glam.

Sign up for The Travel Curator and read more about Melanie at thetravelcurator.com. 

—Jenna Mahoney

Photo Credit: Smitten Kitchen

I’ve decided to refocus on my health in 2012, not just because I’m hoping to look amazing in my wedding dress, but also since the cold weather has really been stalling my fitness routine. That being said, this is not a diet. I feel like the word "diet" is intimidating and sets some women up to fail.

Instead, I will make small changes to my eating habits and commit to working out more. Corey and I are both going to be in this together, so it will be nice to have his support. First, we'll start with some simple changes, like switching to whole wheat pasta, ordering half-tomato, half-Alfredo sauce to cut calories and drinking more H20. I am also going to try cooking more healthy recipes, including the following yummy options.

Bank of America is coming under fire for refusing to deposit a newlywed's wedding gifts because, since the wife chose to keep her maiden name, she was not legally "Mrs. Peter Iorizzo."

Pete explained, "Most of the checks were made out to 'Mr. and Mrs. Peter Iorizzo.' I endorsed them, designated them “for deposit only” and gave them to my wife. She planned to deposit them into our joint account."

But when she reached the teller, the checks were refused, since her name did not match the name on the checks. "Bank of America told us there was no way around it: All the checks were void. We would have to go back to our guests and request new checks."

Obviously, this wasn't a practical solution. Even though the couple offered to present their marriage license, arrange a meeting with the bank involving both of them, or bring a witness, the bank still refused. The bank's advice? Alert your guests beforehand that you're not changing your name:

New Year's Day marks the start of a brand new year and exactly six months until Michael and I become husband and wife. With wedding bells ringing in my ear, it's only natural that my resolutions for 2012 reflect our upcoming nuptials. My first resolution will help to ensure that I’m healthy for our big day. I plan on resuming my workout regime, which has come to a complete halt in recent months. I only have four pounds to go until I reach my target weight! Exercise is the push I need to be fit and trim for my walk down the aisle and energetic for the long hikes Mike and I have planned for our honeymoon.

My second resolution is necessary during these next few months of planning and celebrating. I promise to live in the moment. The past year and a half, I've constantly been focused on the future. Which vendors should I book? When’s the next deposit due? What's next on our to- do list? I know you ladies know the drill, but this upcoming year, I plan on cherishing every moment—something I should have started doing a long time ago. I don't want to miss out on any of the days leading up to our wedding. Big changes will be occurring (moving out of my parents' house for the first time ever and house-hunting with my soon-to-be husband), and I want to be sure that I appreciate each and every moment, big and small.

Along with the holidays come candy canes, presents, cookies, and (inevitably) engagements. It can be difficult to shop for someone who is engaged if they haven’t registered for gifts yet. I wanted to share some easy, relatively inexpensive options that can be purchased at the last-minute for those love birds in your life.

For the Lady

I am in love with this Say Yes "Mrs." Necklace from Kate Spade. Sure, she might not be able to wear it just yet, but as a real bride blogger, I’ve discovered that I’m obsessed with anything marriage or wedding-related right now, and I don’t think I’m alone on that one. 

Another option for the bride would be something practical. She’s likely cutting back on costs in order to pay for upcoming nuptials or a honeymoon so a practical gift will be much appreciated. Try a cozy scarf and gloves or an oversized sweater.

For the Lad

If you truly want to show a friend, coworker or family member you’re happy for him and his future wife, how about a toast? Try gifting a case of beer from a local brewery paired with drinking glasses embossed with his favorite team’s logo. My sister bought Corey this Pittsburgh Penguins 2 Piece Glass Pilsner Set a few years back and they were a hit!

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 Alkimist. Originally trained as a classical violist, Alkimist's firm grasp of music theory allows her to create seamless transitions between songs as diverse as a 60's pop hit and a house-inspired club remix. She loves to stretch her limits. "I will play exactly what a couple wants – if they want to get specific, that's great, but even if they just communicate the feel they are going for, I can create an entire playlist based on that vibe.” Alkimist's keen ear and effortless DJ style are quickly earning her the distinction of being one of DC's rising DJ stars.

Photo Credit: K and K Photography

Christmas is just two days away, but when we spotted this genius idea from a real wedding shot by Two Chics Photography, we immediately thought of all our BG brides who are plotting holiday weddings for 2012!

In lieu of a traditional guestbook, couple Chad and Lucy came up with the concept of a "wishing tree," where guests sign an ornament with their name and advice or wishes for the newlyweds.

Every year, around their anniversary, they can hang the ornaments on their Christmas tree together and it will remind them of the happiness of their wedding day.

Tell us: What's the best idea for re-usable wedding decor that you've seen recently?

Want to get a headstart on your wedding planning in the New Year?

Santa Clara brides, we've got just the ticket: Join expert celebrity planners Preston Bailey, Sasha Souza, Nikki Khan and Bryan Rafanelli at The Wedding Faire & Symposium from Jan. 6th - 8th!

They'll share their expertise and all of the newest wedding trends during special workshops throughout the day. The Wedding Faire will also include 100+ photo booth displays and vendor exhibits, as well as bridal fashion shows (it's the largest wedding planning event in NoCal). Get additional info and purchase your ticket at wedding-faire.com.

If you can't make the event (is it too late for the BG editors to hop on a plane from NYC?), we've got an exclusive sneak peek at some of the trends that will be featured in Faire. They also offer wedding planning tools for brides across the country.

1. Incorporate Color Into Your Gown

At New York Bridal Fashion Week, we saw gorgeous gowns in a variety of hues, from pink to icy blue to black for 2012. If you're dead-set on wearing a white dress, you can still find ways to include a pop of color in your bridal ensemble.