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Afraid that your wedding cards will end up being shoved away in a desk drawer, never to be seen again? Us too. That's why we can't wait to create this beautiful keepsake album to give our endless stack of cards a home and banish desk clutter for good.

Our blogger friend Jen at Somethingturquoise.com (remember her handy seating chart?) came up with this craft, and we knew BG readers would be up to the challenge. Although the long instructions may look daunting, we promise the end result is worth it.

Supplies You'll Need:

• Two pieces of cardboard
• Three pieces of patterned paper that all complement each other
• Ink pad
• Glue dots
• 30″ of ribbon
• Two large brads
• Large ring

Step 1: Prep the Front and Back Covers

You'll need two pieces of cardboard to make the mini-album. The size of your album will depend on the largest card in your stack. Start by gathering up your wedding cards (we know, that might take awhile) and shuffle them together to find your largest card in the bunch.

Measure about a quarter of an inch past each side of your largest card.

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 Brooklyn-based, Cali-bred DJ Kev Sakoda, who has more than two decades of experience DJing  clubs, corporate events, live shows and on radio across the country. He can also be found at a weekly residency at NYC's Happy Ending Lounge on the Lower East Side. Kev works with couples to create a crowd-pleasing musical vision for every wedding he spins. "Music is such an important part of creating the emotion of the reception; not just for the bride and groom, who are the most important people that night, but for all of the guests.” 

Photo Credit: Meg Baisden Photography

One thing that I love about the season are all the fabulous ways my favorite hotels decorate their public spaces. The Gran Melia Fenix in Madrid puts up a tree that glitters in gold and red decorations. The Bellagio in Vegas goes va-va-voom with bigger-than-life-nutcrackers, awesome light displays and an assortment of awesome Christmas trees. And every year, Claridge’s in London has a fashion designer outfit a tree in the lobby. This year it is one of my favorites—Alber Elbaz of Lanvin!

But the hip NYC James Hotel did a little something different this year. Instead of stringing silver bells, the hotel commissioned local artist Shintaro Okamoto to create a mini-city of ice. The display, which is open to the public, is on view in the hotel’s outdoor Urban Garden for the next few weeks. Watch the video clip for a look inside the artist’s studio. 

—Jenna Mahoney

The first trailer for The Five-Year Engagement, starring Jason Segel and Emily Blunt, has just been released. The movie follows Tom (Segel) and Victoria's (Blunt) ever-lengthening road to marriage as career opportunities (and life in general) get in the way.

We love that you see some of the classic guilt from relatives about a lengthy engagment ("Grandparents do have a tendendy to die, you know."), guest list debates with the parents, and much more that that will hit close to home for so many brides.

The movie hits theaters on April 27. Check out the video and let us know what you think! 

—Kristen O'Gorman Klein

Still haven't figured out the color palette for your wedding but need to order those bridesmaids gowns? Choose a neutral tone for the girls. It always looks elegant and pairs well with any other color you decide to add to your wedding theme. Neutrals look great paired with bright, poppy tones (try a bold bouquet) and are also sublime when matched with pastels. Another great reason to choose a neutral color: your girls will love you because neutral dresses are so easy to repurpose and wear again. Here, a few of our favorite neutral dresses from Jim Hjelm (jlmcouture.com), Amsale (amsale.com), Noir by Lazaro (jlmcouture.com), Allure (allurebridals.com), Enzoani Love Social Occasion (lovebyenzoani.com) and Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids (moniquelhuillier.com).

—Naima DiFranco

Prospective grooms, take note! Hiring a photographer to covertly capture your engagement may be the latest trend when popping the question, but this groom took it a step further: Josh kept it a secret for almost a year that the proposal was photographed so that, on the morning of the wedding, he could surprise Jenn with a framed photo of the engagement! 

Photo Credit: Alyse French Photography

We chatted with Jenn to find out what was going through her mind when she opened up Josh's incredible gift. 

Bridal Guide: What was your reaction when you saw the photo?
Jenn Morrissey: I was truly amazed by it. I didn’t have the slightest idea that he hired a photographer on that day, and I couldn’t believe he was able to keep it a secret for almost a year!  It was such a thoughtful idea and a really sweet gift that commemorated our engagement season as we looked ahead to an even greater chapter of our life together. 

Looking at the photo transported me back to the proposal, and it was fun to relive those feelings of excitement and surprise. I think you can see that on my face in the picture! 

You know what is my favorite commercial on TV right now (yeah, I live in the Stone Ages sans DVR)? It is that so glam Dior Beauty advert featuring Charlize “I’m just a little farm girl from South Africa” Theron.

You know the one... she is all late for a fashion show and then miraculously transforms into a golden vision that mirrors the Dior fragrance bottle. It’s all such a beautiful vision that I forgive the weird Marilyn Monroe placement and wish I could live in the mansion featured. Lucky for me—and you, my dear brides—you can experience a stay in a Dior-styled suite at the St. Regis New York.

Blending grays, purples and whites, the room’s sophisticated décor is inspired by the design of the haute fashion house. And the views of Central Park and tony 5th Avenue are gilded hallmarks of the luxury flagship property. The suite encompasses a living room with a fireplace, a formal dining room able to serve eight, and an enormous marble bath. Go to starwoodhotels.com for more information.

Hello, lovely ladies! I’m back! Can you believe it? In a few short days, I will have been married for a whole month...crazy!

My destination wedding in Vegas was a whirlwind and coming out of it married to my best friend was probably the highlight. However, when we were in New York (the only stop we made before the wedding), we got some engagement photos taken by the lovely Dina Kantor of Sam and Gertie Photography.

I thought I’d share my engagement shoot with you today while we wait (im)patiently for all of our wedding photos!

How's this for a daring ceremony idea? The couple, who performed together as a tightrope act in a circus, tied the knot 60 feet above a gathering crowd — sans nets — in Toulouse, France. Their officiant climbed up a fire ladder to perform the ceremony. The best man, "the man with the worst job of the day," later joined with the rings before walking the tightrope with the groom. Check out the video!

via Jezebel

—Kristen O'Gorman Klein