Blogs

The Budget Guru recently had a conversation with Mara Urshel, co-owner of Kleinfeld and star of "Say Yes to the Dress." We spoke about dress shopping and your big bad budget--who would be savvier about this topic than Mara? Check our May 2011 issue for her tips from the shopping trenches.

Meanwhile, I wanted to share with you an interesting tidbit. When I asked Mara  how brides have changed over the last 10 years, she said, "The main thing is that brides are smarter about money now. Many have been to school and have professions and they're more practical about life in general. Ten years ago, we had a lot of young brides coming in with their parents who were paying for the dress. Now that is much less the case. Brides and older and savvier, and most understand that they don't necessarily have to have the most expensive dress."

There's nothing better than a money-smart bride!

Flash mobs, although becoming increasingly popular, are still a new concept. And how you ask does this random burst of synchronized motion have to do with weddings? Well, recently a Boston couple wed in this fashion. Many people have alternative weddings; however, this is the most unique I’ve ever seen.

The Kleimans are anything but typical. On their first date Caroline said to Jon, “You should probably just propose to me.” Jon responded immediately with a proposal and paper ring! For their wedding location, they chose the Prudential Center and for the ceremony, flash mob. The guests were also the participants and learned the moves along with the bride and groom. Watch a clip!

Here’s why they chose this wedding style:

“We think that life and weddings should be fun so the whole idea was to bring our friends together and share a wacky fun moment together.”

--Samantha Corbin

No one ever said a wedding dress should be white, right? Get this: The Great American Wedding Gown. It’s a wedding dress perfect for the All-American Woman, a July wedding, or just your average theme wedding!

Photo: Courtesy of Romantic Gowns

This red, white and blue two-piece satin gown definitely spices up the alter and puts all eyes on you. The blue spaghetti strap corset top and A-line skirt gives this extraordinary design as much of a conservative air as possible. Why not feel like Miss America on your special day and maybe there’s even a matching tux for your hubby.

Tell us: would you consider this dress for your wedding day?

--Samantha  Corbin, Intern

Your purse is designed to hold all your necessities: a compact, cell phone, and now a wedding planner.

“Save money without compromising your dreams.” Now, that’s one secret every bride wants to know! Marsha Heckman, wedding planner and author of A Bride’s Book has just released her second must have, A Bride’s Book of Lists. Lists and weddings go hand and hand, and here Marsha dishes on how to plan the perfect wedding without breaking the bank. The best part of this book is that it can go with you everywhere. Small enough to fit inside your purse, it’s there for all your wedding questions on the go. You’ll find advice on first dance songs, wedding traditions, and food suggestions from a 25-year experienced wedding planner. More than that, you’ll learn what goes into a wedding day emergency kit and how to create DIY gift ideas.

A Bride’s Book of Lists: Everything You Need to Plan the Perfect Wedding, Available in March or Pre-order today, $17.95.

--Samantha Corbin

Now you can get help from celebrity wedding planner, Mindy Weiss.

Photo: mindyweiss.com

What bride doesn’t dream of a Hollywood wedding like Fergie and Josh Duhamel, Heidi Klum and Seal, or Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale?  Dreams can become reality with the help of celebrity wedding planner, Mindy Weiss. And this doesn’t mean spending tons of money either so get excited.  The new iPhone app, Plan Your Wedding With Mindy Weiss makes this possible. There are so many features to this app that make planning your wedding special and personal. I love the Bridal Designers feature, which makes runway shows from designers like Vera Wang and Carolina Herrera accessible. My absolute favorite: The Wedding Dreamboard. It lets brides store magazine “tear outs” of their favorite dresses, décor, hairstyles, etc. all in one place.

Other features like Managing Vendors, Guest Lists & RSVPs and Get Organized makes planning easy.  Mindy also shares fabulous advice that only her A-List clients used to have access to. So, engaged or about to wed this app follows you through your wedding day. Visit mindyweiss.com/app/ to download and begin to stress less.

--Samantha Corbin, Intern

Cupcakes have been in the bridal spotlight for a few years now, and with good reason--they're delicious, adorable on display and easier to eat than a slice of fondant-encrusted cake. Swizzle Cakes, a Los Angeles-area bakery, has taken the cupcake craft to the next level--literally. The confectionary has just debuted alcohol-flavored cupcakes, with yes, national delivery, and flavors like Egg Nog, Cosmopolitan and Melissa's Mimosa. Unlike other desserts where the alcohol bakes out, Swizzle Cakes uses a “secret” process that enables the moist and fluffy cake to retain all of the alcohol ingredient (and its giddy effects!). The bakery even offers to do custom flavors--a great way to hint at your signature cocktail at your bridal shower or to munch on at the afterparty. Plus, Swizzle Cakes wraps its confections in sugar, rather than paper, for an eco-friendly treat. Kids attending your wedding festivities as well? Don't forget to swipe a few of their virgin flavors, like Shirley Temple and Lemonade. Visit swizzlecakes.com for more information.

--Rachel Jacoby

-- Maureen

Most people probably think this title doesn’t make much sense. While some may think the word “tomboy” means not feminine and more masculine—that really isn’t the case. “Bride” on the other hand makes us think gorgeous, glamorous and very feminine. How does one incorporate the vision without being too much of the above? It’s a matter of perception and preference.

When we think of a gown that’s a little more classic or elegant, a bride doesn’t have to wear the typical white with ruffles and ringlets in her hair to look like a bride. In fact, with some of the gown styles today you don’t even have to wear white. The gown doesn’t have to be embellished with floral and bling. It can be a light beige or champagne with spaghetti straps and maybe a criss-cross back. This gives charm and appeal in its own way. Sometimes less is more for certain people. So for those of you who are sweating over the idea that you’ll have to look like you belong on a cake topper in order to fit the vision of what a princess bride is, I’m here to calm your nerves and tell you that you don’t. Choose the style that reflects your personality and makes you comfortable.

The idea of flowers everywhere may be another reason why a no-frills bride might panic. If flowers just aren’t your style, there are other things nature can provide that are simple yet elegant in many ways. Think of using branches in a vase with river rocks and candles on the tables. If your wedding is in the fall, incorporate filling many different-sized pillar vases with leaves of all different colors and use large chunky candles in between them to add ambiance to the room. This shows your appreciation for the season and also gives your guests a warm feeling. Again, not super feminine but simple and elegant.