Before their wedding, Michael and Jessica agreed to skip the tradition of giving each other a gift. Jessica found a way around that promise by writing a a heartfelt letter, but Michael planned something a little bit more elaborate. After the couple shared their first dance together, 80 of their friends and family members joined the groom in a choreographed dance for the bride. Watch the heartwarming video:
—Kristen Klein
Whether you're a first-time bridesmaid, or have 27 dresses hanging up in the back of your closet, it's good to keep in mind bridal-party faux pas, so we chatted with real brides to find out their pet peeves. Here are nine things you didn't realize were annoying the bride in your life, plus practical tips for avoiding these mistakes.
Photo Credit: Jennifer Eileen on Wedding Chicks via Lover.ly
Why it's annoying: By not responding to emails, missing showers, or skipping out on favor-making night, you are slacking on your duty to support the bride and might make her regret asking you in the first place.
How to avoid it: You don't need to drop everything else in your life to be a bridesmaid, but you should make it a priority. It doesn't take much effort to reply enthusiastically to her emails with wedding details, and if you can't make a shower or bachelorette party, go the extra mile and send along a gift or card after picking up the phone to tell her why you won't be able to make it.
You are going to love our November/December 2014 issue! It’s filled with great advice, fabulous ideas, and the most gorgeous new fashions.
In fact, if you’re on the quest for just the right dress, check out our “Shape Finder” story that shows beautiful styles that are perfectly suited for your body type.
And if you picture yourself in an ultra chic, sophisticated style, turn to “Uptown Girl” for an array of knockout looks.
If your preference is for a dress that’s sweetly romantic and ethereal, we’ve got you covered with the prettiest floral-accented gowns.
We also take you behind-the-scenes to some of the top bridal runway shows for tips from the pros on how to achieve camera-ready and oh-so-pretty hair and makeup.
Two months before her wedding day, Janine experienced a nightmare worse than she ever could've imagined — her fiancé, Johnny, passed away unexpectedly, turning her life upside down.
Through her healing process, she came up with the idea of doing an underwater photo shoot in her custom-made wedding gown that she never had the opportunity to wear. She's always been a believer in the healing powers of water and thought the photo shoot would help her find closure. While searching for underwater bride photos, she came across Del Sol Photographers and decided to reach out.
"After I heard Janine’s story, I really wanted to do what I could to create a magical adventure for her," photographer Matt Adcock wrote on his website. "I knew that the natural aquatic wonders of the Riviera Maya would offer great comfort and would be the perfect vehicle for her healing process."
Janine and her photographer developed the shoot at Dreams Tulum to contain several liberations from grief, including a balloon release and falling into a natural pit to represent "letting go of the past and opening herself to the future."
"I really felt that Johnny was smiling down at me and finally giving me closure that I can live my life in a positive way, but never forgetting why I was here," Janine told her photographer. "I actually had fun for the first time in three month since Johnny passed away."
Check out the inspiring photos:
Most brides and grooms pray to Mother Nature for days — or even weeks — leading up to their wedding day for a nice sunny day. As a natural light professional wedding photographer, I am here to tell you that the truth is, in most cases, you actually will get better photos on an overcast or cloudy day. This may be a shock to most people, so let me explain why. Direct sunlight causes heavy shadowing and an emphasis on lines and imperfections on the face, which makes for unflattering photos. I am going to share with you some tips and advice on how to get the most beautiful images possible on your wedding day by planning your timeline for the best light possible!
The strongest, most harsh light during the summer months tends to rage from around 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. This is the worst time frame lighting-wise to take photos. The best times to have your photos taken, if it’s a sunny day is one to two hours before the sun sets. If you schedule your wedding day to start a couple hours after the sun is at its peak, you will end up with better-looking photos.
Lauren Conrad, who rose to fame on Laguna Beach and its spin-off, The Hills, wed her boyfriend of two years, lawyer William Tell, in an intimate ceremony along the California coast, joined by close friends and family members.
"What a perfect way to start our lives together; surrounded by the people we love most," the couple told Us Weekly in a statement. Conrad added, "I don't know that I have ever been as happy as I was walking down that aisle. It was amazing."
Now a fashion designer, Conrad showed off her talent through the bridesmaids dresses; each of the nine attendants — including former co-star Lo Bosworth — wore a dress from Conrad's new bridesmaid dress collection for Paper Crown.
After documenting her love life on camera for five years through her MTV series, Conrad has aimed to keep her private life more private in recent years. She says one of the best parts of their relationship is that Tell, who was a guitarist for alt-rock band Something Corporate, understands her lifestyle.
"It's the first time I'm with someone and I'm not explaining things," Conrad told Marie Claire. "He also has experience in the entertainment industry, so he understands a lot of things that people don't always get."
Jack Bermeo has helped hundreds of couples plan the happiest day of their lives and along the way, he's heard every proposal story imaginable. So, when the tables flipped, and it was his turn to ask for his longtime girlfriend Sophia's hand in marriage, the CEO of LJDJs Event Design & Entertainment in New Jersey found himself in an unusual predicament. How does a professional wedding planner pop the question in a unique way that has never been done before?
His answer: Pull off the ultimate bait-and-switch by staging a fake wedding that's actually all for them! We're talking an 80-person guest list, DJ, flowers, a cake, the works. Jack enlists Danny and Chris to play the role of the happy grooms (they're just good friends), along with clients and business associates to act as the bridal party and parents. The couple's friends and family are in on the plan, too.
During the first dance, Jack professes his love to his unsuspecting bride-to-be and the mother of his child, but as he gets down on one knee, she exclaims, "No, you can't do this right here!" (She doesn't understand why he's stealing the newlywed couple's thunder.) When she realizes the truth, naturally, she says yes!
Watch this incredible proposal unfold:
In the video, prior to getting engaged, Sophia explains that she would have been happy with any proposal no matter what the setting was (their shower, their living room, etc.) She never expected that Jack would execute such a memorable event.
No, these are not sister wives. These five women are wives who happen to be sisters, and they came up with the best idea ever — a sister photo shoot in their wedding dresses.
While most brides would love any excuse to wear their wedding dress again, one of the sisters, Cassie Gant, explains their motivation: "We did this shoot as a thank you to my parents for their love and support in not only our weddings, but in our marriages."
How sweet is that? Check out their laughter- and twirl-filled shoot by Rachel Blackwell!
Photo Credit: Jeff Loves Jessica on Jenna Lou Designs via Lover.ly
Q. When is the best time to give our attendants their gifts?
A. Most brides and grooms give their gifts to the wedding party at the rehearsal dinner. Following the main course, dessert is served and the toasts begin. Just so you know, it is customary for the best man to start off by toasting the couple, followed by the groom’s father (traditionally the groom’s parents are the hosts of the event). Afterward, you can acknowledge your attendants and give them the gifts. How you do so is entirely up to you. You can keep things lighthearted and fun or be a bit more sentimental. You can make a general announcement and dispense the gifts all at once, or you might want to say something special about each member of your wedding party before presenting that person with your memento. Do what feels most natural and comfortable. I’m sure your friends will appreciate however you choose to honor them.
—Diane Forden
We're in love with Danielle and Paul's super sweet photo shoot to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. They enjoyed a desserts-only picnic for two, took a bike ride along the lake, and ended the day by making a wish and releasing balloons into the sunset sky. Check out the gorgeous photos:
Featured: Finest Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
