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It’s a given that guests always look forward to indulging in fabulous food at a wedding. At the many I’ve attended, I’m always amazed at the presentation, the quantity and the taste of the food, from cocktail hour to reception dinner. Long after the big day, your family and friends will probably regale you with how much they ate and what dishes they loved!

As the busy summer wedding season approaches, we spoke with caterer Jeannette Maier of Fancy Girl Table, a catering and event design company, for tips on how to plan a unique summer menu. Jeannette only uses ingredients from local farms and can create options for every type of celebration (barn wedding, summer picnic, rooftop party), as well as for every type of wedding guest, whether they’re vegan, vegetarian or a meat lover.

Here, a few of her suggestions for sure-to-please summer menus:

Summer Barn Party Menu

Hors d’oeuvres:
Grilled Sourdough Spelt Pizza with Potatoes, Summer Herbs, Aged Goat Cheese, Caramelized Onions & Truffle Oil:

Squash Blossoms with Smoked Ricotta:

Planning an out-of-state wedding hasn't been exactly what I envisioned. Yes, looking for places to tie the knot has been fun, but the fact that my fiancé Chris and I have to do everything separately sucks, quite frankly. There are plenty of couples who have way worse problems than a long-distance engagement, so I'm trying to be grateful and slap a smile on my face. I know there's a light at the end of the tunnel and my logical side tells me that we'll still get to live happily ever after in the long run.

But if I can be honest with you all, I've been struggling to see the positive side of being apart. We haven't lived together yet because of my job (I work as the evening anchor at San Diego 6 News). Halfway into our relationship, I moved to Reno while Chris was in Sacramento, then I left Reno to be with him in Sacramento, but within one week, I got the position in San Diego, so I had to leave again. 

Here's a fun pic of my co-anchor and I.

Chris is working on moving here but he still needs to sell his house and get a job before we can move in together, so in the meantime, I've been living with my mom, which has actually been super nice. She's been my partner-in-crime throughout my entire wedding journey and we had so much fun scouting wedding venues together.

Photo Credit: Rachel Pearlman Photography

As a wedding guest, one of the most challenging parts is figuring out exactly how much to spend on a wedding gift. Do you base it on your relationship to the newlyweds? Does the formality of the wedding matter (the old “cover your plate rule”)? Do you have to match what they gave you for your wedding, even if you really can’t afford it?

The good news: According to a recent survey by American Express, the average person spends about $100 on a wedding gift — seems pretty manageable, right? It’s not quite that easy. Here, we’ll break down the most commonly asked questions about gifts.

What should you give?

Event designer Preston Bailey is known around the world for his exquisite floral designs. From celebrity clients (like Oprah Winfrey, Sean Parker, LeBron James, Donald Trump, and Joan Rivers) to real brides, he's worked on thousands of events over the past 30 years — and here, he shares his expertise on the biggest mistakes he sees couples making over and over with their wedding flowers.

1. Underestimating the Cost
Many brides tend to focus on other elements of the wedding, such as the venue and the dress, and then have a bit of a shock when it comes time to decorate the space. Centerpieces are just one aspect of décor, and it’s easy to overlook other spaces, such as the entrance, that will look barren if left unattended. Be sure to do your research and share your vision with your florist so that he or she can work with you and help keep your expectations in line with your budget and vice versa.

Our fashion editor is reporting live from the bridal runway shows in Chicago this weekend! You can follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates.

Here, get a quick look at the most buzzed-about gowns from days two and three.

Mori Lee

We love the delicate lace detailing on this ballgown:

Show some curves in this ravishing mermaid:

We love this sparkling princess ballgown:

See more new gowns by Mori Lee ►

Cristiano Lucci

How much do you love these bejeweled sleeves?

Determining just what your wedding style is can be daunting, to say the least. How do you decide on the colors, the décor (vintage or modern? Traditional or rustic?) and all the details involved? With so many options available, your head will be spinning in no time.

Which is why I fell in love with this brilliant new website, lovedetailed. The genius creators of the site, Brooke Polson and Dana Constantino, have made creating your dream wedding a reality without all the hassle. They know that not every bride has the time or budget to pull it all together, so they teamed up with renowned L.A.-based wedding planner, Linda Howard, to help you get the wedding you want. The premise is fun and easy — simply take their style profile quiz so they can match your answers to one of their design packages (I took the quiz several times and loved the results!). Here, a sampling of some of the gorgeous packages available:

Perhaps you consider your style a bit more modern and you love color, drama and glamour. This black, white and fuchsia wedding may be just the ticket:

This week, I am dedicating my post to my trainer (and aunt), Bonne Marcus. For almost one year now, she has been training with me almost every week and has given me 100% of her time and energy when I need it, and I am forever grateful. I am more than halfway to my goal weight, and it wouldn’t have been possible without her endless support and perseverance.

1. She motivates me
I know I am lucky to not only have Bonne as my aunt but also as my trainer and fitness coach. Throughout this process, she has motivated me and inspired me to lose weight, get healthy, and feel better. She continues to motivate me each time we meet — and each and every day. Throughout the week, she sends me notes, asks how I’m doing, gives me advice, and so much more to keep me going.

Bonne is away on vacation this week, but her presence is still with me. I hear her voice in my head telling me “you got this” and “you can do it” every time I need a little reminder.

Photo Credit: Hugh Forte on The Wedding Chicks via Lover.ly

Q: Who should give the toasts at the rehearsal dinner and wedding, and how do they differ for each event?

A: Good question, since toasts do vary for each occasion. At the rehearsal dinner, for example, the atmosphere is often laid-back and informal. The toasts begin with the host of the evening (usually the groom’s father, but both of his parents can do the honors), then the best man, followed by the groom to his bride and her family and then the bride to the groom and his family. Other guests who wish to say a few words may also join in. And, since it’s usually a more intimate gathering, the toasts can be a little longer and more lighthearted than those given at the wedding reception.

When you and your fiancé take your turns to speak (if you choose to do so), it’s a nice gesture to say some kind words about your future spouse as well as to thank both sets of parents for their love and support. Your fiancé can finish up the speaking portion of the evening with a few last words to the group.

Like many brides, Xiang Junfeng describes her wedding day as the happiest day of her life. "I never wanted it to end," she told the Daily Mail. And so it didn't — at least when it comes to her wardrobe. "I decided I wanted to not only keep wearing my dress, but actually bought four other wedding dresses as well." 

Junfeng's wedding day was especially meaningful because it wasn't just a celebration of love — it was a celebration of her freedom. Originally from Jimo, China, she was kidnapped at the age of 18, sold as a slave, and forced to marry an elderly man in Linyi. It took 15 years until she could escape to Liujiazhuang village, where she was helped by a local woman. When she later met the woman's brother, the two immediately hit it off. "I had only ever known a violent and abusive man, and I avoided men until I met my new partner, who brought me truly out of my shell and treated me so differently…I couldn’t believe it when he asked me to marry him," she said. "We felt comfortable with each other, so we have been together since then. I am very happy now, as my husband is very good to me."

The locals call her "Sister Wedding Gowns," and she rotates between her multiple dresses — even while working in the fields. “I don’t care what people say about me. My wedding dresses are part of my life and I will continue to wear them regardless.”

Guest blogger: Joanne Barken
Joanne Barken is the CEO of The Bach, the first online platform for planning bachelorette parties. Joanne, who lives in New York City — one of the country's top choices for a special night out with the girls — has helped plan over a dozen bachelorette parties before launching The Bach.

The Kentucky Derby, taking place on May 3 this year, is known for more than just the exciting two-minute thoroughbred horse race. With its own fashion style and signature cocktail, it always makes for a great party. Whether your group actually attends the races, like Miranda Lambert’s bachelorette crew did, or just wants to throw a themed event at home, here’s how to Get Down & Derby at your next bachelorette party.

Set the Tone with the Right Invitations

Give your guests a heads up on the Kentucky Derby theme with these adorable invites.

Photo Credit: Etsy