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Chocolate has long played an important role in wedding traditions. The Mayans and Aztecs drank a cocoa concoction at their wedding ceremonies, flavored with chilies, vanilla beans, and cornmeal (yum?). In Europe, chocolate is said to have first appeared during the 1615 marriage of Anne of Austria and King Louis XIII of France, when Anne gave her royal hubby chocolate as a wedding present. So, to follow in the footsteps of the chocoholics of old, here are our favorite ways to include this treat in your big day.

Chocolate Mini Cakes

Gone are the days of the traditional (and often untouched) white buttercream-frosted wedding cake. More and more, we see brides opting for unique flavors, shapes, and sizes when it comes to cakes. Instead of one large wedding cake, why not surprise each guest table with a miniature cake of their own? They'll revel in the novelty, and it will also encourage guests to get up and mingle with other tables.

Photo Credit: Ananda Shorey of Bliss Fotography / Cake by The Whole Cake

Another fun idea: Use chocolate chocolate cake pops as escort cards!

Loverly is the heart of weddings: a visual inspiration search engine designed to help brides discover ideas, people to hire, and things to buy. Loverly makes finding beautiful wedding inspiration easier than ever! Their images are powered by the best wedding publishers and wedding shopping partners on the web. Find Bridal Guide on Loverly >>

Strapless gowns are essentially a bridal fashion staple — they typically dominate bridal fashion runways and wedding day aisles alike. However, each new season brings with it the possibility of a new popular style. This season, it’s gowns with straps. Before you jump to a strapless conclusion, just think of the possibilities: cap sleeves, long lace sleeves, spaghetti straps, halters — the list literally goes on. We say it’s time to pop the bubbly, because straps mean you can dance the night away with your sweetheart without ever having the make a dress adjustment. Vintage, destination, glam, and rustic, here are 10 of our favorite strapped dresses perfect for your wedding’s style.

1. You can never go wrong with a classic — hello, spaghetti straps!

Preston Bailey is one of the most in-demand event planners for the rich and famous — he's worked with Oprah Winfrey, Donald Trump, Joan Rivers, Matt Lauer, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Uma Thurman, among others. This past year, he designed the $10 million Lord of the Rings-inspired wedding of Facebook/Napster billionaire Sean Parker to singer/songwriter Alexandra Lenas, as well as NBA star LeBron James' elegant San Diego wedding to his high school sweetheart, Savannah Brinson.

As 2013 comes to an end, we asked the famed designer to share some of his favorite trends and ideas that he saw emerging this past year.

Light-Up Tents
"Gone are the days of the ugly white plastic tent exteriors," said Bailey. "Projections are a great way of creating a statement and transporting guests into a new realm." 

Outdoor Weddings
Sean Parker's majestic forest wedding became one of the year's most talked about celebrations. With strands of flowers cascading from the trees, a petal-strewn aisle, and rustic benches as seating, it's easy to see why. "Outdoor ceremonies are still very popular, in spite of Mother Nature’s unpredictable moods," said Bailey. 

Loverly is the heart of weddings: a visual inspiration search engine designed to help brides discover ideas, people to hire, and things to buy. Loverly makes finding beautiful wedding inspiration easier than ever!

As more and more couples plan destination weddings, weekend weddings, or celebrations that require some of their guests to travel (and plan ahead), save-the-dates have become an essential part of the planning process — as well as a fantastic way to express your creativity. You can go vintage, modern, or boho, incorporate bold colors and fonts, or keep your save-the-dates simple and understated. I love when brides and grooms insert their unique sense of style and personalities into a save-the-date with humor, fun, and romance, like these super-cool ideas from Pear Tree Greetings.

The “Get to Know Him & Her” is an accordion style five-panel save-the-date that unfolds to show photos and wedding details. In back, there’s one large photo and separate panels about “Him” and “Her.” This particular card describes how the couple first met and what they thought of one another. Sweet!

For couples planning a destination wedding, this “Around the World Spinner” is ideal. Four different photos of the two of you appear in the cut-out circle in front as guests spin the side wheel. In back, your wedding location, date, and website are listed.

Ballroom weddings can be so beautiful — but how can you make yours stand out among the rest? We asked experts in the industry what their brides have done to make their reception truly special. Check out this amazing inspiration and give your ballroom wedding your own personal touch!

1. Unlike outdoor spaces, ballrooms come with a lot of pre-set décor that can’t be changed. Pull elements from the walls, trim, ceiling, etc. to create a color palette that complements the room. That way, your reception style flows cohesively with the rest of the space.

Photo Credit: Jen + Ashley Photography

2. Is there a chandelier in the ballroom that doesn’t quite go with your ambiance? Have your florist create an arrangement to hang from it! These florals will soften the room and give your guests something amazing to look at.

Photo Credit: Cami Jane Photography

The thrill of trying on a wedding dress is a cherished experience for many brides. Take it from Ruth Sullivan, who at the age of 92, finally got that princess moment she had been longing for her entire life.

"I like something with a full skirt and I like glamour," Sullivan told The Today Show.
Photo Credit: April Cole/Kathy Woodhouse with Digital Expressions

The Frankfort, Kentucky native married her husband, Norman Sullivan, in Columbus, Ohio in the year 1946. World War II had ended, and there weren't too many big weddings at that time, so she didn't get to wear a grand white wedding dress, although they did spring for a hotel stay to celebrate her nuptials.

Sadly, Norman passed away in 2004, but throughout their 58-year marriage, Ruth always wondered, “What if?”

"I really wanted to know if I would look pretty. It was something that I never got to do and I just wanted the experience of trying them [wedding gowns] on," Sullivan tells us.

Thanks to the help of Second Wind Dreams — a foundation whose goal is to change the perception of aging — and David's Bridal, she enjoyed a fun-filled day trying on beautiful wedding gowns with her loved ones in attendance.

The Harry Potter series has provided an endless supply of wedding inspiration, from proposals to engagement photos to themed weddings. And when Harry Potter fanatic Marissa married Kyle Pick in September, the groom and their photographers, Patrick Meyers and Joe Mowczko of Heroic Photography, secretly planned some Harry Potter-inspired photos for the big day! They gathered a Gryffindor scarf, a magic wand, and the entire book series for the portraits, culminating the photo session with an epic battle against Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Check out the amazing photos:

Photo Credit: Hoffer Photography

When the words “holiday” and “wedding” come together in the same sentence, what comes to mind? A goth Halloween ball? An ugly Christmas sweater party? If you’re European, perhaps you think simply of a honeymoon. While New Year’s Eve weddings are nothing new, there is a consistent trend of couples striving for an event to remember, aiming to differentiate their nuptials from the rest.

One advantage to planning a holiday wedding is an instant theme. The season lends itself to a distinct color palette and design direction — but how do you create an elegantly themed atmosphere without going too kitsch or campy? The answer lies in delicate balance and unexpected details. Consulting with a professional planner can help keep you on track and ensure your event comes across as you.

Here are four different holiday wedding themes and tips on how to incorporate subtle yet impactful décor details into your big day.

Christmas

After the cake is cut and your gorgeous flowers have wilted, there are just a few things that will last long after your reception and well into your marriage. That's why so many of us brides splurge on a professional photographer, and maybe even a videographer, since film is the best way to preserve our memories from that special day.

However, your guest book can also serve as a fun memento of your wedding day. Skip the standard notebook and let your creativity shine with these fabulous finds!

1. Have your guests sign wine bottles, each of which represents a marriage milestone (your 1st, 5th, 10th and 25th wedding anniversaries). Read their heartfelt messages and toast to how far you've come together.

Photo by: EVC Creations

2. If you or your future spouse loves music, then consider asking guests to sign your favorite musical instrument. This alternative guest book idea will hit just the right note! 

Bonus: You could also name various tables at your reception after meaningful love songs.