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Deciding on the perfect venue is a challenge. Do you have your reception at a hotel, a catering hall, an estate or perhaps under a tent in a gorgeous garden setting? The decision, of course, depends upon the time of year, the number of guests, your budget, etc.

But there’s another great option to consider, for all you fashion-forward foodies who crave a chic, intimate environment along with a fantastic meal: the restaurant venue. Think about it — you’ll enjoy a cozy atmosphere, amazing food and the cost will undoubtedly be considerably less than having your reception at a much larger venue. Many restaurants have private rooms to accommodate small receptions, and some restaurants, such as Sepia — one of Chicago’s top eateries — have a separate venue just for special occasions. Sepia’s venue, called Private Dining by Sepia, is located right next door to the restaurant.

Photo Credit: Paul Strabbing Photography

Inside, the shimmering metallic walls and distinctive bold lighting create an elegant atmosphere. I love the unique lighting fixtures and the warm golden hue they cast.

Guest blogger: Rosanna Casper, co-founder of Idojour.com, a wedding website where brides, grooms, family and friends can purchase a stylish and affordable mix of beautifully curated pieces. Designed to make wedding planning all the more inspiring and enjoyable, Idojour offers accessories and apparel for your wedding weekend, complemented by both inspirational and practical content. Rosanna oversees content, among many other things, and makes sure that everything comes together beautifully on the site.

Here, Rosanna shares her favorite DIY and customization websites.

We’re lucky enough to live in a world where we can customize and create pretty much anything with the quick click of a button. And what better place to put your own personal stamp on things than your wedding? So for those of you creative and crafty brides who are looking for ways to personalize your wedding, we’ve rounded up of the best sites and apps for all create your own custom projects!

Craftgawker

It’s a photo gallery of handmade crafts and DIY projects. Get inspired, search for something specific, and be taken to that specific blog or site for the how tos. Plus, there’s a free app for craftiness on-the-go!

Each week, we feature music recommendations from Scratch Weddings, the nation's leader with the best wedding DJs at affordable prices. This week's post comes from DJ Revuleo, a master at mixing a huge variety of musical genres into one seamless set. Where other DJs might shy away, he shines at mixing creative sets as diverse as the personalities of his clients. He understands the magic of a couple's wedding day and commits to creating the perfect vibe. "It's the one moment where everyone you care about is in one room, for you. The music and people together create memories that you will have forever.” 

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Kaye, Elizabeth in Love

Your engagement party: It's the party before the party, a time to celebrate with your closest friends and family. It’s an exciting event filled with love and anticipation, and a perfectly-crafted playlist will set the right tone for all the festivities to come. Mix it up with up-tempo jams to keep energy high, plus a good balance of mellow songs to allow guests to mingle. A word to the wise: save your most special, intimate songs for the big day. You don't want to steal your own musical thunder.

Postage stamp alert! The beloved, in-demand wedding cake stamp has been updated to reflect the new rates that go into effect next week. What's not to love about this delicious detail?

Go to usps.com/stamps or call 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) for more info.

—Mary Clarke

I knew I couldn't tackle the task of making my house a home without my groom. Armed with Jason's male perspective and Mom's real-world experience (she tagged along for support), we filtered hundreds of products down to the chosen few. Here's what we learned, as told from our POVs.

The Bride:

I was beyond giddy to register. When else in your life can you create the ultimate wish list without paying a dime? My scanning goals: Invest in items I'd be using the most frequently, like cookware; don't include items that guests might be reluctant to bring to a bridal shower, such as garbage cans or toilet plungers; and maintain a uniform sense of "style," which was challenging since we don't know which colors will match our new apartment.

We tried to register for gifts in a variety of price points, from affordable to only-my-aunts-would-love-me-this-much. We created registries at Macy's, Bed Bath and Beyond, and East Side China, a fantastic housewares specialty shop in our neighborhood. We felt that selecting a wide range of gifts would benefit not just us, but also our guests, who would have more choices than if we'd stuck to just one. We were very grateful for our consultants' wonderful registry advice; especially Michelle from Macy's and Holly from East Side China.

Editor-in-chief Diane Forden answers one reader's biggest etiquette question.

Photo Credit: Dez and Tam

Q. My sister is planning my bridal shower six months before the wedding date, and my future mother-in-law is annoyed. She claims it’s improper etiquette, and that the shower should be held four to six weeks before the wedding. Who’s right? 

A: There’s really no right or wrong in this case. Even though tradition dictates that a bridal shower should be held two months to two weeks before the wedding, I don’t see any reason why it can’t be planned before the two-month mark.

While having a shower six months before the wedding may not be improper, it does seem a bit early for practical reasons. For one thing, you and your fiancé need to have the guest list determined and your wedding invitations sent out before people receive their bridal shower invitations. And all those invited to the bridal shower should be on your wedding guest list as well.

If you do have an early shower, make sure you and your groom complete your gift registries first. Most bridal-shower invitees want to know where you’re registered, and this list is usually included with the shower invitations. If by some chance you’ve already mailed your wedding invitations and completed your registries, then it’s feasible to have the shower six months before your wedding. If not, perhaps your sister can schedule it closer to the big day.

—Diane Forden

Getting married in 2013? Wedding planner Melissa Phillips, of Simply Perfect Events, shares five non-traditional ideas she's loving this year. 

Hot Color: Mint

Emerald is Pantone's color of the year for 2013, but Phillips predicts that this softer shade of green will be just as prominent. A mint hue fits with every season, and it allows for a "soft but vibrant tone."

Laser-Cut Invitations

Intricate cut-outs make your invitation stand out. "By incorporating this unique format into your invitation, it will allow your wedding to make a huge statement and get guests excited about your big day," said Phillips.

Skip the Frosting

In stark contrast to the elaborately frosted confections we usually see, naked cakes will gain prominence this year. "These cakes will show more color combinations and test bakers to make the inside look and taste the best," said Phillips.

From blush hues to lace mermaids to gold accents, the hottest gowns from the 70th annual Golden Globes can easily be worn down the aisle as well. Here are some of our favorite looks that will take you from the red carpet to the white.

Hayden Panettiere in Roberto Cavalli & Amy Adams in Marchesa

The "Best Supporting Actress" nominees both chose ultra-feminine blush mermaid gowns. This romantic hue, dubbed "ballet pink" by Adams, complemented the stars' fair complexions. This Allure gown (pictured below) captures the essence of this up-and-coming bridal trend.

Tonight, we’ll get a look at how Carrie Bradshaw’s love affair with New York City began in The Carrie Diaries, premiering at 8 p.m. EST on The CW. But Carrie isn’t the only one seeking love and in the city. Here, take a look at some of our favorite New York City weddings by Casey Fatchett Photography.

Planning a New York wedding? Check out some of our favorite vendors and venues, and chat with other brides in your area in our Facebook community.