Blogs

TLC's new spinoff Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids makes shopping for a wedding gown looks like a cinch compared to shopping for one dress that pleases every bridesmaid. Check out a dramatic preview of the show, which premieres tonight at 10/9c, on tlc.com. 

And to avoid seeing the claws come out when you go dress shopping with your own 'maids, keep these simple tips in mind:

1. As the bride, it's within your rights to choose the color and fabric of the bridesmaids' dresses. But don't forget to take your bridesmaids' personal styles, body types, and budget concerns into consideration. Their dresses should complement yours while also being comfortable and attractive. If you don't care about being matchy matchy, a great option is to choose a color and let your bridesmaids pick a dress that fits her shape and taste the best. 

2. But don't allow too much feedback from your bridesmaids in picking out their dresses or you'll never get a consensus and will drive yourself crazy trying to make everyone happy. At some point you just have to say, "this is what I've decided."

Just before Valentine’s Day, Brooke Daniels received a surprise package in the mail from her boyfriend, Roy Williams. In it, there were funds to pay her bills, a baseball (???), and…an engagement ring, along with a recorded message. BG brides, if you're cringing at the thought of being proposed to from a box, you aren’t alone—Brooke turned him down. But here's the kicker: She kept the rock.

The catch to this story is that she’s a former Miss Texas and Roy is a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys who just filed a lawsuit over the $76,000 diamond after being dumped.

Aside from the he-said she-said debates (Brooke’s dad allegedly reported the ring lost, Roy allegedly initially said she could keep it), we can’t help but wonder: What happens to engagement rings when popping the question on bended knee (or in this case, UPS) doesn’t lead to happily-ever-after?

Granted, it’s probably the last issue ex-couples worry about, given the seriousness of breaking off a potential marriage, but it’s a valid Q given the investment that goes into purchasing a ring and the numerous court cases dedicated to this topic each year. Etiquette dictates that giving the bauble back to the suitor would be the right thing for Brooke to do, since she called off the engagement. Crystal Harris, Hugh Hefner's "Runaway Bride", also recently made headlines when she was spotted cavorting in Vegas on what was supposed to be her wedding day, flashing a smile for the cameras with her sparkler intact. At least she returned the couple's dog at the Playboy Mansion...

We may have all been a twitter celebrating the birthday of our nation this past weekend, but over in arguably the most glam European principality, the crown heir wed. That's right, I'm not talking about the Prince of Monaco AKA son of the most influential bride ever, Grace Kelly (ahem, Duchess of Cambridge, you know what I'm talking about). Prince Albert and his new wife celebrated in typical (read: posh) Monegasque-style, feted by international royals and luminaries in a grand space overlooking the sea.

Now, I know it may sound all so fab and far-off, but you too can host a fit-for-royal wedding in Monaco when you stay at the gorgeous Villa Fleur de Lys in Cap D’Ail. Recently renovated in a chic, modern look, the intimate, yet grand home stands proudly over the sparkling Mediterranean.

What do Kim Kardashian, Jessica Simpson, Ali Fedotowsky and Julie Benz have in common? A sparkling diamond ring, an upcoming wedding ... and a Kindle. We've got the scoop on what these four engaged celebrities are reading this summer (and possibly on their honeymoons!). Find out if your summer reading picks overlap with any of their choices.

Kim Kardashian's Kindle Reading List:

1. Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom
2. Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea, by Chelsea Handler
3. The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren
4. Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul, by Deepak Chopra

Jessica Simpson's Kindle Reading List:

1. Shantaram, by Gregory David Roberts
2. How to Cook Everything, by Mark Bittman
3. The Best Kind of Different, by Shonda Schilling
4. Deception, by Jonathan Kellerman
5. The Whole Truth, by David Baldacci
6. Made for Goodness, by Desmond Tutu
7. The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle
8. All books by Paulo Coelho
9. Shape magazine
10. Time magazine
11. USA Today
12. The New York Times

Ali Fedotowsky's Kindle Reading List:

1. Consider embracing an all-white look. When else is it acceptable to dress head-to-stiletto in one hue? This is a great option for BG readers who love the short reception gown trend, but don't have the funds to buy two frocks for their wedding day. If you're dead-set on color, we recommend two chic new bridesmaids collections we've seen recently: White by Vera Wang and the detachable Bari Jay collection. Skeptical? Don't be—no one will know the dress' original intent except us budget-savvy brides...

Making a charitable donation in lieu of wedding favors has been a popular choice for a while now. And edible favors are always a guest-favorite. That's why we love Baking for Good, which combines the two!

15% of every purchase is donated to the cause of your choice. And Baking for Good is now offering customized wedding favors, so you can create your own cookie incorporating your monogram, colors, theme, or anything you want.

We also love the delicious gourmet brownies, which are available in a bunch of tasty flavors.

Prices range from $1.00-$4.00 per favor and all are made from all-natural, organic, local, and seasonal ingredients. Also available: dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options.

Check out some of the delicious treats below.

—Kristen O'Gorman Klein

Have your heart set on an outdoor wedding in the middle of summer? Prevent guest meltdown with these three tips.

Make your ceremony programs work double-duty as fans. There are two popular styles—card stock attached to a stick (paddle), or a fan-out (petal) style. Both can be easy DIY projects or purchased for a few bucks if you're not too crafty. There are tons of great options on Etsy; we love these two:

Left: Paper Dreams Design Studio; Right: I Heart Paper & Thread

Keep guests hydrated with personalized water bottles. A tip: Stick the bottles in the freezer for a few hours before the ceremony so that they are partially frozen (but not frozen solid!). That way, they'll stay cold much longer. Have your groomsmen pass out a bottle to guests as they are escorted to their seats. Choose from over 300 designs or create a completely custom label at Foreverwed.com

Picking a locale for my engagement party was a no-brainer: Mama Rao's, an Italian restaurant (Brooklynites, it's a must-visit) is where Jason and I had one of our first dates, so aside from the decadent fare and top-notch service, it has sentimental value. (Fun Fact: Wedding planner extraordinaire Mindy Weiss' son had his e-party there too, so I was definitely in good hands!) Selecting the decor to match my multi-course spread? Not so simple. All I knew was that I wanted it to be ultra-romantic and make guests catch their breath when they walked into the room. Mission accomplished—use this cheat sheet to create a stunning look for your first bash as a Mr. and Mrs. to be, or even for your bridal shower.

When I first got engaged, everyone (squealing aunts, girlfriends, neighbors, heck, even Facebook friends I haven't seen in 10 years) who heard the happy news reacted in one of three ways: "Let me see your ring!", "When's the big day?" and "I can't wait to celebrate at your engagement party!" The first two I expected and prepared for by getting a French mani and preparing the we're-just-enjoying-being-engaged speech while trying not to hyperventilate about searching for a venue. However, the last one really took me off-guard simply because so many people who said it weren't on my invite list. Ideally, Jason and I would have wanted every special person who has made an impact on us since childhood to be able to attend, but we both come from super-sized families (Jason has 15+ first cousins alone!) and couldn't justify having my parents (there's mom and dad, giving us a toast, pictured above) throw us a mini wedding when we're already spending so much for the main event. BG brides, I'm sure many of you have had the same dilemma—what are you supposed to say and do to avoid hurting well-intentioned non-guests?