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Happy New Year! And welcome to our exciting new, updated site filled with even more news, photos and fabulous features to help you with all your planning needs.

And, if you, along with celebs Reese Witherspoon, Lee Ann Rimes and Ginnifer Goodwin, recently got engaged over the busy holiday season, then my heartfelt congratulations! You must be euphoric and maybe a little bit anxious about all the planning details. Relax! As long as you stay organized and focus on a few key things at the start (and ask your fiancé to pitch in when needed!), you’ll be fine. Here are my top five tips for the newly engaged:

Not too long ago I visited the fabulous Kleinfeld bridal salon located just several blocks from our BG offices. My friend Allison Sargent’s newly engaged daughter, Carly, had booked her first dress-shopping appointment there and they asked me to stop by if I had some time. I happily obliged and truly enjoyed the experience.

I’m sure many of you are fans who regularly watch TNT’s Say Yes to the Dress so you’re already familiar with this iconic salon and its team of savvy bridal consultants. I’ve known co-owners Mara Urshel and Ronnie Rothstein and Fashion Director, Randy Fenoli, for years and can honestly say that not only are they terrific people to know but they and the Kleinfeld staff are also devoted to making sure that every bride’s shopping experience is the best it can be.

As I walked into the salon, I was amazed at the level of activity and the buzz and excitement all around. There were brides, moms, grandmoms, dads, and assorted friends and relatives everywhere! A Monique L’huillier trunk show was taking place and just about every dressing room was filled. Consultants dashed about carrying a multitude of gowns and it was such fun to see so many beaming faces. Brides were trying on as many dresses as they could until they found “the one.” Carly’s sales consultant, Nora Eng, assisted by intern, Aurora Lopez, brought gorgeous gowns into the dressing room and Carly loved one of the first dresses she tried on. After modeling a number of other gowns—and with some helpful advice from Randy and Nora—she soon determined which was her favorite. Here’s a shot of lovely bride-to-be, Carly, in one of the gowns with (from left) Randy Fenoli, her grandmother and mom, Nora and Aurora. Will this be the one she wears on the wedding day? I’ll never tell!

And here are a few tips to keep in mind when you dress shop:

So, you're not crazy about your best friends boyfriend and you’re not particularly shy about telling her (or him for that matter). However, when it comes to fiancés girls, there are boundaries.

Take this bridesmaid for example, who may or may not have crossed the line—you tell me!

With the ability to communicate via text message, bbm and email we tend to avoid actually using the phone or even worse having to confront someone in person. When faced with an important situation; however, we think we’d go the more personal route. Here, a bridesmaid tells her friend that she's backing out of her bridal party. This is what the email said and we’re shocked:
 

I'm sorry this is coming to you in email form but I need to get my thoughts to you clearly and this is the best way for me to do it. Please read what I have to say and after you've had time to think, we can talk about it in person if you want.

The Budget Guru recently had a conversation with Mara Urshel, co-owner of Kleinfeld and star of "Say Yes to the Dress." We spoke about dress shopping and your big bad budget--who would be savvier about this topic than Mara? Check our May 2011 issue for her tips from the shopping trenches.

Meanwhile, I wanted to share with you an interesting tidbit. When I asked Mara  how brides have changed over the last 10 years, she said, "The main thing is that brides are smarter about money now. Many have been to school and have professions and they're more practical about life in general. Ten years ago, we had a lot of young brides coming in with their parents who were paying for the dress. Now that is much less the case. Brides and older and savvier, and most understand that they don't necessarily have to have the most expensive dress."

There's nothing better than a money-smart bride!

Flash mobs, although becoming increasingly popular, are still a new concept. And how you ask does this random burst of synchronized motion have to do with weddings? Well, recently a Boston couple wed in this fashion. Many people have alternative weddings; however, this is the most unique I’ve ever seen.

The Kleimans are anything but typical. On their first date Caroline said to Jon, “You should probably just propose to me.” Jon responded immediately with a proposal and paper ring! For their wedding location, they chose the Prudential Center and for the ceremony, flash mob. The guests were also the participants and learned the moves along with the bride and groom. Watch a clip!

Here’s why they chose this wedding style:

“We think that life and weddings should be fun so the whole idea was to bring our friends together and share a wacky fun moment together.”

--Samantha Corbin

No one ever said a wedding dress should be white, right? Get this: The Great American Wedding Gown. It’s a wedding dress perfect for the All-American Woman, a July wedding, or just your average theme wedding!

Photo: Courtesy of Romantic Gowns

This red, white and blue two-piece satin gown definitely spices up the alter and puts all eyes on you. The blue spaghetti strap corset top and A-line skirt gives this extraordinary design as much of a conservative air as possible. Why not feel like Miss America on your special day and maybe there’s even a matching tux for your hubby.

Tell us: would you consider this dress for your wedding day?

--Samantha  Corbin, Intern

Your purse is designed to hold all your necessities: a compact, cell phone, and now a wedding planner.

“Save money without compromising your dreams.” Now, that’s one secret every bride wants to know! Marsha Heckman, wedding planner and author of A Bride’s Book has just released her second must have, A Bride’s Book of Lists. Lists and weddings go hand and hand, and here Marsha dishes on how to plan the perfect wedding without breaking the bank. The best part of this book is that it can go with you everywhere. Small enough to fit inside your purse, it’s there for all your wedding questions on the go. You’ll find advice on first dance songs, wedding traditions, and food suggestions from a 25-year experienced wedding planner. More than that, you’ll learn what goes into a wedding day emergency kit and how to create DIY gift ideas.

A Bride’s Book of Lists: Everything You Need to Plan the Perfect Wedding, Available in March or Pre-order today, $17.95.

--Samantha Corbin