Hello and welcome readers! My name is Crista and I am thrilled to be writing my first post for the Real Bride Blogger community. Just like you, I am currently in the process of planning my upcoming nuptials to the love of my life, Michael (insert exaggerated “awww” here). I hope that you will find my posts helpful, honest, and relatable. I promise to share the good (we set the date!) the bad (flowers cost how much?) and the ugly (everyone has an opinion) of wedding planning.

First, I would like to share how I got to this point in my life. Michael and I met two days after my high school senior prom at a mutual friend’s house, but it would take two more encounters before he finally asked me for my phone number. After our first date at the South Street Seaport, we became inseparable. Fast forward five years, and Michael and I found ourselves back at the same spot, celebrating our anniversary. This time he had another very important question to ask me—one that I didn’t see coming. While overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge, he went down on bended knee and asked me to marry him. I was shocked (really, really shocked). We had spoken about marriage and our future, but I just couldn’t believe that he was actually proposing. I asked repeatedly, “Are you serious?” Mike had to remind me that he had asked a question before I replied with a very emphatic, "Yes!"

Are you looking for a liquid liner with a bit of pop and a long-lasting stay? These 24-hour products will keep you looking composed from morning to night on your big day!

The wedding special showing Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo's big day is set to air on TLC this Saturday, July 30 at 9pm. Check out this sneak peek, where the happy couple talks about writing their own vows and planning their honeymoon!

Vanessa talks about shopping for her gown—and wishing her mom could be a part of it.

Watch Vanessa's emotional moments the morning of the wedding as she's getting ready with her best friend. Psst—lots of close-ups of her gorgeous gown here!

Will you be tuning in this weekend?

—Kristen O'Gorman Klein

Packing your bags soon for your honeymoon? Then you'll love these cute travel bags that keep your essentials organized in style!

Trina Travel Valet (Sandra) - $40

This bag is perfect for your toiletries. What we love: See the velcro in the picture on the right? That zippered portion can be removed, giving you two bags in one. During a recent trip to the beach, I took the removable portion to the beach to keep my phone, Kindle, and other precious items safe from water and sand (available in August; trinastyle.com).

Trina Essential Weekender (Lillie) - $58

If you need a little more space, check out this bag. At 10.5 by 7 x 3.5, it's compact enough that it won't hog a lot of suitcase space, yet large enough to fit everything you need for a week-long vacay. This bag also includes a removable portion. I used the removable part to hold shower and bathroom essentials, like shampoo, conditioner, face wash, toothpaste, and toothbrush, while using the other portion to hold items like sunscreen and lotion (available in August; trinastyle.com).

It may have felt like 110 degrees in the shade in NYC last week, but Executive Editor Mary Clarke and I had a very cool meeting with the “Cake Boss” himself, Buddy Valastro.

I love his hit TV show on TLC and am always amazed at the inventive cakes he and his team create. Buddy is a true master and in his latest book, Baking with The Cake Boss (Free Press), he shares his best recipes and decorating secrets.

Buddy is a firm believer that practice makes perfect (“filling four thousand cannoli will help you become a better cake decorator’) and that in time you’ll easily learn how to create your own masterpieces. His book is a terrific step-by-step guide that teaches everything from how to roll dough to how to make and decorate a cake for every special occasion. And the recipes are easy to follow as well.

Join us in a new installment where we scout out some of the most amazing do-it-yourself projects from the blogosphere. Check back each week for our latest high-style finds at a super low price, so you can save your wedding funds for the stuff that really matters to you...

The editors at BG have been obsessing over this bubble chandelier ever since we saw a picture of one last week on 100 Layer Cake. So we did a little research and found out that Gail and Alison Rubke, the mother-daughter owners of Faire Frou Frou, a luxury lingerie boutique in California, are the masterminds behind this creative decoration. Instead of paying $3,000-$7,000 on a chandelier to illuminate their store, Gail and Alison decided to create their own unique chandelier and are now sharing this fun DIY project with crafty gals everywhere. We think it's a great idea for brides on a budget looking to dress up their wedding venue with something eye-catching and whimsical. We've provided their step-by-step instructions below so now you can grab a friend and make one for your big day!

Attention, BG brides in the NYC area: Kleinfeld is having their biggest sale ever! Save up to 70% on select sample bridal gowns, headpieces, veils, and accessories during Kleinfeld's Anniversary Blow Out Sale on Tuesday, August 9 from 3pm to 7pm. Designers include:

Let's take a quick questionnaire: Have you had The Big M. Talk with your SO but are still waiting anxiously for them to propose? Searching for that shiny once-in-a-lifetime engagement ring or wedding band? Looking to swap out an heirloom setting for something that's more "you?"  Do you live in NYC?

If you answered A, B, or C + D, you've come to the right place. Head to Michael C. Fina on August 3rd and 4th from 11 am - 8 pm for their Third Annual Sample Sale! This swanky 5th Avenue establishment just celebrated its 75th Anniversary, and is every diamond girl's dream—all of their sample designer engagement rings and wedding bands will be up to 70% off.  One draw: The sale items will be featured in-store only and it is for items that are in stock—nothing can be ordered.