Hi BG brides! I'm officially a married woman now (doesn't Mrs. Brian Deitz have a nice ring to it?). Stay tuned for my total wedding recap; in the meantime, I've decided to share my diary leading up to the big day in the hopes that it will help prepare readers for theirs. Here is my honest look at what runs through your mind in those last days of singledom. Enjoy!

14 DAYS BEFORE: Making final decisions on the bachelorette party. I hope Neesha doesn’t make this too wild! I’m looking forward to it, though. To do: Print out programs for my traditional Nigerian ceremony and make fan programs for my modern white wedding.

Whether you're looking to get in shape for the big day or simply need a way to wind down in the midst of chaotic wedding planning, yoga can be a great exercise to try at home or in a studio. Wellness expert and yoga instructor,  bride-to-be, and cast member of the new series Yoga Girls, Elise Joan shares her favorite poses for BG brides. 

Ripped hems, accidental red wine stains and stiletto-induced blisters; what's a bridesmaid to do?  Luckily, armed with this thoughtful Bridal Party Survival Kit, your bridal party will be prepared for any minor bumps that come their way on your big day. It only takes three steps to make these kits, so even the most DIY-challenged brides in the bunch can come off looking like a pro without having to devote three weekends in a row to crafting.

(Full disclosure: The BG editors stockpile bridesmaids' kits like these in our desks, so that we're ready in case of any beauty or migraine emergencies before we hit up bridal events!)

We found this ingenious idea from 100 Layer Cake, an excellent resource and the very same blog where we swooned over this bubble chandelier.


Materials Needed:

Bridesmaids, the hilarious movie from Knocked Up producer Judd Apatow starring SNL breakouts Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph, is now available on DVD/Blu-ray! Here, our top five reasons why you should watch this movie with your bridal party.

Also: Enter for your chance to win a copy of the movie!

      Courtesy of Universal Pictures

You'll Get Ideas for the Bachelorette Party
Rita: What are we doing for the bachelorette party?
Becca: What about like, a princess theme?
Helen: Versace meets The Gold Rush.
Rita: I'm thinking tanned gentlemen that swallow fire and wear sarongs.
Megan: Female fight club. We grease up - surprise! Beat the crap out of her.
Rita: I don't hate it—
Helen: Vegas it is. 

Since my recently-engaged sister is planning a New Jersey wedding from Virginia, my mom and I decided to attend a bridal show yesterday at The Imperia in Somerset, NJ, a venue she's interested in visiting. My mom and I are old pros at bridal shows now after attending several during my planning process. Here, our top tips for getting the most out of a show:

Choose Your Show Wisely
There are basically two types of shows: large expos held in convention centers, and smaller, localized shows held in wedding venues. Both have their pros and cons. At a larger convention-type show, you'll encounter many more vendors. I think expos are best if you're just starting out with the planning process, since there's such a plethora of information.