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.

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:

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

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

Now you can get help from celebrity wedding planner, Mindy Weiss.

Photo: mindyweiss.com

What bride doesn’t dream of a Hollywood wedding like Fergie and Josh Duhamel, Heidi Klum and Seal, or Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale?  Dreams can become reality with the help of celebrity wedding planner, Mindy Weiss. And this doesn’t mean spending tons of money either so get excited.  The new iPhone app, Plan Your Wedding With Mindy Weiss makes this possible. There are so many features to this app that make planning your wedding special and personal. I love the Bridal Designers feature, which makes runway shows from designers like Vera Wang and Carolina Herrera accessible. My absolute favorite: The Wedding Dreamboard. It lets brides store magazine “tear outs” of their favorite dresses, décor, hairstyles, etc. all in one place.

Other features like Managing Vendors, Guest Lists & RSVPs and Get Organized makes planning easy.  Mindy also shares fabulous advice that only her A-List clients used to have access to. So, engaged or about to wed this app follows you through your wedding day. Visit mindyweiss.com/app/ to download and begin to stress less.

--Samantha Corbin, Intern

Cupcakes have been in the bridal spotlight for a few years now, and with good reason--they're delicious, adorable on display and easier to eat than a slice of fondant-encrusted cake. Swizzle Cakes, a Los Angeles-area bakery, has taken the cupcake craft to the next level--literally. The confectionary has just debuted alcohol-flavored cupcakes, with yes, national delivery, and flavors like Egg Nog, Cosmopolitan and Melissa's Mimosa. Unlike other desserts where the alcohol bakes out, Swizzle Cakes uses a “secret” process that enables the moist and fluffy cake to retain all of the alcohol ingredient (and its giddy effects!). The bakery even offers to do custom flavors--a great way to hint at your signature cocktail at your bridal shower or to munch on at the afterparty. Plus, Swizzle Cakes wraps its confections in sugar, rather than paper, for an eco-friendly treat. Kids attending your wedding festivities as well? Don't forget to swipe a few of their virgin flavors, like Shirley Temple and Lemonade. Visit swizzlecakes.com for more information.

--Rachel Jacoby

-- Maureen