4 Ways to Get Guests Involved in a Bridal Shower
By: Sharon Naylor- Read more about 4 Ways to Get Guests Involved in a Bridal Shower
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Brides-to-be can get up to 50% off all merchandise at any David's Bridal store nationwide now through June 20, including Oleg Cassini, Galina, Galina Signature and David’s Bridal Collections. Hightail it to your nearest location to try on dreamy bridal gowns, headpieces, handbags, and jewelry on a dime. Have your 'maids and MOB tag along to join in on bargain-hunting—bridesmaid, party, sun dresses, and flower girl dresses have also been slashed significantly. The editors at BG are so excited about this sale that we thought we'd share some items with you that are just too pretty to pass up. Happy shopping!
Tulle Over Satin A-Line Gown with Lace Appliques
Original Price: $1,150
Sale Price: $724.99
Short Satin Dress with Pleated Bust and Ruching
Original Price: $135
Sale Price: $59.99
Visit Ideeli.com today for the Ready, Set, WED! Sale, featuring fabulous designer items up to 70% off. The sale ends in less than 24 hours, but you still have plenty of time to find some great steals on everything from Kate Middleton-inspired gowns to must-haves for your new home. Here are five of our editors' picks from the collection—BG brides can snatch each up for under $100! (Note: All products mentioned below were still available on the site as of this morning.)
This Cara Couture white flower mesh hairpin ($48) is an elegant addition to a simple updo.
The chiffon fan with bejeweled detail on this Badgley Mischka shoe ($99) would be a lovely surprise peeking out underneath a white gown.
A few of my favorite dresses on the runway appeared to be adorned in black diamonds—so chic! I love this fashion-forward combination. If you are not one for bling, but you do love jet accents, try a black sash (it works wonders for the waist!)
—Naima DiFranco
I’m going down to Texas this weekend to give a lecture at a conference about romance travel. I’ve never been, so I’m looking forward to checking out the Alamo and stuffing myself with authentic Tex-Mex. Heck, maybe I’ll even check out a rodeo. In order to prep for my moment on stage, I decided to look up the origins of the word honeymoon.
I don’t really know what I thought I’d find. I assumed that the term came from the lunar cycle and something to do with the marriage bed. And I guess I thought that the honey part of the equation was a nod toward the sweets the bride and groom received as tokens from their families. (It’s common in Mediterranean cultures to have candy-covered almonds at the reception. They signify fertility and the sweetness of love.) So, you can see where my theory came from. Now this is the part of the story where I tell you I was a bit off. According to the OED, the English etymology of the word "honeymoon," which was once spelled as hony mone, dates back to 1552. During that time, people believed that the first cycle of the moon was the happiest portion of the marriage. There are other theories that point to the fact that some European cultures gifted the couple honey wine for over the period of a month to insure happiness and fertility. Now you can win at Double Jeopardy.
Don’t forget to pick up the latest copy of Bridal Guide for more tips, this time about actually planning your dream vacay. Bon Voyage!
—Jenna Mahoney
Don’t you just love vacations? The anticipation, planning and finally getting on the road is half the fun: tomorrow I’ll be heading out for a week-long break (yay!). Destination: The Outer Banks of North Carolina, one of my favorite places on the East Coast. The beaches are wide and beautiful and the natural scenery is gorgeous—nothing beats those amazing sunsets over the bay. True, the area has certainly been built up considerably in the past few decades, but there’s still enough of that laid-back beach charm to make it the ideal place for R&R. And if you want to honeymoon close to home, I highly recommend the Outer Banks: you’ll find great inns, hotels, restaurants, shopping and can choose to be active (biking, hiking) or just chill with a good book.
Of course, heading to the sandy shores got me thinking about beach weddings and how dreamy and romantic they are. Many of you may even be considering having a wedding away, so I decided to ask destination wedding expert Lisa Light to share some of her best tips. Lisa has been in the biz for 19 years and averages about 20 destination weddings a year. Her book DESTINATION BRIDE: A Complete Guide to Planning Your Wedding Anywhere in the World (North Light Books) is the bible for anyone getting married away from home. I was curious…with all those weddings she planned in over 40 destinations, what did Lisa consider to be the most important tips? Here’s what she said:
Pippa's gorgeous Sarah Burton bridesmaid dress set the fashion world a flurry! Although the Royal Wedding took place over a month ago, the BG editors are still entranced with Miss Middleton's modern style and the impact that it will have on bridesmaids in the next year. If you loved her the striking silhouette of her dress, here are some similar styles from Martina Liana, BHLDN and Carolina Herrera that would be perfect for your wedding day.
—Naima DiFranco
Photographs by Luciana Pampalone
In my experience, not all honeymooners are content to lounge on a beach sipping piña coladas after their wedding. Some couples are thrill seekers that really want to get their hearts pumping post-swapping vows. For those of you looking for a lot more excitement, here are three perennial favorites:
New Zealand: You may have just gotten hitched, but have you zorbed together yet?! "Zorbing" involves rolling down a hill inside a large inflatable ball, and it’s become one of the Kiwi country’s signature adventure offerings. Adrenaline-seekers who head to New Zealand can also bungee jump (the activity was invented here), heli-hike on glaciers, and mountain bike, all against a breathtakingly beautiful scenic backdrop. For less of a scream, tour the wine region of Marlborough and enjoy some of the freshest and most innovative cuisine in the world.
*Ed. Note: For more on New Zealand, pick up the July/August issue of your fave bridal mag, on stands now!