Now here's something new and different! How about an elegant touch for all of  your wedding-related gatherings that doesn't break the bank? Easy Leaf Products offers edible gold and silver in a variety of price points for blingy food decoration. Choose a signature cocktail, like the Golden Vow (visit easyleafproducts.com for the recipe), which has flavors of vanilla and gold, and give it a gorgeous sparkle with edible gold. Or try Lady in the Black Dress (this would be good for the bachelorette party), which has black vodka, blackberry brandy and Argento Fino (edible silver) sprinkles. It's those little details that add the pizzazz...

easyleafproducts.com
 

— Susan Schneider

Royal Wedding news is reaching a fever pitch. And what better way to celebrate Kate and Will’s nuptials than with your own mini-celebration? Get together with friends, wear hats (a must at British weddings) and join in the revelry. Everyone loves a party!

To help get you started, Charlotte Voisey — an award-winning mixologist and brand ambassador (including Hendrick’s Gin, Lillet, Glenfiddich and Balvenie) from London — has created a few special cocktails in honor of the big day. They’re perfect for your “royal” party or for your own wedding celebration.

1. The Royal Rose
A toast to Kate, this cocktail was inspired by the national flower of England, the rose, and one of the ingredients, Hendrick’s Gin, is made with rose petal essence.

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons rose jam
• 1 oz. Hendrick’s gin
• ½ oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 oz. champagne

Directions:

• Combine ingredients in a mixing glass (except for the champagne).
• Shake well.
• Strain into a flute.
• Top with champagne.
• Garnish with a small rose petal.

2. Royal Balmoral Punch

Ingredients:

Let's say you've always dreamed of having live musicians at your wedding—a DJ or, God forbid, an iPod, just won't do. Live music is more romantic, right? The Budget Guru asked Anne Roos, the author of The Bride's Guide to Musicians, for her advice on the unromantic matter of fees. (Anne has been playing the Celtic harp at weddings for thirty or so years, and she lives in South Tahoe, CA.)

Anne says, "Most musicians may charge a first-hour rate and then a reduced rate for subsequent hours (for instance, $299 for the first hour and $200 for each hour thereafter)." Or, they may simply charge you a package fee for the number of hours that you need them. There could be other charges added to this performance fee, which may include:

Recently, the Budget Guru's good friend Sharon Naylor spoke with some other wedding experts about the big bad flower budget. Here, she shared her tips with us.

1. Go Green: "Use lots of greenery," says Michelle Rago, a wedding planner and Google’s wedding spokesperson. “Using unique, dramatic greenery creates an elegant look. I like to use big leaves such as palm and banana leaves to make a big impression on a lower budget.”

2. Use Just One Kind of Flower: Rago also suggests making a big impression on a budget with a grouping of one kind of flower, such as gladiolus.

3. Go Tall: Add dramatic height on a budget with branches like curly willow.

4. Use One Color: Georgianne Vinicombe, owner of Monday Morning Flower and Balloon Company in Princeton, New Jersey and Yardley, Pennsylvania says, “Centerpieces made with all one color of flower really pop on a budget, since the color stands out, especially when mixed with different textures for an elegant look.”

5. Mix Glass and Water: Glass vases filled with water and colorful or clear stones — in which an exotic flower floats — is as impressive as a $200 floral arrangement.

6. Get Glass Vases in Unique Shapes: At the craft store, you’ll find $5 to $8 rounds, ovals, and tall rectangular glass vases in which to hold your florals.

Unlike past episodes of Wedding Wars, where challenges were all about brawn and bravery—using giant Q-tips to knock each other over, and who could forget scarfing down dog food—last night was the battle of wits. First, the eight remaining couples had to recreate photos in a wedding album for this week’s gift challenge. Kevin and Angel had the fastest time, so they snapped up 12 Vivitar HD cameras and $3,000 towards their wedding photography. Next, this week’s security challenge required couples to persuade their fellow contestants why they deserve the $100,000 grand prize. After many heartbreaking stories, Mario and Melinda won almost unanimously. In the end, viewer faves Brandon H. and Stephanie were sent home.

Although the couple revealed that they were definitely angry after Kat and Hollywood were eliminated, Brandon told BG: “I don’t have any regrets…we played the game exactly the way we wanted to, going into it.” On the flip side, Stephanie admitted that she wears her emotions on her sleeve and “there were moments when I felt that I shouldn’t have said certain things.” However, both B&S can agree that the show improved their communication skills and brought them closer as an engaged couple.

Brides-to-be, you know the editors at BG are always looking for ways to help you scout the best bridal finds for the lowest prices. We think you're going to be really ecstatic about our latest discovery — ideeli.com and gilt.com, two of our fave shopping sites, are hosting their second bridal sales, since their first ones were such a success!

The Ready, Set, Wed! sale on ideeli.com starts tomorrow at 11 a.m. for first row members (who pay a fee to have exclusive access to select sales) and 12 p.m. for all other registered users. Be prepared to click items into your cart at lightning speed — items are up to 70% off, so the competition will probably be even fiercer than their first sale! Offerings run the gamut from big-ticket items (wedding gowns from Nicole Miller, bridesmaid dresses from Tahari, among others) to finishing touches (shoes from Badgley Mischka, photo books from mypublisher.com, even goodies off your registry). Experiencing a serious case of wanderlust? They've got honeymoons, too.

Bonjour mon cheri honeymooners: What do you get when you introduce one of the poshest hotel chains to one of the most gorgeous beauty brands? Why a beautiful marriage, of course! My absolute favorite skincare company in the world, the genius Clarins (aside: can’t get enough of the Anti-Aging Balm) has announced a partnership with one of the most beautiful resorts on the plant, the St. Regis Bora Bora.

The resort’s Miri Miri Spa, which sits on a grassy knoll surrounded by gorgeous Tahitian turquoise waters, will now feature the French company’s offerings for face and body. The treatments will focus on getting healthy, glowing skin and, of course, the ultimate in relaxation. Having experienced a massage at this fabulous spot, I can tell you the couples’ treatment room here is the tops! It’s so ample you could invite 20 of your best friends to hang out while you get pampered, but since you’re on your honeymoon you’ll probs want to skip that idea. After, sip herbal-infused waters and watch the sun set behind the palm trees as you swing on a hammock—trust me, it’s glorious.

BG brides, do you think you had the world's best proposal? Mark your calendars: The JIC (Jewelry Information Center) announced its second annual nationwide contest that allows couples to submit their engagement stories to win travel and jewelry prizes! The Ultimate Proposal Contest is accepting submissions now through May 23. These entries will be narrowed down to the top ten, and then America will vote for the winner from May 31- June 20! The winning couple will receive stunning MaeVona platinum and diamond rings and a seven-night Caribbean cruise from Norwegian Cruise Line. All ten finalists will receive a pearl necklace from Imperial.

This is not just any other contest; over 170 jewelry retailers are participating and encouraging submissions. JIC welcomes all kinds of stories, so submit yours, whether it was romance at its finest or laugh-out-loud funny! Last year, they received more than 1,200 submissions— brides-to-be, tell them how he popped the question NOW for a chance to win.

For more information, visit JIC.org/proposalcontest.

— Samantha Corbin

(Photo courtesy of MaeVona)

Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott seem like the kind of couple you'd want to kick back and vent about wedding-planning over Cosmotinis with — they just happen to be television/film actors-cum-Hollywood power couple-turned-reality stars/executive producers, not to mention busy parents. Now they're adding "wedding planner fairy godparents" to that mega list, with the launch of their new eight-episode series, Tori and Dean: sTORIbook Weddings. The show premieres tonight on Oxygen at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), but BG staffers got a sneak peek!

Tori and Dean follow the bride-to-be and groom throughout every step of the planning process; whether it's finding that once-in-a-lifetime gown or something as simple as designing table numbers. In the pilot, T&D meet Samantha and Steven, who want a pug-chic themed wedding, complete with traditional Jewish rituals, including signing the katubah and dancing the horah. Fellow pug owner Tori decides to tackle the challenge: "Everytime I finish a wedding, it gives me that little like zest, that renewal towards our relationship...it inspires me." But can she pull off a classy party with plenty of pug, in less than a month, no less?

You'll have to stay tuned to find out!  Aside from jotting down their inventive (yet surprisingly attainable) ideas, you'll want to DVR it for the tender moments that other wedding shows like Platinum Weddings tend to gloss over. Keep a tissue handy for Sam and Steve's first look...