According to a new survey by coupon site vouchercloud, it costs $734 to perform the honor of being a bridesmaid or groomsman — and that figure doesn't even include the cost of gifts! Even worse: 17% of respondents went into debt in order to pay for it all.

There were 2,948 participants in total, all of whom are 18 or older and have participated in a wedding during the past year. They were asked to take into account the costs of attending the bachelor/bachelorette party, getting an outfit and accessories, hair/beauty/grooming, hotel and travel costs, and paying for drinks on the big day (no, that's not a typo). 

In certain cases, the costs associated with being a bridesmaid or groomsmen took a toll on their friendships: 34% of survey-takers confirmed that they resented the amount of money they were required to spend and 21% admitted this caused conflicts within the bridal party. Therefore, it's not surprising that 54% said they'd have to consider the costs before being a bridesmaid or groomsman ever again and 15% regretted ever having said "I do" to the duty in the first place.

Photo Credit: Vicki Bartel Photography on Bridal Musings via Lover.ly

I love my blue topaz engagement ring for so many reasons: it's beautiful, the stone is associated with true love, and it's the same color as my fiancé Chris' eyes. However, it wasn't until things got serious with Chris that I even considered getting a colored stone as opposed to a diamond.

Growing up, I had always assumed that I wanted a three-stone engagement ring with emerald-cut diamonds. When I was 16 years old, I remember reading about J-Lo getting a four-carat ring and daydreaming that it would be nice if I got a hefty diamond ring, too, someday. (I can't remember which husband she was with at the time.) Fast-forward 16 more years, and I can say with certainty that I've matured considerably since then! I no longer compare myself to celebrities — or anyone else, for that matter.

It’s officially bridal shower season, and if you’re a female in your mid 20s or 30s, you can almost guarantee that there will be at least one shower invitation (if not more) in your mailbox this spring. The challenge becomes finding the perfect gift for the bride-to-be based on her personality, interests, and needs. Below are seven of the top shower gifts this season to help you in your hunt!

1. Something From Her Registry
Brides spend hours/days/weeks (and occasionally months) agonizing over their wedding registries. Honor her wishes, and purchase something she really wants and asked for. If you don’t, she’ll end up purchasing those things post wedding and wonder in frustration why no one looked at her registry (I speak from experience).

2. Wine Club Membership
What could be more fun than receiving a nice bottle of wine every month for three, six, or 12 months after your wedding? It’s the perfect gift for the couple that has everything (and registered for very little), as they can toast their monthly milestones and married firsts. Wine of the Month Club and Forbes Wine Club both have excellent gift options.

Photo courtesy of Wine of the Month Club

Photo Credit: Paperfinger via Lover.ly

Q. Do we need to send out a save-the-date notice to everyone on our guest list?

A. It depends. I recommend that you send all your guests save-the-date cards (six to eight months in advance) if you are planning a destination wedding, marrying on a holiday weekend or even if your celebration will take place at a location that gets booked up early, like a beachfront resort or a hotel near a ski resort. However, if you’re marrying locally but inviting anyone who will need to travel, send save-the-dates only to the out-of-towners, so they can make their arrangements for transportation and accommodations well in advance.

—Diane Forden

Back in March, singer Sara Bareilles posted a message to her fans on her Facebook account: "Let me help you plan the best engagement ever!" She chose two couples — Matt & Chelsea of Los Angeles, CA and Aly & Andrea of Denver, CO — who were planning absolutely adorable proposals, and she helped make them even more special. Watch the sweet video for her new single, "I Choose You":

—Kristen Klein

Guest Blogger: Neda Azarfar, Vice President of Communications at Myspace
A recent bride and core member of the team responsible for shaping the new Myspace, Neda knows only too well what it’s like to juggle a busy work schedule with wedding planning. While Neda spearheaded Myspace’s 2013 launch campaign, which garnered industry recognition as one of the year’s best corporate branding campaigns (according to PRWeek), she doubled as a wedding planner by night, creating a romantic, vintage-inspired wedding full of unique DIY and bespoke elements to suit her style.

With a background in the consumer technology industry and having decided to undertake the wedding planning process without a coordinator, I found myself relying heavily on digital tools to help plan my perfect wedding. Here are some of my favorite websites.

Guest blogger: Bonne Marcus
A fitness industry expert for 27 years, Marcus holds numerous certifications from the Aerobic Fitness Association of America (AFAA), including Step, Spin, Bosu™, Pre/Post Natal, Youth Fitness, Aqua, and Personal Training. She has taught for New York City’s top health clubs, including Crunch, New York Health and Racquet, and Reebok Sports Club. A recognized name on Long Island, Bonne has taught at Dany Holdstein’s Two Worlds, North Shore Health Club, LA Fitness, Sport time, Equinox and currently teaches at the Sid Jacobsen JCC in Roslyn. Learn more at getfitwithbonne.com.

Are you are a bride wearing a sweetheart neckline? Here is an exercise from my upcoming book, Fit To Be Bride: The Wedding Workout, that will have your bust rise to the occasion.

Push-Up for Perkier Pecs