It’s a given that guests always look forward to indulging in fabulous food at a wedding. At the many I’ve attended, I’m always amazed at the presentation, the quantity and the taste of the food, from cocktail hour to reception dinner. Long after the big day, your family and friends will probably regale you with how much they ate and what dishes they loved!

As the busy summer wedding season approaches, we spoke with caterer Jeannette Maier of Fancy Girl Table, a catering and event design company, for tips on how to plan a unique summer menu. Jeannette only uses ingredients from local farms and can create options for every type of celebration (barn wedding, summer picnic, rooftop party), as well as for every type of wedding guest, whether they’re vegan, vegetarian or a meat lover.

Here, a few of her suggestions for sure-to-please summer menus:

Summer Barn Party Menu

Hors d’oeuvres:
Grilled Sourdough Spelt Pizza with Potatoes, Summer Herbs, Aged Goat Cheese, Caramelized Onions & Truffle Oil:

Squash Blossoms with Smoked Ricotta:

Planning an out-of-state wedding hasn't been exactly what I envisioned. Yes, looking for places to tie the knot has been fun, but the fact that my fiancé Chris and I have to do everything separately sucks, quite frankly. There are plenty of couples who have way worse problems than a long-distance engagement, so I'm trying to be grateful and slap a smile on my face. I know there's a light at the end of the tunnel and my logical side tells me that we'll still get to live happily ever after in the long run.

But if I can be honest with you all, I've been struggling to see the positive side of being apart. We haven't lived together yet because of my job (I work as the evening anchor at San Diego 6 News). Halfway into our relationship, I moved to Reno while Chris was in Sacramento, then I left Reno to be with him in Sacramento, but within one week, I got the position in San Diego, so I had to leave again. 

Here's a fun pic of my co-anchor and I.

Chris is working on moving here but he still needs to sell his house and get a job before we can move in together, so in the meantime, I've been living with my mom, which has actually been super nice. She's been my partner-in-crime throughout my entire wedding journey and we had so much fun scouting wedding venues together.

Photo Credit: Rachel Pearlman Photography

As a wedding guest, one of the most challenging parts is figuring out exactly how much to spend on a wedding gift. Do you base it on your relationship to the newlyweds? Does the formality of the wedding matter (the old “cover your plate rule”)? Do you have to match what they gave you for your wedding, even if you really can’t afford it?

The good news: According to a recent survey by American Express, the average person spends about $100 on a wedding gift — seems pretty manageable, right? It’s not quite that easy. Here, we’ll break down the most commonly asked questions about gifts.

What should you give?

Event designer Preston Bailey is known around the world for his exquisite floral designs. From celebrity clients (like Oprah Winfrey, Sean Parker, LeBron James, Donald Trump, and Joan Rivers) to real brides, he's worked on thousands of events over the past 30 years — and here, he shares his expertise on the biggest mistakes he sees couples making over and over with their wedding flowers.

1. Underestimating the Cost
Many brides tend to focus on other elements of the wedding, such as the venue and the dress, and then have a bit of a shock when it comes time to decorate the space. Centerpieces are just one aspect of décor, and it’s easy to overlook other spaces, such as the entrance, that will look barren if left unattended. Be sure to do your research and share your vision with your florist so that he or she can work with you and help keep your expectations in line with your budget and vice versa.

Our fashion editor is reporting live from the bridal runway shows in Chicago this weekend! You can follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates.

Here, get a quick look at the most buzzed-about gowns from days two and three.

Mori Lee

We love the delicate lace detailing on this ballgown:

Show some curves in this ravishing mermaid:

We love this sparkling princess ballgown:

See more new gowns by Mori Lee ►

Cristiano Lucci

How much do you love these bejeweled sleeves?