Greetings, brides-to-be! My name is Kathleen and I’m the newest addition to the Real Bride Blogger Community. I’m so excited to be sharing my wedding-planning experiences with you all.

For me, as a journalist, writing has always been one of my biggest passions, an accounting of everything that is going on in the world, as well as people’s hopes, dreams and feelings. It’s a bit more difficult to write about yourself, but I want there to be some permanent account of the lead-up to my wedding that my fiancé Gray and I could look back on in years to come. Something that we could share with our future family. But let me dispense with the sappiness and tell you a little bit about Gray’s and my story.

Gray and I are both journalists covering the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee. We first met at a press conference in November 2010. Well, sort of. He saw me speak on a panel that previous July, but he didn’t introduce himself. He says I just didn’t notice him. We started dating that spring and moved in a year later, with both of us agreeing that we should only move in together if we intended to get married. And this past Memorial Day weekend, he proposed!

One of the best parts of his proposal was that it was a complete surprise to absolutely everyone. After a really nice dinner in Melbourne, Fla., Gray and I took a walk on a very secluded beach where he asked if I could “do him a favor.” When I said “sure,” he pulled out the ring and asked “will you marry me?”

This article originally appeared on The Huffington Post

It is perhaps the most controversial wedding gift of our time: a basket of food presented to two brides that went so horribly awry, it spawned a text and Facebook messaging war that got published in a local newspaper and has to be seen to be believed.

TheSpec.com, a Canadian news outlet, recently released the heated back-and-forth between a wedding guest and a same-sex couple, who were clearly disappointed in his gift: A basket of food that included tri-color pasta, salsas, balsamic vinegar, Marshmallow Fluff and Sour Patch Kids.

After the wedding, one of the brides texted the guest to say that she is gluten intolerant and that she'd like a receipt for the items. When the guest ignored the receipt request, the other bride then followed up. Here's her message, via TheSpec:

I'm not sure if it's the first wedding you have been to, but for your next wedding... People give envelopes. I lost out on $200 covering you and your dates plate... And got fluffy whip and sour patch kids in return. Just a heads up for the future :) [all sic]

Things devolved quickly from there. More insults were hurled about who is cheap and who is ungrateful. Here's a particularly biting message from the guest:

Choosing your wedding-day makeup isn't always as easy as it sounds. You want to look like you, but if you don't wear a lot of makeup on a regular basis, you may be surprised at how much a professional applies to achieve that "natural" look. That's why makeup trials are so important — you need to make sure you and your artist share the same vision, and you may need more than one trial. After my first trial, I was speechless... for all the wrong reasons. I looked like a clown. Eventually, I found an artist who I connected with and who did exactly what I wanted — enhanced my best features without making it seem like I was wearing eight pounds of makeup. 

When going to your trial, it's always a good idea to bring photos of makeup looks you love. With the virtual makeover app ModiFace, you can actually upload your image and try out different looks, then print out the ones you love to bring to your trial. Need some inspiration? They've compiled the five most popular looks brides are trying this season:

Neutral Elegance

Get the look: This understated look uses washes of color in peach, pale pinks, and browns to create a soft, dewy glow. 

Bold Lips

I used to think that custom-designed jewelry was reserved for mega-watt stars or couples with really wacky taste (check out this Star Wars-inspired ring!). But when I went shopping for a wedding band with Jason, my fiancé, and we were unable to find anything that would fit next to my thin pavé engagement ring, my family jeweler, Raineri Jewelers, offered to create a new, thicker setting that would incorporate the center diamond and side stones I already had. The only alternatives were to wear multiple thin bands for a stacked effect — which to me, felt more like something I'd do with anniversary jewelry, not my everyday ring — or wear my wedding ring on a different hand than my e-ring.

I was fine with option #2, but my fiancé insisted on getting the thicker setting as an anniversary gift to celebrate eight years of dating, which was a sweet surprise. I'm over-the-moon about it, along with the wedding ring I selected to match. 

Note: The rings actually do fit closely together; I just pushed them apart for this photo so that you can get a better look at both of them. BG brides, do any of you wear your wedding ring around the house when no one is looking? Guilty as charged...

Attending at least one wedding this summer? BG staffers' calendars are jam-packed with fun shindigs that are coming up soon! But once the excitement of receiving a wedding invitation settles in, there's one inevitable question to answer besides checking off "will attend" and "won't attend" on the RSVP card: What are you going to wear? It can be difficult to determine what's appropriate for each affair. That's where we come in — whether it's a black-tie, semi-formal, or a beach wedding, you'll be sure to look stunning in this season's editors' picks featured below.

Black-Tie
This is the most formal wedding dress code so pull out all of the stops for this glamorous affair. Long evening gowns or fancy cocktail dresses in dark colors or neutrals are de rigeuer. Don't be afraid to be dramatic with your hair and makeup, whether it's a slicked-back bun, red lips, or smokey eyes. From jewelry to shoes, accessories should polish off your look.

Shopping credits from left to right:
Saison Blanche tulle trimmed gown in Black ($330)
Pronovias high-low gown in Blue (price available upon request)
Eden Bridals one shoulder gown in Teal ($268)

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.

Now more than ever before, fitness information is available wherever we turn. Whether it's found on TV, in books, online, or even from your best friend, information about fitness and health is constantly being thrown at us. As a trainer, I’ve discovered that most of my clients suffer not from a lack of information but from too much of it. Research-based info gets confused with popular belief; one person’s facts get confused with another’s outdated beliefs. Pretty soon, we do not know what to believe, and sometimes, it’s far easier to just give up. If you want to maximize your fitness program, it’s going to take the correct information. So let’s review some of the most common fitness mistakes and myths that can be easily avoided.

Loverly is the heart of weddings: a visual inspiration search engine designed to help brides discover ideas, people to hire, and things to buy. Loverly makes finding beautiful wedding inspiration easier than ever!

Nothing expresses the beauty and romance of a wedding, creates ambience and thrills the senses more than flowers. And if you’re wondering what some of the hottest trends are in floral bouquets and décor we’ve got the answers from noted Dutch floral designer and spokesperson for Lily Occasions, Rene van Rems. Rene is not only a master at creating breathtakingly beautiful bouquets and floral décor, but he’s also authored several books you might want to check out for inspiration, Rene’s Bouquets for Brides and Rene’s Bouquets, both available on Amazon.

Rene has also created, exclusively for Bridal Guide, (thank you, Rene!) the bouquets pictured here to illustrate floral trends. According to Rene, “old is new again as brides fall in love with the vintage look, full of romance and history.” Here, Rene’s trends, tips and gorgeous bouquets:

Style Trends