I’m still catching up on sleep from my bridal shower/bachelorette party weekend. It was so nice to spend quality time with friends and family. (This was also my last pre-wedding event, so it motivated me to get into do-it-or-lose-it mode with my remaining projects.) Here are some dos and don'ts for making your last fling before the ring just as fun as mine was!

The writer (pictured third from right) and her friends at the bachelorette party.

1. DO let friends know in advance if there will be a stripper. In my opinion, having one was just a hilarious way to bond with my friends. We had some very entertaining conversations on the car ride home about his performance. No one in my group wanted to opt out of it, but not everyone is going to feel comfortable in that environment, so it's important to give your ladies a fair warning. 

2. DON'T go overboard. It's easy to get carried away with celebratory drinks and shots (especially if they're free) so pace yourself and be aware of how much you're consuming. You don't want this to be a repeat of your 21st birthday or fall asleep during a 4 a.m. breakfast after a night of dancing. Leave that up to a bridesmaid, like I did. I'll do her a favor and not share that particular photo.

Photo Credit: Josh Lynn Photography

By now you may have noticed that we have a penchant for creative photo ideas around these parts, so for my personal engagement photos, the pressure was definitely on. After researching these amazing save-the-dates, I knew I wanted to find a way to incorporate my wedding date into the photo itself, rather than just slapping on some text. BG brides, meet my first DIY project.

Unlike a handheld sign, this stand-alone bad boy can be placed anywhere. It will only set you back around $15-$20 depending on the materials you use, compared to $100+ if you buy it premade on Etsy. Best of all, it's versatile and can easily be customized for bridal showers and weddings, too.

I couldn't have done it without the help of my dad, a contractor, and my photographer Josh, who was sweet enough to lug it around at the beach and set up the most incredible shot. My fiancé Jason and I got some ribbing from family, friends, and even strangers about it (one guy at the beach screamed, "I'll be there!" when he saw it), but I think the end result speaks for itself.

Rumor has it, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are planning to tie the knot this weekend at their home in France.

Guests are already arriving under the pretense of a 50th anniversary bash for Pitt's parents, Jane and Bill. But Brangelina certainly wouldn't be the first couple to surprise their guests with a wedding — earlier this year, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan invited friends and family over to celebrate Dr. Chan's med school graduation but shocked them all by throwing an intimate backyard wedding instead.

Recently, Pitt gave Jolie a $400,000 "pre-wedding gift," generating buzz that the wedding isn't far away. 

We know rumors are always swirling about these two, but what's intriguing is that the couple reportedly flew in the jeweler who made Jolie's stunning engagement ring, and Pitt's BFF George Clooney is current at his home in Lake Como, just an hour's flight away. 

What do you think; will they tie the knot this weekend? 

—Kristen O'Gorman Klein

Photo Credit: GYI NSEA/iStockphoto