

Our party calendar for May is packed with bridal showers—stay tuned for an upcoming feature on real-life parties with loads of stealable inspiration! In the meantime, we found this gem to hold you over from our blogger friend Taryn, who runs formalfringe.com. All of the stunning showers we've seen recently have two things in common: handmade details and customization. This do-it-yourself apothecary jar would make a thoughtful guest favor or bridesmaid gift. Display them in neat rows near the entrance to make a sweet first impression.

Fine china, kitchen appliances, bedding and...a Star Trek chime? More brides and grooms are choosing to scan unique products that reflect their own personality and style, in addition to the classic staples Mom told them are a must. We got the scoop from MyRegistry.com, the leading online universal gift registry, on which non-traditional items are most popular with couples who register for the site.

Raise your hand if your countertop has become a tangle of charging cords thanks to your iPhone, iPod, iPad, and i-everything. Rather than stockpiling your gadgets in a corner somewhere, show them off with this cheeky charging station (Amazon; $21.23).

We love this adorable engagement photo shoot inspired by childhood favorites, like chalk!
Sawatdee Kaa, Hola and Hey, my fabulous honeymooners! To say I’ve been on the road loads in the past eight weeks is like saying Brad Pitt is attractive—it is inherently true. I’ve crisscrossed a few countries since February and even found a weekend to snuggle with my own special groom at the fabulous Amanyara in Turks and Caicos.
One of my favorite recent trips was a festive tour of Thailand. I’ve been to the warm (in both temperature and hospitality) Southeast Asian country before, but this trip was all about experiencing its diverse natural beauty. In the north, we stayed at the Four Seasons Chiang Mai, a jungle retreat known for its celebrated cooking school. Not only did I score a master chef certificate, I also got wet, Songkran style. Songkran is the New Year celebration in Thailand that’s both religious and secular. Pouring water on images of Buddha is said to bring good luck. In the olden times, splashing elders with a bit of water on their shoulders was considered respectful. And these days, Buddhist monks sprinkle water onto worshipers to bring prosperity. On the streets, there are parades, buckets and super soakers. Staying dry is almost like an acrobatic event.
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Chiang Mai

Bales of hay, cowboy boots, and rib-sticking barbecue food aren’t the first things that come to mind when we think of bridal showers.

Mix 'n match bridesmaid dresses done right—same dress, different colors!
Guest blogger: Rosanna Casper, co-founder of Idojour.com, a new wedding website where brides, grooms, family and friends can purchase a stylish and affordable mix of beautifully curated pieces. Designed to make wedding planning all the more inspiring and enjoyable, Idojour offers accessories and apparel for your wedding weekend, complemented by both inspirational and practical content. Rosanna oversees content, among many other things, and makes sure that everything comes together beautifully on the site.
Here, Rosanna shares some great ways to customize your bridal look.
You found a dress that you absolutely adore. It fits you like a glove and is a reflection of your style and personality. But the dress is just the first piece of your overall wedding day look, and you can completely transform this look with your choice of jewelry, accessories and shoes. The question is, how do you bring it all together? Here are 10 ways to accessorize your wedding day look.

Give your room a romantic glow by adding tons of floating candles!

We love the whimsical décor at this kite-inspired wedding!