Interviewing potential vendors is like going on an awkward first date — you both hope there's chemistry, but it can be confusing to know exactly what to say (even for a Wedding Editor like myself!). Follow our new "10 Questions to Ask..." blog series with experts from each field who will break it down for you step-by-step. This week, contributors Carissa Jones from JL DESIGNS and co-owners Christina Whittle and Zaid Arriola at Dolce Designs Studio teach us what to look for in a florist.

1. Is working within my budget feasible?

Before you schedule appointments with potential florists (search Photo of the Day and Pinterest for ideas), get a feel for their prices first.

"You don’t want to fall in love with the perfect floral arrangements for your wedding just to find out they won’t be able to work within your budget. After that, nothing will live up to what you’ve seen, and you will end up overspending on flowers for your big day," said Christina Whittle, co-owner of Dolce Designs Studio.

Open the lines of communication and tell the florist what your plans are (how many bridal party attendants you’ll have, the number of guests and/or tables, and what you have in mind for the décor), which should help them give you a solid "yes" or "no." Book with caution if you get a "maybe"—find someone with a similar style whose stellar services you can afford.

Each week, we feature wedding music recommendations from Scratch Weddings, the nation's leader with the best wedding DJs at affordable prices. This week's post comes from DJ Eskada. Raised in Northern Virginia and now based in DC, she is quickly becoming known as the area's premier female DJ, spinning at clubs, live music shows, fashion events, and more. But her talents reach far beyond the turntables: Eskada is also a trained model, a theater actress, and a former Miss Jr. Virginia. Focusing on love, music, and family, DJ Eskada commits to creating the perfect atmosphere for every wedding she spins. "My goal is to build the right mix to get everyone excited. When I see a couple out on the dance floor with their entire family and all of their friends, all having a great time together, then I know I've done my job!”

Our fashion editor Robin is reporting live from the Chicago runways! Get the scoop on the latest bridal trends from each designer collection in 140 characters or less.

Maggie Sottero
Check out more Maggie Sottero dresses in our gown gallery!

@bridalguidemag: "Love this Claire gown @MaggieSottero!"

@bridalguidemag: "One shoulder slim and sexy Nina gown @maggiesottero. I can't decide which style I like most @maggiesottero, they are all so fab!"

Allure Bridals
Check out more Allure Bridals dresses in our gown gallery!

For years, it's been said that couples who live together before marriage are more likely to get divorced. But according to a new government study of 22,000 men and women, this is no longer the case.

About 60 percent of couples live together before marriage. "It's becoming so common, it's not surprising it no longer negatively affects marital stability," said Wendy Manning, co-director of the National Center for Family & Marriage Research at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. 

According to the study, couples who lived together while engaged had a 60 percent chance of their marriage lasting 15 years—the same as couples who did not live together before the wedding. But for couples who live together before the proposal? Their marriages were only 53% as likely to reach the 15 year mark. 

The study infers that the difference is related to feelings about committment. 

"Commitment has made a difference. In interviews with some women who have been married 20 years or more after living with their spouse first, firm belief in a future together was a common theme," reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.