Enter a gorgeous world of weddings with BRIDES magazine! Each issue, Brides delivers the best wedding ideas, budget advice, and beautiful, flattering dresses, plus, stunning hairstyles, beauty tips, simple how-tos, and sexy honeymoons.
facebook.com/brides twitter.com/brides pinterest.com/brides instagram.com/brides snapchat: @bridesmag #BRIDESRINGS Our favorite #RingSelfies from @brides Instagram @kadin_godwin @ashlee_enevents @hannahbronfman Love Is in the Arid… Call it the Coachella effect, but desert weddings are incredibly hot right now: Sculptural cacti, sunset-colored mountains, vast starry skies, and maybe a camel or two are making I do’s in the dunes feel unique and ultraromantic. If you’re looking for your own desert inspo, head over to pinterest.com/brides to see striking ceremonies, reception setups, and succulent centerpieces and bouquets. SHOW OFF YOUR #BRIDESRINGS SELFIE! TAG US ON INSTAGRAM @BRIDES…
WHAT’S YOUR PERSONAL STYLE? One of the most fun parts of wedding planning is bringing your aesthetic and vibe to life through the decor, the details, and— where it all starts—the dress. A friend in fashion once told me that she wanted her gown to be “on trend but not trendy,” and if you have similar aspirations, we have the latest designs from Bridal Fashion Weeks in New York and Barcelona. Other brides-to-be cite “timelessness” as their top priority when selecting the One (dress, not beau), and “Cool Contrast” (page 200) was produced with that in mind: We shot gowns in classic silhouettes made modern by their minimalist details and tailoring in Bermuda, thanks in large part to star stylist (and Bermudian) Shiona Turini. To see how to infuse your…
12 MONTHS BEFORE • Write up the guest list. • Figure out who’s paying for what. • Set the wedding budget. • Hire a planner if you’ll be using one. • Book the ceremony site and reception venue. 6 MONTHS BEFORE • Order bridesmaids’ dresses. • Book the bachelorette party if you plan to travel. • Shop for wedding rings. • Order invitations. • Send save-the-dates. • Meet with vendors to talk details. • Secure wedding-day transportation for guests if you’re providing it. 6 WEEKS BEFORE • Confirm delivery of bridesmaids’ dresses. • Apply for a marriage license if you can. (Rules vary by state.) • Print the programs, menus, and other paper goods. 48 HOURS BEFORE • Pick up your dress. • Write checks due the day of. • Put vendor tips in…
THORNY SITUATION One of my bridesmaids is a florist and offered to make things for my wedding. I appreciate her help, but she gets snippy when I disagree with her ideas. What do I do? When you took your talented friend up on her offer, you booked a pal to do a pro’s job. “If this friend is making you feel uneasy, it’s best to just stop while you’re still on good terms,” advises etiquette expert Elaine Swann. Even though hiring a new florist will take a bite out of your budget, you don’t want to jeopardize your friendship over flower crowns. Ask her to recommend someone to finish the job so she can focus on being a bridesmaid. MS. TICKED I plan to keep my name after I get…
THE ONE TRADITION BRIDESMAIDS WISH THEY COULD SKIP? “The wedding-party introduction after the wedding. It’s awkward.” “Buying a wedding gift on top of everything else.” “The hours of photos.” “Planning the shower. It’s expensive!” “The bouquet toss.” THE THANK-YOU GIFT WAS… “A nice bathrobe.” “A Sephora gift card.” “A personalized necklace.” “A spa day.” “The shoes worn in the wedding.” “A monogrammed tumbler.” 21% SPENT MORE THAN $1,000, INCLUDING THE DRESS, TRAVEL, AND ALL PRE-WEDDING EVENTS. 61% Had a one-night bachelorette bash. 39% Celebrated over a long weekend. WHERE DID YOU GO? “Charleston.” “A vineyard.” “New Orleans.” “A mountain house.” “Greece.” “Vegas.” 48% HELD THE BACHELORETTE ON THE SAME WEEKEND AS THE BACHELOR PARTY—AND 9% HAD A JOINT CELEBRATION! 68% PICKED THEIR OWN HAIRSTYLE FOR THE BIG DAY. WHAT DID…
WE STARTED OUT as a campaign couple— which usually doesn’t last beyond primary season. Garrett and I first met in Iowa in 2012, when we were both assigned to cover Mitt Romney’s presidential bid. He was with NBC; I was with The Wall Street Journal. It was supposed to be casual, as neither of us was looking for something serious. Our first few weeks largely consisted of hurtling across battleground states in a bus and dining with the rest of the press corps at whichever Applebee’s or Ruby Tuesday was closest to our Courtyard by Marriott. Garrett and I could only plan our first official date—a Black Keys concert—because we knew we were both scheduled to be at Romney’s headquarters in Boston. At the show, Garrett danced like a fool…
