Brides April/May 2016

facebook.com/brides twitter.com/brides pinterest.com/brides instagram.com/brides…

Welcome to our annual Dress Issue! Stuffed with gorgeous gowns, this mag is dedicated to helping you find the One. Not the guy— the dress that makes you feel for the first time like a real bride. The gown you want to twirl in, that your mom and BFF ooh and aah over, that makes you think, I really can’t wear this again? Flip, dream, and get inspired, because your perfect big-day look may be in the next 300+ pages. One woman who looked absolutely stunning on her wedding day, and who shares her photos exclusively in this issue, is Janet Mock, the trailblazing transgender activist, author, and television personality. She wore a custom gown by one of my favorite bridal designers, Amsale Aberra. “It was so much fun working…

BADGLEY MISCHKA “I filmed with the designers last season, and they make the most beautiful dresses,” says Morgan. “The fabric of this one is so luxurious. It was surreal to wear it while walking down Rodeo Drive.” You’d expect nothing short of over-the-top for the wedding of #RichKids of Beverly Hills cast member Morgan Stewart, 28. But hold on to your “Boobs and Loubs” (the social-media maven’s Instagram handle)—her May 7 SoCal nuptials to real estate mogul and fellow #RichKid Brendan Fitzpatrick will be about close friends and family. “Parts of the wedding will be on the show, but we want to keep it to 150 guests,” she says. “We invited only people who we really care about.” The decor will be minimal and classic (think all-white flowers), but Morgan…

PRETTY, SWEET “This cake couldn’t be more perfect for a spring bridal shower. And it’s a great multitasker: It’s both a centerpiece and the last course!” —MICHELA HATTABAUGH, WEDDING STYLE ASSISTANT PICK A RING “Most guys don’t know where to start when it comes to buying the rock. Diamondhedge.com takes the mystery out of the process. Choose a price, color, cut, clarity, and shape, and compare loose stones from national retailers like Blue Nile. Easy!” —SOPHIE MOORE, FASHION ASSISTANT IT-GIRL GOWNS “Buzzy fashion label Self-Portrait’s new bridal looks are as pretty as they are cool, ideal for a destination wedding. They’re the bridal version of throw-on-and-go.” —SHANE CLARK, SENIOR FASHION & ACCESSORIES EDITOR PRÊT-À-PRINTER “Whimsical calligrapher Stephanie Fishwick has a new collection of ready-made stationery. Pick a design, customize the…

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. 10 months before • Choose your officiant. • Go dress shopping. • Set up in-person meetings with potential vendors. • Select the bridal party. • Hire the stationer if you’re going custom. 8 months before • Hire the caterer, florist, band/DJ, ceremony musicians, and photographer and reserve rentals. • Order your wedding dress if it’s custom. • Set up your wedding Web site. • Block hotel rooms for out-of-town guests. • Register. 6 months before • Order bridesmaids’ dresses. • Book the honeymoon. • Shop for wedding bands. • Order invitations. •…

66% SAY THEIR WEDDING DRESS IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE PIECE OF CLOTHING THEY’VE EVER PURCHASED. HOW MANY STORES DID YOU HIT? 41% Just one! 36% Two to three 23% Four or more WHAT WAS SOMETHING YOU DIDN’T EXPECT WHILE DRESS SHOPPING? “The cost of alterations.” “How fun it was to go try on gowns by myself.” “The style I thought I wanted didn’t look good on me.” “The dresses are really heavy!” 29% BROUGHT VENUE PHOTOS OR DECOR IDEAS WITH THEM WHEN THEY WERE SHOPPING. 58% WERE SURPRISED BY WHAT STYLES THEY LIKED. WHAT STYLE DID YOU SETTLE ON? 55% Classic 16% Modern 15% Glam 9% Boho 5% Edgy HOW MANY FITTINGS DID YOU HAVE? 47% Just one! 25% Two 28% Three or more 32% HAD SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT THE…