Blog Posts by Martha Stewart Weddings

Some vendors include gratuities in their fees, but many will leave the amount up to you -- and the level of service they provide can influence what you give them. Tips can add up quickly, costing you a few thousand dollars. Most tips should be handed out the day of the wedding, so it's wise to assign the job to a friend or family member. A follow-up thank-you note is often a valued tip in itself, as your word can be a recommendation for the vendor.

The Officiant
Consider handing your officiant $100, a thoughtful present, or, if you're having a religious service, making a donation to their house of worship in the celebrant's name.

The Catering Staff
If the gratuity isn't already included, plan on tipping all staff members, including the catering or banquet manager, waiters, bartenders, chefs, and other essential workers who help serve guests. You can calculate the tip as a percentage of the cost of your total catering bill. Figure on paying about 15 to 20 percent of the

Read More »from Everything You Need to Know About Tipping Your Wedding Vendors

If you've got a sweet tooth, you'll definitely be craving the no-bake desserts in Faith Durand's new book Bakeless Sweets. Durand, the executive editor of Apartment Therapy's The Kitchn blog, has created a collection of recipes that are just the thing for when you crave something sticky and sweet but don't dare turn on your oven. Temptation takes the form of cold ice box cake, chilly panna cotta, jiggly gelatins, and even a breakfast-appropriate yogurt parfait. Stacy Newgent's photos make the dishes look scandalously good but most are stealthily healthy-they're gluten-free, made with low sugar, or use whole grains such as quinoa and barley. Good-for-you desserts? Now, that's rich.

Photo: Stacy Newgent	Root-Beer and Cream Soda Terrine This Root Beer and Cream Soda Terrine is gluten-free. What a fun take on this classic flavor combo! Plus: Wedding Toast Dos and Don'ts
Photo: Stacy Newgent	Creme Brulee You can make this no-bake creme brulee on the stovetop.

Read More »from No Oven Required: Delicious No-Bake Desserts

When are patterns permitted? How do I know what colors go well together? Does everyone have to match? Enlist these seven golden rules when choosing attire for your attendants.

1. Don't Go Changing
Women are having more fun with fashion in general-they're aware of trends and open to taking risks-and they're bringing that spirit to their weddings. You don't have to become someone else (read: more traditional than you are) for that one day. You don't even have to wear white!

2. Please Yourself
It may be tempting to try to make your entire wedding party happy with their bridesmaid dress, but it's your day, and it's important to draw the line somewhere. If you want to take into account different body types, you can choose a gown color and fabric that you'd like your ladies to wear, but let them each choose the neckline they like most. Don't abandon a dress just because one of the girls doesn't like your color scheme. Also, beware of allowing bridesmaids to wear any dress they want as long

Read More »from 7 Tips for Dressing Your Bridesmaids

With the upcoming release of Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby (it hits theaters May 10th, but who's counting?), we can't help but feel giddy over all things sparkly and metallic. From extravagant Champagne towers, to Old Hollywood-inspired dresses, and even cakes flecked with gold, we've rounded up our favorite wedding ideas that evoke the dramatic opulence of The Roaring Twenties.

From top left:
1. We're loving this 20s-inspired wedding invitation from Wedding Paper Divas' fall collection.
2. A palette of black, and white and gold is just right for a glamorous wedding celebration.
3. Nothing channels 1920s opulence quite like a bubbling tower of Champagne coupes at your celebration.
4. A mix of bold metallics with a few sparkly flashes will take your wedding details from understated to out-of-this-world.
5. A curve-hugging silhouette and glittering embellishments make this Lazaro gown shine with vintage glamour.
6. The only thing better than a Rolls-Royce getaway car is one Read More »from Wedding Inspiration: The Great Gatsby

Do Talk About It
Talk about who will contribute and how much they will contribute before you come up with a budget. Make sure everyone involved is comfortable with their contribution before you start putting deposits down on anything.

Don't Assume Your Parents Will Pay for the Wedding
Don't assume that your parents and his parents will foot the entire bill. Today, many couples, especially if they have been living together for awhile, pay for their nuptials on their own.
Plus: Gorgeous Engagement Rings of Real Brides

Do Ask Vendors a Lot of Questions
When booking vendors, ask a lot of questions to find out if there are any hidden fees and to make sure you can afford the services they're offering. For example, don't agree to any upgrades (colored table linens, fancy chair covers) without first asking if they cost extra.
Plus: Wedding Toast Dos and Don'ts

Don't Overextend Yourself
If you can't afford to have a big reception right away, consider having an intimate gathering and

Read More »from Wedding Budget Dos and Don'ts: How Not to Get in Debt Over Your Wedding

When it comes to incorporating wedding rituals into your big day, it's important to keep things personal. We've rounded up fresh takes on timeless traditions for you to adapt as you please.

CUTTING THE CAKE
The Tradition: Dessert is a high point of any party, but at a wedding, it literally takes the cake. This is the most iconic moment in the reception, and a guest favorite. The couple and the cake often take center stage after the dinner plates are cleared. The bride places her hand on the knife, and the groom places his hand over hers. They cut a slice and feed each other -- a gesture symbolic of their promise to always provide for one another -- with plenty of encouragement from guests. The Update: These days, many couples offer a dessert buffet instead of cake, with an array of pastries and bite-size sweets; or they may create a cake-like arrangement of frosted cupcakes on tiers. It can be hard to cut such small confections gracefully, so just offer your partner a

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We've rounded up our favorite food pairings for your cocktail hour, reception, and dessert table. The result? Mouthwatering combos that are sure to delight your guests.

	Milk and Cookies A full-size vanilla milkshake may be a bit much with wedding cake, but these teeny shakes topped with chocolate cookies are a perfect indulgence.
	Sliders and Your Favorite Beer Serve up sliders on pretty paper-covered trays to create a casual-chic look. And for the signature drink? Any beer -- yes, even Miller High Life -- will taste and look great. Plus: Wedding Toast Dos and Don'ts
	Bacon and Eggs Everyone loves this classic breakfast combo. To give it a fresh presentation, serve the scrambled eggs in a bacon cup, like we did here.
	Shrimp and Bloody Marys Bloody Mary's are a must for a brunch-themed bridal shower or send-off breakfast. Shrink down the

Read More »from 5 Delicious Wedding Food Pairs

Spending quality time with your bridesmaids is often one of the happier parts of wedding planning, but it's normal to have the occasional disagreement with your ladies, especially when tensions are running high. That being said, there are instances when a 'maid, or maid-of-honor seriously shirks on her responsibilities, and when this happens, can you ask her to resign from her duties?

While it's within your rights to "fire" her, this will likely end your friendship. Instead, try talking to her first. You may end up cutting her some slack. She might be so overwhelmed with work or life issues that her wedding duties are taking a back seat. Another option is to let her step down of her own accord. You could say, "I don't want to force you to do anything that makes you unhappy, so please let me know if you're not up for this. I won't hold it against you."

Plus: Wedding Toast Dos and Don'ts

The best way to avoid any awkwardness is to make sure all of your ladies know from

Read More »from Can You Fire a Bridesmaid?