Blog Posts by Bridal Guide

Here's how to handle those awkward wedding conundrums (no gum necessary!).How do you a friend that she's not a bridesmaid or let your future mother-in-law know that her dress is too sexy? Discover how real brides handled these and other challenges.

1. "I don't know who should walk me down the aisle-my father, or my stepfather?"

Who would escort Gina Yager on her trip to the altar? Her father and stepdad both dreamed of that honor for the Las Vegas publicist's September wedding to Ian Yager. Though Gina's parents had divorced when she was two, her biological father, John, while often unable to support Gina financially, had always been a presence in her life.

Her solution? Both fathers would walk her down the aisle. "First, I took my father aside and told him, 'You may not like it, but I want you and Ken to split the walk,' " says Gina. " 'I'd like you to start it and Ken to give me away. Ken loves me, he's given me so much, and I want to reciprocate.' Next, I told my stepdad, 'I want to give you both this opportunity since you both are a part

Your credit score is paramount to your financial wellbeing, credit card interest rates, and that loan you will (or won't) receive towards purchasing your first house, so guard it with your life! Brides are a prime target for identity theft: It can be painful enough to pay for all of your wedding purchases and vendors, but what would be even more stressful is to have your credit get destroyed in the process. Follow these smart steps to protect your finances while planning your special day.

Tell us: Are you guilty of making any of these money mistakes?

1. Shopping on shady discount websites.

TheWeddingReport.com reports that online spending for weddings was up 48% in 2011 and purchases using a mobile device were up 55% over 2010. Technology is making it easier for brides to buy and book everything they need for the wedding, but credit dangers lurk everywhere, so think twice before buying something that sounds too good to be true (like that unworn $5,000 dress they're selling for $150). Here's a secret: Misspellings or a different top-level

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.

More from Bridal Guide:

• Pin to Win a Dream Wedding Design by David Tutera!
• 25 Incredibly Creative Engagement Photo Shoots
• Find Your Dream Wedding Dress
• The Seven Deadly Bridal Sins

The real deal on what was worth the extra dough and what wasn't.

Read this before you determine your wedding budget.

Worth the Splurge

• "I thought that the dress and flowers were worth spending a little extra on. I got to feel like the beautiful, perfect bride!" -Karen, Oakmont, PA
• "Instead of buying favors, we made a donation to the American Heart Association in honor of my husband's father who died from a heart attack five years ago. No one seemed to care that there weren't any favors, and I can't think of a better way to spend money than to give it to a good cause." -Beth, Pittsburgh, PA
• "We paid to extend the reception an extra hour. The added time with our family and friends was well worth it. And everyone was still in full party spirit up until the very last song was played!" -Emily, Pittsburgh, PA
• "I think it's worth splurging on a photographer and videographer who produce high-quality work. After the day is over, the photos and video are what you'll have to remember it. Nothing else lasts!"

Is Brad Pitt a groomzilla?

Everyone says wedding planning is a team effort. But Brad Pitt seems to disagree-he's taking charge of every aspect of Brangelina's wedding.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie will reportedly marry this summer at a private chapel in the Chateau Miraval, the home in southern France they leased back in 2010, according to the New York Daily News.

Pitt seems serious about tying the knot so soon, having already spent 10 million pounds (that's roughly $16.2 million!) in order to restore the estate for the ceremony. The Moneyball star is also planning for an intimate and private setting. "He's even trying to organize an airplane landing site in the grounds for guests to come in by private jet, but that's proving to be tricky, what with permits and no-fly zones," says a source.

But Pitt won't stop there. "Brad's been tasting and looking up French dishes for weeks. He wants the perfect menu and, of course, the perfect wine to accompany it," says the source.

Pitt even asked

Finally, alone at last! Top experts offer their best tips for keeping your relationship hot and exciting long after the honeymoon!

One of the fabulous things about marrying your soul mate is experiencing a unique connection and level of familiarity. But when things are too comfortable in the bedroom, it can cause problems. "Before you're married, your sex life has little competition in your relationship," explains Debra Macleod, coauthor of Lube Jobs: A Woman's Guide to Great Maintenance Sex. "But after you're married, sex has to compete with conflicting schedules, money concerns, in-laws and eventually children. It takes a toll on your sex life, especially when compounded by the increase in sexual familiarity and the decrease in honeymoon hormones flowing through your veins!"

Though it's important to recognize that your love life will change over time, there's a lot you can do to maintain that spark. Here, tips for keeping things hot long past the honeymoon.

1. Reach Out

When you're a newlywed, sex is…how can we put it…really hot. But chances are that "we-can't-take-our-hands-off-each-other" feeling isn't going to be there at all times throughout your marriage. Just as there are natural ebbs and flows in life, your sex life will likely also experience ups and downs.

Now, don't panic! Just because the two of you might not always feel the same intensity as you did when you were first married doesn't necessarily mean you're no longer in love, or that sex will never be as satisfying again. In fact, the truth is quite the opposite, say relationship experts. These transitions are normal, even healthy, because they force couples to take stock of their union, and to make adjustments and changes that ultimately strengthen their sexual bond-and the marriage as a whole.

We've put together this "road map" for your sex life to help you ensure a fabulously satisfying sex life through your golden anniversary - and beyond.

Milestone: One Year

A good marriage requires a little bit of work. Experts report on love, intimacy and tricks to maintaining a balanced relationship.

Love Thy Body

A study reported in the Journal of Sex Research found that having a good body image may be the most powerful influence on your sex life. Women who perceive themselves as attractive are likelier to show an "increase in sexual response or activity" than women who don't, according to the researchers. And it doesn't seem to matter whether you're overweight, as long as you feel good about yourself. Are you inclined to be critical about your body? Forget about it-and you may end up initiating sex more frequently and getting more pleasure out of it, too. After all, you're marrying someone who finds you the sexiest thing ever, so you might as well agree with him and enjoy yourself to the max.

Marriage Myth

Women push for marriage, while guys drag their feet, right? Nope. A study at the Centers for Disease Control and