Before you toss out all of your wine bottles, corks, and mason jars, try these quick tricks that can turn those items (and more!) into festive holiday decorations.
More from Bridal Guide:
By: Kristen O'Gorman Klein
Read More »from How to Reuse Wedding Items as Holiday DécorGoogle just released its annual report on the most-searched topics of 2012. Naturally, we're most interested in which celebrity weddings earned a spot! So, without further ado, here's the countdown of the biggest celebrity weddings of 2012:
More from Bridal Guide:
By: Kristen O'Gorman Klein
Read More »from The Most-Searched Celebrity Weddings of 2012'Tis the season for bended knees, sparkling rings, and lifetime promises. So, let's put our imaginations to good use: Which celebrity couple below is most likely to make it official in 2013? Check out our best predictions, and then leave a comment with your vote!
More from Bridal Guide:
By: Stefania Sainato
Read More »from Hot Celeb Couples to Watch in 2013Good news - my husband is home from his deployment in Afghanistan! Words can't describe how incredible it feels to have Michael back.
We recently celebrated a big milestone: Our first wedding anniversary. We spent this entire past year living thousands of miles apart from one another, so we encountered a few challenges that most couples will never have to face. We didn't get to talk on the phone as often as we would have liked, and I only saw a pixelated version of his face a handful of times. (In fact, the two weeks we spent together in the middle of his deployment was the longest time we'd seen each other in person since we got engaged.) I'll admit - it was rough celebrating our first anniversary with a phone call, but knowing that we'd get to spend our lives together as soon as he got back made it all worth it.
Related: 10 Marriage Firsts Every Newlywed Experiences
Even though we were halfway around the world from each other, we still learned some valuable lessons
Read More »from Love Lessons from My First Year of MarriageAs you start planning your party of a lifetime, it will seem overwhelming at times, but if you stay organized and make it a point to really enjoy the process, it will be fun and exciting. And before you know it, the big day will be here, and you'll be husband and wife! Here's my best advice to help get you started:
Related: 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Got Engaged
Leave a comment below telling us how he or she popped the question to you!
1. Find Your Wedding Style
Sit down with your fiancé and talk about what type of wedding you envision. Will it be formal? Or do you prefer something a bit more casual? Do you want a sit-down dinner or would you consider having a brunch or cocktails-only celebration? What time of year would you like to marry? Do you have any favorite places in mind for the reception? The two of you need to discuss your visions so that you're both on the same page.
2. Discuss the Budget
Yes, the big, bad budget needs to be addressed. As you know, weddings aren't cheap, but they needn't cost a fortune either.
In honor of Liz Lemon and Criss Chross' wedding on 30 Rock, we're taking a trip down memory lane at some of our favorite TV wedding episodes. Grab some Cheesy Blasters (Liz's favorite snack) and enjoy!
More from Bridal Guide:
Determining where to celebrate the holidays once you're married can be extremely complicated.
First, let me start with a basic: This is definitely something I advise engaged couples to talk about right away, especially if you marry in the fall or winter-meaning that family holiday plans hit right away. You're still adjusting to married life, and then bam! The families are calling to arrange holiday plans. Sometimes, both sets of families become very emotionally attached to 'getting you' for your first married Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Thanksgiving. If distance is a factor, someone's family has to 'win.' And someone's family has to hear, "We'll be with you next year." That can be very, very tough on your new marriage-and also on the families.
Here, how to handle if...
► One family lives nearby
► Both families live nearby
► One or both families live far away
► You celebrate the same holidays
► You celebrate different holidays
► You're stuck on one holiday
The bottom line is this: Everyone has to be flexible about holiday
Read More »from How to Decide Where to Spend the HolidaysIn the spirit of the season, we've gathered some fun ways to thank your parents, bridal party, guests, and more for celebrating in the joy of your wedding.
More from Bridal Guide:
By: Stefania Sainato
Read More »from 25 Ways to Give Thanks at Your WeddingQueen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip tied the knot on November 20, 1947 in Westminster Abbey before 2,000 guests, followed by an intimate wedding lunch at Buckingham Palace. Here, check out 10 facts you may not know about the longest-married British monarch. Plus: 10 more little-known facts about this royal couple!
1. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are third cousins - both are great-great-grandchildren of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Philip's mother was born in Windsor Castle and he, in fact, has more royal blood than Elizabeth-his parents were Princess Alice of Battenberg and Prince Andrew of Greece, while Elizabeth's mother was of British nobility.
2. The pair first met when Elizabeth was 13 and Philip was 18, and it was love at first sight for the young royal. Her nanny, Marion "Crawfie" Crawford, remarked that Elizabeth "never took her eyes off him," though he "didn't pay her any special attention." Regardless, the two started corresponding through
Read More »from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Celebrate 65 Years of MarriageWedding experts share practical advice that will not only help you get through this challenging period, but also find some joy in the process.
Related: Golden Rules for Any Couple in Crisis
Honor a departed loved one by naming a station at your cocktail hour after them. Even celebs are in on the trend: Actress Shannen Doherty created a Scotch bar area at her wedding in remembrance of her Dad.
1. Allow yourself to grieve.
It's devastating when someone you care about deeply is taken away from you-no matter how joyful getting married can be, it doesn't negate this loss. Grieving reminds you of the important things in life that sometimes create a shift in your planning.
Bride-to-be Michelle Taylor thinks of her late mom at every step in her wedding planning. "Your mom is supposed to be there when you find The Dress, she's the one who calms you down when you freak out over your budget, and, most importantly, she nags you about what she feels is right for your wedding. It might sound weird, but I actually wish that my mother was here to nag me." Taylor and fiancé Wesley have been together since they were just 14 years old (they're 23 now), and she's grateful she got her
Read More »from Planning Your Wedding when a Loved One Passes Away