Blog Posts by BRIDES

by Brides

Whether or not you choose to invite kids to your wedding is totally up to you, but if you do include the little ones, it's your responsibility to make sure there is plenty of age-appropriate entertainment available. And while creating a goodie bag of kid-friendly wedding favors may not be on the top of your bridal to-do list, making sure the children's table is well-stocked with toys and activities is the only way to prevent a total toddler meltdown. (It's easier for a three year-old to take down a wedding cake than you think!) What's more, you'll earn the gratitude of the youngsters' parents, who, thanks to your carefully curated kiddie setup, might actually get to enjoy the wedding-and eat their entrée while it's still warm.

More from Brides:
24 Stunning Celebrity Engagement Rings
How Much Do Wedding Bouquets Cost?
8 Ways to Make Your Engagement Ring Sparkle
42 Outstanding Wedding Cake Designs

Planning a beach party or wedding? You'll need a hairstyle that can withstand a day in the sun, not to mention that sweet, salty air. Here, 16 hairstyle ideas inspired by our favorite celebrities and ideal for a seaside celebration.

More from Brides:

The Hottest Wedding Dress Trends Right Now

How Much Do Wedding Bouquets Cost?

8 Ways to Make Your Engagement Ring Sparkle

42 Outstanding Wedding Cake Designs

Rainbow-bright blooms and leafy lushness are your best bets for a summer wedding. How to bask in the boldest hues? Take a crash course in color from flower whisperer Livia Cetti.

More from Brides:
The Hottest Wedding Dress Trends Right Now
How Much Do Wedding Bouquets Cost?
8 Ways to Make Your Engagement Ring Sparkle
42 Outstanding Wedding Cake Designs

Getty

Alyssa Wells, Brides

Rumor has it Michelle Williams and Jason Segel got engaged this past weekend-and we really, really hope it's true. Since they began dating in February, this wonderfully low-key couple has been spotted all over New York City and Williams' Brooklyn neighborhood, always with her adorable little one Matilda in tow. In fact, one source reports that Segel made sure the starlet's daughter (with the late Heath Ledger) was a key part of his proposal. Segel-who was watching Matilda while her mama promoted her new film Oz: The Great and Powerful at Comic Con-reportedly flew from New Jersey to San Diego with the 6-year old to surprise Williams at her hotel. When Williams arrived, her room was scattered with purple flowers and Matilda was holding a lavender bouquet with a note that said, "Will you marry me?" Tell us you said yes, Michelle!

Related: 24 Stunning Celebrity Engagement Rings

The actress has already shown that she can pull off two big wedding dress

John Dolan

by Lisa Birnbach, Brides

We asked The Official Preppy Handbook's Lisa Birnbach about including your future sister-in-law in your wedding party.

Related: Seriously Gorgeous Bridesmaids Dresses

If I have an issue with my future sister-in-law, should I suck it up and ask her to stand in our wedding so there are no hurt feelings? Or should I do what I want and let the drama fly? -Nicole P. of Oklahoma City, via Facebook

Dear Nicole,

You may not like your future sister-in-law, but she's part of the marriage package, for better or worse (forgive me). By the very wording of your letter, it's clear you know the right thing to do is to include her. Shutting her out could catapult a simple issue into irreparable-harm territory. And shouldn't you rid your wedding day of drama, or at least limit it to the best man's toast? (Answer: Yes.)

More from Brides:
The Hottest Wedding Dress Trends Right Now
How Much Do Wedding Bouquets Cost?
8 Ways to Make Your Engagement Ring

Courtesy of Colin Cowie

by Heather Lee, Brides

Wedding-planner-to-the-stars Colin Cowie teamed up with Palace Resorts and Hard Rock Hotels to create a just-launched collection of destination wedding packages in Mexico. The Colin Cowie Wedding Collections feature 18 super-stylish looks that include literally everything you'd need for a destination wedding: The ceremony and reception sites, altar décor, seating and chair covers, flowers, reception table décor, catering, and cake. Best of all is the price-the packages start at just $1,500.

Related: Celebrity Wedding Planner Yifat Oren's Favorite Things

We checked in with Colin Cowie to get his best advice and creative ideas on pulling of a stylish destination wedding on the beach:

Courtesy of Colin Cowie

Favorite flower for a beach wedding bouquet (something that won't wilt in the heat!)?
Pincushion proteas. They're hardy and whimsical-I like them paired with scented geranium leaves and fresh kumquats, with the bouquet handle wrapped in coral-colored ribbon.

Courtesy of ABC

by Brides

Bachelorette Emily Maynard is now officially off the market after accepting Jef Holm's proposal on the show's Curacao season finale last night. True to the show's history, Holm proposed with a Neil Lane engagement ring, which People reports features a 2.5-carat emerald-cut diamond accented with 87 smaller round-cut diamonds.

Related: Our Favorite Celebrity Engagement Rings

Fans of both the show and Emily's engagement ring can snag a similar style from Blue Nile. This .66 carat emerald-cut Halo diamond engagement ring is also surrounded by round-cut diamonds and features an 18K white gold band.

Related: See more engagement rings from The Bachelor and Bachelorette.

Blue Nile/Brides

Emerald-cut Halo diamond engagement ring in 18K white gold. Setting: $1,775, Blue Nile.

More from Brides:
The Hottest Wedding Dress Trends Right Now
How Much Do Wedding Bouquets Cost?
8 Ways to Make Your Engagement Ring Sparkle
42 Outstanding Wedding Cake Designs

Melanie Nashan

by Sarah Bernard, Brides

They sure make for adorable photos-dancing on dad's shoes, digging into a huge slice of wedding cake-but whether or not you invite kids to your wedding is entirely up to you and your vision for the big day. If you do choose to include the pre-cocktail set, here are a few tips for keeping your cutest guests entertained so everyone can enjoy the celebration.

Related: Browse kid-friendly wedding favors.

During the Ceremony
1) Keep them quietly entertained. Go to the dollar store and stock up on quiet distractions like picture books, finger puppets, and sugar-free lollipops. Have your ushers dole out the treats to parents with small kids, and seat families with young children in the back row or on the aisle, so they can make a quick exit if necessary.

Related: Browse Flower Girl Dresses

During the Reception
2) Makeover mealtime. Put a kid-accessible lemonade or Shirley Temple stand by the bar for cocktail hour. Prevent mealtime meltdowns