Blog Posts by BRIDES

Photo: Kate Headley Lisa Birnbach, BRIDES

We asked The Official Preppy Handbook's Lisa Birnbach to field your bridal dilemmas. Listen up, ladies. Her tips will help you keep your sanity-and relationships-in tact.

Related: The Ultimate Wedding Dress Guide

"My future mother-in-law wants me to wear her veil. How do I say no without offending her?" -Rachel M. of Asheville, N.C., via Facebook

Related: Have You Seen the Obama's Wedding Photos?

Dear Rachel,

You have a few options. One: Give in. Is it so awful? Can your hairdresser refashion the veil with combs, flowers, or bobby pins? Two: Offer to use the veil another way-as a shoulder wrap, maybe. If that doesn't fly, see if your own mother has her veil, which you'll just have to wear instead. Last: Tell the truth. If it's because she's divorced and you think the veil is bad luck, that's one thing. But if it's because you want to show her who's boss, this may not be the moment. I'd probably give in; if you don't like it, you can take it off

Lisa Birnbach, BRIDES

We asked The Official Preppy Handbook's Lisa Birnbach to weigh in on plus-ones.

Related: The Ultimate Wedding Dress Guide

"I'm unable to give all of my guests a plus-one. I feel bad, but we're on a budget! How to I approach this?" -Megan S.of Arcata, Calif., via Facebook

Related: Have You Seen the Obama's Wedding Photos?

Dear Megan,

This is nothing to feel bad about. "Hello, recession? It's me, Megan." At least 99 percent of the population is on a budget, so your friends should understand. A common approach is to include only the guests of friends in serious relationships. Address the invitation to them both by name, never use "Ms. Emily Becker and Guest." When you speak to your single friends or those in less serious relationships, tell them about the situation-without embarrassment or defensiveness. And if there are enough single guests at your wedding, maybe a romance will strike-at least for the night!


More from BRIDES:
48 Creative Wedding Flower Ideas

Photo: Adrienne Gunde Lisa Birnbach, BRIDES

We asked The Official Preppy Handbook's Lisa Birnbach to weigh in on what to do when you have too many BFFs.

Related: The Ultimate Wedding Dress Guide

"I love my three bridesmaids-do I have to pick a maid of honor? How would I explain that without upsetting the other two? Would the lack of hierarchy mean that no one would feel obligated to plan my bachelorette party? I want them to to work together and be able to save money." -Karen D. of Sacramento, Calif., via email

Related: Have You Seen the Obama's Wedding Photos?

Dear Karen,

What a good problem to have! No, you do not have to choose a favorite amongst your besties. I can't think of a single reason they would be upset; the contrary should be true. But lest you think I'm all Pollyanna, I blame reality TV for amping up the competition in relationships. No one will get voted off your island; no one will be sent home without a rose. Tell your BFFs exactly what you've told us, and enjoy yourselves.


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Photo: Yasu + Junko Dana Wood, BRIDES

Sticky and humid conditions mean frizzy locks, while dry and scorching temps can flatten your style. Here are the tips and tools to keep volume under control.

Get comfy in that chair
For brides in both humid and arid pockets of the country, patience is key: While it's no fun to sit through a lengthy blowout when it's 90 degrees outside, hair has to be bone-dry to hold a set, whether it's a chignon or bouncy waves. "When hair is moist, it's heavy," says Ouidad Salon senior stylist Morgan Willhite. "That weight can collapse an updo."

Related: The Ultimate Wedding Dress Guide

Have a cocktail
Chances are you'll need more than one hair potion to achieve the look you want. That can mean layering-e.g., a gel followed by a serum. But it can also mean mixing two products together to create a customized cocktail. Why the double whammy? "I don't care how great it is; one product can't do everything," says salon owner Antonio Prieto. Cocktailing is key during

Levi Brown Janet Ozzard, BRIDES

I already knew he wasn't right for me, this guy my friend had dragged me out of New York on New Year's Eve to meet.

I knew exactly whom I was supposed to be with, and it was not this stranger. My soul mate was worldly, creative, successful, plugged in-just like me, except with more self-confidence. He'd mesh flawlessly with my stylish urban life of dinners, friends, weekends seeing art exhibits and indie bands. I didn't care about wealthy or powerful. I cared about cool. And this Kevin person my friend was forcing me to meet was clearly uncool. He lived two hours away; he didn't have a remarkable job or a byline or a portfolio. Forget it.

On the other hand, I was getting older, and Perfect Soul Mate had yet to materialize. The cool guys I dated weren't turning out so well, and one particularly bad breakup spurred me into action. With the help of the vast world of online matchmaking (and several supportive friends on speed-dial), I bulk-dated. It was,

BRIDES

Hollywood is having a fairy-tale moment. Here's how to create yours.

First Ginnifer Goodwin hit ABC in Once upon a Time. Then Julia Roberts and Lily Collins sparred in Mirror Mirror. Now the epic, edgy Snow White & the Huntsman (out June 1) has viewers buzzing. Kristen Stewart stars as the titular badass princess, while a murderously chic Charlize Theron shreds scenery as the worst stepmother ever. From a glittering gown to a wicked apple ring, our mood board has everything you need to make your wedding the fairest of them all. Well, almost: seven tiny groomsmen not included.

More from BRIDES:

48 Creative Wedding Flower Ideas

Celebrity-Inspired Wedding Hair and Makeup

Wedding Dress Trend: Sexy Backs

The Most Beautiful Wedding Centerpieces

Photo: Courtesy of amazon.comGray MacDonald, BRIDES

New Jersey native Marissa Lopez hit the sweet spot when she won TLC's Next Great Baker. Not only did she land a cool $10,000 and an apprenticeship at Carlo's Bakery, which is owned and run by Cake Boss' Buddy Valastro, but she also scored a spread in the June issue of Brides. In it she discusses life post-Next Great Baker, how to ace your wedding cake tasting, and her all-time favorite flavors.

Related: The Ultimate Wedding Dress Guide

We caught up with the 24-year old to talk wedding registry. We were dying to know what her must-have baking items would be for the newly wed kitchen. Here are her top five picks:

1. A Stand Alone Mixer. "Kitchen Aid is my favorite brand. All of the models are amazing, so you can't really go wrong. I just love them."

2. Aluminum Mixing Bowls. "I like aluminum because they don't break or burn, and they come in a million different sizes. They're very versatile and won't really break the bank either!"

Related: 10 Shocking Secrets of

Marcus NilssonHeather Lee, BRIDES

At just 24 years old, TLC's Next Great Baker winner Marissa Lopez has perfected the recipe for wedding cakes. Here are her favorite flavors of all time:

1. THE NEW CLASSIC: Red Velvet + Cream Cheese Frosting. "This is a good in-between option-more adventurous than basic vanilla or chocolate but still a hit with the guests."

Related: Have You Seen the Obama's Wedding Photos?

2. THE CHOCOHOLIC'S DREAM: Devil's Food Cake + Chocolate Ganache. "It's the ultimate chocolate cake-I'd want to eat this cake at my own wedding!"

3. THE CITRUS TWIST: Lemon Cake + Lemon Buttercream + Lemon Curd."I suggest this for summer weddings-it's refreshing, and you can easily add fruit, like fresh blueberries, to the filling."

Related: The Ultimate Wedding Dress Guide

4. THE SHOWSTOPPER: Pink Champagne Cake + Raspberry Mousse + Vanilla Buttercream. "Girly brides-and husbands who don't mind a bright pink cake-love this. Instead of adding water to the batter, I use