Blog Posts by BRIDES

Former president and soon-to-be father of the bride Bill Clinton is your ultimate toast-giving candidate: He's charismatic and funny and knows how to captivate a large audience. However, there are a few guidelines that the editors of BRIDES think he-and anyone else who's preparing for a wedding-day toast-should be aware of. (Chelsea, you can thank us later.)

Who should give a toast
It's now common for people other than the best man to speak-fathers, the groom, the maid of honor. But don't leave things to chance; the couple should decide ahead of time who will speak and in what order. (Chelsea might even want to glance at a draft of the speech before the big day so there are no surprises.)

What should be included in a toast
Toasts should always be positive-and clean. Customization is key: An anecdote about the just-marrieds is a plus, as is suggesting why they're perfect together. Toast givers can start by mentioning their connection to the couple, but should keep the

Even though Sanya Richards is a sprinter, she showed marathon endurance on her wedding day with a lineup of outfits even Lady Gaga would envy. The U.S. Olympic gold medalist and New York Giants cornerback Aaron Ross recently tied the knot in Austin, Texas, in front of 500 family members and friends.

But the fashion show started the night before, at the rehearsal dinner, where Sanya wore a Narciso Rodriguez knee-length dress featuring a fitted scarf and train. For her wedding gown, she wore a customized, utterly feminine St. Pucci dress-she had Swarovski-crystal beads added to the strapless number that took her from the ceremony to the reception. Her sparkling Nike kicks, which complement hubby Aaron's pair, were a wedding gift from the president of Nike.

See also: The 5 Best Wedding Day Beauty Tips

Once at the reception, Sanya changed into a gold-sequined column dress with a side slit-to show off those killer legs-and an asymmetrical neckline, designed by Kevan Hall.

The buzz over Chelsea Clinton's upcoming wedding is gaining momentum, and while people speculate about every detail, our fashion department is concerned with just one thing: the dress. We've chosen six gowns sure to keep all eyes focused on her, instead of her famous parents.

Rumor has it that the former first daughter will have an all-American wedding this summer in up-state New York. If she decides to go the preppy route, she could slip on this embroidered Swiss-dot ball gown by Oscar de la Renta, which is finished with an adorable scalloped hem.

Related: Wedding Cake Predictions for Chelsea Clinton

Judging from her minimalist style, we think this slim-fitting Lela Rose dress would match Chelsea's personality-and show off her tiny waist. While it's a simple shape, the embellished belt and tulle cap sleeves add subtle touches of glamour.

If Chels is one of those girls who always dreamed of being a princess for her wedding, Jim Hjelm's contemporary spin on the

We asked Colorado-based makeup artist Janine Schmenk to share her top five wedding day beauty tips. (And if you want more, head to VOWS' "Beauty and Budgets" workshop on Thursday, April 22nd at 6 p.m., at 1810 Blake Street in Denver-you'll get to meet with wedding pros, including Janine, to learn about how to set a budget for bridal makeup, skincare, and hairstyling. RSVP at wedovows.com.

Know that makeup looks different in photographs.

"Your everyday foundation may seem natural looking in person, but look washed in photos," says Janine. "Likewise, shimmer particles can completely change color when reflected through a lens, potentially turning your copper lip gloss orange or your lavender eyeshadow green." So always do a test run with your wedding day makeup, and capture it on film in similar lighting to that found at your wedding venue.

Related: What Your Lipstick Says About Your Marriage

Skip the SPF for just one day.

"Living in Colorado, we're used to slathering

Ah, the wedding meal: indulgent, delicious, memorable-and probably the most expensive line in your entire budget. BRIDES magazine tells you how to painlessly trim the fat in 10 easy steps.

1. Be choosy. Look into party venues that allow you to hire any caterer, not just one from their approved list (who may not fit your budget). Do the math before booking.

2. Tap the new guy. Consider new talent: a chef who's young, eager, and, since he's just starting to build his wedding-catering business, likely to charge less than his more established colleagues. But do some research before hiring him: Ask for referrals from recent wedding clients-and call them!

3. Keep it simple. Streamlined preparations require less work on the chef's end. Wild mushroom soup? Easy. Wild mushroom soup with crab ravioli? That takes a lot more time to prepare, and time is money.

See also: Save Your Money for the Wedding with Our Favorite At-Home Workouts

4. Stay in season. Serve foods whose

For brides who'd rather break a sweat on the home front, a workout DVD is a shape-up solution. Here, BRIDES magazine picks five of the best, no matter what your fitness goal.

Best Calorie Burn
Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred
What to expect: She's the tough-love personal trainer on The Biggest Loser, so don't expect Michaels to let you coast on her watch.
Warning: Level three takes the term shred to a whole new realm of crazy.
How much time: Three 20-minute segments (with minimal rest periods) of hard-core circuit training that alternate among strength, cardio, and abs moves.
What you need: Weights and a mat.

Best Total-Body Toning
The Firm Boot Camp 101 Kit
What to expect: A no-nonsense instructor shows you how to use a medicine ball for core training and muscle sculpting, while another coach guides you through a high-intensity jump-rope session.
How much time: Thirty minutes, with customizable options.
What you need: The DVD kit comes with a four-pound

Forget the tea leaves-BRIDES magazine's favorite way to predict the future sits right in your makeup bag. Untwist your go-to lipstick, match it to one of the shapes below, and learn what married life holds in store.

1. Close to original shape
Your wedding? A dream. The honeymoon? Bliss. But don't get so wrapped up in coupledom that you lose interest in friends-put a girls' margarita night on your weekly agenda.

2. Flat top, concave
With your penchant for excitement (that treasure hunt that led him to bed was brilliant), the next few years are going to be wild. What to keep working on: trust and consistency.

3. Rounded, smooth top
With the nicest guy in the world as a spouse, life doesn't get sunnier or more peaceful. Just shake things up now and then to keep it interesting: Naked Tuesdays, anyone?

Related: The Top 5 Wedding Day Beauty Tips

4. Sharp angles on both sides
Your home will be the gang's social hub-wine tastings, book-club dinners, BBQs.

We know Carrie Underwood's a busy gal, and we love her laid-back country attitude, but the girl has a wedding dress to choose. (It takes time to have a wedding gown made, even if you're an A-lister!) So we at BRIDES thought we'd help by selecting some fab looks for her upcoming wedding weekend. We took our cues from her personal style and the chic wardrobe changes she made at this year's Country Music Awards. Are you listening, Carrie?

Related: The Best Wedding Dress For Your Body


















Priscilla of Boston's retro, scoop-neck version of Carrie's plunging V-neck cocktail dress is a sophisticated choice for the rehearsal dinner. It's a bit more conservative, to suit a gathering of friends and family, and is perfect for a southern belle like Miss Underwood.


















Romona Keveza's two-in-one dress is a perfect reception frock-Carrie can start the party wearing the side train and rip it off when she's ready to dance! The asymmetrical neckline and crystal belt add flourishes of red-carpet glamour, and