Blog Posts by BRIDES

by Brides

Is your groom a travel lover or a crazy skiing enthusiast? Does he put a little too much hot sauce on everything or eat so much sushi you're worried about mercury poisoning? We've rounded up a few wonderful, and some slightly strange, groom's cakes. Go ahead, indulge him with a cake in the shape of a Kiss lunchbox- we're not judging.

More from Brides:

Modern Lace Wedding Dresses

Our Favorite Celebrity Engagement Rings

25 Wedding Hairstyles Inspired by Celebrities

The Most Beautiful Cakes in America

This Caribbean isle has been pampering vacationers since the '50s, when Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly would jet in, so it knows how to do hotels in all shapes and sizes. Whether you two want an all-inclusive, pamper-perfect beach resort; a small, plantation-style inn; or a resort that's more mod and boutique, Jamaica has it all. Here, our top stays for couples.

More from Brides:
Modern Lace Wedding Dresses
Our Favorite Celebrity Engagement Rings
25 Wedding Hairstyles Inspired by Celebrities
The Most Beautiful Cakes in America

Getty Imagesby Brides

If you're recently engaged, you're likely daunted by all the events you're expected to plan-and that's not even counting the wedding. That's why we're here to answer all your pressing engagement party, bridal shower, and bachelorette party etiquette questions.

See also: Ten Things You Should Know About the First Year of Marriage

Who should plan my bridal shower?

Let's start with who should not do it. Traditionally, close relatives (your mom and sisters) do not host the bridal shower, as this can be perceived as the family asking for gifts. But it doesn't mean that they can't help organize it-just make sure their names aren't on the invitation. Your bridesmaids and sisters should join forces, choosing one person to spearhead the shower effort. Enlist your mom to nudge the proceedings along, so that you can retain an air of blissful ignorance.

'Tis the wedding season for sparkle and sleeves-but throwing a winter wedding doesn't mean you have to dress like a snow puff. These sleek winter wedding dresses feature romantic shoulder-baring bodices, fabulous feathered columns, twinkling sequins, and more.

More from Brides:
Modern Lace Wedding Dresses
Our Favorite Celebrity Engagement Rings
25 Wedding Hairstyles Inspired by Celebrities
The Most Beautiful Cakes in America

Getty Imagesby Brides

You tell your new husband everything-your hopes, fears, and dreams. But there may be a conversation you've both been skirting: the one about money. Learning to share every detail about your 401(k) or charge card might take some getting used to, but trust us, it's well worth it. To help you discuss the past and plan for the future-all while maintaining engagement bliss-we called in the pros. Their simple tips are, well, right on the money.



Related: Five Things to Consider Before You Buy a House

1. Create a Vision

Does your "happily ever after" involve jetting off for a Jamaican vacation, or landing a mortgage ASAP? Whatever the dream, it's important to map out your future together. Write down a list of your short-term goals (a car, a new sectional couch) and long-term ones (a four-bedroom home in a nice neighborhood, a comfortably padded 401(k)). "You don't have to have every single detail figured out," says Bell, "but prioritizing will give you a better sense of

You won't believe the surprising engagement facts we discovered after surveying new brides and brides-to-be across the country. Ever wonder what the most popular month is for engagements? Curious about how many brides were actually surprised when the question was popped? Click through to get the scoop on how many men would don an engagement ring and more!

"Red is the great clarifier-bright, cleansing, revealing. It makes all colors beautiful." So said Diana Vreeland, whose legendary stints at Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute are chronicled in the new biography Empress of Fashion: A Life of Diana Vreeland, by Amanda Mackenzie Stuart (HarperCollins). Inspired by her signature hue, we got to thinking: What would a Vreeland wedding look like? From a '60s-inspired gown to artsy Christmas crackers and candy stripes, our celebration is classic with a twist-just like the diva herself.

by Brides

Celebrate island-style with tropical touches like plumeria leis, shaved ice, and hibiscus sugar blooms. Inspired by the colors of the Hawaiian sky at sunset, we selected the perfect wedding details for couples planning to say "I do" with sand between their toes.

More from Brides:

Modern Lace Wedding Dresses

Our Favorite Celebrity Engagement Rings

25 Wedding Hairstyles Inspired by Celebrities

The Most Beautiful Cakes in America