Blog Posts by Weddingchannel.com

Go ahead and change your Facebook status; then try one of these to make your engagement extra special.

By Amy Eisinger for WeddingChannel.com

Thinkstock

1. Take an engagement-cation.
Take a long weekend together away from everyone else to really celebrate your new status, even if it's just a short road trip to a neighboring town's bed-and-breakfast. Just don't have the time to get away? Then declare a "staycation" weekend where you turn off your phones and relax at home.

Top signs it's engagement season

2. Have an engagement party.
We know this one seems a little obvious -- but take your party one step further by building it around a theme and hosting it in a fun location. Have a wine tasting at a nearby bar or restaurant for your closest friends, do a backyard BBQ with red-and-white-checkered tablecloths or even try a luau-themed party with tons of flowers and tiki-inspired cocktails.

Unique engagement party ideas

3. Make a video and upload it to YouTube.
If you've got friends and family

There are always a few people who just don't know when to keep their mouths shut. Here, a few ideas on how to handle those out-of-line questions.

By Amy Eisinger for WeddingChannel.com

Jason & Anna Photography

1. "Are you sure you're ready?"
We hear this question pretty frequently, and really, it's often a projection of the questioner's own fears about commitment and lifelong relationships.
Take the high road: "We've been talking about getting married for several months now and realize it's the right step for us. We're both ready and pretty excited about it."
Go ahead, be snarky: "Well, not entirely. But I really want to try on the poufy white dresses."

The dos and don'ts of proposing

2. "But why? You already live together."
Despite what your friend thinks, marriage doesn't have to be about simply moving in together. It's about making a commitment, plus any other myriad of personal meanings a wedding can have.
Take the high road: "We've always felt marriage was important, even though we moved in together

We scoured the hottest looks from the spring 2012 bridal fashion collections to bring you the newest (most wearable!) bridesmaid dresses.

By Amy Eisinger for WeddingChannel.com

A Classic Bridesmaid Dress From 57 Grand
Courtesy of 57 Grand
You can't go wrong with a classic silhouette like this. The hemline above the knee also makes it perfect for a warm-weather wedding. (Available now)
Available colors: Champagne, flamingo, purple-plum, lilac, aquamarine, dark truffle, sterling, black, iris, navy, fern, ocean green, sunflower, stingray, salmon. Shown in cobalt
Price: $240

See more beautiful bridesmaid dresses!

A Stylish Halter Bridesmaid Dress From Aria
Courtesy of Aria
The classic cocktail dress gets an updated twist with a halter neckline. (Available now)
Available colors: Butter, angora, maize, lemon, lemongrass, lime, celery, kiwi, leaf, peacock, aloe, cypress, eucalyptus, mist, aqua, turquoise, teal, riviera, light blue, blue gingham, periwinkle, sky, royal, midnight, lilac, lavender, wisteria, purple, amethyst,

Face it: Your guests have heard these songs at every other wedding, and they're sick of The Electric Slide. So even though these songs and the dance crazes they may have sparked are great (hey, they're overplayed for a reason!), WeddingChannel.com suggests you limit them at your wedding.

By Vi-An Nguyen for WeddingChannel.com

Mollie Jane Photography

"What Is Love?" Haddaway

"Footloose," Kenny Loggins

"(I've Had) The Time of My Life," Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes

"Yeah," Usher

Songs guaranteed to get everyone dancing!

"Shout," The Isley Brothers

"Friends in Low Places," Garth Brooks

"Electric Boogie" (aka The Electric Slide), Marcia Griffiths

"Thriller," Michael Jackson

"Unchained Melody," The Righteous Brothers

Which wedding music fits your personality? Take the quiz!

"Sweet Caroline," Neil Diamond

"Dancing Queen," ABBA

"Can't Take My Eyes Off You," Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

"Don't Stop Believin'," Journey

"Livin' on a Prayer," Bon

It's easy to let the details overwhelm you when it comes to wedding planning. But relax, WeddingChannel.com has 15 great ways to unwind and de-stress.

By Amy Eisinger for WeddingChannel.com

iStock

1. Designate non-wedding-planning weekends
You'll get more done if you take a break from your tasks and then come back to them. That's why non-wedding-planning time is just as important as the time you spend planning. Designate at least one weekend a month when you'll do nothing wedding-related and instead focus your energy on something you love -- you know, the types of things you used to do before the ring.

How to hire a wedding planner

2. Stick to your deadlines
Those planning checklists are there for a reason -- staying on track is one key to stress-free planning. Keep the deadlines you set for yourself and be realistic from the beginning. For instance, if you and your fiance both love your jobs and work long hours, don't try to plan your wedding in under six

Most marriage proposals (approximately 39 percent) take place between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day. But even if you weren't aware of that stat, we're betting you've seen some of the signs.

By Amy Eisinger for WeddingChannel.com

© Corbis. All Rights Reserved.

1. Your Facebook news feed is full of relationship status changes and ring photos.
Whether it's close-up shots of left hands with new rings or the infamous one-armed self-portrait of that newly engaged duo, your news feed is now dominated by diamonds.

The dos and don'ts of holiday proposals

2. You compartmentalize your friends into "guests" and "nonguests."
With all your friends making wedding plans, you've started your own mental guest list.

3. You notice every other TV commercial is for Zales, Jared or Kay.
Every other commercial features a proposal scene, and let's face it: You've got all the lines memorized.

4. You and your friends bring up wedding planning like it's the weather.
Whether you're sharing

Winter brides have more to worry about than blizzards and the potential for tacky holiday decor. WeddingChannel.com rounds up the most common mistakes winter brides can make.

By Amy Eisinger for WeddingChannel.com

Credit: Alison Conklin

1. You overlook your church's holiday decor.
If you plan on exchanging "I dos" at a church during the holiday season, chances are it will already have some decor in place. While this can be a great way to save on your ceremony decorations, just make sure you ask -- or if you have time, stop by and see -- what it will look like. (Those wreaths and fake poinsettias they've been using since the early '80s might not be what you had in mind.) If you're not happy with the decor they've got, make arrangements so your florist can get in early enough to set up fresh holly branches, new wreaths or pretty altar decor.

100+ winter wedding photos

2. You wear a gorgeous pair of satin heels -- and don't have any cute boots for the snow.
If you plan on heading

Don't make another cake decision before reading these tips from WeddingChannel.com.

By Anja Winikka for WeddingChannel.com

The Biggest Wedding Cake Faux Pas!

Faux Pas #1: Choosing an Inedible Color
Deep purple, dark red, fuchsia, and black are some of the worst -- frosting in deep hues like that not only looks inedible but it'll color everyone's lips and tongue. If you want to use deep colors, limit them to the add-ons (ribbon trim or flowers) so that it can be easily removed and won't overwhelm.

Amazing wedding cake photos!

Faux Pas #2: Overlooking the Cake Stand and Table
The wedding cakes in our gallery are beautiful not only because they were decorated well, but because someone took the time to think out and style the cake stand and display table. Choose a cake stand that works with your theme (a modern plexiglass stand for a loft wedding, a milk glass stand for a vintage wedding) and make sure that the tablecloth and lighting is just right.

Faux Pas #3: Asking a Friend to Make Your Cake