By Rachel Wilkerson, Lover.ly
Ah, the gift registry. Depending on who you ask, this staple of the modern wedding is either the best thing in the world...or completely evil. Some couples love it, while others are made extremely uncomfortable by it. Guests may think it's great...or believe it's tacky and filled with ridiculous expectations. It's enough to make any couple go crazy, but here are our tips for using the registry, whether you're the bride-to-be or a wedding guest.

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Photo by: Eric Kelley on Snippet and Ink via Lover.ly
DO register for items at all different price points; DON'T register at a single (read: expensive) store. The biggest thing guests hate about registries is when the couple makes the options feel limited. Make sure you hit a couple stores, and DO try to choose at least one that is located in most of your guests' hometowns (like Target) so they aren't forced to deal with $20 shipping costs for the $20 item they want to buy you.

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Blog Posts by Lover.ly
PHOTOS: Bypass the Bar for Your Bachelorette Party
By Lover.ly | Love + Sex – Mon, Apr 1, 2013 6:19 PM EDTBy Carly Totten, Lover.ly
Your bachelorette party is the ultimate girls' night out. However, before your best friends jump into planning - they've likely already started - make sure they know what your dream night entails. If barhopping is the farthest idea from fun for you, then you may want to opt for a different plan. The whole point is for you to go out and have fun!
Are you dreaming of a ski trip with your bridesmaids? Maybe you just really, really need to press pause on your wedding planning for a day at the spa. Sound more like you? Here are five ideas from Lover.ly for your party that will have you enjoying your dream bachelorette far away from your local bar scene.
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Read More »from PHOTOS: Bypass the Bar for Your Bachelorette PartyBy Rachel Wilkerson, Lover.ly
Read More »from HOW TO: Create a Great Wedding Website

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Wedding websites have become more and more common in the past few years. And for good reason! You can easily give your guests the wedding details that are too long or complicated to put on an invitation, and you can quickly get new information out to all of your guests at once if necessary. But once you sit down to actually create your wedding website, you may find yourself unsure of what it you should include and what details you can skip. Here is our advice for what to include on your wedding website.

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1. The location. The first thing guests will want to know is where exactly the wedding and reception will be held and where they should plan to stay. And guests coming from out of town will be worried about things parking and how long it will take them to drive from the ceremony to cocktail hour, so make sure the details are there andPHOTOS: Nice Buns! Chic Wedding Day Updos
By Lover.ly | Beauty on Shine – Thu, Mar 28, 2013 2:07 PM EDTWhile we'll always love elaborate updos on brides, we are really loving the current trend of wearing a simple bun on your wedding day. There are so many different ways to style a bun, making it a great fit for almost every type of wedding, but it's still a classic, no-fuss look. Here are our favorite ways to wear your wedding bun.
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Read More »from PHOTOS: Nice Buns! Chic Wedding Day UpdosPHOTOS: Bitty Bites - Craft a Mini Food Menu for Your Wedding
By Lover.ly | Shine Food – Wed, Mar 27, 2013 1:48 PM EDTBy Carly Totten, Lover.ly
Originally created by Peter Callahan, mini food is taking wedding menus by storm. Serving mini bites as appetizers as guests arrive and enjoy sipping on your signature cocktail is an obvious choice. However, you can create an entire menu in this style that will encourage guests to mingle and talk with each other throughout your slated time for dinner. Because everything is created with smaller portions in mind, you can serve a larger variety of your favorite items. And, of course, don't forget about dessert! Here are 10 ideas for your mini menu from Lover.ly...
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Find more tasty bites for your mini menu.Inspiration for your signature cocktail abounds.
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Read More »from PHOTOS: Bitty Bites - Craft a Mini Food Menu for Your WeddingPlayed Out Wedding Trend? Why You Should Still Have a Photo Booth at Your Wedding
By Lover.ly | Love + Sex – Tue, Mar 26, 2013 10:17 AM EDTPhoto by: Tiny Water on The Brides Cafe via Lover.ly
The photo booth has quickly gone from a fun wedding trend to a common sight at every wedding, and now some people are declaring it "over." But before you put away the funny props, hear us out! Here are some reasons it's still worth it to have a photo booth, even if everyone else is doing it.

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1. It's a source of entertainment. Having a few "stations" or things to do at your reception can be a good way to keep guests engaged. There are plenty of people who will want a break from dancing or even from making conversation, and the photo booth provides a great escape. It's also a great way for people who haven't met yet to strike up conversations.

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2.It helps create a wedding keepsake. For you as much as your guests. Sure, some guests having a few new pictures of themselves, but even if Read More »from Played Out Wedding Trend? Why You Should Still Have a Photo Booth at Your WeddingBlood oranges are in season right now, and we love how weddings can incorporate the fruit's gorgeous colors: ruby, salmon, orange, and pale yellow. This color set works from weddings from Italy (the blood orange's native country) to Nantucket, and it works for many different types of weddings. Here's inspiration for using this bold color palette in your wedding decor.
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Read More »from PHOTOS: Blood Orange Wedding InspirationHappy birthday, March babies! This month, we're loving aquamarine wedding details, inspired by the March birthstone. Whether you choose aqua as one of your wedding colors, or just stick to one special item for your "something blue," you can't go wrong with this shade. It's lovely for spring and summer weddings and works for a classic wedding or a more whimsical wedding. Here are our favorite ways to do aquamarine at your wedding.
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By Lover.ly | Love + Sex – Wed, Mar 20, 2013 11:14 AM EDTMarch 20 is National Proposal Day, and even if you aren't planning to propose (or accept a proposal), it's still a great day to talk engagement rings! Many brides and grooms know very little about diamonds, and that lack of knowledge can make the process of choosing a ring overwhelming. Build your diamond smarts with our guide to nine popular diamond cuts.
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Read More »from PHOTOS: It's National Proposal Day: The Most Popular Diamond Cuts to Pop the Question WithBy Carly Totten, Lover.ly
The first moments after you get engaged will likely pass by in a complete blur as you bask in your excitement. There will be calls to family and friends, posts on social media, and times when you just can't believe what is happening (or maybe you can). However, once all of the calls have been made and your general excitement settles into complete happiness, you may start to panic ever so slightly. What do I do now? Our advice: stop stressing and read on because below you will find the first five steps you should take on your wedding planning journey.
Read More »from I'm Engaged! Now What?
Photo by: Justina Louise Photography on Justina Louise Photography via Lover.ly
Photo by: Justina Louise Photography on Justina Louise Photography via Lover.ly
Determine Your Budget: Whether your parents have elected to pay a large portion or you and your fiancé will be covering all of your costs, determine your budget for your wedding. Decide what is most important to you. If you value the pictures captured, set aside a larger portion to cover the cost of a top-notch

