Beautiful Bridesmaids

I will never understand why most bridesmaid dresses are, well, unflattering even on the most genetically blessed bodies. Why do so many things with the word "bridal" translate to being un-chic? A hairdresser once told me after a cut that now my hair looks less bridal. I was very offended. Do brides really want their 'maids to look unattractive? I know I don't, so my ladies and I have been checking out the dresses in Nanette Lepore, Foley + Corinna, Catherine Malandrino, Alice Temperley, and other similar boutiques. I've also been scouring the web for ideas and ShopBop.com has some super styles (shown above) to make your bridal party look less "bridal" and more "party." It is the event of the year, right? Why not let everyone look fantastic?

From top: Sunner, Mint Jodi Arnold, Mint Jodi Arnold, McQ, Hanii Y, and Foley + Corinna.

Year Of The Rat

It's the Year of the Rat according to Chinese astrology and that's great news for anyone getting married this year. It's the perfect time for a fresh start like tying the knot, starting a new job, or embarking on a new project.

I was born during the Year of the Rat and while the little critters don't repulse me as much as, say, snakes or spiders, I won't be showcasing this cake topper. But I have to admit, for the right couple, this can be oddly adorable. My sister and her husband had Day of the Dead wedding dolls on their cake. For those of you who may not know, they are skeleton figures often in celebratory poses and it's all to honor Dia de los Muertos, a day in Mexico where they honor the lives of those who have passed on. Most of us found it charming, but there were some who questioned, "Why do they have dead people on their cake?"

Rats cake topper found on APicturePerfectWedding.com.

Spanish Charm

There's something about a Spanish-style veil, often called a Mantilla veil, that takes my breath away. The lace edge, won close to the face, is so romantic and can be a great addition to a dress that isn't adorned with a lot of embellishments. If your hair is long, wear this veil with your hair down for a poetic feel. The way the veil is draped over short hair gives it an alluring touch.

Note: I found this one on EBay.

Tress Rx

Hair...it's probably the second most important thing about your wedding aside from the dress. And for my own wedding, I'm in a bit of a bind in this department. I live in NYC, but my wedding is in New Orleans, and I don't know anyone down there except for my husband-to-be's mom, whose hairdresser just isn't going to cut it for me. I've visited salons when I was down there searching for venues, called referrals from the makeup artist I hired, and scoured the internet for spots that seemed to suit my style—everyone is either booked or I was spooked, so I've decided to go it alone (well, with my bridesmaids help) and do it myself.

Whether you have the same dilemma or have just decided to save some cash and style your tresses yourself, here are some things we can do to make sure our hair is picture perfect.

1. Start getting deep conditioning hair treatments. Depending on your hair, you can get one every month or two, with at least one being from a professional salon. You can do the at-home treatments as well. This will keep your locks looking silky smooth. Do your last one two days to a week before the big day.

2. Drink lots of water everyday. It not only will help your hair, your skin will thank you, too (as will the photo retoucher).

3. Eat your greens...and all veggies. I won't say to force yourself to eat Brussels sprouts, but veggies are good for a healthy head of hair.

4. Play with different hairstyles to see what's best for you. You can wear your hair down—it has a romantic feel. I'm going with soft waves and either a flower pinned low on one side or a delicate crown of flowers. If you want a more complicated style, check out Ken Paves' (Jessica Simpson's stylist) line of HairDo products to clip in. They have a perfect chignon and various other great hair clip-ins that look real.

5. Get your haircut a month to two weeks before your wedding day. If you are anything like me, it's more like a month—I never like my hair when it's first cut...well, I love it when I leave the salon, but when I try to style it the next day, it never looks quite right. I need at least two weeks before I start liking my cut, so consider this when scheduling.

6. Have your bridesmaids help you on the day of with the angles you cannot see or reach. Remember, the back has to look just as good as the front, especially during the ceremony.

Shoe In

There’s no law that says you must wear a bridal shop-approved wedding shoe. So why not go for something more modern like a gold sandal or a black pump?

Juicy Couture’s Macie Too Open Toe T-Strap Sandal offers a 3 1/2 inch heel, but it’s not a stiletto, so it’ll get you through to that last dance without having to take them off.

Pedro Garcia’s Elora Satin Platform Strappy Sandal really turns up the heat no matter how demure your dress is.

The dainty lace on Alessandro Dell'Acqua’s Raso Lace Sandal will get your groom’s heart racing when he sees you in just these.

(Top three from ShopBop.com.)

Want something a little more traditional? Go with Botkier’s white-hot sandal. The silver detailing gives it a little edge. (Botkier.com)

Or go for something blue! Jimmy Choo’s ‘Damon’ slingbacks offer unconventional elegance. (Bluefly.com)

Claire Pettibone Is Chic

When a designer does wedding dress and lingerie, you know the end result will be feminine. One of Claire Pettibone's dresses was almost the dress for me (third one from top)...if I could afford two I would have bought it. They are quietly sexy with a soft ethereal feel and the wearer seems to gracefully float when walking in them. Absolutely gorgeous! See more here.

Achieving Wood

Invites by Oslo Press incorporate wood veneer to their designs. Love it! A couple started this company when, in 2006, they were searching for the perfect invite and couldn't find anything to suit their style. They made their own and after their nuptials, Oslo Press, named after their adorable cat, was born. Choose from birch, cherry, maple, oak, or walnut and mix with paper response cards. And comparatively speaking, the price points aren't too bad. Check out more of their designs here.

Berry Beautiful

While always gorgeous, Halle Berry has an extra glow now that she is pregnant. Lucky for us, Brides have a glow on their big day, too! Halle's makeup is a great look for an evening wedding. Her smokey eye is just enough without overpowering her natural beauty. When going with a strong eye, go with light color on the lip with a lot of gloss. You may need a slightly darker lip depending on your skin tone, as no matter how much gloss you put on, the camera washes it right out. Talk to your makeup artist and take photos of yourself during your trial run. If doing your own makeup, try a few different shades and keep clicking that camera until the look is best for you.

Elizabeth Fillmore Is Chic

Parsons graduate, Elizabeth Fillmore has brought many looks to the wedding dress market since starting back in 1998. The Leah dress at top is romantic and fluid. I can see it converted to a stylish cocktail dress to wear long after the wedding by removing the bottom lace. The Nola dress seems like something Lauren Bacall would have worn in the 40s. See more of Fillmore's collection here.

Spare Change

After I bought my dress, the dress, I promised myself I wouldn't look at another gown again in fear that I would compare and second guess. I changed my mind, but the good news is that I still love my dress the best. I find myself drawn to gowns that are the most similar or invoke in the same kind of romantic and vintage feeling. Then there are the ones that are very opposite my dress—short and sassy—the kind that I would want if I was many years younger and the average marrying age (it's now 26!). The dresses I see today aren't the kinds that I remember my friends wearing as they started getting hitched many moons ago. So many chic designers are a part of the wedding industry now, and even dress designer Monique Lhuillier is branching out further and creating a line of dinnerware with Royale Doulton. There's so much talk of change with today's Presidental candidates, and it holds true with marriage too. There are sacred vows being said everywhere from Tennessee to Tinseltown. I think brides today...with the help of their grooms of course...can help bring those daunting divorce rates down. Change is good.

Bed In

While they don't have a registry, Brocade Home does make whimsically exciting enhancements for your pad. A little note on your online blog directing guests to this site, will show them a gift 2 good 2 B 4-gotten. Now that's 4-eva!

Rosa Clara Is Chic

Barcelona's Rosa Clara makes airy and enchanting gowns, some with a lingerie feel, others evoke a 50's sensibility, but all are gorgeously executed. The first dress I fell in love with was a Rosa Clara, but another designer ended up winning my heart. See more Rosa Clara designs here.

Green Spirit

The palm leaves and green sprays make this bouquet unique. Go for natural ties like this instead of ribbon.

I Do

This groom looks sharp. I love the thickness of the tie.

It's A Bout Time!

I found this boutonnière while looking on TheKnot.com. The stephanotis flower blossoms symbolize marital happiness. They are quietly beautiful and classically elegant. Two trumpet-shaped blooms look great bundled with green leaves.

Ruffles Are Chic

There's a sweetness about ruffles...they are very girly, and if done well, can also look very sophisticated. Sonia Cholette does great ruffles. Check out more of her designs here.