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10 Things Every Groom Must Do Before the Wedding

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There are countless ways grooms can get involved in wedding planning. The big ones are no surprise: Getting his suit fitted, writing his vows, and helping pick a first dance song, to name a few. Smaller gestures—like leaving notes for his bride or taking her out dancing—are less established, but make a big difference too! We asked Christina Steinbrenner, Director of Tuxedo Marketing at Brides Live Wedding sponsor Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, as well as some wise Brides staffers, for the top 10 pre-wedding "must do" list for grooms. (Psst: Brides, discreetly pass this along to your fiancés!)

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1. Pick a suit that suits the wedding style. "The most important thing for a couple to consider when planning their formal wear attire is the style and feel of the wedding," Steinbrenner says. "For a traditional, more formal event, a classic tuxedo with a notch, shawl or peak lapel is ideal. Slim-fit silhouettes have been most popular lately. For a less traditional option, shades of gray are hugely popular. Destination or beach weddings call for a lighter gray, tan or even jacketless tuxedo."

2. Accessorize! Put the finishing touches on your look with a perfectly folded pocket square or fun socks for an extra pop of color, Steinbrenner says. Accessories make all the difference!

3. Get a haircut, but not the day before. If the trim is too close, this will leave time to let it grow out.

4. Schedule a cleaning service. Hire a cleaner for the week of your wedding and for the duration of your honeymoon. Your house or apartment will look impeccable when things get busy, and it'll be so nice to come back to a clean home when your honeymoon is over.

5. Go out dancing. Whether it's going out to a bottle service club until 3:00 a.m. or just having a nice dinner at home with the first dance music ready to go, schedule an excuse to practice that choreographed first dance!

6. Plan something special for your bride for the wedding day. It doesn't have to be lavish—or even anything you spend a lot of money on—but something thoughtful like a letter and champagne will help make a special day even more magical. Just make sure the delivery arrives at the perfect time.

7. Say "I love you"—often. Leave little notes everywhere. Post-its, chalkboard doodles, slips of paper under fridge magnets. This is the time to be romantic (and yes, even cheesy)!

8. Work on your vows. Transcribe all "for vows" notes on your iPhone, and take a stab at writing something eloquent. And if the vows are already done, practice 'em.

9. Stay on top of the rehearsal dinner. Check in with the priest/rabbi/officiant and make sure both sets of parents and all wedding party members know when and where to show up. Taking the whole party off her plate is a huge gesture and will greatly reduce her stress.

10. Seduce her! Sex kills stress and it'll take the edge off of the wedding night in case the reception goes all night.

—Written by Terri Pous for Brides

Any other must-dos for the groom before the big day?

More from Brides:
*4 Inexpensive Date-Night Ideas You Haven't Tried Yet but Should
*11 Things to Do After Getting Engaged
*50 Ways to Slash Your Wedding Budget


The 3 Purses You Should Pack for Your Honeymoon—or Any Big Trip—Regardless of Where You're Headed. (Or: Why I Spent My Honeymoon Shopping for Handbags)

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Rory and I held off on honeymooning until two months after our wedding, and I was STILL so frazzled that I did a crap job of packing for our trip, two weeks in Italy. Not only did I pack sundresses for days that were forecasted in the mid-60soops!—I also only packed one purse, a way-too-small leather shoulder bag that annoyed me for most of the two weeks. Until I started buying up "honeymoon handbags" to fill in the gaps, that is. Not the worst thing to do, when you find yourself in Italy, but I wish I had planned ahead when I was still stateside.

So for those of you who still have your honeymoon ahead of you, here's my definitive guide to honeymoon handbags—or purses for any big trip. The first two bags are faux leather, which I like for traveling, because I'm even more clumsy when I'm away from home, dumping cappuccinos on my lap, and whatnot.


1-honeymoon-packing-list-0307Honeymoon Bag 1: Big Ol' Satchel This is the bag you carry on the plane. (Or the one that rides shotgun with you, if you're road tripping.) It has space to stash your phone, iPad, trashy mags, H20—after you go through security—and a scarf that can double as a blanket. It's also big enough for a day trip to the beach or to schlep poolside, once you arrive at your destination. St. Moritz Double Handle from Olivia + Joy, $98.


2-honeymoon-packing-list-0307Honeymoon Bag 2: Small Crossbody When you're spending an afternoon at a museum or running out for a quick bite. You don't need a bag that's big enough to carry the kitchen sink—just your sunglasses, some cash, and maybe a map. (The "crossbody" part is key, because you want to be able to carry your bag securely without it sliding off your shoulder while you're walking around playing tourist.) Forever Cool Faux Croc Crossbody in Wine from Forever 21, $24.80.


3-honeymoon-packing-list-0307Honeymoon Bag 3: Clutch With a Wrist Strap This doubles as your wallet and fits inside Bags 1 and 2. Tuck your lipgloss inside and you're good for dinner and dancing. Use the wrist strap while you're standing with a drink and you won't have to do the awkward juggling thing with your bag, your beverage, and your sweater, or whatever. Sydney Zip Clutch from Fossil, $65.


Where are you honeymooning? Have you thought about what purses you'll pack?

I'm obsessed with the color of the Olivia + Joy bag. Want.

You'll Look Like a Pretty Woodland Pixie in H&M's $99 Wedding Dress. Yes, $99!

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If you're feeling "meh" about wedding dresses—and their price tags—you're going to want to hit up H&M (or hm.com) later this month, where this lovely dress will be up for grabs for a mere $99. Srsly.

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They're calling the dress "1930s Hollywood with a modern twist." I'm calling it mega-pretty with an AMAZING price tag.

Would you give H&M's $99 wedding dress a try? (Or a try-on?)

I totally would've.

Here's Proof That Celebrities Flash Engagement Rings Just to Mess With Me. (And the Rest of the World)

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Pretty much any time I see a diamond ring, my engagement radar goes off—especially when that ring is in close proximity to a famous person. So you can see how something like this might set off a five-bell alarm.


The photo was posted to WhoSay by Monika Jakisic, a model (and George Clooney's ex!) who's currently dating Prince Andrew, the Duke of York (and the original Fergie's ex).

A spokesman for the prince confirmed that the two—linked since celebrating the prince's birthday last month—are NOT engaged. But clearly Monika knew the Interwebs would fly off the handle when she picked that photo to share.

She later tweeted:


So I think it's safe to assume that engagement ring belongs to either the J or the A.

Not nice, Monika. Not nice.

Do you think other famous people are trying to start engagement rumors when they flash rings? Or are they just innocently accessorizing?

I do think celebs are allowed to wear rings—even on their left hand—but when someone shares a photo with a blatantly engagementy-looking ring (Miley Cyrus) or wears a ring on THAT finger several days in a row (Katy Perry), I think they know they're stirring the engagement rumor pot.

An Easy Way to Slash Your Wedding Budget. (Don't Worry, Your Guests Won't Starve!)

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Food and drink will eat up {haha! } a huge portion of your wedding budget—around half of it, according to the Wedding Wire budget tool, which every bride should use, IMO.

Here's one way to trim costs: Make more of your menu vegetarian.

Before you start yelling, hear me out. I'm not suggesting you offer your guests a pile of crudite and a limp salad. But instead of offering two meat selections at dinner, offer one chicken option and one pasta dish. And rather that passing crab cakes or baby lamb chops at cocktail hour {I almost called it "happy hour." Daylight-saving is kind of killing me. }, serve corn cakes with salsa and bite-size veggie tacos. That carving station?
How about Lauren Conrad's crostini spread instead?

You might have to look harder to find a caterer who'll turn out imaginative vegetarian dishes. (To some caterers, "vegetarian option" means "an extra helping of the veggie side dishes.") But the more meat and seafood you can cut from your menu, the more money you'll save.

Would you serve a veggie-heavy wedding menu? Or do you HAVE to serve meat?

The Bachelor Engagement Ring: Here's a First Look at the Ring Juan Pablo Picked!

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I just grabbed an excellent screen shot of the engagement ringJuan Pablo picked up on The Bachelor, and I decided we don't even know the conclusion of the show to discuss. Here it is!

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Looks like a lot like the engagement rings from seasons past. I'm guessing a 3.5-carat cushion-cut diamond in a split-shank halo setting. I think it's safe to assume it's from Neil Lane. I'll update with more details (including the name of the "winner") as they roll in.

* * * * * UPDATE * * * * *

Ouch. Looks like Juan Pablo was even less excited about the final two woman than I was. There is NO way Nikki's ever getting that ring. This is literally the most painful programming I've ever witnessed. Another engagement ring for the ABC vaults.

* * * * *

Thoughts on the engagement ring Juan Pablo picked?

I really wish he went with something different—anything different.

Here's the Exact Playlist From Chrissy Teigen and John Legend's Wedding Reception. And, Yes, the Groom Sang "All of Me"

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If I were a musician, picking the music for my wedding would probably put me over the edge. Thankfully Grammy-winner John Legend is a much cooler cat than I am. Not only did he compile a kick-ass four-hour playlist, he was kind enough to share it on Spotify. Shortly after the party wrapped, his bride, Sports Illustrated swimsuit-edition cover girl Chrissy Teigen, posted a bunch of photos from their wedding day. With those plus this playlist, it almost feels like we were partying with them, right?

Not on the playlist? John serenading Chrissy with "All of Me" or Stevie Wonder's live performance of "Ribbon in the Sky." So amazing.

For more details on Chrissy Teigen and John Legend's Wedding (and more pics), check out the latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings.

Thoughts on Chrissy Teigen and John Legend's wedding playlist?

SO GOOD. So, so good.

8 Stunning Vintage Engagement Rings—and the 1 Tool You Need to Buy an Engagement Ring Online

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I'm not in the market for an engagement ring, but I still occasionally enjoy browsing the online selection. Fine, constantly. And while I would TOTALLY buy an engagement ring online, I wouldn't consider doing so without seeing the ring on a hand. (Or even one of those creepy fake hand replica things.) Here's why: Check out the selection of to-die-for engagement rings from Trumpet & Horn below. Go ahead and pick a favorite.

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TOP ROW FROM LEFT: Cambridge Engagement Ring, $6,350. Provence Engagement Ring, $44,000. Highlands Engagement Ring, $8,200. Joesboro Engagement Ring, $2,550. BOTTOM ROW FROM LEFT: Weatherford Engagement Ring, $10,400. Westby Engagement Ring, $825. Ashburn Engagement Ring, $2,650. Adairsville Engagement Ring.


Now check out your favorite on a hand. Do you like it as much? More? Less? Is it even in your top three?

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In the top photo, the ring in the bottom right corner is easily my favorite. {Mega-swoon! } Second and third go to the first two rings in the top row. But I feel decidedly less swoon-y about all of them in the bottom photo. My favorite, based on the hand photos, is the ring in the bottom left corner, which looked a little too metal-y when it was zoomed way in.

Of course your hand won't be the exact size of the hand model's, but the hand (or the fake hand) will give you a much better idea of how the ring will look on your finger. And surprisingly, lots of online engagement ring sellers don't give you a hand shot.

Which of these engagement rings is your favorite? Would you think to look at the ring on a hand before buying it online? Or could you buy based on the giant photo?

Maybe I lack perspective? But I don't think so!


New Alfred Angelo Wedding Dresses: Check Out My Favorite Gowns From the Latest Collection

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Ladies and, um, more ladies: Bridal Market is almost upon us. That means in the next few weeks, wedding dress designers are going to start rolling out their newest collections, and we're gonna be eyeball-deep in satin and tulle up in this blog. Kicking things off, the two of my favorites from Alfred Angelo's latest.

Wedding Dress 1
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Wedding Dress 2
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Who else is fired up for Bridal Market? Which of these two wedding dresses is your favorite?

The Pretty Little Liars Wedding Dresses: Here Are the Details on All the Girls' Gowns

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I don't watch Pretty Little Liars, but when I found out there were wedding dresses on the latest episode, obviously I had to check out the action at ABC Family. Here are all the girls in their wedding dresses, which apparently they're wearing for a charity fashion show:

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And here are all the details I could track down on each gown:

ARIA: White by Vera Wang Tulle Ball Gown from David's Bridal. SPENCER: Seven dresses and seven custom-made corsets were used to make this one-of-a-kind wedding dress. HANNA: The show's costume designer called the dress "glam, girly, and stunning"—but didn't mention who designed it. EMILY: Casablanca Bridal Style 2102.


Thoughts on the Pretty Little Liars wedding dresses? Which gown is your favorite?

I'm really digging Spencer's gown—and I'm wondering why they needed SEVEN of them!

5 Gorgeous Real-Girl Engagement Rings—and the Proposal Story That Gave Me a Heart Attack

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A good proposal story can make my heart skip a beat—especially when it comes with a gorgeous engagement ring. But the story behind the fifth engagement ring sent me into a full-on panic. Fine jewelry and sand don't mix, ladies! Thankfully this story has a happy ending.


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Cherie fell in love with this 1920s engagement ring (starring an Old European-cut diamond) on an estate-jewelry website. When her boyfriend, Chad, found out, he proposed with it.


Engagement Ring 2
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The first thing you see when you walk into Bobbie's home is her boyfriend's piano. That's where she found this sparkler—along with two dozen balloons and four dozen roses.


Engagement Ring 3
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Jamie's boyfriend proposed during a weekend getaway at a cozy cottage. Both of their dogs—wearing bow ties, of course—got in on the action. "He designed the ring himself and couldn't have done better," she says.


Engagement Ring 4
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Andrea's husband surprised her with this "absolutely perfect" engagement ring on their four-year anniversary in her childhood home.


Engagement Ring 5
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LeeAnne writes: "My boyfriend of two years proposed in November, by secretly leaving the ring so that I would see it as we were walking one night near the lake in our town." Annnnnd that's where I almost died. It's unclear if the ring was left in the sand (like it is in the picture) or in a more secure spot, but the thought of leaving such a pretty ring anywhere—even for a minute—made me break into a sweat! Especially because THIS ring is the ring LeeAnne's late father had proposed to her mother with 38 years ago. "Wearing the ring makes me feel like he gave us his blessing," she says. I think that the ring made it safely onto her finger is a sure sign!


Which of these engagement rings is your favorite?

3 Gorgeous Wedding Dresses With Seriously Sexy Backs

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Through your wedding ceremony, the back side of your wedding dress gets way more attention than your front, so it's important to have a pretty rear view. And it doesn't get much prettier than these three gowns by Brit designer Victoria Kyriakides.

Wedding Dress 1: Anais
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Wedding Dress 2: Santa Monica
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Wedding Dress 3: Jewel
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Would you wear a sexy-back wedding dress? Which of these dresses is your favorite?

I'm obsessed with the first. (And I'm assuming the last comes with a little more coverage for a real bride!)

Elizabeth Olsen Is Engaged to Boyd Holbrook!

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Another Olsen wedding: Elizabeth Olsen (kid sister to the recently engaged Mary-Kate) is engaged to actor Boyd Holbrook, sources have confirmed to Us Weekly.

"They've been by each other for a while, taking a lot of couple time," a different source told Us, noting that they've been "talking about getting engaged" and recently took a trip to Paris together. "They moved into a place in Brooklyn a few months ago," another insider added.

Dating since 2012, the couple met on the set of Very Good Girls.

Read the full story here.

Thoughts on Elizabeth Olsen and Boyd Holbrook's engagement?

Congrats, kids!

"My Maid of Honor Is a Maid of HORROR! How Do I Fire Her?" (I Say, Don't!)

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Writes Save the Date reader Molly:

I asked my friend of 15 years to be my maid of honor, and at first she was incredibly into it. She was there, she was committed, she was excited. Now, she'll go days without returning my calls or texts, and when she finally does, every time I ask her to do something with or for me—no matter how big or small—she's "too sick." (She asked my sister, who's a bridesmaid, to plan my bachelorette.) She's had a chronic illness her whole life, which obviously I knew about, but I feel like she's using it as a crutch. I completely understand her illness, but I also know that she's an adult and she's had a handle on it for a long time.

So we're ordering bridesmaid dresses next week, and I want to ask my sister to be my matron of honor and ask my maid of honor to step down and just be a bridesmaid. I feel like planning my wedding is supposed to be the best time of my life, and not being able to rely on my maid of honor has put a damper on things. Meanwhile, my sister has continuously been by my side since day one, and I feel like she will be the BEST matron of honor. How can I manage this situation without hurting anyone's feelings?

Here are my thoughts:

Maybe I'm way off base, but I feel like something's going on with your friend, and you should put your wedding aside for a minute and help her deal with that. I'd reach out and say, "Hey, the wedding stuff has me kind of crazed and I feel like I've been out of touch. Can we get together for lunch? No wedding talk—I promise!" (I'm not saying that you're one of those brides who ONLY talks about your wedding, but if she's in a bad place, it might feel that way to her.)

While you're lunching (and not talking about your wedding) try to gauge how the rest of her life is going. If she continues to act distant, I'd just say, "I know you have a lot on your plate, so I've asked my sister to step up as matron of honor so she can assist you with your maid-of-honor duties." If your sister can handle the other jobs—planning your shower, giving a speech, etc.—I'm assuming that being maid of honor, at this point, only entails buying a dress and showing up to your wedding. Rather than hurt your friend's feelings by demoting her (or kicking her out entirely), I think you should just let her coast.

Ladies, what do you think? Should Molly boot her friend from her wedding party? Or let her bad bridesmaid behavior slide?

Have a wedding-y dilemma of your own? Email me!

17 Wedding Hairstyles With Sparkly Headbands and Braid Crowns That Would Make a Disney Princess Jealous

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It's been a good winter for Disney princesses—Frozen has managed to charm even the coldest of cartoon-resistant hearts and get us singing right along. I'm even having daydreams about princess-worthy hairstyles. Since I'm already married, I'm not sure when my next chance to wear one of these will be—but if you're engaged, indulge the fantasy for me! Here are 17 of my favorite wedding hairstyle ideas featuring sparkly headbands and braid crowns.

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Which of these modern-day red-carpet princess hairstyles do you like best?


All the Details on the HIMYM Wedding Dress. (It's One of My All-Time Favorites!)

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I don't know much about the HIMYM wedding—I don't watch, so there might be spoilers ahead!—but I know all about the HIMYMwedding dress, which I just saw photos of. It seems Barney and Robin are swapping vows this season, and Robin's wearing one of my all-time most favorite wedding dresses: the Addie gown by Monique Lhuillier, which I recognized the second I saw it. Here it is on the model several seasons ago.

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And here it is on Robin:

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Let's get a second look:

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Like I said, I know nothing about these characters, but Robin looks amazing in that gown. (I'm digging the sparkly sash she added.) So best of luck to her and Doogie Howser, M.D.

Thoughts on the HIMYM wedding dress?

Genius Instagram Tips From Wedding Photographer Jose Villa

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Nothing compares to professional wedding pics, but it's fun to take personal photos on your big day too. As part of Brides' first #BridesTakeover Instagram series, fine art wedding photographer extraordinaire Jose Villa is dishing advice on how to make the most of your Instagram photos. (Bonus: He posted exclusive — and gorgeous — pictures on the Brides Instagram too!) Below, Villa reveals what can make and break the social media shot.

Brides: What are some tips for shooting beautiful Instagram photos?
Jose Villa: I'm always thinking of the overall palette of the images when they are grouped together. In order to make those images in your profile not look so cluttered, I keep in mind simple, clean backdrops with not too much black. I like softer, airier images, and black tends to make the images too busy for my eye.

Brides: What is your favorite filter?
JV: I try not to use the filters Instagram has, but I do like using Google's Snap Seed, which is a free application! It can get overwhelming with all the filter options, but I just use the "tune image" to keep it simple.

Brides: Can you tell us why you chose these particular photos for our Instagram takeover?
JV: I always like to post images that have interest, things that are not seen every day. I love color and simplicity, so I kept that in mind as I chose these images for your followers. I also wanted to make sure that they had a fun and unique story to them. I love moments and details that people usually walk past and take for granted, which I think is extremely important.

Brides: What are your favorite kinds of Instagram photos?
JV: Simple, clean, classic, timeless, and elegant images. More specifically, gorgeous landscapes and gorgeous details.

—Written by Donna Kim for Brides


More from Brides:
*4 Inexpensive Date-Night Ideas You Haven't Tried Yet but Should
*11 Things to Do After Getting Engaged
*50 Ways to Slash Your Wedding Budget

Congrats, You're a Bridesmaid! Here Are the Jobs You've Signed Up For—and the Ones You Can Skip

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Some of you guys were complaining yesterday that agreeing to be a bridesmaid is like signing on for a part-time (unpaid!) job. And that sucks. A bridesmaid isn't an actual maid—and sometimes brides seem to forget that. Still, if you've agreed to be in the wedding party, you need to put in some money and effort. Here's what to expect in the months leading up to the wedding:

6 THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO IF YOU'RE A BRIDESMAID If you don't want to do any of these six things, politely decline when you're asked to be in the wedding party.

1) Buy a bridesmaid dress—and don't complain about it. Though some brides will cover the cost of the dress, it's generally expected (especially in the Northeast, in my experience) that each bridesmaid pays for her own dress, within reason. (And "within reason" will depend on the bridesmaid's age, employment status, etc.)

2) Show up for the wedding—and dance, damn it. Unless there's a death in your immediate family or you go into labor, your butt better be at the ceremony and reception, and you better be dancing. (At the latter, not the former. That would be awkward.) Sometimes a mellow crowd needs a few "sympathy dancers" {Rory calls them! } to hit the dance floor and get the party started. The wedding party should always be a part of that group.

3) Help plan and pay for the bridal shower and bachelorette party. The maid (or matron) of honor is in charge of the parties, but bridesmaids are expected to have ideas, give feedback, help decorate, chip in cash, and assist with the hostess duties. If you're on a limited budget, be up front about it. ("I'm excited for Lauren's shower. I know we all have great ideas, so let's try to set a budget right away so we don't bankrupt ourselves before the wedding.") In some cases the mother of the bride or groom will kick in funds for the shower—or even offer to host—but this is the exception, not the expectation.

4) Attend the bridal shower, bachelorette party, wedding rehearsal, and rehearsal dinner, unless there are major constraints. The bride can't demand that every bridesmaid be at every pre-wedding event, but you should do your absolute best to be at all of them. (The exception, IMO, is if the bride is having multiple showers. If that's the case, attending one shower is sufficient.) If you're a plane or long train ride away or, say, the bridal shower conflicts with a marathon you've been training for for months, you get a pass. And a rowdy bachelorette party isn't mandatory for bridesmaids who are pregnant or brand-new moms. ("Brand-new" meaning they have a newborn at home. Put on your dancing shoes—at least for a few hours—if your kid is older than, say, three months.)

5) Pay for your own transportation and accommodations on the night of the wedding. The bride can't ask you to camp out in Cabo San Lucas on your dime for the week of her wedding. But if the wedding is far from home, you should expect to spring for an overnight stay. It's the bride's job to say up front that bridesmaids' expenses include a hotel stay.

6) Listen to a little bit of bitching. The bride probably can't complain to her groom without sparking a fight, so it's your job to pop open a bottle of wine and put on your listening ears. That said, if the bride is incessantly whining about her horrible mother-in-law or her thoughtless groom or the vendors that are out to get her, it's within a bridesmaid's rights to say, "Wedding planning REALLY seems to be stressing you out. Let's take a break from wedding talk and go for a run/get our nails done/watch a Bachelorette marathon."


8 THINGS A BRIDE CAN REASONABLY EXPECT FROM HER BRIDESMAIDS You can get away with saying no to all of these—but the bride is definitely allowed to put in the requests. (And you can't bitch behind her back if she does!)

1) Help choose bridesmaid dresses. (Or don't bitch about the dress, if you don't want to (or can't) be part of the decision-making process.) The bride is allowed to just pick a dress without consulting you. (It's not the nicest move, but it's often impossible to find a dress that EVERYONE will love, so sometimes it's easier not to ask anyone.) If the bride does ask for your input, don't barrage her with WON'Ts. ("I won't wear spaghetti straps! Or an A-Line skirt! Or any shade of pink!") Instead, let her know about things that make you MAJORLY uncomfortable. ("I'd really love it if we could find a non-strapless dress. If you fall in love with something strapless, I'd be happy to have straps added.")

2) Pay for bridesmaid "extras," including shoes, and getting your hair, makeup, and nails professionally done, if all are affordable. Do you want to pay for any of the above? Meh, probably not. But if the bride keeps the cost of the bridesmaid dress down and asks you to pick some gold shoes and get an updo, she's not being unreasonable. If any are out of your budget, you should definitely speak up. But don't moan and groan if she asks you to get a manicure. (And if you really don't want to do any of the above, that's fine, but be prepared to offer alternatives. "Money is tight so I'd rather do my own nails." "Is it OK if I wear nude shoes instead of gold?")

4) Attend the engagement party, unless there are major constraints. Engagement parties are becoming more popular, but they're usually hosted by family. As a VIP, however, you're still expected to be there unless you have a major conflict.

5) Help the bride shop for her wedding dress and accessories, within reason. You don't have to tag along for a tour of all 14 local bridal boutiques—especially if there are bunch of other people who will be there. But if the bride asks you to join her for a fitting or to help her choose between two gowns, don't get bejiggity.

6) Help the bride with a few wedding related tasks. The bride can't insist that you to address invitations, design the program, assemble favors, etc. But it's not crazy of her to ask (very sweetly) if you'd mind lending a hand. If she seems like the type who's going to dish out a lot of DIY jobs, let her know up front what you're free to do: "I'm looking forward to helping with your wedding. I'd love to assemble the invitations, once it's time." If you say, "I'm happy to help with EVERYTHING!" you can't be annoyed when she expects you to.

7) Speak at the rehearsal dinner. This is definitely NOT on the must-do list, but if the maid of honor is giving a wedding-day toast, the bride might ask someone lower on the totem pole to speak the night before. If public speaking makes you want to pee your pants, just let her know.

8) Give a shower and wedding gift. You can adjust the amount you spend depending on the cost of the dress and accessories and whether there's a hotel stay involved, but I think it's nice for the bridesmaids to give something. If money starts to get tight—and even if it isn't—it's perfectly acceptable for the bridesmaids to chip in for a group shower gift and/or a group wedding gift. To avoid overspending, decided how much you're going to spend on all the gifts ahead of time. Don't buy a $100 shower gift and then complain, "Ugh, she expects a wedding gift too?"


Did I miss any important jobs? Do you disagree with anything on my list?

Jamie Lynn Spears' Wedding Dress Pics: The Bride Wore White—and Britney Wore Silver!

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Jamie Lynn Spears certainly picked a to-die-for wedding dress! (She and boyfriend Jamie Watson swapped vows yesterday, if you missed the news.) I'm 99 percent sure her gown was Style 5842 by Liancarlo. (I know the designer's right; I'm just not 100 percent on the style because she's wearing a cute little fur.) Here it is on the model:

jamie-lynn-spears-wedding-dress-pictures-liancarlo-0315


And Brit-Brit wore a bejeweled silver satin dress with a plunging neckline. Click your way over to E! to see pics of Jamie Lynn's wedding dress and Britney's sparkly frock, then come back here to discuss.

Super-pretty!

Plus:
Jamie Lynn Spears: "The Last Time Anyone Heard from Me, I Was 16 and Pregnant"

Check Out the (White!) Gown Mama Spears Wore at Jamie Lynn Spears' Wedding

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Jamie Lynn Spears wasn't the only vision in white at her wedding on Friday: Her mother, Lynne Spears, also wore a custom dress from Liancarlo. (Also purchased from I Do Bridal Couture in Baton Rouge.) Check it out:


It looks like Lynne's dress is based on Style 3345, which is technically "blush and platinum"—not true white, although it reads that way in this pic—and it's from the evening-wear collection. She looks great, but the dress looks verrrrry wedding-y to me.

Obviously this wasn't a case where the mother of the bride surprised her daughter in a wedding-y dress. They went shopping together for custom couture gowns, so clearly it was OK'd by the bride. But I know plenty of brides who would freak if their mom or future MIL wore this at the wedding! (Cheers, Jamie Lynn, for letting your mama shine too!)

Thoughts on Lynne Spears' mother-of-the-bride dress? Would you want your mom (or future MIL) to wear something similar at your wedding?

P.S. Click here to read up on what Britney wore at Jamie Lynn's wedding!

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