A few weeks ago I staged a top-secret photo shoot at Kleinfeld in NYC—best known as the set of your favorite show and mine: Say Yes to the Dress. (More on the shoot later.) While we were shooting I asked a staffer to let me play around with fancy bridal shoes, and look-y what I stumbled across:

The shoes on the floor are Aruna Seth. (As soon as I know I’m within 100 yards of Aruna’s shoes, its like moths to a flame. “BRING THEM TO ME.”) And the one on my foot is Emmy London, a new-to-me brand that Kleinfeld’s fashion director, Terry Hall, thought I might be keen on. Could you just pass out and die from how gorgeous they are? I almost did. Here's more from Emmy. (The shoe above is the Cinderella. Fairytale princess, indeed.)

Wedding Shoe 1

Francesca.

Wedding Shoe 2

Cinderella.

Wedding Shoe 3

Elizabeth.

Wedding Shoe 4

Verity.

If you click through the links, you’ll see the shoes are seriously spendy, but good lord, you could plan your whole wedding around them. I mean, your guests don’t REALLY need food, right?

Click here to check out all the offerings from Emmy London.

If you had an A-lister’s wedding budget—and the ability to walk pain-free in heels all night—which pair would you wear?

Happy first year, Kate Bosworth and Michael Polish! The actress celebrated her one-year wedding anniversary with Michael Polish by sharing this sweet photo on Instagram:

The pic is captioned: “31-8-13 MP, endlessly I love you. X”

So sweet! The look in this pic is a lot different from Kate’s look for her wedding ceremony: a strapless Oscar de la Renta dress. (Her tuxedo-d groom also slipped into something a little more comfortable.)

Thoughts on Kate Bosworth’s sweet anniversary picture?

Love!

With three celeb weddings in the past two days (Gabrielle Union, Ashlee Simpson, Jenny McCarthy) I thought this weekend couldn’t have gotten much wedding-y-er—and then I found out Lauren Conrad’s bridal shower was on Sunday.

Here’s a snap she shared, with the caption “Thank you to my amazing friends and family for the best shower ever! #tellmeyouloveme”:

So obviously I searched the hashtag (and then some) and found some more pics for alla y’all:

I’m hoping we get more photos in the next few days, but from what I can see, it looks like a dreamy pastel party.

Thoughts on the pics from Lauren Conrad’s bridal shower?

Gabrielle Union was an incredibly gorgeous bride—two times over. (She and Dwyane Wade were married on Saturday, if you missed the news.) The actress just posted photos of her two custom wedding dresses, both by Dennis Basso:

The photo above was captioned, “#TheWadeUnion.” And along with the one below she wrote, “Thank you thank you thank you @DennisBasso for helping me design THE most perfect gowns for the most special night of my life... So grateful... So happy.”

Thoughts on Gabrielle Union’s wedding dresses?

People got its hands on the first photos of Angelina Jolie in her wedding dress, and they’re to die for! Her gown, which looks like a traditional tank-style ball gown from the front, is covered down the back with her children’s artwork. I can’t wait to get a closer look! I don’t have the rights to the pics, but click your way over to People to check out Angelina Jolie's wedding dress, and then get back here immediately to discuss! (This is SO not the lace-covered dress that was described earlier!) I’m so excited to see more!

Thoughts on Angelina Jolie’s wedding dress?

Now that I’ve had a peek, I want more, more, more!

I can’t get you the Jolie-Pitt kids’ original artwork to decorate your wedding dress. (Angelina Jolie’s wedding dress featured her children’s drawings on the back, if you missed the first pictures.) But I can get you a very similar design: a ball gown with a tank-style top. Here are my inspired-by picks. (The last one's less than $600!)

Wedding Dress 1

Style 9108 by Allure Bridals.

Wedding Dress 2

Duchess dress by Ivy & Aster.

Wedding Dress 3

Chelsea dress by Amsale.

Wedding Dress 4

Taffeta Tank Empire Ball Gown From David’s Bridal Collection.

Would you wear a wedding dress inspired by Angelina Jolie’s? Which of these wedding dresses is your favorite?

I think No. 3 is closest to Angie's, but No. 2 is a longtime favorite of mine. I would SO have worn that dress.

We got to see pictures of Angelina Jolie’s wedding dress last night, and this morning I learned that her gown was designed by Donatella Versace.

From Versace: “Donatella Versace designed Angelina Jolie a custom silk satin Atelier Versace gown gathered at the bust with an elongated train detailed with embroidered drawings of her children. These drawings were also reproduced on her silk veil. She accessorized with white Versace silk stain pumps.”

Here’s the dreamy sketch:

And here are my “inspired by” wedding dress picks—one’s less than $600!—in case custom Atelier Versace isn’t in your budget.

How lovely is the sketch of Angelina Jolie’s wedding dress?

Such an awesome souvenir to have after your wedding!

Your wedding hair trial will be a waste of time if you don’t take full advantage of your appointment. Here are six tips to make sure you get everything you need from your first spin in the stylist’s chair.

DO have some inspiration photos. If a picture’s worth a thousand words, a few tear-outs from a magazine will give your stylist a better idea than, “You know, pretty but not princess-y, but I don’t want it to fall out. And a little volume but not, like, crazy volume.”

DON’T expect your stylist to remember everything on your wedding day. Once you’re happy with your look at the trial, snap a bunch of photos from every angle so your stylist will have a “cheat sheet” when it’s time to re-create your look.

DO book right away for your wedding day. If you’re happy with your hair and makeup at your trial, book an appointment stat—or you’ll risk an 8 A.M. chair time for your evening wedding if early birds, er, brides book ahead of you. (And if they’ll let you, book a double appointment so you won’t feel rushed day-of.)

DON’T wash your hair. Lots of stylists like to work with slightly dirty hair because it will hold your style better. If you're planning on an updo (or a half-up 'do) wash your hair the day before your trial but not the morning of. That said, if your roots get greasy fast, don't let your stylist talk you into skipping the shampoo—and show up to your trial appointment with freshly washed hair. (In short, you want your hair at your trial to look and feel the same way it will on your wedding day, so plan your washings accordingly.)

DO schedule your makeup trial for the same day. This way you'll get a clear picture of exactly how you’ll look on your big day.

DON’T say “It’s fine!” if it’s not. The whole point of a trial is to get things right ahead of time so you’re not starting from scratch on your wedding day. If you don’t like what your stylist comes up with, work with her until you’re happy. She’s not going to magically know what you want on your wedding day unless you work it out beforehand.

Are you planning to get a hair trial before your wedding? Girls who have, any other tips?

I know a trial feels a little frivolous (especially if you’re trying to trim your wedding budget), but knowing you’ll be happy with your hair and makeup will save you loads of wedding day stress, which is priceless, IMO.

Ashlee Simpson rocked a low-key crop top on her wedding day—and I think I love it! (Ashlee and Evan Ross were married Sunday, if you missed the news.) Her wedding dress featured long, sheer lace sleeves, similar to the bodice of Kate Middleton’s gown. But unlike the duchess, Ashlee had a peek of skin showing above her lace ball-gown-style skirt. In the photos (which I don’t have the rights to—sorry) she’s hiking up her skirt to keep it out of the rain, but it looks like maybe three inches of skin, max, were showing.

Click your way over to the Daily Mail to check out the photos, then get back here to discuss.

Thoughts on Ashlee Simpson’s crop-top wedding dress?

I want to see more, but as of now, I think I’m a fan.

When this emerald engagement ring (by L.A. jeweler Single Stone) popped up in my Instagram last week, I gasped. With it’s clean, art deco-y lines and that brownish-green emerald-cut emerald, it may have stolen my heart.

Engagement Ring 1

And then I clicked my way over to Single Stone to see if the site had any other emerald offerings and found these:

Engagement Ring 2

Style NCE84 from Single Stone.

Engagement Ring 3

Style SR33-17 from Single Stone.

That vintage-y style reminded me to pay a visit to this vintage emerald engagement ring from Trumpet & Horn, which I’ve been obsessing over since it appeared in stock.

Engagement Ring 4

Adairsville from Trumpet & Horn, $23,000. (Here’s a similar one from Brilliant Earth (for almost $20,000 less) if you want to leave the Adairsville for me.)

And then I figured I’d check Doyle & Doyle, my other favorite site for vintage finds, to see what it had for emeralds.

Engagement Ring 5

Vintage Emerald & Diamond Ring from Doyle & Doyle, $5,780.

Could you just die?

Of course, engagement rings with diamond center stones are still by far the most popular, but I almost don't care about a big ol' diamond with these in front of me.

Would you want an emerald engagement ring? Which of these rings is your favorite?

It doesn’t get much more dreamy than custom watercolor wedding stationery, like this Martha’s Vineyard-inspired suite from Nooney Art.

Or this sunset-colors suite from Julie Song Ink:

To get the look of watercolor invites if you don’t have the budget (or the brush skills) for custom, check out these lovely options:

Wedding Invitation 1

Rustic-Print Wedding Invitations in Evergreen, Wedding Paper Divas, from $1.69.

Wedding Invitation 2

Watercolor Wreath Wedding Invitations, Minted, from $2.15.

Wedding Invitation 3
Blooming Watercolor Wedding Invitations, Wedding Paper Divas, from $1.59.

Wedding Invitation 4

Pastel Watercolor-Wash Wedding Invitations, Minted, from $2.15.

Wedding Invitation 5

Watercolor Flowers Wedding Invitations, Zazzle, $2 each.

Thoughts on watercolor wedding invitations? Which of these is your favorite?

Nicky Hilton killed it in Valentino for the opening of San Francisco Symphony last night, but I kind of think she should’ve saved this dress for her wedding day. (News of her engagement to banking heir James Rothschild broke last month.)

I can’t begin to guess what the fashion maven (her 365 Style is on sale now) will pick for her walk down the aisle, but if this gown is any indication, she’ll be a striking bride. I mean, I couldn’t have picked a more perfect hairstyle for this dress, and the Rosalina jewelry complements it perfectly. A+.

Thoughts on Nicky Hilton’s Valentino dress? Do you love it for a wedding dress? Would you wear something similar? Or will only an all-white dress do?

Here are photos of Nicky Hilton’s engagement ring, if you’re curious.

Fair warning if you're a fan of policeman strippers and plastic penis straws—this post probably isn't for you. Sure, some bachelorette parties are intended to be tacky, and that's half the fun, but if you're busy planning one with more of a cool vibe, here are some beauty ideas we just love. Still campy and fun, but a little less predictable.

1. Order a bunch of Ban.Do's "girl talk" headbands and hair pins. They'll get the bride-to-be even more attention at the bar than another novelty veil, plus look adorable in photos. Get "future mrs." for her, and sayings like "party" and "kiss me" for the rest of her crew (p.s. Ban.Do is also working on an amazing penis-straw alternative.)

2. Print custom nail decals for all the bridesmaids, in a fun modern-day play on the matching-dress tradition. Try the new app MyNcla, available in the App Store, which lets you print decals of a photo on your phone. The decals could be a headshot of the bride, or the location where you're partying (especially if it happens to be a pretty tropical destination like the one shown here).

3. Incorporate fun eye crystals into your makeup. Yes, I said eye crystals. Because if there's one person who can pull this off other than runway models and Jem, it would be a future bride at her bach party. If only we all had such a perfect excuse.

Which of these bachelorette beauty ideas do you find fun? Have you done anything campy with your hair, makeup or nails for a bach party in the past?

If a cool ocean breeze and the smell of salt water are what soothe you, why not deck your wedding in calming shades of blue? Below, 10 ideas for brides with the best kind of wedding blues.

TOP: Fountain Hills Collection wedding stationery, the Clementine Studio. CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Oscar de la Renta Wedding Dress. One-Shoulder Short Dress With Illusion Neckline (Style F15607), David’s Bridal, $119. Short Mesh Dress With Sweetheart Illusion Neckline (Style F15701), David’s Bridal, $119. Blue Hydrangea Bridal Bouquet, Frugal Flower. Watercolor Wifey Tank, The Wedding Chicks Shop, $24. Blue Spring Clutch by Victoria Khoss via Lover.ly.

Would you style your wedding in shades of blue? Which of these ideas is your favorite?

Will the future Mrs. Clooney wear McQueen? Page Six is reporting that Amal Alamuddin was spotted in London yesterday running errands with her mother, Baria.

From Page Six: “The pair started out at Michael John Hair Salon and quickly shuffled off to another appointment at Alexander McQueen headquarters. After 90 minutes inside the fashion house, a smiling Amal emerged and was seen chatting with a seamstress who walked her out.”

I don’t know much about couture, but a 90-minute appointment seems suspicious for a dress to wear to someone else’s party, and the Oscars aren’t till February. Another potential designer whose name’s been in the mix for Amal: Oscar de la Renta.

As far as the groom’s getup goes, we hear Mr. Clooney will walk up the aisle in Armani.

Who do you think will design Amal Alamuddin’s wedding dress? Alexander McQueen? OLDR? Someone else entirely?

While you’re rushing between back-to-back-to-back weddings in May and June, the last thing you want to do is host your own wedding. (Trust me.) Let everyone else fight over vendors and fret about impending 100-degree temps. Here are six reasons your big days will kick ass if you hold out for a fall wedding.

1) Your guests will be ready to party. Everyone in their mid-20s to early 30s is a little over weddings during “wedding season,” right? Your guests will appreciate having a few weeks to recharge before yours.

2) All the key players should be free. When our inner circle was in a full getting-married-frenzy {Rory and I were invited to 20 weddings in two years! }, friends were missing each others’ weddings left and right. This couple was on their honeymoon during that couple’s wedding, and this bridesmaid had to bail on her college roommate’s big day because she was asked to be her cousin’s maid of honor. If you wait until fall, people should be more free to focus on you.

3) You’ll get the pretty fall backdrop. I love peonies as much as the next weddings blogger, but it’s hard to argue with the changing fall foliage and crisp autumn air.

4) Off-peak travel rates. If you have guests who will need to rent a car, book a hotel room, or travel by plane, they’ll appreciate the savings. And you might save some cash on your honeymoon, if you go right after your wedding.

5) Sweet seasonal details. Hot apple cider, blazing fireplaces, and faux-fur accessories will make your wedding unforgettable, especially if it falls on a chilly night.

6) More wedding dress options. Leave the slinky strapless gowns for the June-July brides—they’ll need ’em. You can consider dresses with sleeves, heavy fabric, or dramatic head-to-toe beading that would weigh down a summer bride.

Would you get married in the fall? Or do you want guaranteed warm weather?

The only thing better than wearing Christian Louboutin heels for your wedding day? Wearing Christian Louboutin heels and Christian Louboutin nail polish for your wedding day. Christian Louboutin Beauté, which officially launches on Sunday, encompasses three collections: the Pops (bright colors), the Noirs (dark tones), and the Nudes (your new go-tos for classic big-day shades). At $50 a bottle, they might be a bit pricey, but the bottles are practically works of art themselves: At eight inches, they're as tall as the tallest heel he ever created. Here, we've put together five shoe-and-nail polish pairings that brides-to-be will love.

Nude Nail Polish + Laser Cutout Pumps = Classic Wedding With a Modern Twist
Neutral, glossy nail polish? Check. Pretty white heels? Check. Everything about this has the makings of a traditional bridal look, except for one detail: the shoe's cutouts. Whether you go for a classic ball gown, sophisticated sheath, or short dress, this heel-and-nail pairing will fit in perfectly.
Christian Louboutin Nail Colour in Tutulle, $50, sephora.com, and pumps, Christian Louboutin, 888-856-8247

Berry Nail Polish + Red Satin Pumps = Black-Tie Wedding
You don't always have to pair a neutral with a color; we love mixing it up with complementary palettes. For a glamorous wedding, berry and deep red is one of our favorite combos. Just imagine how elegant you'll look when a bit of satin red slippers peek out from underneath your gown.
Christian Louboutin Nail Colour in Lady Page, $50, sephora.com, and pumps, $625, net-a-porter.com

Shimmery Navy Nail Polish + Black Lace Pumps = City Wedding
Cool city brides will love this take on something blue. After all, there's no rule that it has to be light blue, right? We won't blame you if you can't help but take this pairing for before the wedding.
Christian Louboutin Nail Colour in Bianca, $50, sephora.com, and pumps, $795, neimanmarcus.com

Red Wine Nail Polish + Gold Stilettos = Holiday Wedding
Nothing says festive quite like red and gold. And don't you kind of love how the red nail polish coordinates with the red sole? It's matchy-matchy in the best way possible. We'd keep the rest of this wedding-day look subtle, so these glitter heels can be the stars.
Christian Louboutin Nail Colour in Very Prive, $50, sephora.com, and stilettos, $900, 888-856-8247

Mint Green Nail Polish + Silver Sandals = Destination Wedding
When you're on the beach, pastels are always in season. We love these chic sandals that we're positive Jackie O. would've traded for her standard Jack Rogers for evening dinners in Capri. Plus, you can wear them on your honeymoon—and forever after.
Christian Louboutin Nail Colour in Batignolles, $50, sephora.com, and sandals, $795, christianlouboutin.com

—Written by Elizabeth Swanson for Brides.

Which Louboutin pairing would you most love to wear?

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

Hope your passport is up to date: George Clooney spilled some major details about his international wedding tonight. While accepting a humanitarian award at the Celebrity Fight Night in Tuscany, Italy, tonight, George, the guest of honor, shared in his acceptance speech: “I met my lovely bride-to-be here in Italy, whom I will be marrying, in a couple of weeks, in Venice, of all places.”

I pretty much assumed George and Amal Alamuddin would marry in Italy, but I’m shocked that George shared the city and the date(-ish). A noted paparazzi-hater, George, I assumed, would go Brangelina-style and keep his wedding details seriously under wraps. Perhaps the big spill was all a ruse to throw us off their tracks?

Thoughts on George Clooney’s big spill? Do you think he really shared his wedding city and date? Or is he being all cloak-and-dagger on us?

Spoiler alerts, obviously, since half the country couldn’t watch Bachelor in Paradise at it’s regularly scheduled time last night. {You’re dead to me, New York Giants. }

So if you’ve been following along all season, it’s been pretty clear all along that Marcus and Lacy “were there for the right reasons”—which include copious sun exposure and finding love in paradise. So what better way to wrap the season than with a proposal and a Neil Lane engagement ring? (I also mentioned back in July that the two were headed for engagement—since the news broke right after Marcus was booted from The Bachelorette.) Here are my engagement ring screen snaps:

And here’s a side-view look:

I’m going with a 2-carat princess-cut diamond in a square halo with a twisted band. If it is, indeed, princess cut, that would be the first princess-cut diamond Neil Lane has turned out for the Bachelor franchise in ages—possibly ever. (Here’s the most recent, Andi’s engagement ring, featuring an oval-cut diamond, if you need a refresher.)

Thoughts on Marcus and Lacy from Bachelor in Paradise’s engagement? And are you a fan of Lacy’s new engagement ring? On a scale of 1 to 10, what do you give Marcus’ proposal?

P.S. More on the finale here, if you care about the hour and 55 minutes that preceded the proposal.

Even if you want candid-style wedding photos, you can’t expect your photographer to chase silently behind you and your groom all day and wind up with a portfolio of perfect wedding pictures. The most laid-back bride and groom, from a photographer’s perspective, should still start their wedding day with a list of “must get” shots. Here are five I think you should include:

• A really gorgeous portrait of the two of you. (Here’s why.)
• A “generations shot” with your mom and grandma.
• Photos of your youngest wedding guests—and your oldest.
• A “first look” photo. If you and your groom will see each other before the ceremony, plan where you’ll meet up and make it special. (I just kind of walked outside, where Rory was hanging out with his groomsmen. So anticlimactic.) In one of my all-time favorite first-look photos, ever (above), my friend Madhu’s wedding photographer told her groom to sneak up behind her and say something dirty. I’m not sure if you could re-create the moment, but I just love this photo.
• THE kiss, of course.

Obviously this is the short-short list, but I think it’s a concise jumping-off point for couples who just aren’t into the whole “posed photos” bit. If you’re truly laid-back, from there you can ask your photographer to just give special attention to the moments that you’re calling attention to: first dance, dancing with your dad, cutting the cake. While everyone’s just sitting around and eating, she can probably chill with the photo-taking. You probably DON’T need a posed photo of everyone at each table. Or these four pics:

• Any photo that involves your bridesmaids flashing their butt cheeks.
• Food photos. What are you going to do with shrimp cocktail platter portrait, exactly? (The exception, IMO, is the wedding cake.)
• Posed photos that make you feel like a tool. Including but not limited to: peeking out from behind trees, wedding party jumping in the air, holding hands in a field, lying across the groomsmen’s arms, having your groom peek up your dress.
• “Morning after” photos. Just ew.

What photos are on your “must take” list?

P.S. Want to look pretty in your wedding pictures? (Duh.) Give THIS to your photographer ahead of time.