Traditional wedding vows became a tradition for a reason: richer/poorer, sickness/health, etc.—we all want the standard “for better or worse” parts for our marriage. But here’s a new line I think we should add:

“I promise to always say ‘sorry’ after we fight.”

Angelina Jolie—who covers the newest issue of Vanity Fair—told the mag that her six children had a hand in writing the wedding vows she and Brad Pitt swapped when they were secret-married August.

“They did not expect us never to fight, but they made us promise to always say, ‘sorry,’ if we do,” she spilled.

SO perfect, right?

Would you borrow that line from Brad and Angie’s vows for your own?

If I could retroactively add it to ours, I would.

It’s no secret that a design house can go on without its namesake. (Sarah Burton has been at the helm of Alexander McQueen since the designer’s death in 2010.) And still, the newest Oscar de la Rentawedding dresses have me feeling a little wistful. Sure, there will be more Oscar de la Renta wedding dresses, but will they ever be as lovely as this collection? (Of course the first was inspired the wedding dress Mr. de la Renta designed for Amal Alamuddin when she married George Clooney.)

Wedding Dress 1

Wedding Dress 2

Wedding Dress 3

Wedding Dress 4

Wedding Dress 5

Wedding Dress 6

Wedding Dress 7

Wedding Dress 8

Wedding Dress 9

I love the rear view on this one too.

Wedding Dress 10

This is the same dress from the back with a lace jacket over it.

Wedding Dress 11

Wedding Dress 12

Thoughts on the new Oscar de la Renta wedding dresses? Which of these wedding dresses is your favorite?

Also, In Honor of Oscar de la Renta, 6 Celebrity Brides Who Wore His Wedding Dresses>>

Skip that pumpkin spice latte—I’ve got your afternoon pick-me-up right here: nine amazing new engagement rings from Blue Nile. Enjoy.

Engagement Ring 1I included side views when there was a little something extra going on.

Bezel-Set Solitaire Engagement Ring, from $600 (setting only).

Engagement Ring 2

Petite Twisted Halo Diamond Engagement Ring, from $980.

Engagement Ring 3

Hand-Engraved Profile Solitaire Engagement Ring, from $1,100 (setting only).

The next six are from two of the collections within the brand:

FROM MONIQUE LHUILLIER’S COLLECTION WITH BLUE NILE

Engagement Ring 4

Monique Lhuillier Draping Collar Diamond Engagement Ring from $1,460 (setting only).

Engagement Ring 5

Monique Lhuillier Sapphire Diamond Halo Engagement Ring, from $2,420 (setting only).

Engagement Ring 6

Monique Lhuillier Three-Stone Halo Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Ring, from $3,200 (setting only).

FROM BLUE NILE STUDIO, THE BRAND’S SHMANCY NEW COLLECTION

Engagement Ring 7

Blue Nile Studio Cushion-Cut Petite French Pave Crown Diamond Engagement Ring, from $2,450 (setting only).

Engagement Ring 8

Blue Nile Studio Regal Pav�� Diamond Engagement Ring, from $2,750
(setting only).

Engagement Ring 9

Blue Nile Studio Royal Halo Diamond Engagement Ring, from $3,850 (setting only).

Which of these engagement rings is your favorite?

It's widely reported that a majority of marriage proposals happen during Engagement Season—from Thanksgiving to Valentine's Day—but no one really knows where that stat came from. So Glamour wants to know: When did you get engaged?

Of all my closest friends, I think only one got engaged during Engagement Season—so is the whole thing a marketing ploy, like National Vodka/Handbag/Chihuahua Day?

When did you get engaged? Do you know a lot of people who got engaged during Engagement Season? Or do you think it’s all a myth?

There is something incredibly romantic about a winter wedding. Perhaps it's the requisite candles cluttering tabletops, or the idea of your sweetheart keeping you warm all day and night long. Either way, we're head over heels for winter weddings and especially these six color combinations.

A photo posted by Jose Villa (@josevilla) on Sep 9, 2014 at 3:21pm PDT

A photo posted by Jose Villa (@josevilla) on Sep 9, 2014 at 8:59am PDT

A photo posted by Jose Villa (@josevilla) on Mar 3, 2014 at 12:03am PDT

A photo posted by Adrienne Gunde (@adriennegunde) on Feb 2, 2014 at 3:12pm PST

A photo posted by Ceci Johnson (@cecinewyork) on Oct 10, 2014 at 2:52pm PDT

A photo posted by Ceci Johnson (@cecinewyork) on Aug 8, 2014 at 5:22pm PDT

A photo posted by Style Me Pretty (@smpweddings) on Apr 4, 2014 at 9:19am PDT

A photo posted by Alexandra Rinde (@aerialistpress) on May 5, 2014 at 12:57pm PDT

Lauren Conrad just shared a photo of her newish wedding ring on Instagram. Wanna peek? (She and William Tell were married in September if you’ve been in a coma for the past two months.)

Sheer nude nails and faux fur at yesterday's shoot. (Repost from @kaitmosh)

A photo posted by Lauren Conrad (@laurenconrad) on Nov 11, 2014 at 9:37am PST

Looks to me like a super-simple diamond eternity band. Here are four like it, if you want something similar:

Wedding Ring 1

Solstice Eternity Diamond Ring from Brilliant Earth, $1,350.

Wedding Ring 2

Bordeaux Vintage-Inspired Handmade Wedding Band from Trumpet & Horn, $2,800.

Wedding Ring 3

Round Diamond Wedding Ring from Kwiat, $6,800.

Wedding Ring 4

Vintage Art Deco Eternity Band from Doyle & Doyle, $3,600.

Thoughts on Lauren Conrad’s wedding ring? Would you copy her style? Or do you want something totally different?

I like No. 3 best. I'm feeling very "more is more" today. Clearly.

In other LC news: Lauren Conrad’s Bare, er, BEAR Buns Just Made Your Next Dinner Party 1,000 Times Cuter

Did anyone else hear wedding bells when Carrie Underwood was hosting the CMA Awards last night? So many of her best looks (there were 11 of ’em!) would be SO great for a bride—and wedding-y versions of many of them already exist. Here are my Carrie-inspired picks:

Reem Acra on the left, Oleg Cassini for David’s Bridal on the right.

Mark Zunino for Kleinfeld.

Johanna Johnson.

Lela Rose on the left, Isabelle Armstrong on the right.

Thoughts on Carrie Underwood’s MANY CMA Awards dresses? Would you copy her style for your wedding?

Yes, your wedding is all about you. But it’s also about your guests, and making sure they’re happy and comfortable too. Which is why I love Lauren Conrad’s guest-centric list of wedding weekend essentials, which she just shared on her blog. Here are the highlights:

A photo posted by Lauren Conrad (@laurenconrad) on Oct 10, 2014 at 6:15pm PDT

For the Gift BagsClick here for a photo.

• apples (the wedding had an apple theme)


• wine


• a wine opener (smart! )


• his ’n’ hers favorite candies (looks like peanut butter cups and gummy bears)


• pistachios


• boxed water


• recovery kit (see below)

For the Ceremony

• Hankies. Lauren’s were vintage, naturally—here’s a photo—and tissues would also do the trick. Just have something on hand for when your guests get teary-eyed.

For the Reception

• Solemates heel protectors. If part of your wedding will be outdoors, these will keep lady guests’ heels from sinking in the dirt.


• Flip-flops. Lauren chose a pair from her LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl’s line.


• Cozy blankets. Again, if your wedding’s outdoors. (Hers were also from Kohl's.) A must for a chilly fall night.

For the Next Day

• A recovery kit. If you’ve ever had a few too many glasses of champagne at a wedding, you can imagine what these included. Click through for the full list. I’m sort of intrigued by a product called Never Hungover.

Thoughts on Lauren Conrad’s wedding weekend essentials? Which would you most appreciate, as a guest?

PS: If you missed the photos of Lauren Conrad's wedding, the slideshow has been restored. Go overanalyze to your heart's content!

You can plan a wedding only up to a point. Both the unforeseen and unexpected will happen—and you'll still love it. But here, some of our readers share the things they would have changed about their day so you can benefit from their hindsight.

"Slow down time for the day! It went way too quickly." —Michael H.

"Not being pulled a zillion different ways." —Jolie H.

"I would have not invited certain people who RSVPed 'yes' and then never showed up or apologized." —Mel Z.

"I would have hired a videographer instead of just recording bits and pieces with a video camera."—Elizabeth H.

"My wedding was 27 years ago. I would not let my mother run it. I will not do this when my daughter gets married." —Denise T.

"I didn't get to eat my wedding cake." —Brenda R.

"I wouldn't change a thing, though it would have been nice if people respected invitations and not added extra people because they were the girlfriend of the moment!" —Vanessa G.

"Don't get me wrong, I loved my wedding, but I would not count on certain people to do what they said they would do. I would have also spent the little extra money to have things go a little longer." —Elizabeth J.

"I loved every minute of our wedding. I do wish more people would've danced though." —Michele C.

"I would have gotten my makeup and hair done first. And snacked throughout the day. Put someone on hair duty, someone on makeup duty, and someone on dress duty. I would have reapplied lip gloss often." —Hilary K.

"I would have seated my family on the right side, and vice versa, so that they could have seen my face and his family could have seen his." —LaShanda V.

"If I had to pick one thing, I would have taken pictures with my groom before the ceremony and actually would have gone to our cocktail hour instead. We didn't eat anything at our wedding and were so disappointed." —Kristin T.

Do you have anything you would change about your wedding day?

—Written by Jolène M. Bouchon 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

Everyone’s favorite pint-size guidette hit Miami this weekend for a bachelorette party ahead of her November wedding with Jionni LaValle. Snooki and her baby daddy shared a plane selfie, then split for the weekend to celebrate separately. Here are the pics:

& it begins...after we land, we don't know each other. ����#bachelorweekend

A photo posted by NICOLE���� (@snookinic) on Nov 11, 2014 at 3:41am PST

Bachelorette with my maid of honor ������������ #5000caloriedrink ����

Ein von NICOLE���� (@snookinic) gepostetes Foto on Nov 11, 2014 at 11:03 PST

The cute little spiked veil is a DIY job. (Here are the deets.) Is Snooki going to pull a Blake Lively on us and go all "lifestyle"?

Crazy bride up at 5am last night...I need Jesus today.

A photo posted by NICOLE���� (@snookinic) on Nov 11, 2014 at 9:00am PST

Round 2!!! @sullyd17 ������������

Una foto publicada por NICOLE���� (@snookinic) on Nov 11, 2014 at 11:12 PST

My gurllllll @sammisweetheart ����

Una foto publicada por NICOLE���� (@snookinic) on Nov 11, 2014 at 7:29 PST

Here’s Sammi in her Team Bachelorette tank:

#miami

A photo posted by Samantha���� (@sammisweetheart) on Nov 11, 2014 at 4:12pm PST

And of course JWoww made the trip too:

Relaxing in Miami ������

A photo posted by Jenni JWOWW (@jennijwowwmtv) on Nov 11, 2014 at 6:37pm PST

Thoughts on Snooki’s bachelorette party?

I could use a Miami getaway right about now. Oh, and I’m chatting with Snooki about her wedding on Wednesday, so if you have any questions, let me know!

ICYMI, forever my fave: Snooki and JWoww’s DOs and DON’Ts of Being a Good Friend

Writes Save the Date reader Mariska:

I got engaged two years ago and immediately asked a friend to be my maid of honor. We had a great time talking about the wedding and looking at magazines. But recently my fiance and I decided we wanted a destination wedding. My MOH refused to join us, which I understand, because she and her husband can’t really afford it, and now she doesn’t talk about the wedding at all.

Another friend has agreed to be my maid of honor. So do I let the original friend keep the title and the responsibilities? Or do I let the new friend take over? I don’t want to lose the original friend, but I want to have a maid of honor who’s excited about my wedding. Help!

Here are my thoughts:

I always tell brides to hold off on choosing bridesmaids until you know for sure what the job entails. It doesn’t sound like your friend thought she was signing on for a destination wedding when she agreed to to be your MOH—and I’d be a little miffed if I were in her shoes too. She probably thought she was agreeing to buy a dress and cohost a bridal shower and a bachlorette, but then she finds out she’s supposed to do all that AND buy a plane ticket—plural, if she wants to bring her husband—take days off work, and pay for a hotel stay? It’s a whole different ball game. By, like, thousands of dollars.

It’s like inviting a kid on a playdate and then saying, “Oh, but you can’t afford a ski weekend? Guess you’re not coming then.”

I get the feeling that you're mad the old friend is no longer excited to talk about your wedding. But why would she want to? Let me do you a favor here and tell you that she doesn’t want the title or the responsibilities for a wedding she can’t afford to attend. Yes, let the new friend be your MOH. But if you don’t want to lose the old friend, you need to have a heart-to-heart—and offer up an apology.

“I didn’t realize when I got engaged that being a part of my wedding would be such a financial commitment. I’m sorry that I got you all wrapped up in the wedding planning when now you’re not going to be able to join us. Of course you’re still an incredibly important part of my life.” Etc., etc.

Really, I think the best way to handle it would've been to offer to pay for all (or part) of her expenses when you told her the destination wedding news—but I think we're beyond that.

Ladies, what do you think? How should Mariska deal with her miffed MOH?

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

I spent most of my pregnancy watching Friday Night Lights and taking leisurely naps. Eva Mendes, it seems, was a a little more productive: The new mom (she and Ryan Gosling welcomed baby Esmerelda in September) just released a collection of bridesmaid dresses under her eponymous New York & Company line. I’m not trying to force anyone’s hand in marriage, but I’m going to mention that Lauren Conrad also turned out a collection of bridesmaid dresses—just ahead of her own wedding. No pressure, baby goose.

Eva’s bridesmaid dresses will be available in stores and online in January, and will have bridesmaid-friendly price tags between $79 and $119. Check ’em out.

Bridesmaid Dresses 1 & 2I put these together so you could see two styles with and without accessories, which will also be a part of the collection.

Bridesmaid Dress 2

Bridesmaid Dress 3

Bridesmaid Dress 4

Bridesmaid Dresses 5 & 6

Thoughts on Eva Mendes’ bridesmaid dress collection? Do you think the bridesmaid dresses mean a wedding’s in the works?

Wanna know why these weddings are awesome? Because they feature grooms in uniform. And the men—and women, like my little sister—who serve our country are awesome. Happy Veterans Day. And thank you, all.

A photo posted by Melissa (@melissawilsonphotography) on Oct 10, 2014 at 7:49pm PDT

A photo posted by Kelly Fox (@petiteetoileshoppe) on Oct 10, 2014 at 7:00pm PDT

A photo posted by Christina Gagnon (@mrsrebelaustin) on Oct 10, 2014 at 7:35pm PDT

A photo posted by Jamilah Newcomer (@jamilahphotography) on Nov 11, 2014 at 10:00am PST

A photo posted by Noelia Seva (@armywif_lifestyle) on Oct 10, 2014 at 7:02pm PDT

A photo posted by Katie Keighin (@katie_kay) on Oct 10, 2014 at 11:34am PDT

A photo posted by TurnerPhotographyStudio (@turnerphotographystudio) on Oct 10, 2014 at 1:00pm PDT

A photo posted by Heather Burks (@heatherburks) on Oct 10, 2014 at 11:38am PDT

Which military wedding pic is your favorite?

I assume Kate Middleton has a separate closet dedicated to Temperley London. In fact, the Duchess wears Temperley clothes so often—most recently in late October—one closet might not be enough. So I wouldn’t be at all surprised if a pregnant Kate shows up at a gala event in this Temperley dress. (Yes, technically it’s a Temperley Bridal dress.)

I mean, yeah, she’s been wearing more formfitting clothes this pregnancy, but once her bump’s more, um, bumped, I can see her opting for something more free-flowing. (A bump’s gotta breathe, right?) Plus, who could resist that jeweled neckline? Let’s go in for a closer look:

We don’t often see Kate in white—she’s more of a jewel-tone girl—but since she’s married to the future king of England, I’m sure the designer would whip it up in, say, a nice emerald green for her.

Thoughts on this Temperley Bridal dress? Can you see Kate Middleton wearing it?

Wow ’em on your way down the aisle: All seven of these wedding dresses—all from the Fall 2015 runways—are striking from the front, but it’s the rear view that will really wow your guests.

Wedding Dress 1: Lela Rose

That’s not lace—it’s ALL fancy beadwork.

Wedding Dress 2: Claire Pettibone
I love how the back of this one looks like lace wings.

Wedding Dress 3: Alvina Valenta

Wedding Dress 4: Theia

Wedding Dress 5: Isabelle Armstrong

Wedding Dress 6: Badgley Mischka

Wedding Dress 7: Amy Kuschel

Would you wear a sexy back wedding dress? Which of these wedding dresses is your favorite?

Snooki has 15 bridesmaids in her wedding party, but you’ll be happy to hear that she’s not skimping on her bridesmaid gifts. That’s just one of the things I learned when she and I chatted about her wedding, her new perfume, and why she wears it to the gym. Here’s the scoop.

What’s the first perfume you wore? Britney Spears Fantasy. Wasn’t everyone’s first perfume Britney Spears Fantasy?

Are there any perfumes that you have a strong memory of, growing up? My mom always wore JLo perfume growing up. She loves JLo.

What does Snooki Love smell like, to you? It’s sexy and mature. My perfumes reflect where my life is, at the time, so the first two were fun and flirty. Snooki Love is all about my life right now, which is my wedding. The bottle is Art Deco in black and gold, to match my wedding, and the scent is romantic.

How do you apply perfume? Right on your skin, or do you spray and walk through? For a night out with Jionni, I’ll spray it on my wrists and neck and spritz it over my hair. If I’m just going to the gym or to run to the grocery store, I’ll spray a little on my wrists.

You wear perfume to the gym? Yeah! You gotta smell good everywhere.

What do you like Jionni to smell like? Cologne? Or, like, dude? He always smells good, but I don’t even think he wears cologne. I think it’s just guys’ deodorant. But he always smells good.

So you’re giving your bridesmaids Snooki Love as part of their bridesmaid gift. What else are you giving them? I got everything on Etsy. I love Etsy, and it’s so easy and inexpensive. So everyone’s getting a black getting-ready robe and wine glass with her name on it for the morning of the wedding. I also got them each a headband, like Gatsby, to match the wedding’s theme, Art Deco, and a lipstick. Then I put it all in a cute tote.

What have you loved so far about planning your wedding? Everything! I like the process a lot. I like being in control of everything, so it’s perfect for me. I don’t get stressed out, so I took on a lot, because I feel like if I don’t do it myself, someone else is going to screw it up.

Is there anything you’ve hated? The seating chart! I’m doing the seating chart right now, and I hate it. My mom is helping, but I have to do it. It’s the worst.

Snooki Love will be available exclusively with HSN at 8 p.m. on November 13 and 2 a.m. on November 14. Online pre-sale starts at 8 p.m. tonight. And if you want to chat up Snooki, she’s hosting a Twitter chat an hour before each appearance. Find her here.

Are you going to wear a special perfume for your wedding?

If to-die-for flowers are at the top of your "Gotta Have 'Em" wedding list, you should immediately start scrolling to check out these amazing bridal bouquets, all captured by some of my favorite wedding photographers.

Bridal Bouquet 1

A photo posted by Eric Kelley (@erickelley) on Sep 9, 2014 at 3:39pm PDT

Bridal Bouquet 2

A photo posted by ALLAN ZEPEDA PHOTOGRAPHY (@allanzepedaphotography) on Oct 10, 2014 at 1:41pm PDT

Bridal Bouquet 3

A photo posted by Jose Villa (@josevilla) on Nov 11, 2014 at 7:55pm PST

Bridal Bouquet 4

A photo posted by elizabeth messina (@elizabethmessina) on Oct 10, 2014 at 10:42pm PDT

Bridal Bouquet 5

A photo posted by Carrie Patterson (@carrie_patterson) on Sep 9, 2014 at 12:10pm PDT

Bridal Bouquet 6

A photo posted by Corbin Gurkin (@corbingurkin) on Sep 9, 2014 at 6:57pm PDT

Are you super-excited about your wedding flowers? Which of these bouquets is your favorite?

To steal a line from my favorite rom-com, "When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." And as romantic as it sounds to whisk each other away to tie the knot, well, yesterday, there are also some valid arguments for taking your time on the way to the altar. So let’s take a look at the pros and cons of long and short engagements.

Long Engagements

Pro: You'll have more time to check off the items on your single-girl bucket list. Whether it's that all-girls trip to Vegas (or Paris—why think small?!) or wrap up your master's degree before you officially become a Mrs., you'll leave yourself the time you need to accomplish your personal goals sans serious discussions about seasonal blooms.

Con: Your family and friends may question your decision to draw things out, though it likely won't reach The Five-Year Engagement levels of inquiry and disappointment.

Pro: You can get to know your significant other even better than you already do, which builds a solid foundation and friendship for when you finally say "I do."

Con: When you have so much time to plan, you can begin to question—and change—your wedding planning decisions over and over and over again to the point of driving yourself (and your S.O.) a little crazy.

Pro: Last we checked, a wedding can cost mucho money. A longer engagement gives you both more time to save and means you're less likely to start your life together in debt.

Con: You'll likely see other couples tie the knot before you do, even if he slipped a ring on your finger first. Be prepared to keep your green side in check!

Short Engagements

Pro: Super obvious, but as the wise Billy Crystal says above, you don't have to wait to be with the one you love. Because sometimes when you know, you know.

Con: Planning a wedding on a tight timeline—say, four months—can be super stressful. The vendors you've eyed may already be booked, and you'll have to be more flexible in choosing everything from a date to the caterer.

Pro: A slimmer selection means you can focus on what really matters: the man you love and the chance to start and build a life together. When you're not overwhelmed by books full of fabric swatches, you're likely chatting about things beyond the honeymoon.

Con: Some out-of-town guests might not be able to arrange for time off and make travel plans in time for your big day. So you may have to steel yourself for a few extra "no" RSVPs.

Pro: You'll have time to drive your friends and family members crazy with nonstop wedding talk. We'd like to think they'll never tire of debating plum versus eggplant hues, but they do!

Con: If you're a DIY diva, you likely won't have enough time to craft your entire wedding day. Put the dreams of glue-gun-and-glitter nights away, my friend.

Would you rather have a long or a short engagement? What do you see as the pros and cons to each?

I think every bride dreams about re-wearing her wedding dress, so when I saw Kaley Cuoco jumped back into her pink Vera Wang dress, I was insanely jealous. Here she is two days ago:

I got to wear my wedding dress for a second time! I feel giddy! #weddingringermusicvideo @aloeblacc @verawanggang

A photo posted by @normancook on Nov 11, 2014 at 8:07pm PST

And here she is on her wedding day, last New Year’s Eve.

#tbt to the best night of my entire life #nyemidnightweddingperfection

A photo posted by @normancook on Jul 7, 2014 at 12:37pm PDT

Kaley pulled out her dress for a second go-round to film a music video for her movie The Wedding Ringer. Here’s another snap:

And that's a wrap on the @aloeblacc music video! ���� @joshgad #weddingringer

A photo posted by @normancook on Nov 11, 2014 at 11:31pm PST

And a little video clip:

Seriously this was "work" ���� @joshgad @kevinhart4real #weddingringermusicvideo @aloeblacc

A video posted by @normancook on Nov 11, 2014 at 3:03pm PST

How great does Kaley Cuoco look in her wedding dress? Would you like an excuse to re-wear yours?

I’d LOVE to wear mine again. And after a nasty bout of the flu last week, I might just fit in it.

Celebs love the clean silhouettes and timeless style of Amsalewedding dresses: Remember Hilaria Baldwin’s stunningly chic fit-to-flare gown? But not everyone has a Hollywood lifestyle—or a Hollywood budget. So to accommodate the non-celeb masses, the designer, Amsale Aberra, just introduced Nouvelle Amsale, a diffusion line that features the same elegance of her couture gowns at a more accessible price point. Here are six of my favorites:

Wedding Dress 1: Daphne

Wedding Dress 2: Gwynn

Wedding Dress 3: Aiden

Wedding Dress 4: Piper

Wedding Dress 5: Narelle

Wedding Dress 6: Gracie

The dresses start at $2,000, which is still a lot of money, of course. But it’s a lot less than a couture wedding dress. Click here to check out everything from Nouvelle Amsale.

Which of these wedding dresses is your favorite?