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There's a Duchess in Portugal Putting Together an Exhibit of Gorgeous Wedding Dresses

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Le sigh. Prepare for wedding gown glory this summer when the Duchess of Cadaval brings "Unforgettable Wedding Gowns" to Portugal. The Hubert de Givenchy-curated exhibit includes gowns from the designer's own archives, as well as pieces from Spain's Balenciaga Museum and personal gowns from Baroness Hélÿne de Ludinghausen (by Yves Saint Laurent) and Princess Minnie de Beauvau (by Philippe Venet). The Duchess's daughter's dress, designed by Carolina Herrera, will also be on display, as reported by WWD.

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(The top gown is by Balenciaga, the bottom by Givenchy)

The exhibit will open for three months starting on June 7. The location is nearly as splendid as the dresses themselves too: All will be displayed at the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, part of the family palace that dates back to the 14th century.

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Are you into checking out historic gowns? If you were in Portugal, would you plan a trip to see these beauties?


7 Sweet Ways to Include Your Pet in Wedding Photographs

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Pet parents understand: Your little animal is a part of the family and when something as momentous as a wedding rolls around, it feels extra important to include him or her. It's something that seems fairly unique to the current marrying generation (my mom thought I was completely pulling her leg when I brought up having our pup in the wedding ceremony), but there are a ton of chic, non-cheesy ways to make sure they get a moment too. For inspiration to show your photographer, see what other couples have done.




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Did you have your pet in your wedding? How did you include him or her?

Nicki Minaj’s Ring Finger Says She’s Engaged

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Nicki Minaj’s fans freaked out yesterday when she posted a picture of herself and boyfriend of two months Meek Mill in Miami. You don’t even have to squint to see that there’s something MAJOR on her engagement ring finger:

A photo posted by Nicki Minaj (@nickiminaj) on


And, perhaps to clarify (or confuse) things further, Nicki just shared this snap, showcasing a monster-size heart-shaped yellow diamond (presumably) in a diamond double halo on THAT finger. The caption featured a string of emojis, including both the diamond and the engagement ring emojis.

A photo posted by Nicki Minaj (@nickiminaj) on



So are Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill engaged? Her ring finger certainly seems to think so. I’ll keep an eye out for any updates.

Do you think Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill are engaged? Or is she just trying to get people talking?

The $99 H&M Dress You Could Totally Wear as a Wedding Dress

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You can splurge on your wedding dress, or course, but you certainly don't have to.

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Organza Bandeau Dress from H&M, $99.


With light-as-a-breeze fabric and a peek-a-shoe hemline, this H&M maxi dress would be darling for a summer garden wedding. The pockets and a $99 pricetag make it perfection for a laid-back bride on a budget. (I can practically hear the flower crown weaving itself.) I know some of you feel so-so about a strapless dress with a straight-across-the-top bodice--"It looks like a gym towel!"--but even if you paid a seamstress to alter the neckline, your new-and-improved dress will still cost way less than the average wedding dress.

Would you wear a $99 wedding dress? Or is it a little too chill for your taste?

If it's too casual for your wedding day, it might be perfect for your rehearsal dinner or day-after brunch. I'd like to dye it gray and wear it to a winery wedding I have in June.

Summer Brides: Here's Where You Should Be on Your Wedding To-Do List

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Whatever girl first uttered that planning a wedding was like having a second job, sister got it right. The process is exhilarating and exciting but time-consuming for sure. Wedding checklists abound, but keeping on top of yours can be hard when you're dealing with other stuff like, you know, having a well-rounded life that involves hanging with friends and doing things other than obsessing over floral arrangements.

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To help, we're breaking it down with the ultimate cheat sheet. Summer brides, see what you should be doing right about now.

If you're getting married in May...
—Finish up organizing and tallying your RSVPs. If there's anyone you still haven't heard from, reach out directly.
—Confirm the time your hair and makeup will be arriving.
—Go ahead and get your marriage license. If you're having a destination wedding, double-check all the information you'll need to have with you and any pertinent deadlines.
—Handle seating assignments.
—Cut and color your hair if desired.
—Purchase gifts for your bridesmaids and parents (and help your guy out with items for groomsmen if he needs it).
—Sketch out a day-of schedule for yourself. What time do you want to wake up? How much time, realistically, do you want to be calm and peaceful before your busy day starts?
—If you don't want to spend the night before with your partner, figure out where you'll both be sleeping.
—Order any food you'll need in the bridal suite to nosh on while getting ready.

If you're getting married in June...
—Touch base with all your vendors to make sure you're on the same page. Share inspiration photos or a shot list with your photographer; go over must-play songs with the band or DJ.
—Submit information for newspaper announcements.
—If you're going to be making any crafty, DIY items, get the majority of them glued, glittered, and finished now.

If you're getting married in July...
—Finalize your menu, the order of your ceremony, and readings you're doing. Decide who you'd like to ask for the latter and see if they're up to be a part of your big day.
—Send a first draft of your day-of schedule to the vendors.
—Order programs and menus. If you'll be creating and printing them yourself, purchase the paper you need and find a local print shop that can handle the job.
—Purchase wedding bands.
—Schedule a wedding dress fitting (likely your second). Decide what sort of undergarments you want to wear and purchase them.

If you're getting married in August...
—Decide on and book locations for a rehearsal dinner and the rehearsal.
—Start the music conversation: What would you guys like as a first-dance song? Any crowd-favorites you definitely want played? Things you do not want to hear?
—Do hair and makeup tests to find the right person for the big day.

For a full list, check out this great planner from Real Simple.

Any summer brides out there? How are you feeling? Any planning conundrums you're facing?

PS: That sweet and simple gown is from J.Crew, and you can shop it here.

A Boho Brand Launches Bridal (A.K.A. Beachy Wedding Dresses Ahead!)

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Fantastic news for any boho beauties searching for a wedding gown: Calypso St. Barth is getting in on the action with its just-released Mariée collection. Pieces include sleek gowns that'll look perfect standing barefoot on a beach somewhere but also separates to mix and match for wedding weekend looks. Accessories have a place too, with head- and hand-pieces and filmy undergarments available for crafting an entire look.

Prices range from $275 to $2,000 and you can start shopping today.

Are you planning a beach wedding? What's important for you when it comes to a dress?

4 Stunning Wedding Hairstyle Ideas on Real-Live Princesses and Queens

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European royals are currently getting together to celebrate the 75th birthday of Queen Margrethe of Denmark. What exactly does this mean for us common folk? Lots of brand-new super-fancy wedding hairstyle inspiration (obviously). If a formal updo and perhaps a tiara are your cup of tea, get ready to drink these up.

(1.) This half-up hairstyle on Crown Princess Mary of Denmark

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The height up top, curls on bottom, and jeweled accessories make this one worthy of the most Southern-belle bride—or anyone who started rehearsing her wedding with Barbies at age four.

(2.) The loveliest side-swept low bun on Queen Maxima of the Netherlands

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Tear your eyes away from the fact that she's wearing the equivalent of 110 giant engagement-ring rocks as a headband—this coiled bun is really, really pretty.

(3.) Princess Marie of Denmark's classic French twist

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Formal twists like this are so old-school they feel new as a wedding hairstyle option.

(4.) A voluminous side chignon on Queen Letizia of Spain

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We're already in love with her style, and now we're in love with this hairstyle too.

Would you wear any of these royalty-inspired wedding hairstyle ideas, or are they too formal for you? Share in the comments below!

Bridal Fashion Week Kicks Off With Feathers, Butterflies, and Flowers—and Me In a Bridesmaid Dress—Oh My

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Bridal market—the wedding world’s answer to fashion week—kicked off a couple days ago, and I have SO much to share already. Let’s dive right in:


FLOWER MUSE This is a great option for brides who want to DIY their flowers but don’t want to risk mangey supermarket bouquets on their wedding day. Flower Muse ships blooms (like these fringed tulips) directly from a farm, so they’re ultra-fresh.
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HONOR NYC These dresses were on hangers, which wasn’t doing them justice, so I figured I’d share an ultra-close look at the beading on the bodice of my favorite. Something blue!
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TRULY ZAC POSEN Zac’s line for David’s Bridal featured lots of high-impact wedding gowns, like this stunner …
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TRULY ZAC POSEN And also some dreamy special occasion dresses that would be so great for bridesmaids. I told the team that my favorite—a flower-covered number with pockets—looked SO fun to wear, so they suggested I give the models a break. (I was right. So fun!)
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PAMELLA ROLAND I love, love, love the smattering of pearls across the hips and shoulders of this sweet dress.
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CHOPARD And obviously I needed to get up close and personal with the model’s heart-shaped engagement ring.
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YOSI SAMRA Here’s an easy way to get your bridesmaids on the dance floor: Gift them with foldable flats (with major wear-’em-after-the-wedding potential) so they can ditch their heels.
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ANGEL SANCHEZ More dreamy flower details, this time on a daring illusion bodice.
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THEIA Carrie Underwood has been spotted in this designer on several occasions. I can totally see her wearing this butterfly-covered crop-top number on the red carpet.
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JEAN-RALPH THURIN Some days I’m on the fence about bridal jumpsuits, but the combination of this chic gold jumpsuit and the sun-drenched room had me feeling totally pro-jumpsuit yesterday.
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ROMONA KEVEZA COUTURE If a picture’s worth a thousand words than this one says it all. I mean, could this dress be any more perfection? (Oh, and I guessed correctly! Beyonce’s mom totally got married in a custom gown by this designer!)
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ANNE BARGE More pretty flower details, this time at the at the waist. Everyone is doing pockets this season! #love
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LELA ROSE Editors flocked to this ultra-romantic dress and its fine, feathered skirt. How pretty would that look on the dance floor?
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NINA SHOES Again, with the 3D flowers: This time on a heel overlooking New York City springtime.
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Anything here catching your eye? What are you coveting for your wedding?


Want to Walk Down the Aisle Solo? Here Are 3 Important Things to Consider

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When I was planning my wedding, there were many things I was certain of, including that I wanted to walk up the aisle alone. My parents are divorced and the image of having someone on both arms just felt forced (not to mention awkwardly wide for the small chapel). I considered a few other options, returning each time to it being just me, solo. I didn't give it much thought until our rehearsal the day before the wedding, whereupon I had some questions.

Who's going to do the hard labor?
I realized it's nearly impossible for a bride to be all alone—you need someone to open any doors. If you're at a venue with staff or have a coordinator, this might not be an issue for you (just make sure someone knows it's their job). In my case, there wouldn't be anyone outside of the chapel but me unless I purposefully had someone there. I was faced with picking someone pronto and asked a favorite cousin if he'd do the honor.

You'll want some psychological support.
Until the very moment it happened, as my bridesmaids were walking up and away, down the aisle, I had no idea what a psychological support he'd be. I hadn't considered that when assigning him the job, but knowing what I do now, there could be no better choice. Broad-shouldered and with a rugby player's build, he straightened my dress and helped fix my veil like a professional. Nerves I wasn't expecting popped up—"Do I look OK? How is my hair?"—and he responded calmly. When he confirmed I was ready, he opened the little wooden door, gave me a grin I didn't know I'd need, and sent me on my way.

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(Me and my cousin outside the chapel.)

It's a good chance to give someone a special role.
Those tender moments have become some of my most favorite from the day, all the more so because I wasn't expecting them at all. It was surprisingly intimate, making it a good chance to honor someone you're close with who might not fit in the bridal party or a more traditional role. Whether it's a close friend, a favorite aunt or uncle, or a cousin like mine that you've grown up with, consider asking that person to stay out with you until the last minute and slip into a seat at the back once all the attention is on you as you're walking to the altar.

Did anyone else walk down the aisle alone at their wedding?

Need to Pick Bridesmaid Dresses, Like Yesterday? Off-the-Rack Options You Can Buy Now

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Whether you're rushing the bridal countdown clock or just on the hunt for bridesmaid dresses that aren't marked as such, I've got good news: There are SO many good options that aren't classified as legit 'maid pieces but work just as brilliantly. The biggest bonuses of all? They're often less expensive, and you can order and have them shipped almost immediately.

PS: How good are those pink girlfriends? All the styles are from ASOS' just-launched (and way affordable) line of bridesmaid options.

New Vera Wang Wedding Dresses: Check Out All 15 Gowns From Her Latest Collection

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The mood at Vera Wang this season was dark but sensuous, with lots of light, airy fabrics and moody romanticism. Vera's latest wedding collection features layer upon layer of silk crepe and soft tulle, and many of the dresses were shown as sheer silhouettes. (They'll be lined for brides, of course. Can't have you heading down the aisle with your skivvies hanging out.) Here's the entire collection:

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Which of Vera Wang's newest wedding dresses is your favorite?

11 Stunning Wedding Dresses That Might Make Your Guests’ Jaws Hit the Floor

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Bridal market’s barely started, but I’ve already seen SO many phenomenal wedding dresses. Sure, there have been hundreds of classic white gowns, but I’ve been most drawn to the ones that are a little bit different. (Probably because, you know, I’ve seen hundreds of white gowns!) Here are 11 that would totally wow your wedding guests. (And one wow-worthy pair of shoes.)

NINA SHOES Yes, I know I closed yesterday’s post with a pair of Nina Shoes, but I woke up still thinking about this pair, so I have to share.
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KELLY FAETANINI Kelly’s been playing with feathers for years. (There was a fit-to-flare skirt in white-to-purple ombre that I’m still dreaming about.) This year’s take was fresh and flirty.
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CLAIRE PETTIBONE ROMANTIQUE The sophomore Romantique collection showcased what Claire has always done best: breathtaking lace.
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INBAL DROR I like how the architectural lines on the bodice of this dress play against the softness of the layers of tulle in the skirt.
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VERA WANG I mentioned in yesterday’s post (which featured all of Vera Wang’s new wedding dresses!) would be lined when they were sold in stores—even though they were photographed sheer. So you’ll have to use your imaginations, ladies.
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INES DI SANTO I love a dramatic high-low hemline, but my favorite part about this dress is the swaggy shoulder pearls, which wrap around the back, too.
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REEM ACRA The runways have been packed with figure-skimming dresses for the past few years, but high-impact ball gowns—like this one from Reem Acra—are back in a major way.
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RIVINI Clearly this rose-gold gown was made for twirling on the dance floor.
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MONIQUE LHUILLIER This show was so much fun! It was held in a lounge space where Monqiue talked about each dress as the models roamed the “aisles” between couches.
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MIRA ZWILLINGER There were so many fantastic dresses in this collection I kept thinking, “Oh, HERE’S the finale dress!” And then another over-the-top gorgeous dress would come out, prettier than the last.
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JENNY PACKHAM The Art Deco that Jenny’s done the past few seasons made way for graciously flowing fabrics and some serious bling.
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CAROLINA HERRERA There’s no better place to end a long day than in Carolina’s chic, serene showroom, which feels light years away from the busy streets below.
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Which of these wedding dresses is your favorite?

All the Wedding Dresses You Missed, Straight From the Front Row at Bridal Fashion Week

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While you were basking in the sun this weekend, I was trekking the streets of NYC in four-inch heels to bring you the latest wedding dresses (and shoes, and accessories) from Bridal Market. Here are some of the prettiest things I spotted.

MAGGIE SOTTERO I mentioned earlier this week that ball gowns are making a major comeback for 2016. Here’s another to prove my point.
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MARCHESA Off-the-shoulder is another trend that’s coming back in a major way next year. I adore the rear view on this gown.
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BADGLEY MISCHKA Rounding out my trends review, capes! This one gives you the same effect as wearing a veil without messing up your hair.
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GALIA LAHAV Off-the-shoulder and a ball gown. Throw on a cape and she’s the next big thing.
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AMSALE I love the ultra-clean bodice of this Amsale gown, which had a sheer back and itty-bitty buttons down the spine. Perfection.
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OSCAR DE LA RENTA This was the first collection with Peter Copping at the brand’s helm following Oscar’s death last October. I’m happy to report that Oscar’s vision lives on in many, many lovely gowns.
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HOUGHTON I’m not naming names, but a LOT of wedding-style mavens were impressed by this runway show. (Which also featured menswear and a dog arbitrarily strolling the runway!)
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ELIZABETH FILLMORE This dress had a lovely little peekaboo panel in the back. The crop top is new, but the sleek lines and body-skimming silhouette are classic Elizabeth.
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SNAPCHAT! I took over Glamour’s Snapchat on Sunday, so here’s a snippet of what a saw. (More an the brands later!) You’ll notice exactly where I figured out you can move the photo captions.
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Sareh Nouri. Jennifer Behr. Samuelle. Enchanted Atelier. Sarah Janks. Aruna Seth. Aruna Seth. Watters. Justin Alexander.


What’s catching your eye here? Is there a wedding dress you like best?

Quiz: What Type of Engagement Ring Is Right for You?

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Anything to do with the ring is exciting—when it comes, what it looks like, how much it sparkles in person. If you're starting to think about your own engagement ring, seriously or not, you've likely realized that there are a whole lot of options. To help get your search started, we'd like to point you in the right direction.

PS: The gorgeous diamonds you saw are all from Blue Nile.

7 Presents to Buy for a Baseball-Obsessed Bride or Groom

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Baseball is one of our favorite pastimes here in the States, and we all have that friend who is completely obsessed with the sport. And if this friend happens to be getting married? Buying him or her something baseball-related for the wedding is a great way to show you care.
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OK, so perhaps what she really wanted was to marry Jeter, but you can at least get her the next best thing...

Whether it's a bridal shower, an engagement gift, or an actual wedding present, we've got ideas. We rounded up seven themed gifts that will earn you boundless amounts of praise from the baseball aficionado in your life...

1. Crack open an ice-cold drink with the help of your favorite team:opener Baseball-bat bottle openers, $95 to $125 each, uncommongoods.com

2. Hit a decor home run:
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IMAX slugger baseball-bat wall decor, $53, wayfair.com

3. Never be late again:
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Trend Lab baseball 12-inch wall clock, $26, wayfair.com

4. Light up any room:
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Style Craft baseball lamp, $70, wayfair.com

5. Sip your favorite beverage with your most cherished sport in mind:
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Uncommon Goods the Mug With a Glove, $24, uncommongoods.com

6. Get a lesson on your team’s history:
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Uncommon Goods New York Times custom sports book, $72, uncommongoods.com

7. Bring a bit of the stadium into your home:
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Pottery Barn MLB glassware, $14 to $19, potterybarn.com

These are practical pieces that are unique because of their baseball flair. One can take bottle openers with them no matter where they go, while a lamp inspired by the sport can add whimsy into an otherwise simple room.

Which gifts do you like best for the baseball-obsessed bride or groom in your life?

Here’s What Rihanna Looks Like as a Bridesmaid. (Hint: Way More Badass Than You Do.)

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Rihanna stepped out as a bridesmaid yesterday—for her friends’ 4/20 wedding—and managed to make embroidered lilac tulle look both beautiful and badass. (Because #rihanna. Obviously I would just look like a castoff from an ’80s prom in embroidered lilac tulle. ) Here are the pics she shared:

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And here are some photos from earlier in the day:

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Looks like the bridesmaids got the directive to wear purple, any shade, any length. I think they pulled it off beautifully. I’m wondering how much the bride weighed in, and whether there was any, “This dress?” “NO. NOT THAT DRESS.” back-and-forth. I feel like purple could go really wrong, really easily. Nicely done, ladies.

Thought on Rihanna as a bridesmaid? And do you like the bridal party’s mix-and-match look?

5 Ways Your Future Mother-in-Law Can Make You Miserable When You’re Wedding Planning—and How to Stay Sane

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Wedding planning can turn pretty much anyone crazy. There are crazy grooms, crazy mothers-of-the-bride, and certainly batsh*t crazy brides. But last week I was chatting with my friend Julie Sabatino, the over-the-top chic bridal stylist behind The Stylish Bride, and she said the brand of crazy she most often encounters is crazy mothers-of-the-groom. Interesting.

Here are the five ways your future mother-in-law might make you miserable as you’re planning your wedding, and how to combat the crazy. (Or, if you are the mother-of-the-groom, here’s a primer on how NOT to behave in the months leading up to your son’s wedding.)

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MIL #shade.


She has a different vision for your wedding. You want a loft wedding, she wants a church wedding. Or you’re envisioning a winery wedding and she says, “You don’t REALLY want to get married outside, do you?” (That was my MIL.) Weddings have changed a LOT in the past decade. Traditions are being skipped over and formality sometimes falls by the wayside. Your wedding will likely be VERY different from your parents’ and your in-laws’—and that might take some getting used to by all parties. Whether you want your groom to wear sneakers or you’re planning on skipping the cake-cutting ceremony, let your future MIL say her piece, and then smile and say, “You might be right. We’ll totally take that into consideration.” If she keeps harping after that, get back to smiling and say, “This is what [GROOM] and I have decided to do. We’d love your support.” And walk away. If she hates the idea of handmade paper-flower centerpieces or a flash mob, you’re not going to be able to change her mind, so do yourself a favor and disengage.


She wants you to wear her wedding dress. (Or ANY wedding dress but they one you’ve picked.) I think this probably happens when you’re marrying a guy who has only brothers. As a mom, helping your daughter pick her wedding dress (or asking her to wear your wedding dress) is a big deal. If you don’t have a daughter, helping your future daughter-in-law is the next best thing. If your future MIL the type to offer loads of (unwanted) opinions, don’t ask her to come on every dress-shopping trip; you’ll both just wind up feeling frustrated. Either invite her to see the three dresses you’re choosing from at a final appointment, or ask her to come to a fitting after you’ve made your pick. Hopefully when she has a better idea of your style (or when you’ve already bought a dress) she won’t start harping about how you need a dress with a longer train or a higher neckline.


She wants to put every Tom, Dick, and second cousin—plus, her entire office staff—on the guest list. Your wedding is probably the last chance your FMIL will have to show off her baby boy to a crowd—plus, who doesn’t want to be surrounded by friends at a big party? Nip the insane guest list in the bud by giving her a guest-list cap and laying out a few rules up front. (“You can invite 30 people to the wedding, max, and only people who have met both of us can be on your list.”) Avoid, at all costs, asking your groom’s parents (or your own) for their exhaustive potential guest list early on. (Once they’ve thought about the 100 people they each COULD invite, it will be that much harder to cut the fantasy list.) Figure out the numbers that work for you, and then ask everyone to work within those parameters.


She thinks that chipping in for the wedding gives her the right to call the shots. When parents are kicking in to your wedding fund, sometimes the gift comes with strings attached. To help rein in their expectations, show them your budget breakdown early on. (“We have $30,000, total, so $1,500 will go for flowers, $2,400 will go the the DJ,” and so on.) If your FMIL sees you only have $X for something, it will be harder for her to argue for a more-expensive option. If it’s a matter of taste—she hates black for the bridesmaids and keep saying they should wear yellow—revert to smiling and your wedding catchprase: “This is what [GROOM] and I have decided to do. We’d love your support.” And of course if you don’t want her strings-attached contribution (and the opinions that come with it) you can always opt to pay for the wedding yourselves.


She’s just generally panicking about everything. She hates the invitations. She hates her dress. She doesn’t understand why anyone would get married in December, ever. If EVERYTHING wedding-related sends her into a tizzy, there’s probably something bigger-picture going on. Like, she’s coming to terms with “losing” her baby to another women—as silly as that sounds—or she’s starting to feel supremely old. (I mean, I feel ancient with a son on the verge of kindergarten. I’ll probably attend his wedding cryogenically frozen.) If every conversation about the wedding sets her off on a tailspin, talk to your future husband about spending some one-on-one time with his mom. Maybe he could take her to dinner and let her vent for an hour or two. If the drama persists, consider giving her a wedding project to put her energy into: Ask her to assemble the bags for the out-of-town guests or determine the best restaurant for the morning-after brunch. Distraction is a powerful tool—and if she feels like she “owns” a little part of your wedding, she’s less likely to bug you about the rest of it.

How’s your groom’s mother behaving as your plan your wedding?

I’m going to keep my mouth shut for once, since my MIL has been an absolute saint in the babysitting department during Bridal Market.

An Engagement Ring for Brides Who Feel Lukewarm About Traditional Rings

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Sure, there are lots of variations on the classic engagement ring, but most of them boil down to this: center stone, maybe with stones on either side and/or a halo. If you’re feeling “eh” about traditional rings but still want a something heirloom-worthy on your ring finger, how about this:

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Jennie Kwon Diamond Cage Cuff Ring from Catbird, $985.

It has all the important elements of a traditional engagement ring—precious metal (here, 14K gold) and gemstones (here, diamonds)—but it’s a little more fashion-forward than, say, a solitaire. Of course the fact that it’s a little edgy might mean that it could feel dated in a few years, but I suspect there are some nontraditional brides who could own that. (Literally and metaphorically.)

Here’s another pretty cuff from Vicente Agor with a single band instead of a trio.

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Vicente Agor Double Diamond Ring from Style By Max, $1,210.


And here’s an over-the-top take on the trend, which Diane Kruger took the liberty of pointing out for “any man seeing this who's dated me for 8 1/2 years...in case you're looking for a gift for yours truly” (!!).

Would you wear a cuff-style ring as your engagement ring? Or do you want something a little more timeless?

At Last, an Up-Close Look at Courteney Cox’s Super-Unique Engagement Ring

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Courteney Cox and Johnny McDaid have been engaged for almost a year, but until now we’ve only gotten a blurry glimpse of her custom Jennifer Meyerengagement ring. The Cougar Town star finally stood still at a screening of “Just Before I Go” earlier this week though, so at last, here’s a good look.

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It looks like three bezel-set stones in different shapes: teardrop, round, and maybe a princess- or Asscher-cut diamond set on an angle on the right. Pretty.

Here’s a sort-of similar ring with three round stones on a creepy wooden hand, also by Jennifer Meyer. (The five-stone ring is hers, too.)

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Jennifer Meyer Small Diamond Triplet Ring in Yellow Gold from Ylang23, $1,895.


Thoughts on Courteney Cox’s engagement ring from Johnny McDaid?

I like that it manages to be simultaneously unique and low-key.

4 Things No One Should Ever Wear as a Wedding Guest

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Wedding season is almost upon us, so I felt like it was a prime time to review what NOT to wear to a wedding as a guest. Here are four items you should always leave in your closet.

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I guess is you only have 10 items of clothing, you can put your shorts on a hanger.


1. Anything White.
There are so many colors to choose from, so I don’t get why guests sometimes get hung up on pulling a white dress from their closet. I don’t care how flattering your favorite white dress is. Unless there’s a dress code that specifically asks guests to wear white, there’s no need to go there, ever. Period. Even if you know the bride isn’t wearing white, pick another color. I’m begging you. (And skip a color-blocked dress that’s white up top, even if the bottom is a different color. When you’re sitting down, it’ll look like you’re wearing all white.)

2. Anything Short, Tight, and Loud.
You can get away with one: short (but no cheek flashing), tight (but nothing sausage-y), OR loud. But any combination of of the above should be avoided. It’s OK to have fun and be on-trend, but it’s not OK to wear anything from Snooki’s closet circa 2009.

3. Jeans.
Just DON’T.

4. Anything That Blatantly Disregards the Dress Code.
If you don’t want to go all out “Tiki Formal!” or you’re not sure what “Casual Elegance” means, that’s fine. (You can decode most wedding dress codes here.) But if the invite says “Black Tie Optional” don’t show up in a baby-doll dress. Or if it says “Beach Casual” don’t wear a floor-length sequined sheath. If the invite doesn’t give a dress code, let the time of day and the venue dictate your outfit. Which means don’t wear a formal gown midday winery wedding or a backless, cleavage-baring dress to a morning ceremony at a house of worship.


What’s the worst thing you’ve seen a wedding guest wear?

PS: Yes, you CAN wear black to a wedding!

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