Shy brides, look away. The stardust-inspired wedding dresses from Reem Acra’s newest collection are strictly for brides who command the spotlight. Most push the boundaries of sexy with either a figure-hugging silhouette, a daring peekaboo bodice, or a plunging neckline. Oh my heavens, indeed.

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

Wedding Dress 10

Wedding Dress 11

Wedding Dress 12

Click here to check out all the current offerings from Reem Acra.

Which of these wedding dresses is your favorite?

Anyone who's been a wedding guest knows the cardinal rule of wedding dress shopping: Watch your back. Since wedding guests spend most of the ceremony and other pivotal moments—first dance, cake cutting, etc.—looking at the back of the bride and groom, the rear view on a wedding dress is every bit as important is the front. Here are seven gowns that will wow your guests from behind.

Wedding Dress 1: Jewel

Wedding Dress 2: Melissa Sweet

Wedding Dress 3: Melissa Sweet

Wedding Dress 4: Melissa Sweet

Wedding Dress 5: David’s Bridal Collection

Wedding Dress 6: Oleg Cassini

Wedding Dress 7: Oleg Cassini

Click here to check out all the current wedding dress offerings from David’s Bridal.

Are you looking for a wedding dress with a knock-’em-dead rear view?Which of these wedding dresses is your favorite?

PS: Genius Guest Book Alternative: A Bucket List Written by Your Guests

Considering the plethora of personal and creative ideas around invitations, place settings, and other little wedding details, it seems antiquated to have your guests sign a regular guest book—the kind where they write their names and maybe add “Congrats!” or “We love you!”. Why, exactly, do you need the signatures of the people who showed up your to your wedding? You sent out invites and received RSVPs, so there should't be any surprises in there, right?

Assuming your wedding guests’ autographs aren’t worth money, here’s a cute alternative to the traditional guest book.

At a country club wedding in Baltimore, this couple asked their guests to write a bucket list for the bride and groom. Cute, right? Once you weed out the annoying ones—can't you practically hear a mother-in-law writing “Have grandkids!”—it's a fun exercise to end up with a list of adventures dreamed up by your closest friends and family members.

What are your plans for your wedding guest book? Or is your only plan to skip the book?

Even weirder than the traditional guest book: The “guest book attendant” who has to stand around during cocktail hour badgering other guests to “Sign in, please! Sign in please!” Pity the fool who gets stuck with that gig.

Obviously the front rows ohh’d about Oscar and ahh’d over Vera, but there was an unexpected designer on everyone’s short-list of Bridal Fashion Week favorites: Mira Zwillinger.

Mira isn't doing anything wildly over-the-top—her gowns were white and the models in her show were reasonably subdued—but every dress she sent down the runway felt purposeful and beautifully executed. Truly, there wasn't a single "eh" gown in the bunch. And while elements like illusion bodices, sparkly details, and tulle overskirts are classic bridal, the collection, as a whole, felt fresh and new. Here are nine wedding dresses that will take your breath away. (And there are about 15 more in the collection.)

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

Click here to check out the current offerings from Mira Zwillinger.

Thoughts on the collection? Which of these wedding dresses is your favorite?

She may not have walked the red carpet, but Access Hollywood correspondent Liz Hernandez still looked like every bit the A-lister at last night’s Met Gala:

A photo posted by Liz Hernandez (@lizhernandez) on May 4, 2015 at 2:28pm PDT

A photo posted by Liz Hernandez (@lizhernandez) on May 4, 2015 at 7:15pm PDT

Eagle-eyed Save the Date readers might recognize that gown from this post. The butterfly-covered frock is actually a wedding dress, hot off of Theia’s spring 2016 bridal runway. Here it is just a couple weeks ago. Note the peekaboo crop top and the sheer pockets, which you can’t see above.

The dress Liz is wearing could quite literally be the exact dress you see here, since designer Don O’Neill probably hasn’t had time to whip up a second sample in the past two weeks. Some light googling explains that butterflies are symbolic of love, particularly early love, in Chinese culture, so the dress was on-theme for the evening, which celebrated the Met’s 2015 exhibit, China: Through the Looking Glass.

Would you wear a butterfly-covered dress on your wedding day? How ’bout on the red carpet?

ICYMI: FKA Twigs Brought Her Victorian-Style Engagement Ring (and R.Patz) to the Met Gala

They’ve been keeping their relationship out of the spotlight, but newly engagedFKA Twigs and Robert Pattinson made their red carpet debut at last night’s Met Gala. Here they are, carpet-side:

And obviously all eyes were on her left hand, which is still rocking the ring we caught a first blurry glimpse of last week.

Side note: That’s a penis above her left hand. Srsly.

Shall we go in for a closer look?

Upon closer inspection, it appears to be a Victorian-style tiara setting, with a large pear-shaped diamond on the bottom. Kind of like this one:

Platinum Tiara from Trumpet & Horn, $4,650 for similar (in yellow gold).

Thoughts on FKA Twigs and Robert Pattinson’s first red carpet appearance? And how ’bout that engagement ring?

There’s a very good reason halo engagement rings are so wildly popular: The sparkle of a center stone is amplified when it’s surrounded by a row (or sometimes two or three rows) of tiny diamonds. A halo setting is a guaranteed way to get more bling for your buck—plus, the style is timeless. (And you have an automatic license to sing Beyonce whenever you’re wearing your engagement ring.)

And still, if you or your guy picks a halo setting, you’re not going to have the only halo (“I can see your halo. Halo.”) on the block. But you could be the lone girl in your circle with one of these halo variations from Colin Cowie’s collaboration with Blue Nile.

On this one, the shank dips into the halo, breaking things up a little:

Engagement Ring 1

Colin Cowie Trevi Halo Diamond Engagement Ring, $2,230 (setting only).

And this halo is split by six emerald-cut side stones flanking the center stone:

Engagement Ring 2

Colin Cowie Cascade Halo Diamond Engagement Ring, $2,140 (setting only.)

Click here to see everything in Colin Cowie’s Blue Nile collection.

Would you want a halo engagement ring? Which of these engagement rings do you like best? And who else is singing “Halo” now?

Ahh, the honeymoon! It's the one classic trip that could easily see some upgrades come your way, but before hotels, airlines, and restaurants can offer up some congratulatory perks, they've gotta know, right? The golden rule is to be polite and offer up the intel as more of a blushing FYI than anything approaching a demand. Being rude isn't becoming on anyone, married or not.

For Airlines
Consider calling in the few days leading up to your flight to mention that you're traveling for your honeymoon and to inquire as to whether any upgrades are available (the monetary increase that comes with a first-class ticket can be significant, so before you call, chat with your new hubby to see if it's worth it for you to shell out the extra, potentially pricey even if you're offered a special rate). You can also inquire with the gate agent when you arrive.

"We don't have a formal process, but we're always delighted to hear of a special occasion," a British Airways representative said. "On the day of travel, a couple should feel free to mention it, and if there's an opportunity to make the journey even more memorable, we'll certainly do our best." Read: A luxury ticket might be a stretch, but sharing your happy news with the flight crew certainly won't hurt (free bottle of plane wine, anyone?).

For Hotels
You're most likely to score an upgraded room if you give some advance notice since room-shifting can be tricky if your key cards are already ready. "When a couple informs us they're on their honeymoon, we try our best to make it special for them. We like to be prepared to offer them a bespoke experience," a welcome desk staffer from New York City's W Hotels shared. "We conduct pre-stay outreach to ask if people are staying with us for a special occasion, and that's the ideal time to inform us. Otherwise, mention when booking."

For Restaurants
If you're making reservations, consider that the time to speak up. Restaurants will often ask if you're coming in to celebrate, and this definitely counts as a celebration. If you're booking through an online portal, use any section for notes to drop a cheerful, "We'll be coming in as part of our honeymoon!" For nights when you pop into some place on the fly, mention to the host that you're honeymooning.

For Everything Else
If it's something you're arranging in advance, feel free to mention. If not, you'll find it's easy enough to breezily tell the person checking you in or greeting you. Sample script: "We're actually here on our honeymoon and have been having the most amazing time!"

Do I tip?
As with all gratuity guidelines, it's not necessary, but the hotel and restaurant staffers we talked to said it's appreciated. Stay within your budget, always, and let your gut lead you. If someone goes out of their way to create a special memory, it might be worth giving them something extra. But comped glasses of champagne? Don't sweat it.

The other wise takeaway we heard? If you're not on your honeymoon, forget pretending. "Don't lie!" was the number one (and only) no-no our hotel source shared. A romantic weekend away with your love might seem like the same thing, but it's not. Wait to ask until it's the real deal.

PS: The happy couple in that pic are actually modeling Zara; you can shop their looks here.

Moda Operandi has been a must-visit destination for fashion insiders since it launched in 2010, offering shoppers the opportunity to preorder looks straight off the runway. The site has just announced a new expansion into—you guessed it—bridal. Now shoppers can find wedding dresses, shoes, and all kinds of pretty little extras—all arranged in a trunk show format, meaning that you'll pay half when you order, half when the piece is shipped.

There's a ton to look through (prepare to lose some time and want multiple things), and while prices are on the steeper side, there's no fee for inspiration-hunting. Herewith, a few items sure to set your heart racing—even if they might not end up in your shopping cart (we warned you about the prices!).

Lela Rose the Dusk dress, $9,950, shop here

Luisa Beccaria dress, $11,845, shop here

J. Mendel the Micheline dress, $5,200, shop here

Oscar de la Renta Zemma sandals, $1,090, shop here

Julia B. Couture patch, $125, shop here

For brides who purchase dresses, there is also a tailoring model in place. The site works with pros in New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Boston, and London and can also facilitate stylists to come into private homes. The time between delivery and placing an order differs per brand but is estimated between eight and 16 weeks.

Brides getting married now have a veritable smorgasbord of dresses to choose from—including modern silhouettes, two-piece styles, and even jumpsuits. The abundance of options hasn't made a traditional wedding gown any less appealing, however, and designer Anne Barge is one of the look's champions. Her spring 2016 collection may be light on daring colors or of-the-moment trends, but it's heavy on pitch-perfect, Grace Kelly-inspired romanticism.

See 23 dresses from the collection here!

More wedding dresses!
See the newest beauties from Monique Lhuillier's collection
3 wedding dress trends to know now

Gone are the days when a wedding ring was nothing more than a simple band of gold. Nowadays, they can easily compete with an engagement ring in terms of flash, color, and uniqueness—and that's not likely to change any time soon.

"Brides are looking for a band that not only complements the ring, but can be worn on its own," says Isaac Gurary, president of Aspiri by Maiden Lane. "Some of the biggest trends I've seen lately are stacked eternity bands, colored statement stones, multi-stone statement bands, and curved bands."

Marieclaire St. John's wedding rings.

Stylish newlyweds have taken to stacking different bands on the ring finger, making for a look that's bigger and more statement-prone than the classic engagement-and-band formula. Per Gurary, the trend is here to stay.

"Stacked rings aren't going anywhere anytime soon, and I think they'll become more popular than ring jackets," he said. "More and more women are wearing their wedding bands as everyday, standalone pieces and wearing the engagement ring on the right hand. Stackable rings are versatile and work for that, while jackets don't always work alone."

Gurary was responsible for Kate Bosworth's gorgeous bands, crafted under the Ocappi label, and they're a prime example of stunners that work together or alone. "For her, we designed two custom bands to fit around her vintage art deco engagement ring, something else that's been popular lately," he said. "One has 12 horizontally-set baguette stones to represent each month of the year, and the other has 18 for a more art-deco feel."

He suggested traditional-leaning ladies consider a braided band as a way to be on-trend, yet still simple; sparkle-lovers should mix as many thin, glitzy bands as they please. "Stackable eternity bands in yellow, rose, and white gold, paired with white or colored diamonds really make a statement, especially when stacked. I've seen a trend of pairing mixed precious metal bands, which adds a colorful element."

Aspiri's Lila band.

The glamorous red-manicured hand shown above belongs to Marieclaire St. John, the designer behind Dresshirt. Her twisted engagement ring was created by her husband after she was inspired by a vintage piece from the '20s, and the bands were all her.

"I knew I wanted to wear my rings separately and wanted something that would stand on its own, but also complement the engagement ring when they were together," she said. "I chose white diamonds on platinum and pink diamonds on rose gold to highlight the metals."

You know whose eternity band deserves a closer look? Kate Middleton's.

So much to celebrate: Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello were feted by close friends and family members at an intimate engagement party at the Soho House in West Hollywood over the weekend. Though an earlier report suggested the two would wait until the fall to swap vows, the timing of the engagement celebration hints that the wedding might come sooner than expected. Here are some pics the bride shared from the party:

A photo posted by Sofia Vergara (@sofiavergara) on May 9, 2015 at 5:09pm PDT

A photo posted by Sofia Vergara (@sofiavergara) on May 8, 2015 at 10:39pm PDT

A photo posted by Sofia Vergara (@sofiavergara) on May 9, 2015 at 5:03pm PDT

Sofia’s son, Manolo Gonzalez-Ripoll Vergara, shared this snap—during a toast by Arnold Schwarzenegger—with the caption: “Congratulations to these two ugly people. It's so sad, but luckily they have me to aspire to, physically.”

A photo posted by Manolo Gonzalez Vergara, Esq. (@manologonzalezvergara) on May 9, 2015 at 12:04pm PDT

Here’s an up-close look at Sofia’s engagement ring, in case you’ve forgotten. She and Joe got engaged quietly at the end of 2014.

Thoughts on the pics from Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello’s engagement party? When do you think the wedding will happen?

I’m guessing this summer.

PS While Sofia and Joe were toasting their upcoming wedding, I was in Barcelona for the city’s bridal week. Here’s a sampling of the amazing wedding dresses I saw.

I forgot to mention it last week, but I peaced out for a few days to take a quick jaunt across the Atlantic for Barcelona Bridal Week. It was very much a whirlwind, but here are the most memorable things I saw. (All this, and a LOT of cured meats. Jamon!)

On the heels of the Met Gala, this Yolan Cris dress struck me as SO Kim Kardashian/Beyonce. (Speaking of Beyonce, have you seen her new New Orleans digs?)

The last time we caught up with the designer, I was wearing one of her designs in Kleinfeld.

Major trains are coming back in a big way. At Isabel Sanchis, this one was paired with another top trend: a crop top.

If I got a wedding redo, there would definitely be bridal short shorts involved, a la Olivia Palermo, like these from Inmaculada Garcia.

There would also be a sheer over-skirt, preferably one with watercolor details. Here’s one from Isabel Zapardiez.

I previewed the latest from indie darling Houghton at New York Bridal Market. Here’s a flashback. Can you imagine those laser-cut flowers on the dance floor?

A photo posted by Kimberly Fusaro (@kimberlyfusaro) on Apr 18, 2015 at 4:07pm PDT

The brand brought its Moroccan carpets and the entire collection—plus, six brand-new dresses—overseas to Barcelona and tore up the runway there. Here are two of my favorite wedding dresses for cookie-cutter-averse brides:

For the more traditional bride, here’s a classic ball gown with a twist—a poufy pink skirt—from Justin Alexander.

One major difference between New York and Barcelona: WAY more events are held in castles over there. Here’s a peek outside the castle where Pronovias’ 2,000-guest show took place. (This is one of at least three castles I was inside over four days.)

Here, walking the runway in a caped creation for the brand, is Irina Shayk. (She’s the Sports Illustrated swimsuit model who dated soccer hottie Cristiano Ronaldo for five years but was most recently spotted in a steamy makeout sesh with one Bradley Cooper.)

Here she is again, in the finale gown—there’s another one of those miles-long trains I mentioned. (The girl holding up her cell phone across the row from me: The Blond Salad’s Chiara Ferragni.)

At the Pronovias after-party, I met Ed of Ed and Will, the designers behind these SO GOOD, ultra-posh shoes, perfect for a nontraditional bride. (Note: The pair on the left have your “something blue” built right in.) Shop them here.

What are you loving most from Barcelona Bridal Week? Anyone interested in moving into a castle overseas with me?

Even if you get married indoors, the bottom edge of your wedding dress will probably look like it got dragged through a mud puddle by the end of the party. And if your wedding’s outside and you spend a sufficient amount of time on the dance floor, the bottom six inches should look like a maxi dress after Coachella. The good news is, if you get your wedding dress to a professional the next day, she can probably clean the basic grit and grime and restore your gown. The secret, of course, is to keep your wedding gown as dirt-free as possible as the party unfolds—and that’s where your seamstress comes in.

Gemma by Vera Wang.

When you going in for your wedding dress fittings, ask your seamstress to sew in TWO sets of hooks, buttons, or ribbons to bustle the train. There’s a very good chance that once your dress is bustled post-ceremony, a guest will step on the hem and tear out the hardware—leaving the back of your dress open for trampling. If you have a sewing kit (or, worst-case, some dental floss) in the bathroom basket, the dress can probably be rigged back together. But if you have back up pieces already stitched into the dress, you can be back on the dance floor in 30 seconds.

Are you worried about your wedding dress getting ruined?

Blake Lively’s custom Marchesa wedding gown got burned with a sparkler. Ouch.

Of course there were jaw-dropping wedding dresses, but something else at Pronovias’ Barcelona Bridal Week show kept catching my eye: the heavy-metal hair accessories.

The models’ makeup was fresh and clean—overall, very bridal—and their hair was swept back into understated chignons, but everything looked modern, thanks to the occasional itty-bitty braid, and the MAJOR accessories. Here are two more angles:

And here are four headpieces that will give you a similar vibe on your wedding day:

Look 1

Gallic Ornament from BHLDN, $600.

Look 2

Hanami Ornament from BHLDN, $325.

Look 3

Adelaide Headband from Enchanted Atelier by Liv Hart, $625.

Look 4

Crystal Laurel Comb from Jennifer Behr, $625.

Would you wear a statement-making metal hairpiece for your wedding? Which of these is your favorite?

I like a bridal shower activity as much as the next guest—sitting around eating tea sandwiches can get boring—but I never liked the toilet-paper-wedding-dress game, which was always wildly popular in my shower-attending heyday*. It’s just not my scene.

But here’s a bridal shower activity I can totally get behind:

A photo posted by Wedding Paper Divas (@weddingpaperdivas) on Mar 18, 2015 at 5:40pm PDT

Give the shower guests a card (these are from Wedding Paper Divas) and have them write down their best advice for marriage or relationships, whether it’s something they learned in their own marriage or something their parents’ marriage instilled in them. The advice can be read aloud if you need a time-killer—or not—but either way, the cards make a cute keepsake for the bride

Are there any bridal shower activities you’ve enjoyed?

I’m always down for a round or two of bridal shower bingo. I think I’m just partial to activities that I can play from the comfort of my seat.

*The same brides who loved TP wedding dresses would later go on to have the melted-chocolate-in-the-diaper game at their baby showers. Not OK with me, either.

If you’re the one being feted, here’s a flawless bridal look for an unconventional bride.

Kate Middleton has worn more Jenny Packham dresses than I can count, but here’s a sampling: a glimmering rose-gold gown at the 10th annual ARK Gala in 2011, a silver, one-shoulder Grecian-inspired gown for a dinner in London later that year, a dreamy lace-sleeve ocean blue gown in 2012, a polka-dot dress when she left the hospital with Prince George in 2013, a floor-length gilded sequined gown following the prince’s birth, a baby-blue gown with a high slit while pregnant with baby No. 2, and, most recently, the yellow-and-white flower-flecked dress she wore when exiting the Ludo Wing with Princess Catherine. Whew!

When she’s ready to step out in a figure-skimming gown again {Take your time, duchess! }, I can totally see Kate Middleton wearing either of these dresses—both from Jenny Packham’s spring 2016 bridal show—to a gala event.

Wedding Dress 1

Wedding Dress 2

And these 17 wedding dresses, also from the same collection, might not all work for royalty—but they’re all still royally gorgeous for a bride.

Wedding Dress 3

Wedding Dress 4

Wedding Dress 5

Wedding Dress 6

Wedding Dress 7

Wedding Dress 8

Wedding Dress 9

Wedding Dress 10

Wedding Dress 11

Wedding Dress 12

Wedding Dress 13

Wedding Dress 14

Wedding Dress 15

Wedding Dress 16

Wedding Dress 17

Wedding Dress 18

Wedding Dress 19

Jenny’s been THE designer for art deco wedding dresses for several seasons now, and there’s still evidence of that here—dresses 15, 17, 18. But this collection also touched on the boho trend (Nos. 4 and 13) and showcased one gown that was downright edgy, No. 12.

Thoughts on Kate Middleton’s love affair with Jenny Packham? Can you see her wearing dress No. 1 or No. 2 for a gala event? And which of these wedding dresses is your favorite?

For more gorgeous gowns paired with silly songs: We Sing Songs With Stars on the AMA Red Carpet

Two weeks after swapping vows, Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder have returned from their honeymoon, and they have a whole lot of breathtaking photos to show for it. (Here are the details on their wedding, if you missed them. And here’s the scoop on her Claire Pettibone wedding dress.) Neither shared too many details about their honeymoon getaway, but they definitely spent time in Chile, Brazil, and the Costa Rica rain forest.

A photo posted by Nikki Reed (@iamnikkireed) on May 2, 2015 at 8:13am PDT

A photo posted by iansomerhalder (@iansomerhalder) on May 13, 2015 at 11:14am PDT

A photo posted by iansomerhalder (@iansomerhalder) on May 3, 2015 at 9:58am PDT

A photo posted by Nikki Reed (@iamnikkireed) on May 3, 2015 at 7:25am PDT

A photo posted by Nikki Reed (@iamnikkireed) on May 6, 2015 at 2:52pm PDT

A video posted by Nikki Reed (@iamnikkireed) on May 13, 2015 at 11:04am PDT

That’s the most up-close photo of her engagement ring we’ve seen yet!

Thoughts on Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder’s honeymoon pictures?

Beautiful!

If you want an eye-catching engagement ring but don’t want the same old ring as every other girl, here are seven distinctive rings from Japanese jewelry-maker Yasuko Azuma that are a little bit different but still have major engagement-y vibes.

These two are from Yasuko’s online gallery:

Engagement Rings 1 & 2

And here are five you can shop online:

Engagement Ring 3

Textured Bezel Ring, $4,000.

Engagement Ring 4

Light Gray Diamond Ring, $3,400.

Engagement Ring 5

Cabochon Blue Sapphire Ring, $2,600.

Engagement Ring 6

Rectangle Gray Diamond Ring.

Engagement Ring 7

Dark Brown Diamond Ring, $4,300.

Do you want an engagement ring that’s a little bit different? Which of these engagement rings is your favorite?

Ladies and gents, it’s wedding season. And now that’s it’s finally warm enough to wear a pretty dress, we’re guessing you’d like some new ones to party in. (You can’t wear the dresses you wore last wedding season—which are all over social media—right?) Assuming your guy’s wardrobe could use some revamping too, here are four his-and-her combos from the brands you’re already shopping.

Everything here’s 40 percent off through the end of the day. Hurry! Modern Slim Navy Linen Suit Jacket from Banana Republic, $298. Modern Slim Navy Linen Suit Trousers from Banana Republic, $160. Trina Turk Minata Jacquard Dress from Anthropologie, $388.

Simply Vera Vera Wang Crinkle Mesh Dress from Kohl’s, $51. Black by Vera Wang Gray Slim-Fit Tuxedo from Men’s Wearhouse.

This guy’s look minus the sandals, plus a shirt and tie.

Long Dress With Applique Neckline from Zara, $79.90. Structured Gray Blazer from Zara, $119. Structured Gray Trousers from Zara, $59.90.

Sequined Tulle Dress from H&M, $59.95. Slim-Fit Blazer from H&M, $69.95. Suit Pants from H&M, $24.95.

Which look would you and your guy wear?