When you’re surrounded by 100-plus of your nearest and dearest on your wedding day—the average wedding has 136 guests, according to the latest stats from The Knot—it can be easy to lose track of the most important one: your new husband. Yes, you want to hit the dance floor with your friends and share a quiet moment with your grandma, but since the party’s celebrating a major milestone for you and your groom, you want to celebrate with him.

“Try to spend as much of the night together as possible,” says bride Annie, the star of our newest Real Wedding Album. “It goes by so quickly that it all becomes kind of a blur unless you're together most of the time.”

Check out more gorgeous picture from Annie and David’s wedding—and find her other piece of wedding-planning advice—here.

If you were freaking out over the front of Allison Williams’ wedding dress, just wait ’til you see the rear view. Four days after marrying College Humor founder Ricky Van Veen in a top-secret ranch wedding, the Girls actress took to Instagram once more to share a second photo of her custom Oscar de la Rentawedding gown. (Click her to see the front of her wedding dress.)

A photo posted by Allison Williams (@aw) on Sep 22, 2015 at 1:48pm PDT

The new image was captioned: “One more. This pretty much sums up my feelings about the whole weekend. Thank you all for the well-wishes, and thanks to everyone who made it possible.”

Allison and Ricky met through mutual friends and dated for three years before getting engaged in February of last year. Click here for a photo of Allison Williams’ engagement ring, if you need a reminder.

In other news:

We’ve always adored indie-darling Reformation’s bridal line, which has offerings for bridesmaids, guests, and low-key brides: The dresses are soft, never stiff, endlessly affordable—everything’s under $500—and incomparably romantic. And, in part due to the addition of the Doris Cape this season, we’re getting major Serena van der Woodsen vibes.

Doris Cape, $198. Dima Dress, $368.

Cleavage Rhombus!

Gossip Girl aficionados are well-versed in Serena’s Cleavage Rhombus. No offense to Blair Waldorf and her headbands, but Serena’s wardrobe was generally the more covetable one, and the Cleavage Rhombus—the geometric cutout the often highlighted over- and under-boob—was a star of that wardrobe. Don’t believe me? Here’s a compilation. (Even the New Yorker talked about it.)

And that’s not the only look from Reformation’s latest that feels Serena-ish to us. Serena’s demure Cleavage Rhombus?

Reformation’s doing that:

Amalia Dress, $368.

And then there’s a classic-Serena cut-to-there neckline.

Reformation’s take comes in a pale, pale pink, that might feel the most wedding-y at first glance, but we love the floral version for a bride.

Sophia Dress, $428.

Pretty sure Serena would pick the black though:

Sophia Dress, $428.

Click here to see everything in Reformation’s wedding collection.

Rather than be rushed by paparazzi on her way down the aisle, Girls star Allison Williams had a decoy wedding site set up to lure the press away from her nuptials, Page Six is reporting. The actress swapped vows with College Humor founder Ricky Van Veen at Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga last Saturday. The decoy wedding was set up at a nearby location in Wyoming.

A photo posted by Allison Williams (@aw) on Sep 20, 2015 at 12:05am PDT

As we previously reported, guests were simply asked to fly into Denver, and the bride and groom arranged for transport from there to the undisclosed location.

In other new news from their big day, the event was reportedly orchestrated by Rafanelli Events, which planned both Chelsea Clinton and Matt Damon’s nuptials. (The planning company orchestrated the actual wedding and the decoy one.) Tom Hanks officiated the ceremony after the bride was walked down the aisle by her father, news anchor Brian Williams.

Click here for a photo of the rear view of Allison Williams’ wedding dress.

"In a world of fancy things, it's easy to get caught up in the need to make those a part of your wedding," commiserates Aviva Samuels, owner of Kiss the Planner in Palm Beach, Florida. If you've got an itch to kick it up a notch, but don't have the wedding budget to boot, don't despair. We've got six ways you can make your wedding fancier for free. "Making something from nothing is certainly a challenge," Samuels says, "but with a little creative ingenuity and some well-selected resources it can be done!"

Shop in your own home.
Pieces that will add pizazz to your tablescapes, escort card table, ceremony altar, and add comfort and luxury to guests' experiences, can be found in your kitchen cabinets and in your living room. "A few well-placed pieces of furniture around the dance floor, candles, photo frames, or mix-and-match of your china enhance your setting without adding any cost," says Samuels.

Forage from the great outdoors.
"Your garden offers the perfect opportunity to enhance your tables at no cost to you," Samuels says. "Pick some floral blossoms to tuck into the napkins, use potted herb plants as centerpieces, or pluck some fruit from your fruit tree and add a place card." DIY-brides may dig more hands-on d��cor projects, such as constructing a "runner made of fallen branches or driftwood enhanced with succulents or blossoms," Samuels suggests.

See More:How to Survive Wedding Planning with Your (Overbearing) Mom

Make your meal your centerpiece.
If you cut out centerpieces to cut down costs, you can still inspire visions of a Renaissance-like feast by chatting with your caterer. "Ask him or her for the option to set the tables with baskets of bread, bottles of wine and herb-infused oils," says Samuels. "Fruit and cheese platters, bowls of olives and antipasto salads are also lovely, fragrant and tasty. A simple cloth runner down the middle of a long table and these colorful foods make a beautiful display that serves more than one purpose."

Escape in a clever getaway car.
You don't have to rent a Rolls Royce to make an impact. "Bicycles, motorcycles, golf carts, sidecars, or other vehicles — which you may already own! — make a fun getaway car and add a note of personality to your special day," says Samuels.

Borrow from friends and family.
Did you shop your own home and come up short? "Ask your friends and colleagues if they have some fun items that you can borrow to create eclectic centerpieces for your tables," or items that will make guests more comfortable, Samuels suggests.

Register for your d��cor.
Couples who already have too many serving platters and a set of silk sheets could opt for alternative registries— ones that "ask for funds to help offset the wedding expenses," says Samuels. "Or, if you find something decoration-worthy at a department store, register for that item for the wedding d��cor and then continue to use it in your household for entertaining after the wedding is over."

—Originally written by Jillian Kramer for Brides

More from Brides:
*50 Ways to Save $500 on Your Wedding
*The Best Celebrity Engagement Rings
*50 Mistakes Every Bride Makes

In the market for unfussy wedding hair? Right this way: Here are six soft, romantic, wedding-worthy styles—and step-by-step instructions on how to achieve each. All six styles are paired with equally dreamy wedding dresses and accessories from BHLDN.

Unless you’re wildly talented or have a mysterious third arm, you probably won’t be able to pull them off yourself, but you should be able to pass these instructions on to a pro stylist or a nimble-fingered friend and get excellent results.

LOOK 1: TEXTURED TOPKNOT

Juliette Dress in Ivory, $275. Pansy Combs, $325.

STEP 1. Form a loose high ponytail and split the ponytail into two sections. If your hair already has texture, like the model’s, you can forgo heating tools. If added texture is desired, heat both sections of your ponytail with a clip-less curling iron to create sexy waves.
STEP 2. Loosely braid your first ponytail section and pin the hair forward to show off your braid. Spray in place and repeat with the same technique by pinning your second ponytailed section towards the opposite side of where you will be placing your hair accessories. Set in place with a holding spray.
STEP 3. Widen out your braids to create volume and depth with your hands. Create further whimsy by playing up front flyaways with a texturizing spray to create a look that’s both polished and undone.

LOOK 2: MARRIED MERMAID

Sabine Dress, $320. Esther Halo, $280.

STEP 1. Part all of your hair to one side and form three sections. If your hair already has texture, like the model’s, you can forgo heating tools. If added texture is desired, heat hair with a clip-less curling iron to create sexy waves.
STEP 2. You will be creating three 3D braids by braiding French braids in reverse—braiding from underneath versus overtop, like a traditional French braid. Set in place with a holding spray.
STEP 3. Widen out each braided section to create depth and thickness. Pin each section into place to hug your facial features and dramatically envelope one side of your head. You can pull thru your last braided section through your front braids to add further depth and intensity. Tie on a headband to take your braid to the next level.

LOOK 3: TWISTED BANDED BRAID

Juliette Dress in Ivory, $275. Jeweled Tassel Halo, $280.

STEP 1. Place your headband in place and tie securely to make building your braid a snap!
STEP 2. Begin creating looped sections and pinning into place—you’ll be making roughly four to five looped waves to give hair easy, intricate-looking texture, depth and height. Set in place with a holding spray.
STEP 3. Grab all of your hair at the bottom and form a loose French braid. Widen all loops and your bottom braid to create texture and volume. Dress your braid further by working in the tasseled ribbons into your styling.

LOOK 4: FAIRY AND FLOWERS FRENCH BRAID

Georgia Gown, $1,000. Rosa Halo, $160.

STEP 1. Play up your hairs natural texture with beach spray (like I did here), or create organic-looking waves with a one-inch curling iron. Place floral crown in place to benchmark where you’ll be creating your braid and laying front framing pieces.
STEP 2. Start creating your cascading braid by working in a French braid at an angular point. You want your braid to first rest against the backside of your floral crown and then gradually fall downwards, along your back.
STEP 3. Widen out your braid and pin into place to hug your floral crown

LOOK 5: SIDE-GATHERED FISHTAIL BRAID

Sabine Dress, $320. Gallica Ornament, $600.

STEP 1. Set your ornament in place, and gather hair in the opposite direction of your ornament.
STEP 2. Tease in the direction you want your hair to lay. Gather both the left and right sides of your hair—join them by twisting both sides and pinning into place (to form the beginnings of a side-gathered ponytail)..
STEP 3. Part your hair into two sections and tease each section. Begin forming a fishtail braid (working with just two strands at a time). Once your fishtail is complete, pin upwards to form your loose bun. Set with finishing spray.

LOOK 6: TEXTURED TOPSY TAIL BRAID

Georgia Gown, $1,000. Headpiece no longer available. For similar: Margo Headband, $450. Or Lou Clip, $60.

STEP 1. Play up your hairs natural texture with beach spray. Next, create a midrise ponytail. Part that ponytail into three sections—a left, middle and right section. Take the middle section and place a rubber band about a quarter of the way down your ponytail to form a mini hair “bubble.”
STEP 2. Pull the left and right sections thru your mini hair “bubble”.
STEP 3. Now use the topsy tail technique by taking the middle ponytail that has the �� place rubber band and rolling it backwards—creating a twisted V-shape. Repeat these steps once more down the length of your ponytail.
STEP 4. Now make your style an original by teasing and fluffing out sections to create rich, earthy fullness—the messier, the better. This sexy look is similar to a braided style, without any actual braiding. Set style in place with holding spray and a dainty headband.

Hair by Maritza Buelvas. Photography by Jennifer Coffey. Makeup by Michelle Mink.

Today in (former) “brides behaving badly,” meet Sasha. Or, more accurately, her sister.

Writes Sasha:

I’m getting married in April of next year, and I just fell in love with a wedding dress. Yay! The problem is, my big sister feels the dress is too similar to the wedding dress she wore five years ago. She says she’s “hurt.” My mom says the dress I love looks gorgeous on me, but she’s torn. Is it wrong of me to wear a wedding dress that looks like my sister’s?

Here are our thoughts:

Oh, for God’s sake, no. Buy the dress you love. And now please allow us a word with your sister.

Dear Big Sister:

Brides get a day—ONE day. Not a week or a month or a season, certainly not a year. And definitely not a six-year stretch after their wedding day. You also don’t get to “own” the style of wedding dress you wore. Sorry.

At the end of the day, wedding dresses—especially the popular silhouettes—kind of all blur together. Sure, your wedding was the most important day of your life, but to 98 percent of the people there, it was one of many, many weddings they’ve attended in the past six years. No one remembers a wedding dress they saw before iPads existed. And even if they do, it’s hardly shocking to see two brides walk down the aisle in, say, an A-line wedding dress with an illusion neckline over a six-year span.

The only time you can call “Bitch Stole My Look” is if your wedding dress was super-duper unique. If you were married in a gown like this one, from Theia’s spring 2016 runway, then we can see how you’d be a little miffed.

If that’s the case, then—and only then—maybe you could very sweetly ask your kid sister to keep shopping. But if your dress was, for the most part, mainstream, you don’t have a case. (If you can find something similar at David’s Bridal or J.Crew now, it’s mainstream.)

Baby and a wedding: Lots of big news for Gotham’s Morena Baccarin, who’s expecting a baby with costar Ben McKenzie.

In a legal declaration related to her divorce, the actress said, “Today, I’m in a new committed relationship. I am planning to remarry.” Morena, mom to 23-month-old Julius, is currently embroiled in a custody battle with her estranged husband, Chick, according to TMZ.

Moreno and Ben kept their relationship under wraps for months, but the two were spotted canoodling at the Emmy after-parties.

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux managed to pull off an under-the-radar wedding, but comedian Whitney Cummings has dished some top-secret details—including the fact that guests were invited to the wedding by email. (Not how we normally recommend A-listers send invites, but since the invites went out under the guise of a birthday party, it makes sense.)

Whitney chatted up Andy Cohen on Watch What Happened Live last night, and confirmed the newlyweds first-dance song: Sia’s hit “Chandelier,” sung live, naturally. Whitney, who guessed that she was the most-drunk and least-famous person at the wedding, said of the performance, “It was pretty good.”

To keep photos out of the press, guests were told to hand over their cell phones for the night, Whitney said. She also referenced Howard Stern’s “hilarious” speech: “All he did was talk about how he didn't know Justin well enough to be there. It was very funny.”

ICYMI: Jen and Justin, Blake and Ryan, and More Surprise Celebrity Weddings That Made Our Heads Spin

"In a world of fancy things, it's easy to get caught up in the need to make those a part of your wedding," commiserates Aviva Samuels, owner of Kiss the Planner in Palm Beach, Florida. If you've got an itch to kick it up a notch, but don't have the wedding budget to boot, don't despair. We've got six ways you can make your wedding fancier for free. "Making something from nothing is certainly a challenge," Samuels says, "but with a little creative ingenuity and some well-selected resources it can be done!"

Shop in your own home.
Pieces that will add pizzazz to your tablescapes, escort card table, ceremony altar, and add comfort and luxury to guests' experiences, can be found in your kitchen cabinets and in your living room. "A few well-placed pieces of furniture around the dance floor, candles, photo frames, or mix-and-match of your china enhance your setting without adding any cost," says Samuels.

Forage from the great outdoors.
"Your garden offers the perfect opportunity to enhance your tables at no cost to you," Samuels says. "Pick some floral blossoms to tuck into the napkins, use potted herb plants as centerpieces, or pluck some fruit from your fruit tree and add a place card." DIY-brides may dig more hands-on decor projects, such as constructing a "runner made of fallen branches or driftwood enhanced with succulents or blossoms," Samuels suggests.

See More:How to Survive Wedding Planning with Your (Overbearing) Mom

Make your meal your centerpiece.
If you cut out centerpieces to cut down costs, you can still inspire visions of a Renaissance-like feast by chatting with your caterer. "Ask him or her for the option to set the tables with baskets of bread, bottles of wine and herb-infused oils," says Samuels. "Fruit and cheese platters, bowls of olives and antipasto salads are also lovely, fragrant and tasty. A simple cloth runner down the middle of a long table and these colorful foods make a beautiful display that serves more than one purpose."

Escape in a clever getaway car.
You don't have to rent a Rolls Royce to make an impact. "Bicycles, motorcycles, golf carts, sidecars, or other vehicles — which you may already own! — make a fun getaway car and add a note of personality to your special day," says Samuels.

Borrow from friends and family.
Did you shop your own home and come up short? "Ask your friends and colleagues if they have some fun items that you can borrow to create eclectic centerpieces for your tables," or items that will make guests more comfortable, Samuels suggests.

Register for your decor.
Couples who already have too many serving platters and a set of silk sheets could opt for alternative registries— ones that "ask for funds to help offset the wedding expenses," says Samuels. "Or, if you find something decoration-worthy at a department store, register for that item for the wedding decor and then continue to use it in your household for entertaining after the wedding is over."

—Originally written by Jillian Kramer for Brides

More from Brides:
*50 Ways to Save $500 on Your Wedding
*The Best Celebrity Engagement Rings
*50 Mistakes Every Bride Makes

Singing boyfriend-girlfriend duo Jubal Lee Young and Amanda Preslar got two chair turns on The Voice tonight—and they also got engaged! While performing The Eagles’ “Seven Bridges Road” in blind auditions, the pair caught the eyes, er, ears of coaches Pharrell and Gwen Stefani.

“Are you guys a couple?” Blake asked. “Are you married?”

"Not yet,” said Amanda. "One day."

And on cue Jubal Lee {pronounced “jubilee,” if you didn’t catch that } pulled out an engagement ring and got down on one knee.

All the judges seemed as shocked as we are, although, admittedly, it’s a little heard to believe they weren’t in on the plan.

“Did you say yes?” Blake asked. When the bride-to-be confirmed that she did, the crowd went wild. “Whew. That would've been embarrassing.”

Will there be a wedding on Scandal this season? One never knows what’s in store in Shondaland. (We’re still coming to terms with McDreamy’s abrupt departure from Grey’s.) One thing we do know: Two Scandal stars are wearing wedding dresses in the promo photos for season five.

Can you spot ’em?

Both Bellamy Young and Kerry Washington are wearing Vera Wangwedding dresses. Bellamy’s is from Vera’s Fall 2014 bridal collection, and Kerry’s wearing a wedding dress from Vera’s Spring 2014 runway show.

Nell Gown.

Marie Gown.

Of course it could easily be a case of stylist picking pretty gowns that happened to be wedding gowns—but we don’t rule out anything when Shonda Rhimes is calling the shots.

You’ve finalized your budget for your wedding dress—Check!—and your flowers, so what are you forgetting to set aside funds for? (Hint: It’s a biggie!)

According to new stats from The Knot and PayPal, 65 couples forget to include their honeymoon in their wedding budget. Yikes!

Granted it’s not a wedding-day necessity like tents and chairs, but since your bank account will take a hit when you pay for your honeymoon, you should set aside some money in your wedding budget to fund it.

Some more stats that jumped out at us:

• 57 percent of couples borrow money from a credit card or financial institution to finance their wedding.


• 45 percent of brides are primarily responsible for managing the finances and budget throughout the wedding planning process. (29 percent of couples do it together.)


• 58 percent of brides feel like they are always writing checks leading up to the wedding. {Check fatigue! }

Feeling beaten down by your budget? Consider these:

• 8 Sneaky Ways to Save Money When You’re Wedding Planning


• Get Married at a Brewery—and 3 More Ways to Save Money When You’re Wedding Planning


• 6 Free Ways to Make Your Wedding Feel Fancier

A wedding shake-up, in the best possible way: When father-of-the-bride Todd Bachman was ready to walk his daughter Brittany down the aisle, he stopped in his tracks to grab another important guy in Brittany’s life—her stepfather, Todd Cendrosky.

“All of a sudden, at the last second, he turned his head to me and grabbed my hand,” Cendrosky told today.com. “He said, ‘Hey, come with me. You've had just as big of a part in raising this child. It's time you and me walk our daughter down the aisle together.’”

The gesture was especially touching since it seems tensions had at one point run high between the two sides of the bride’s family.

“It meant the world to me,” said Brittany. “I’ve dreamed of this, ever since I knew that my stepdad was going to be my second dad. But I always knew in the back of my head that it wouldn't happen because of the situation in my family and how no one ever got along.”

Which is exactly why her dad says he did it.

“What we've been through over the years—if we can do it, anybody can do it,” he said.

And Brittany’s stepdad was thrilled: “I always wanted to walk her down the aisle,” he told today.com. “From day one, I looked at her as my daughter, but I knew that was Todd’s—the other Todd’s—given right being the birthing father. But this was his way of including me, and I thought that was the kindest gesture that anybody has ever set forth for me.”

The touching photos, captured by Delia D. Blackburn Photography, have been viewed by millions.

Bar Refaeli made for a gorgeous bride: The Israel-born Sports Illustrated model married Adi Ezra last Thursday in her native country, and she just shared the first photo of their wedding:

A photo posted by Bar Refaeli (@barrefaeli) on Sep 30, 2015 at 12:21am PDT

The image is captioned, “The happiest day of my life! I married my best friend. Live, Laugh, Love together forever.”

Bar’s wedding dress is reportedly by Chloe. She walked down the aisle as Israeli singer Shlomi Shabbat performed his song “The Beginning of the World,” Israeli news site Walla! is reporting. The bride and groom said “I do” in front of about 300 friends and family members at the Carmel Forest Spa Resort.

Another day, another batsh*t crazy bride.

”Sorry you missed the wedding. Please send cash.”

Today’s culprit: A Minnesota bride who sent two would-be wedding guests a bill after they didn’t make it to the wedding—because their babysitter bailed.

According to kare11.com, Jessica Baker and her husband were getting ready to attend a relative’s wedding when their babysitter, her mother, cancelled. Because the wedding invitation stipulated “no children,” Jessica decided that meant no wedding.

And then she received a bill asking her to cover the cost of her and her husband’s meals to the tune of $75.90.

The bill reads: “This cost reflects the amount paid by the bride and groom for meals that were RSVP'd for, reimbursement and explanation for no show, card, call or text would be appreciated.”

Oh, honey. Just DON’T.

The letter seems to imply that Jessica and her husband didn’t let the bride and groom know why they bailed. We’re not exactly OK with that, either. If Jessica had called the bride hours before the wedding to say, “Our sitter bailed!” it probably would have made the bride feel like she had to say, “Oh, just bring the kids!” even though she didn’t want them there. So not calling day-of was the right move. That said, Jessica probably should have put a card in the mail a few days later with a gift and an apology for missing the wedding. We can’t blame the bride for wondering where her absentee guests were and for being a little miffed about the no-shows.

Still, nothing excuses sending AWOL wedding guests a bill. Nothing. Even if they flat-out just skipped your big day because something better came up. You can be pissed, but you can’t Ebenezer Scrooge them in the form of a typed-up IOU.

The chances are high that at least a few of your guests who RSVP’d yes will miss your wedding. People get sick, sitters bail, people die. Sending someone a bill after your wedding implies that the only reason you invited them to your wedding was to make some cold, hard cash. And that’s just plain old gross.

Jessica told kare11.com that she doesn’t intend to pay the bill. And we’re guessing the couple just lost out any chance of a wedding gift, too.

Dress like the duchess on your wedding day: Jenny Packham, one of Kate Middleton’s all-time favorite labels, is designing a line of of wedding dresses for David’s Bridal, Wonder by Jenny Packham, the brand just announced. Of course Kate wore the label after leaving the hospital with newborn Prince George, and then again after Princess Charlotte’s birth. Here are more times she’s killed it in gowns by the Brit designer:

Wonder by Jenny Packham will include nine wedding dresses priced from $900 to $1,450, as well as bridesmaid dresses, dresses for flower girls and mothers-of-the-bride, and accessories. It will debut online and in stores in February.

ICYMI: 5 Dreamy New Wedding Dresses From Jenny Packham—Including One We're Totally Going to See on Kate Middleton

There’s a chill in the air and that means just one thing: We’re on the lookout for wedding dresses with a little more coverage. Enter wedding gowns with sleeves. The 31 dresses below, all from the spring 2016 runways, won’t necessarily keep you warm—some have necklines that dip or cropped tops, and lots of the sleeves are cast in loosely wrought lace—but somehow they seem like they’d inspire fewer goosebumps than totally bare arms in autumn or winter.

ANGEL SANCHEZ

CAROLINA HERRERA

GALIA LAHAV

HAYLEY PAIGE

HOUGHTON

INES DI SANTO

IVY & ASTER

J. MENDEL

JEAN-RALPH THURIN

JENNY PACKHAM

KELLY FAETANINNI

LEGENDS BY ROMONA KEVEZA

LELA ROSE

MAGGIE SOTTERO

MARCHESA

MELISSA SWEET

MIRA ZWILLINGER

MODERN TROUSSEAU

MONIQUE LHUILLIER

NAEEM KHAN

OLEG CASSINI

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

PRONOVIAS

REEM ACRA

ROMONA KEVEZA COLLECTION

SARAH SEVEN

SOTTERO & MIDGLEY

TARA KEELY

TEMPERLEY BRIDAL

THEIA

WATTERS

WHITE BY VERA WANG

Just months after daughter Lauren Manzo said “I do” to longtime love Vito Scalia, mother-of-the-bride Caroline Manzo shared a throwback photo from her own ’80s wedding. And this bridal portrait is everything.

A photo posted by @carolinemanzo on Oct 1, 2015 at 9:03pm PDT

The photo, shared just after midnight last night, captioned, “#tbt to my wedding day. That was such a wonderful day!” Caroline and her now-husband, Albert Manzo III, met at a party where the latter was working for his father, who scolded his son to get back to work. Caroline told her future father-in-law, “I’m going to marry your son.” And she did, in 1984, wearing from a major ’80s puff-sleeve wedding dress and what appears to be a close-cropped perm. Very Molly Ringwald!

The only words you need to make a wedding legal are "I do," says Los Angeles officiant Rev. Clint Hufft, which means the rest of the wedding is completely up to you! Choose which elements are most important, then personalize away. If you're going to have readings, decide who to ask and whether you'll assign passages or let each reader pick her own. Here's a quick-and-easy guide for the basic structure of your nuptials.

Introduction
The officiant should start by setting the tone and telling your story. An opening blessing and reading traditionally follow.

Vows
The two of you can say vows you've written to each other, recite the same vows in unison, or repeat vows after your officiant.

See more:How to Find the Perfect Wedding Dress for Your Body Type

Ring exchange
After "With this ring, I thee wed" (or your version of it) generally comes another blessing if you want one, followed by a second reading.

Rituals and final blessings
If you're planning on lighting a unity candle, having a sand or wine ceremony, or incorporating any other rituals, do it now. Religious ceremonies will include a group blessing, often a prayer, and a final blessing.

Closing
The officiant introduces your newly married selves to the guests, then everyone walks out, showering you with love — and possibly rice, flower petals, or confetti.

Want more genius planning tips? For the best wedding dresses, advice, and big-day inspiration, pick up the Brides October/November 2015 issue, on newsstands now and available for download here.

More from Brides:
The 50 Mistakes Brides Always Make
32 Amazing Engagement-Ring Selfies
How to Find the Perfect Wedding Dress for Your Body Type