Don’t call Eva Longoria a “fiancee.” The Telenovela star hasn’t settled on any wedding details yet—there’s no venue, and no wedding dress—but she and longtime love Jose “Pepe” Baston have “been calling each other husband and wife for a while,” she told Us Weekly. “The word ‘fiancée’ feels like I got demoted!”

The two haven’t, of course, exchanged vows just yet—despite the fact that she wears what looks like a wedding ring alongside her engagement ring. In fact, they’ve only been engaged for two months. (He proposed in Dubai last December.) But they have, she said, called each other “husband and wife” since before the proposal. “We feel married,” she told Us.

The twice-married/twice-divorced former Desperate Housewives star says she learned from her previous relationships, and what she learned will make her next marriage stronger: “What makes my relationship with Pepe so much sweeter is that I don’t put pressure on myself or the idea of marriage as much as I did when I was younger,” she told Us. “I wanted to walk down the aisle, I wanted a dress, I wanted the church. Once you realize a wedding isn’t a marriage, then you can learn to appreciate it more, and it lessens the expectations when you’ve gone through it.”

“I used to care so deeply about all of those things that peck away at a relationship. If I let go of the reins, I know Pepe knows how to drive, and I trust that. I’ve found patience to relax and let go.”

Read the full Us Weekly interview here.

It’s never easy to please everyone in a group, whether you’re trying to decide on a movie or where to go for dinner. And if you’re trying to find a single bridesmaid dress that your whole group of besties (from your college roommate through your groom’s older sister) will love, forget about it.

Instead, consider Watters’ brand-new collection of bridesmaid separates, which your friends can mix and match for a total of 18 different looks. Do your friends want sleeves? A skirt that covers theirs knees? A top they can wear a bra with? This collection has them covered, and every piece is available in 11 colors (so the bride can do a monotone look or mix and match a few shades) and in sizes 00 through 24W.

Here are 16 of the possible combos:

We get that your friends might not be, like, obsessed with these dresses from a high-style or trend perspective—they’re still bridesmaid dresses, after all. But they should each be able to find something they feel comfortable—and, dare we say, pretty—in. And if any opt for that short tulle skirt, they might just be able to wear it again: Here’s a tulle skirt styled as streetwear that we adore.

The pieces range from $85 to $225. The complete collection will be available at Watters retailers in April.

For more on ’maids, watch If Bridesmaids Were Honest.

Much like a wedding dress, every bride’s wedding dress shopping experience is unique to her. But there are a few common thoughts that run through most brides’ minds as they whittle down their options to the wedding dress they’ll wear down the aisle. From the funny to the downright scary—goodbye, all my money!—five brides are here to get real about what they really thought while they were wedding dress shopping.

1. Just looking at all of the dress options is enough to make me dizzy. Beginning a wedding dress search is akin to walking into Forever 21 without knowing what you want: It’s easy to get lost in a maze of lace, sequins, silhouettes, and hues, overwhelming your senses in awe-inspiring fashion. Recalls newlywed Tara, “The first bridal boutique I visited had literally hundreds of options. I remember thinking, it’s going to take an hour just to see every dress—and it did.”

2. Why can no one agree? You’re head-over-heels for a fit-and-flare number that makes you feel like the sexiest bride to ever walk an aisle. But your mom is obsessed with the ball gown you barely agreed to slip on, while your best friend feels you should go A-line all the way. “I brought three people wedding dress shopping with me,” says newlywed Katie, “and not one of us could agree on the best look for me. With all our differing opinions, it was difficult to narrow down what really looked good on me.”

3. The dress I have to have is how much? Your wedding dress will long live on in your wedding photos. But let’s be honest: You’re in it for just a few hours. So it’s no surprise that many brides—present company included—struggle to get behind the big price tags that can come with even couture-like perfection. Newlywed Amy says she was tempted to get an evening gown off-the-rack when she found most wedding dresses she liked hit at the $2,000 or more mark. “In the end, I found a $1,500 wedding dress I couldn’t resist buying,” she says. “But let me tell you: Swiping my credit card was tough.”

4. I hope my fiancé loves it as much as I do. For some women, it’s enough to wow themselves in their wedding gowns. But others live for the look on their partners’ faces when they see them in that dress for the very first time. “I knew my fiancé would love something a little sexier—something like a mermaid or trumpet-style silhouette that really showed off my body,” says newlywed Jessica. “But I went with a ball gown, and I was really worried he wouldn’t dig it as much as I did. Luckily, he bawled like a baby when he saw me in it and eased all my worries.”

5. I cannot wait to wear it. Once you choose your wedding gown, you may feel so beautiful inside it you’ll never want to slip it off. And realizing you have to wait six months until it arrives in your size back at the store—and several more weeks until it’s altered perfectly to your body—is a special kind of fashion torture. “When I found The One, I had to be coaxed back out of it,” laughs newlywed Cassie. “I knew I’d have to wait nearly nine months to wear it again and that seemed like forever. I would have worn the sample home if someone would have let me!”

Want more wedding dresses? Here are the most popular styles from the last 100 years.

Perhaps you dream of dipping your toes in the sand and watching the sun set over rolling waves as you say “I do.” Or maybe you envision holy matrimony on a mountainside covered by vineyards—a place where both wine and culture overflow. With those visions of beautiful and bountiful scenery swirling in our heads, it’s easy to see why hosting a destination wedding is the ultimate goal for many brides.

But before you book your long-distance affair, it’s time to do a gut check—because with those beautiful and bountiful destinations come consequences you may not have considered. “When a couple envisions a destination wedding, they may not realize that their friends and family might not be overjoyed or on board with their decision,” says Aviva Samuels, destination wedding planner and owner of Kiss the Planner in Palm Beach, Fla.

You friends may not have the finances to buy a bridesmaid dressand a plane ticket, she points out, while elderly family members may not be able to make the journey. “It's a good idea to make sure that your loved ones are behind you and your decision, so that the celebration is a happy experience for everyone,” says Samuels. “Even though it's your wedding, if those that you want to celebrate with are not as prepared for that choice as you are, it could impact your joy during the planning process or how you will end up feeling on your special day.”

So to help you make the decision on whether you really want a destination wedding, here are three questions you must ask yourself.

1. What does your wedding day really mean to you? And what does it look like? Asks Samuels, “Is your big day an excuse to go all-out—to pack a party with dynamic centerpieces, dramatic lighting, and the most exclusive band that money can buy? Or is your focus on a great destination—one with breathtaking views, adventure, exotic elements, and island charm? If it's about both—or even all of the above—can you manage to make that happen with a destination wedding?”

2. Who could attend? Perhaps when you answer the above question, you find you’re focused on creating an intimate occasion for your nearest and dearest. But if even those few treasured guests can’t attend, your real wedding will fall short of what you’ve imagined. If you feel you can’t afford to leave anyone out of your special day, Samuels warns, a destination wedding may not be for you.

3. Can I plan from a distance? Like a long-distance relationship, a long-distance wedding takes special care—and a lot of time. “Do you have the tolerance to plan from a distance,” asks Samuels, “possibly having to wait it out for a response or deal with cultural differences and communication issues that come from language barriers and a more laid-back, take-your-time-mentality?”

A destination wedding may not be right for everyone, but for those with the desire and the patience to plan a far away fete, the rewards are many. “Having a destination wedding can be a very special experience that you would likely look back upon fondly, for many years to come,” Samuels says.

Here’s how to find your perfect destination wedding hashtag.

Finding the perfect wedding dress can be tricky, for beach brides: You want something that feels special enough for your wedding {Sorry, white cotton sundresses. } but you can’t have a heavy gown weighing you down. With that in mind, we picked almost two dozen dazzling wedding dresses that will fit in perfectly amid the sand and the surf—and they’re not all strapless chiffon columns. A beach bride can get married in pretty much any shape or style wedding dress, just remember: If you must say “I do” in a ball gown wedding dress, look for one with an understated crop top to keep things from getting too hot. Or, if you prefer the look openwork sleeves, find a dress that balances them with a shorter skirt.

Willowby Baikal Dress.

Blush by Hayley Paige style 1605.

Notte by Marchesa Mirella Gown from BHLDN, $1,400.

Grace Loves Lace Hollie Dress, from $1,880.

J.Crew Cara Gown, $595.

Melissa Sweet Pleated Wedding Dress With Tulle from David’s Bridal, $399.99.

For Love and Lemons Rosalie Dress, $304.

Badgley Mischka Valentina Gown from BHLDN, $1,000.

Tadashi Shoji Lace-Inset Sleeveless Gown from Saks Fifth Avenue, $498.

J.Crew Harper Beaded Mermaid Gown, $1,100.

For Love and Lemons Luna Maxidress, $252.

DB Studio Beaded Illusion Sheath Casual Wedding Dress, $379.95.

Lela Rose Pied-a-Terre Dress.

Claire Pettibone Romantique Wyoming Dress.

Tadashi Shoji Mina Gown from BHLDN, $700.

Watters Azriel Gown.

Sue Wong Beaded Illusion Gown from Saks Fifth Avenue, $648.

J.Crew Collection Floral Lace Skirt, $395.

Grace Loves Lace Loren Tulle Dress, from $1,200.

Galina Signature Two-Piece Mikado Crop Top Ball Gown from David’s Bridal, $1,050.

Tara La Tour Alba Dress.

Dee Hutton for Mark Ingram.

Monique Lhuillier Maren Dress.

Want even more wedding dresses? Here are the most popular styles from the past 100 years.

When Victoria's Secret model Shanina Shaik said yes to a proposal from DJ Ruckus last month, he presented her with two super-unique Lorraine Schwartz engagement rings to choose from. One three-diamond ring that looked like this:

A photo posted by Lorraine Schwartz (@lorraineschwartz) on Jan 3, 2016 at 7:22pm PST

And a hexagon-shaped diamond, which she chose.

Here she is post-proposal:

A photo posted by DJ Ruckus (@djruckusofficial) on Jan 4, 2016 at 9:59am PST

And here are Shanina and her ring on the red carpet.

Let’s go in for a better look:

That would have been our pick too. Not only is it more low-key, it’s also lucky.

London-based jewelry designer Noor Fares, you might recall, has a very similar engagement ring. As she explained: “It is believed that Hexagons represent union and balance #nofilter #SacredGeometry #numerology”

A photo posted by Noor Fares (@noorfares) on Mar 22, 2015 at 10:10am PDT

So perfect for an engagement ring, right? Union and balance are two of the most important elements you want in a marriage.

Finding a hexagonal diamond of your own might prove tricky. (We found zero after a quick search.) But round diamonds in hex-shaped halos are easier to come by, and also pretty unique:

Ritani Vintage Hexagonal Halo Vaulted Diamond Semi-Mount from Reeds, $2,820 (setting only).

Want more engagement rings? All you had to do was ask:

If you've spent any time trawling the Web for a wedding gown or bridesmaid dresses, you've likely come across a site that offers up hundreds of seriously breathtaking styles, ready to be created just for you after you send in your measurements. A "This is too good to be true!" feeling likely passes your brain (or should) because, well, it is. Plenty of reviews exist on the various sites, but they can read like a mixed bag. Some women are pleased with what arrived and others are spitting mad, upset that the dress looks nothing like what was promised or fits poorly.

Knock Off Nightmares is your spot for real-talk and real-girl posts about experiences and dresses received (they're "dedicated to showing consumers the reality of ordering their formal wear online"). The website includes a section for shoppers to share their stories, and disreputable sites are collected in one page to help prospective buyers.

Ready to see some offenders?

INSANE, right? Beyond collecting experiences online, people are working to do something about these shady sites too. The American Bridal and Prom Industry Association (ABPIA) has actively worked to shut down approximately 5,000 counterfeit sites, with the domain names then switching over to ABPIA ownership. It's good news, but the very best weapon comes courtesy of us would-be shoppers. Don't be tempted to try any sites that feel off or promise something for a price that's clearly too low. Share this post too, and if you have friends hunting for gowns, point them toward Knock Off Nightmares (because on top of it all, it's got some OMG-worthy stuff).
Here are some wedding dresses (and engagement rings!) that are legit.

Let's face it: Planning a wedding is not always as blissful as it looks in the magazines. Sometimes an engagement brings up new stressors between a bride and groom. Whose parents are going to pay for what? Are all out-of-town family members invited to the rehearsal dinner? A premarital counselor can not only offer support during this hectic time, but also help build a solid foundation for your marriage.

"It's like preventative health," says Rachel A. Sussman, LCSW. "It's good to have a relationship check-up."

If you are planning a wedding in a house of worship, you may have already attended your first premarital counseling session as some churches and synagogues require it. If you are just now considering the idea, start preparing for your session with the answers to the following seven questions premarital counselors always ask.

1. What do you appreciate most about your partner and your relationship?
"These are the things that will get you through the hard parts of life. They will ground your relationship when all else feels chaotic," says Atlanta therapist Megan Broadhead of ENGAGE Premarital Counseling.

2. Are you on the same page about having children?
If you want to have children, when do you plan to start? "Children are the most important thing," says Sussman. "If you have a family, are you open to the possibility that life will change after having a child? Roles may change."

This is also the time to discuss work/life balance. Is quality family time more important than a larger house? "I've seen a lot of marriages fall apart because of long working hours," says Sussman. "Now is the time to say, 'Family time is important to me. Quality time is important to me.'"

3. How will you handle your relationships with your families?
How do you plan to spend the holidays? "Couples need to learn that they are forming a new family entity, and the relationship with their extended families transitions with this," says Broadhead. "Conversations regarding boundaries and roles of each of their families are important."

4. What does spirituality mean to you?
If you have children, will they be raised in a religious community? "I believe that this conversation is one of many that can promote curiosity and further understanding into your partner," says Broadhead. "For many of us, our spirituality is a guiding force in our lives."

See More:The One Thing Your Relationship Needs Before You Tie the Knot

5. What does sex mean for both of you?
How will you handle changes in your sex life over the years? "Couples have to talk about sex. It's a major part of a healthy relationship," says Broadhead.

6. How do you look at spending versus saving?
Who will pay the bills? Are you or your partner incurring debt? "It's not abnormal for one person to be a saver and one person a spender," says Sussman.

7. How will you resolve future conflicts?
What will you do if you're concerned for your marriage? "Have a plan," says Broadhead. "This isn't a question of IF you will struggle, but rather, WHEN."

Communication is important when resolving conflict. "I always look for communication style," says Sussman. "Are they able to hear each other talk, especially about sensitive subjects, without getting frustrated?"

What questions did your premarital counselor ask? Tweet Brides@brides!

For more on relationships, watch The Ultimate Makeup Makeout Challenge.

Taylor Swift doesn’t get her bridesmaid dresses from the sale rack: When Tay joined the wedding party for childhood friend Britany Maack’s nuptials earlier today, she wore a showstopping bridesmaid dress from Reem Acra, who also designed the bride’s dress.

Taylor’s dress featured a hand-embroidered cap-sleeve bodice and a floor-length blush-pink chiffon skirt.

“I’ve never been a maid of honor before. This is my first time, and it's really, really important to me because this is my best friend, who I've known since I was born. And she's marrying someone I've known since I was 4,” Taylor told People earlier this year.

As we reported in May, the pair started their hunt for the perfect gown with Reem Acra—a designer both girls favor—after they spotted one of her gowns in Vogue.

“I was like, ‘I wonder if we could go to the showroom,” Taylor said, so naturally she made a couple of calls. “And sure enough, it was the best day ever. It was so amazing.”

Here they are at the wedding:

A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Feb 21, 2016 at 12:27pm PST

Taylor Swift wears many hats: pop star, #girlgang leader, cat lover. And if all that’s not enough, we’ve found something else she excels at: being a maid of honor. If you missed the news, Tay joined the wedding party for childhood friend Britany Maack’s nuptials on Saturday, wearing a super-fancy bridesmaid dress by Reem Acra, who also designed the bride’s wedding dress.

Here are some more pics Taylor and Brittany shared from the day, with a peek a the rest of the wedding party: Guys kept it simple in classic black tuxes, which the bridesmaids shook things up with a mix-and-match blush palette. So pretty.

A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Feb 20, 2016 at 10:15pm PST

I met her when I was 10 days old, and him in kindergarten. Now they're married and I'm the happiest maid of honor ever. Congratulations @britmaack and Ben!

A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Feb 21, 2016 at 12:27pm PST

A photo posted by Brit Maack (@britmaack) on Feb 21, 2016 at 12:02pm PST

A photo posted by Brit Maack (@britmaack) on Feb 21, 2016 at 3:37pm PST

“I’ve never been a maid of honor before. This is my first time, and it's really, really important to me because this is my best friend, who I've known since I was born. And she's marrying someone I've known since I was 4,” Taylor said earlier this year.

As we reported in May, the pair started their hunt for the perfect gown with Reem Acra—a designer both girls favor—after they spotted one of her gowns in a magazine.

“I was like, ‘I wonder if we could go to the showroom,” Taylor said, so naturally she made a couple of calls. “And sure enough, it was the best day ever. It was so amazing.”

Want more T.Swift? Here’s Taylor on Feeling 22 and Living Life With No Regrets.

When it comes to staying slim, genetics plays a major part, but also important? Your spouse. A new study led by Professor Chris Haley at the University of Edinburgh's Human Genetics Unit studied a person's home environment in childhood and adulthood alongside their genetics and found that the life you build for yourself as an adult can beat out the cards Mother Nature might have handed you.

"Although genetics accounts for a significant proportion of the variation between people, our study has shown that the environment you share with your partner in adulthood also influences whether you become obese, and this is more important than your upbringing," Haley said. "The findings also show that even people who come from families with a history of obesity can reduce their risk by changing their lifestyle habits."

It's not shocking to hear that a couple who decides to jointly focus on healthy eating and exercising will be more fit than those who don't, but the idea that it could be just as important as your genes is significant. Instead of feeling doomed by a family profile, people should feel optimistic that making positive changes can have a big impact—especially when it's supported by your significant other. Conversely, watch your guy: If he's got a junk-food habit he just can't quit, it could be affecting you too.

And just in case you need a little motivation for hitting the gym, we've got a couple's workout that more or less counts as date night.

Dianna Agron has been shy with her left hand: The former Glee star, who got engaged to Mumford & Sons’ Winston Marshall over the holidays last year, hadn’t let us peek at her engagement ring—until now. Diana joined Harley Viera Newton and Alexa Chung in the front row for the Erdem’s London Fashion Week runway show earlier today, and her engagement ring was on full display:

Here’s a different angle:

And here’s a closer look:

Looks like a 4- to 6-carat diamond set in yellow gold—possibly a rose-cut diamond (which lies flush against the finger) like Sophia Vergara and Jennifer Aniston both have. The diamond might be bezel set (with no prongs) or their could be very thin claw-like prongs. We’ll keep you posted if we can figure it out for sure.

A second shot at love? Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odomaren’t back together for now—“God forbid exes are cordial right?!?!” she Tweeted after the two appeared together at Kanye’s Yeezy show. “People should praise kindness. Not question it.” But that doesn’t mean the youngest Kardashian sister has ruled out a reconciliation.

In a sneak peek of this week’s episode of Kocktails With Khloe, Khloe opened up about her love life—and reminded her guests that she’s “still f-cking married!” (Khloe and Lamar called off their divorce in October after Lamar was found unconscious in a Nevada brothel.)

“But I do one day, honey, I need to get married again,” she says. “Listen, at this point, I don't know what tomorrow is going to bring, I’ve learned that. They say if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans, so I have no plans to be made. So even if I remarry the same person again—I don’t know, that's not where I am right now.”

Guest Ross Mathews pressed KoKo as to whether she’d re-tie the knot with her ex: "I mean, that would be like the best dream...like, OK, I hope that first marriage could happen again, but it’s really hard to erase everything that happened. Just building a friendship back is what I’m doing now, it has nothing intimately, nothing at all, just pure love and I want someone to learn how to love themselves again.”

Khloe and Lamar were married in 2009. She filed for divorce in December of 2013.

Watch the full clip here:

Bella Hadid and the Weeknd have touched down in London ahead of tomorrow's Brit Awards, and there's a new piece of bling present! Please direct your eyes to her left-hand ring finger because there's something we haven't spotted before—a ring!

So, all the pictures available are a bit fuzzy, but it looks like it's rose gold and with a unique stone situation, possibly set under the band rather than directly centered on top. If and when the youngest Hadid sister makes it official with a lucky dude, we do expect to see a unique ring befitting her quirky-cool, '90s-inspired style (a.k.a. if this out-of-the-ordinary ring sitch proves to be the real deal, we won't be surprised).

How likely do we think that ring is THE ring? The couple wasn't one we predicted to get engaged in 2016 and were reported to be taking a break at the end of the year after spending the holidays apart. Even so, they walked the Grammys red carpet together, celebrated the musician's birthday at a Hollywood steakhouse over the weekend, and just appeared to share the same flight over to London. Engagement ring or not, it certainly seems the couple is back on.

Engraving your groom’s wedding band is one of the sweetest ways to show your love. “Having your wedding band engraved is a romantic way to add sentiment to the inside of your ring,” explains Dana Walden Bridal cofounder and creative director Radika Chin. “This subtle customization allows you to share something special with your partner—a favorite quote, lyrics, your wedding date—and you'll be the only ones that know about it.”

So to get your creative juices flowing for this very special inscription, here are 25 phrases you may want to steal—each perfectly band-size.

1. Our love is eternal
2. Love conquers all
3. A perfect fit
4. My heart is in your hands
5. Life has begun
6. I’ve found all I’ve waited for
7. You have my heart
8. Ever thine, ever mine, ever ours
9. Never to part
10. Forever entwined
11. I am the lucky one
12. I choose you
13. Hope is the life of love
14. My life began with you
15. The best is yet to come
16. I’m always with you
17. I knew from the moment I met you
18. I will always love you
19. Let us live as one
20. My dream came true
21. With you I belong
22. You are my home
23. Love is friendship set on fire
24. I was born to be yours
25. You are the love of my life

And with these ideas in mind, here are Chin’s top tips for how to up your engraving game.

1. Think it over. Just as the ring itself wasn’t an impulse purchase, neither should the engraving inside it be. “Take some time to think about what you'd like to engrave,” Chin says, so that you don’t end up with something you’ll later regret. “Dates are a great way to start, but perhaps there's something more personal and unique that you'd like to inscribe,” she prods. “Try looking through your favorite books or poems for inspiration.”

2. Size does matter. Get your mind out of the gutter—we’re talking about font size. “Think about how large you'd like your inscription to appear,” Chin says. “Generally speaking, the longer your quote is, the smaller your font will have to be.”

3. Test out the ABC’s. Not only can you choose font size, but you can choose the font itself. Cursive, serif, sans serif, and more may just be a computer model away. “We actually allow our clients to bring in examples of their favorite lettering, which we can perfectly match for them,” says Chin. “We can also engrave many different languages, symbols, and images. Not every jeweler offers these services, so it's best to ask about your options first.”

4. Leave enough time. Engraving a wedding band won’t take eons—but it’s also not something that can be done while you wait in jeweler’s lobby. “The time will vary depending on the jeweler and the complexity of your engraving,” says Chin. “Our timeline is about two weeks.”

5. Not all bands are created equal. A slim band encrusted with diamonds is not the ideal candidate for an engraving. Not sure whether yours leaves enough room for words? “The best way to find out whether or not your wedding bands can be engraved is to ask the jeweler that made them,” says Chin.

More wedding-y goodness for you to love:

If there was ever a match made in rock and roll heaven, this is it: Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams and New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert tied the knot on February 20 in perfect punk fashion, and we have photos and details from the big event! Check it out:

Williams wore a two-piece Vera Wang dress with a short skirt and tulle overlay that showed off her myriad of tattoos and, of course, her black Doc Martens, while Gilbert sported Converse hi-tops with his black suit and tie. For the reception, Williams changed into custom Vans sneakers and a UNIF top embellished with her husband's name "Chad" in red stitching across the front.

The venue for the nuptials—the Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tenn.—was more than just a nod to the couple's music careers. Williams and her Paramore bandmates helped to reopen and restore the historic theater after it was shut down in 2007.

And the cake was, in fact, not a cake at all, but a three-tiered, three-flavored, 100-layer doughnut cake. The creation was a first for Five Daughters Bakery, which made the cake along with 100 doughnuts in Paleo and vegan options that featured quotes iced on them such as, “I like your butt” and “You're so punk rock.” And naturally such a unique cake—and couple—would call for more than just your everyday cake toppers. The bride and groom opted for action figures by Super 7 Funko Reaction Figures that were modeled after Leeloo from The Fifth Element and Sloth from The Goonies.

And what would a wedding be without the whole family there, not to mention the bride and groom's bandmates and the couple's cute pup, Alf?

So cool. For more wedding inspiration, look at these engagement rings and wedding dresses from the last 100 years:

We're officially not surprised that Kim Kardashian West was the kind of bride who buckled down and got serious to ensure her big day went off without a hitch. It turns out her dedication to smooth sailing meant telling little sister Khloe Kardashian that, um, she wouldn't be welcome to stand up and make a toast to the happy couple.

"I did get banned from speaking at Kim and Kanye's wedding," she explained on an episode of The Late Late Show with James Corden. "I tend to just ramble, and I think I'm giving a compliment, but maybe I'm not saying the right thing. So at the wedding Kim was like, 'Well, you can't give a speech.'"

Brides planning things out to avoid awkward or lengthy speeches at the reception is nothing new (whether you're you or, you know, Kim). A tricky situation we might not have any advice for? What to do when your groom is the guy doing the gabbing. To reference: Kanye's wedding speech, which Khloe called "epic" and described as lasting 45 minutes. In reality, it likely only felt that long—it reportedly clocked in closer to 20.

Need some A-plus readings for your wedding? We've rounded up our favorites from TV shows, books, and movies.

You may or may not have heard the old wives' tale about wearing a ring on the ring finger of your left hand before getting engaged being bad luck. Plenty of ladies we quizzed had never thought about it, while others made a thing of purposefully avoiding any sort of accessorizing. [As for this writer, I made a point of never wearing anything pre-engagement. The tale was probably passed on by an older female relative, and once it got into my brain, no matter how silly, it stuck.]

There doesn't appear to be a major backstory for the superstitious stance. Rather, it's what you might guess: People worried that wearing a nonengagement ring would still signify you were taken, regardless of whether you were on the market, making it "bad luck" for finding a potential suitor. No one would approach you if a major visual cue was announcing you were already in a serious committed relationship.

While far from counting as official sources, internet commenters have weighed in whenever the question bubbles up. Someone responding on a Yahoo! Answers page offered up an explanation that seemingly points to how etiquette might have been involved. "In the past if a man met a woman [a ring] would be how he would tell [if she was married] without having to ask too many personal questions," she wrote, suggesting that inquiring about someone's marital status "would have been considered bad manners."

Wedding Bee message boards had a lively conversation going, with user Jezika asking the community where they stood. "I've heard that some people are positively against flouting this finger rule and even shake their heads at it," she wrote, collecting responses that included a few people explaining the decision to avoid wearing a ring was to make an eventual engagement piece feel more special. Another pointed out a different issue with stacking baubles on that finger: annoying frenemies who like to loudly ask Are you engaged?! whenever rogue jewelry is spotted. Awks.

For extra insight, we asked a few cool-girl jewelry designers to weigh in. The unanimous response? It's more about sending the wrong message more than anything else.

"I've always felt it had less to do with bad luck and more about letting guys know you were available. In my 20s and living in New York City, I definitely didn't want guys to think I was taken!" Maya Brenner told us. It was the same story for Page Sargisson, who said she avoided the finger but it wasn't about superstition. "I didn't want to signal to others that I was engaged if I wasn't. I don't think it's bad luck, but bad communication."

A custom engagement ring from Ariel Gordon

And while Ariel Gordon went all out with her accessorizing pre-settling down, she's limited her left-hand action since. "Once I got married I limited my left-hand rings to just my engagement ring and wedding band. I felt like they were precious enough and deserved all that real estate."

Bottom line: You're not going to jinx any potential love stories if you have a cool ring you want to wear on whatever finger you please. Accessorize away!

After “I do”: Here’s how to get through customs after your honeymoon:

Wedding planning can be fun, of course. But there are certain aspects that are about as entertaining as doing the dishes. So we turned to our wedding planning experts to identify the most tedious tasks—as well as the reasons you simply can’t to put them off. Check one of these items off your list your list each week and you’ll be making small—but very important!—steps toward your big day.

1. Building a budget.
Few people build household budgets let alone financially plan for what very well may be the most expensive day of their lives. “Budgeting is difficult because it takes a lot of footwork and patience at the start of the planning process,” commiserates Viva Max Kaley, New York-based wedding planner and creator of Viva Max Weddings. But creating a budget now not later not only keeps you from financial fumbles you’ll surely regret but prepares you to see your big day big picture. “A budget gives you an understanding of the big picture—how do each of your decisions affect the bottom line?” Kaley explains. “If you don't get this out of the way, then as you make decisions it will be difficult to have the confidence that your purchases are aligning with the financial goals of the wedding.”

2. Gathering guests’ addresses.
You may think you’ve got this bothersome task in the bag. But, warns Kelly Heyn, owner of SociaLife Event Planning in New Jersey, “this can be surprisingly daunting.” Why? Because, as Heyn points out, “we live in a world of instant communication, and it seems that barely anyone sends letters anymore. And therefore, you likely don’t have your college roommate’s or co-worker’s addresses just laying around.” So long before it’s time to address your invitations, it’s smart to make a spreadsheet of your guests’ addresses and keep it up to date as the months go on. “Include first and last names, as well as the prefix of each of your guests, so that you can create your formal invitations,” Heyn suggests.

3. Creating a to-do list.
If your to-do list already long enough without adding items such as, “search Etsy for custom-engraved cufflinks,” join the soon-to-be married club. But putting off writing down what you must do will only hurt your sanity in the end—and penning your action items doesn’t have to be difficult. “Exact timing of the items isn't as important as just writing out everything you need to do so you don't feel like you need to get everything done at once,” says Kaley. “When you begin the planning process it's easy to burn yourself out early, so it's better to spread out the tasks. Get a sense of what you should be prioritizing so you don't get overwhelmed.”

4. Booking your hotel room block.
Just as you wouldn’t leave your honeymoon reservations until the last minute, neither should you wait to book a hotel block for your out-of-town guests. As Heyn explains, “most hotels only have a limited amount of rooms they can block—and if another wedding party gets to it before you, you may be out of luck.” Begin a hotel block search as soon as you’ve set your date to ensure your guests have a sensible place to stay—and consider including your hotel choice on your save-the-dates for guests who may want to make their reservations early. “Make sure you research different hotels in the area and call them for prices,” Heyn advises. “Some hotels even offer wedding packages, throwing in free transportation or breakfast for your guests.”

5. Making a music list.
Your DJ may spin the tunes, but he or she will surely ask you for a list of your favorite songs to add to his or her playlist. “They’ll also ask for artists you like or don't like so they can learn your taste and develop a set for your wedding—and coming up with all your favorite songs on the spot isn't easy,” warns Kaley. Keep yourself from logging long hours on Spotify by writing down the music that makes you want to dance as you go. “Right after you get engaged, start creating a list on your phone of all the songs you love,” Kaley suggests. “Keep it on your phone so you can easily add new ones as they come to mind and not forget if you hear one while you're out and about.”

6. Assembling hotel welcome bags.
Dreaming up the treats you’ll stuff into your guests’ welcome bags is one thing—but buying each tiny item and taking time to stuff them delicately into containers is another beast of a task altogether. But thankfully, “if you are planning on giving out welcome bags to your guests, these are items that you can begin to purchase in advance,” Heyn points out. “Most couples wait to the last minute to put these together because they want to know the final count before making them—but the truth is, you probably already have a good idea of who will be booking rooms.” So buy up your items—such as Advil, water, or candy—as you see them on sale, and story them until closer to your wedding day. “It will help you save money and you will appreciate having it done in advance,” Heyn says.

More wedding-y things you need to know:

Brides-to-be receive a ton of advice, from how to manage the guest list to how to address that little envelope that goes inside the big envelope. But when it comes to, uh, "consummating" (seriously, do people still say that?) their marriage, the popular let-me-tell-you-a-secret nugget of wisdom is too often that a lot of newlyweds simply don't have sex on their wedding night. They say you'll be too exhausted, too drunk, too something.

That insight can be empowering — the pressure is off! — but it's also kind of a downer when you haven't even walked down the aisle. So, in the spirit of helping you go get yours, here are some ideas to make sure you and your groom have the after after-party that you two deserve.

Have a pact with your new husband to leave the after party at a specific time.
The goal here is to walk into your wedding night suite with a few ounces of energy still in you. For example, if your reception ends at 11 p.m., say goodnight to everyone at the bar at 1 a.m. You'll get to squeeze in a few more laughs with your friends without sacrificing your alone time to late-night antics.

Pack some silky PJs you can't wait to wear.
Naughty bridal lingerie is fun — but a luxurious chemise or shorts/tank set might be a better answer on your wedding night. After all, you spent all day in an elaborate get-up; slipping on something silky will feel so good — for both of you.

See More:What Your Wedding Night Lingerie Says About You

Plan ahead to make sure you have everything in your room.
And by "everything," we mean your suitcase and other next-day items. With all the running around you'll do on your wedding day, we suggest simply asking your parents or friends to transfer your suitcases to your suite. While you're at it, ask yourself if there's anything else that would keep you out or running around. If it's all there when you walk in, the quiet calm will instantly relax you.

Turn off your bridal brain and tune into him.
Because wedding planning can be so intense, it's natural to still be in the habit of wondering about the details even after the day is done. Did the guests all get their favors? Why was your brother's seat assignment moved? Where did you put your mom's shawl? Now's the time to forget about it all and turn your attention to your husband. You only get one wedding night — all that other stuff can wait until later.

After your wedding night, on to your honeymoon: