All it took was some ribbon, silk and tulle

“Let’s try that one first,” I said, pointing to the craziest wedding gown the saleswoman had selected for me. It was tight through the hips, with geometric ribbon designs that started on the bodice and trailed down through the...

If you have two grooms, what do you call the rest of the wedding party?

It didn’t take my fiancé and me very long to decide who would join us down the aisle. We have a small, intimate circle of friends, so choosing them was easy. We settled on having six of our friends who would make up our party: four women...

Ideas for including underage bridesmaids in all the pre-wedding activities

A few guidelines come along with being part of a bridal party. You generally have to buy a dress and shoes, get your makeup and hair done but most importantly be there for the bride and partake in the important events leading up to the wedding. These...

The planning is over and it's time for the wedding

Well, it’s been 19 months and we’re finally here – it’s wedding time! I want to make this last post about the experience. Not the experience of being engaged and prepping for a wedding, but the experience of capturing it all in writing. While I hope my posts have been helpful and insightful for other brides, I also selfishly think it was most beneficial for me to chronicle this time in life. I will forever be able to look back on the experience and remember all of the details leading up to the big day. For that, I am forever grateful.

Is it OK to have guests bring unwrapped gifts to a shower?

While my wedding and bridal showers are still a ways away I can't help but think of them often.

Time to start setting goals as a married couple

To wrap up our pre-marital counseling, Sam and I were guided in setting goals for our future. Individually we each set three personal, couple and family goals, then shared them with each other and compared notes.

A kinetic proposal

It's not every day a giant pink poodle assists with a marriage proposal. On May 4, Bob Keefer, 38, proposed to his girlfriend of two years, Erin Alexander, 30, at the 15th annual Kinetic Sculpture Race.

Who makes the cut for the invitation list?

I wish there were clear cut rules on who should or should not make your wedding guest list. This is one of the most difficult decisions I have come across so far in the wedding planning process. 

Tips for planning the bachelorette weekend

I had my bachelorette weekend recently and it made me think about all of the different options available in and around Baltimore. There really is something suitable for every bride.

A creative way to ask friends to be in your bridal party

For some people, choosing the bridal party can be one of the toughest decisions in wedding planning -- but not for me. I knew my bridal party even before the question was popped. My bridesmaids are my go-to people, my best friends and my family. I didn't have any questions or doubts in my head. The one issue with our bridal party is that it will be uneven. I wasn't crazy about this, but it is what it is.

If kids are involved, consider getting them involved in the proposal

This past weekend my mom and I went to New York for my first dress fitting at Kleinfeld Bridal (which was amazing!) and then spent the day doing touristy things. In the afternoon we walked the Brooklyn Bridge, which I would recommend as a definite must-do.

Elements of a great wedding shower

I can’t believe I’m actually at this point. I mean I know it’s wedding shower season, but for it to be my wedding shower was an eye opener to how close we actually are to my May 25 wedding.

The to-do list is off to a strong start with venue, band and dress all picked in just a month and a half

I have been engaged for a month and a half and already I feel so accomplished in terms of my wedding planning. Everyone I talk to tells me how on top of things I am, and it’s so nice to hear because that is usually not me at all.  When it comes to cleaning or school work I have always been the biggest procrastinator. I wonder now why I haven't been so organized with all aspects of life, but, then, let’s be real: Planning a wedding and my future with the love of my life is way more exciting than studying or vacuuming the house.

Wedding venue contract: Signed, sealed, delivered

I’ve always liked to get work done in short, aggressive bursts. From term papers in high school to cleaning the apartment last Saturday – I’ll wait, wait, wait and then with head down and eyes narrowed, blitz all that needs to get done in one fell swoop.

How to transition from bride to bridesmaid

One of my best friends (and bridesmaids) recently got engaged and wonderfully asked me to be a part of her big day. I’m so excited for this experience because, so far for me, it’s been “always a bride, never a bridesmaid.” So as I wrap up my experience as a bride, I want to make sure I transition smoothly into being a bridesmaid and making my friend's experience as great as she has helped make it for me.

Which is better, a DJ or a band?

Weddings, along with styles, are constantly changing. Wedding bands used to be very popular in the last generation but lately DJs are the trend. As a very indecisive person, I can tell you that I am really struggling with this decision. 

Maryland weddings [Pictures]

Browse photos of recent Maryland weddings -- from traditional church ceremonies to quirky, Baltimore-themed celebrations.

The dazzle is in the details

It’s the little things that often leave the biggest impression, which is why your wedding should include special details that represent you as a couple. To help you in this venture, Carla David Designs and Love Life Images are hosting The Dazzling Details Wedding Bazaar this Sunday, April 7 at Hotel Monaco in downtown Baltimore.

Baltimore couple's proposal video goes viral

I know I’m biased but I think my proposal story is super cute and still gives me goose bumps every time I think about it (a picture-perfect engagement on the beach in October 2011). I also love to hear stories from others and how special it was for them.

When do you post the engagement on Facebook?

I got engaged a few of weeks ago. My fiancé took me to the park with our dog and proposed to me by rocks overlooking the Loch Raven Reservoir. This is a very special place for us, and he even laid out roses (who knew he could be such a romantic?).  After the excitement of realizing that I had just gotten engaged, I was so anxious to tell the world but I knew I couldn’t just yet! 

Hot spots for destination weddings

While I’m too controlling and Type-A for a destination wedding I do sometimes think about what it would be like to just hop on a plane and get married on a beach or island somewhere.

Honoring family members who can't make it to the wedding

I just recently experienced the death of my grandfather and while this is obviously a hard subject, my upcoming wedding in just a few weeks makes it an even harder thought to bear.

Randy Fenoli, of TLC's 'Say Yes to the Dress,' comes to Baltimore

As a "Say Yes to the Dress"-er, I’m very familiar with all of the staff at the famous bridal boutique Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City. In fact, I’ll be heading back to the big city in a few weeks for alterations on the dress I bought with help from the show's consultant Camille.

When is it OK to steal other brides' ideas?

I spoke with a friend/fellow bride-to-be recently who brought up something I hadn’t really considered before. In terms of wedding planning, when is it appropriate versus inappropriate to copy off of another bride’s ideas?

Did we just have a 'rehearsal honeymoon?'

The first signs of cold started to emerge in early October. The leaves of Ginkgo trees blanketed city sidewalks, and a misguided trip out of the house without a jacket drew immediate regret. Brrrr! Sam and I are self-proclaimed wusses when it comes to the cold and we were mourning the fact that another summer was undeniably over.

Wedding registries get wacky as couples ask for cars or even engines

Have you heard about the wacky registry trend?

Things to know if you are pondering a tented reception

I absolutely love tented weddings. I think they are a perfect medley of casual and sophisticated. I am really excited to be hosting my own tented wedding but for any couples out there considering this route, I have a few “hindsight” points you should consider.

Who makes the cut for an invitation to the bridal shower?

One of my bridesmaids recently asked me for my bridal shower guest list. Who knew that would be so hard for me? I found myself researching etiquette and trends on who from the wedding invite list also gets an invite to the bridal shower.

The case for getting an on-site venue coordinator

At our venue, we’re lucky to have a wedding coordinator who works with us to ensure everything comes together. She'll help us especially on the day of the wedding to make sure the details are handled so that we can enjoy the moment.

Wedded: Shellie Bronis and Kenneth Spencer

Seeking ideas for ways to honor Mom at the wedding

Something really important to me for the wedding is to make sure my mom is honored in a special way.

Delay ordering wedding bands at your own risk

Ladies and gentleman, I know we get wrapped up in the planning and details but please, please do not leave your wedding bands until last minute. Let me clarify: Order your wedding bands at least two and a half months before your wedding. I work in a jewelry store and am speaking from experience. I can not tell you how many of my clients wait until the last minute and then everyone is in a panic to get a ring expedited and, too often, they may have to settle for a different ring in order to have it on time.

Don't forget wedding details like hotels and transportation

An important detail, yet less sexy, for wedding planning is the hotel situation and transportation. This especially comes into play when your venue is far away from most of your guests. For example, most of our guests are coming from Baltimore and Harford counties, but our venue is in Frederick, which is about a 45-minute to an hour drive. Granted it's a beautiful, country drive and there shouldn't be any traffic on a Saturday afternoon/evening, but it's still a lot to ask of people

At some point, you need to commit to a wedding vision

Over the past several months of my engagement, many friends told me they grew up dreaming about their wedding day. From the beautiful white dress to the castle-like venue to the prince charming they hoped to meet at the alter, they had a clear vision of their "dream" wedding.

So what does the wedding to-do list look like with 100 days left?

There’s 100 days left until my wedding and still 100 things left to do! It’s crazy to think that I’ve been counting down for over 400 days already, but that also makes me even more stressed to think there are only 100 left in the countdown.

Making an entrance as man and wife in Ravens style or whatever suits you

In honor of the Baltimore Ravens being the football champions of the world after their big Super Bowl win, I would like to talk about entrance ideas for the reception.

Tips for making your wedding day picture perfect

I’ve been told the two most important things on your wedding day are the DJ/music and the photographer. This post is dedicated to my photographer!

Brides Against Breast Cancer in Baltimore

Brides-to-be can browse hundreds of designer and gently worn wedding gowns at the Brides Against Breast Cancer "Tour of Gowns" this Valentine's Day weekend at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel.

Truths to remember in avoiding wedding anxiety

I’ve seen many brides become so overwhelmed with wedding anxiety, especially related to planning, that they don’t get to fully enjoy their day. It’s sad to think that you could spend so much time worrying and stressing over what should be an extremely special moment in your life.

Help needed for a vintage veil

Toward the end of the summer, I was up in Cape Cod and visited this adorable vintage bridal shop with my future mother-in-law and bridesmaid Lindsey. I found a great veil with three rows of satin edges that was both beautiful and inexpensive, so I bought it. It has been in my car, in a bag ever since.

Local jeweler offers Super Bowl refund

You may not necessarily think about the Ravens and romance together, but if Baltimore's beloved birds shut out the San Francisco 49ers this Super Bowl Sunday, you'll wish you had. Baltimore-area Saxon's Diamond Centers is offering a refund on purchases up to $5,000 if the Ravens shut out the 49ers.

Getting the best deal at craft and discount stores for DIY wedding projects

I’m trying to be as much of a do-it-yourself-er as I can for the wedding. With that, I’ve ventured into every craft store known to man. And who knew there were so many out there. I guess I just didn’t pay attention to them all until I needed to.

New photography guide focuses on same-sex couples

Weddings are changing and wedding photography education needs to change, too. This is the principle behind “Capturing Love: The Art of Lesbian and Gay Wedding Photography” by Kathryn Hamm, president of GayWeddings.com, and Thea Dodds, a veteran wedding photographer. Together, the two are on a mission to enlighten photographers on how to pose and capture same-sex weddings through their visual guide.

While most couples today foot the bill for their wedding, that wasn't always the case

I feel like we live in a world now where the parents don’t (and aren’t expected to) pay for the wedding. It seems to be a tradition that has passed its time. Or maybe that’s just what my parents have convinced me with, so they could get off the hook …

Should brides let grooms wear whatever they want on the big day?

Let me start this post by saying that Sam absolutely hates to go shopping! In fact, I typically have to bribe him with food just to get him to consider it. So needless to say, the thought of going shopping for suits for the wedding was harder than pulling teeth. But we did it, and we survived. And, we went out to eat after.

It's not easy to give up control, but brides need to delegate

As I recently found myself in the middle of a cigar shop buying cigars for the groomsmen I realized one important rule that all brides (and women in general) must learn -- the art of delegating.

Save the Date cards are done, and they didn't break the bank

Our Save The Dates finally went out. I am actually pretty proud of them. I do not consider myself to be creatively inclined but I definitely gave myself a pat on the back after seeing the finished product. We decided to save money and make postcards as opposed to using outer envelopes or magnets. We made them pretty inexpensively, and I've received so many compliments.

One way to prepare for your wedding: Take a class

To my DIY brides/grooms, have I got a find for you.

Two events for those planning same-sex weddings

First comes love. Then comes marriage. But first, there’s the wedding! This month, two local organizations are hosting events to help same-sex couples navigate the exciting (and sometimes confusing) world of nuptials.

Owings Mills couple wins the lottery of love and a real lottery, too

Imagine marrying the love of your life and winning the lottery a few weeks later. This is exactly what happened to Debby Opper, 51, of Owings Mills, last month. On Dec. 1, Opper married Hassan Manafikhalesi, 58, at a ceremony and reception at Martin’s West in Baltimore. And on Dec. 28, she won $250,000 in the Mega Millions prize drawing.

The search for the wedding venue begins

And so the wedding planning process begins.

Maryland Bridal Expo 2013 [Pictures]

The 2013 Maryland Bridal Expo was held Jan. 5-6 at the fairgrounds in Timonium. See pictures from the event.

A plan for when guests RSVP for more than were invited

I recently wrote about how to determine who gets a "plus one" to the wedding. While there are some solid criteria to consider, you will likely find yourself in a situation where a guest has RSVPed for two but their invite was only for one. So what do you do?