After "YES," Before "I DO" and Everything In Between

Tonight, the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards aired and as always we were paying close attention to the red carpet.  Most of music royalty took weeks to prepare (with their stylists) appropriate fashions as they were to celebrate some of the biggest names in music, including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Pink and the late, great Michael Jackson.  And like this year's Golden Globe Awards, attendees flaunted their personal style with unapologetic flair.  But this time we'd like to mix things up.  Instead of taking cues from the red carpet for brides we'd like to point out cues for bridesmaids instead.  After all, your maids will share the "white aisle" with you on your special day and it's important for them to be in line with the latest trends too.   Fergie wearing Emilio Pucci & Lea Michelle wearing Romona Keveza (Inspired options for bridesmaids: Alvina Valenta; Milanoo.com) Rihanna wearing Elie Saab Haute Couture (Inspired options for bridesmaids: Jim H

Those of us who love everything weddings and those of you who love planning your own wedding put lots of focus on "the dress" ... the garment you'll wear as you begin the next chapter of your life. But let's not forget about all of the other parties connected to your main event that you'll want to look fabulous for - like your bridal shower, your bachelorette party and the rehearsal dinner.  These events call for special attention as well, so you're looking your beautiful best. So, don't forget to shop for these and try not to wait until the last minute. To get you started, check out a few ensembles I threw together for Spring/Summer parties. I hope they inspire! Bridal Shower (LANVIN dress; Burberry trench coat; Faith gold clutch; Jamie Wolf earrings; TopShop bangle set; LANVIN pump) (ShopRuche dress; Luichiny bootie; Joan Shepp Clutch; King Baby Studio earrings, Kenneth Jay Lane cocktail ring) Bachelorette Party (D&G jacket; All Sain

It's time for Crate and Barrel's Wedding Parties! Be a queen for a day, the store's yours. Great food, good music, fabulous drinks and loads of advice on putting together the perfect gift registry. RSVP today and have fun! - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

I just read an awesome post over at Sparkliatti that I could not help but share with my readers. Sparkliatti is a blog headed up by San Francisco based celebrity event planner Sasha Souza, and she recently shared some inside info that many of us planners are all too familiar with: new/up-and-coming planners using sneaky tactics to uncover and copy established planners' business models/plans/prices. These newbies actually "shop" you and it can really get out of hand. Here's Sasha's article (which deserves a big "AMEN" at the end): Over the past few weeks, I've been shopped by other planners no less than twice - and those are the planners that I actually caught doing it. I have my suspicions on three other info requests as well which we are handling with kid gloves. Let me give you a bit of advice regarding pricing both yourself and figuring out who is charging what... It Does Not Matter What I Charge : Why? Because YOU are not ME. Your

Guess who's offering a full line of wedding invitations in addition to being one of the most sought after event designers? "Mr. Fabulous" himself, Preston Bailey! Mr. Bailey says, "I want the bride to feel special about her event. That is why I created this gorgeous line of invitations. Each invitation tells a different story ... it is the first page of a wedding story." Here's a look at a few of the newest designs, sold exclusively at Invitation Consultants : - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

Dear Rashana, As I begin planning my wedding, I'm most concerned about who's going to pay for what.  Many of my friends paid for their weddings themselves, with little to no help from their families.  However, our parents have offered to help with our wedding.  I know a lot has changed over the years where weddings are concerned, but traditionally what does the bride's family usually take care of and where does the groom's family come in? - Toward Tradition * * * * * * * * * * Dear Toward Tradition , You're right...who pays for the wedding has changed over the years.  But traditionally, the following should provide you with some guidelines: THE BRIDE &  THE BRIDE'S FAMILY Engagement Party Reception (including caterer, food, wedding cake, beverages, entertainment, decor, etc) Church (officiant, musicians, decor, etc) Flowers (for bridesmaids, flower girl, church, reception) Groom's wedding ring Invitations Photography Videography Transp

We were notified in November THE BRIDAL PARTY had been named a 2010 pick for The Knot's BEST OF WEDDINGS .  And now, the complete list of BEST OF vendors has been published on TheKnot.com and in The Knot Magazine's Spring/Summer’10 and Fall/Winter’10 issues.  Remember, these lists are a must-read if you're planning a wedding because The Knot surveyed over 20,000 brides and only those endorsed by brides made the cut. New Jersey brides ... run on over, definitely don't walk! Northern/Central New Jersey 2010 BEST   Southern New Jersey 2010 BEST - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

WeddingWire , the nation’s leading wedding technology company, announced earlier The Bridal Party is a winner of a 2010 Bride’s Choice Award™!  This award recognizes the top 5 percent of local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service and professionalism. The Bride’s Choice Awards™ are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds (brides and grooms) through extensive surveys and reviews, which means our past clients have spoken on our behalf and selected us to receive this honor.  This is our 2nd time receiving this award (having won the 2009 Bride's Choice Award as well) and we THANK YOU! - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

Earlier tonight, the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards aired and the red carpet leading into The Beverly Hilton was quite damp, due to the rain, but still smoking with lots of fashion and glamour!  As always there were a variety of "hits" and "misses," amongst the barrage of picnic-sized umbrellas, and the stars definitely took a lot of risks. There were no themes as far as color or style.  This seemed to be the year of expressing personal style and my favorites were Ginnifer Goodwin's cobalt Vionnet (shocking that I favored a short dress this year, I know) and Chloe Sevigny's Valentino (which was unceremoniously ripped when an usher stepped on the train as she accepted her award). Here are a few cues from the red carpet for brides: Jennifer Morris wearing Luis Antonio (Inspired options for brides from the following collections: Bellissima Couture, St. Pucchi Couture, David Fielden, Jenny Packham)   Lea Michele wearing Oscar de la Renta (Inspired o