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

Brides-to-Be, don't forget to pamper your nails. Classy, pretty, well-groomed nails are a "beautiful thing." And Essie has just what you need, as they've released their 2011 Spring Wedding Collection. I really love the 2011 Mega Mini Color Cube, which features four miniature bottles of Borrowed & Blue (an opaque blue), First Dance (a true red), Made To Honor (nude) and Better Together (the perfect sheer). It's much bolder than the 2010 version, which stayed safe and didn't push the envelope as much, featuring Petal Pink , Walk Down the Aisle (creamy white), Show Me the Ring (an iridescent pearl) and Main Squeeze (shimmering lilac). All in all, either is a must-have for those tying the knot this year. 2011 Essie Spring Wedding Collection Mini Pack 2010 Essie Spring Wedding Collection Mini Pack  - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

So, the jury's still out on whether or not the traditional garter removal/toss/transfer game should be silently banned from weddings altogether.  Many of our clients have proactively chosen to omit this old custom from their receptions.  Nevertheless, the simple addition of a special garter to the bride's ensemble has returned as a priority.  In 2008, I posted about the garter I wore for my own wedding and how much I loved the designer who created this treasured keepsake.  And now I'm happy to report there are so many new and innovative designs available to the bride of today. Here are some of my personal favorites (click on photos for detailed info): - - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

I truly LOVE the big, the bold and the bodacious when it comes to color. But this wedding season I've gravitated toward the meek, the mild and the muted ... hence my work on our Blue to the Bone inspiration board. When it comes to weddings, some believe it more difficult to select a striking bright palette, but truth be told it's the other way around. Most brides steer clear of anything too close to "white," as they feel this is their color and only their color. Albeit, brides shouldn't be afraid of a design that features feather-soft hues like "pale blue" and "bone" (two of the most delicate colors rarely utilized by brides and grooms). And here's why ... BLUE TO THE BONE Credits (top, left to right): Pale Blue Invitation - Southall Eden Paperie ; Vintage Table Number - Studio Stems ; Putty Radzimir Mini Dress - Lanvin PARIS ; Monogrammed Lollipop Favor - Beau-Coup ; Pale Blue Rolled Fondant Cake - Bach Bakery ; Silk Ring Pillow

How adorable and just plain ca-ute are these nifty little Eraser+ing Erasers ?  Perfect as bridal shower or bachelorette party favors, these diamond ring shaped erasers are just so much fun. Designed by Balance Wu Design, they're available in 5 colors and have fruity scents. Perfect for the young at heart!  - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

People around the world are anticipating the upcoming nuptials of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. Some would argue, it's the wedding of the year. I'd argue, it's the next most important wedding ... next to those of our own brides and grooms, of course! Still, folks are planning to attend the royal couple's wedding "via satellite" (by way of television, to be specific) and are even orchestrating parties in honor of the event. London will feature multitudes of celebrations on April 29th from street parties to pubs to grand ballroom extravaganzas. According to "The London Evening Standard ... there are already 70 road closure applications made in 13 of London's 33 local authorities and up to 200 parties already in the works." But there will be just as many gatherings in people's homes everywhere, so why not join in the fun and throw your own Royal Wedding Party? Invite your friends and family, start around 5am EST, serve breakfa

If you've yet to select your wedding or event's color palette, be sure to give Preston Bailey's color picker a whirl.  Mr. Fabulous, himself, offers yet another wonderful tool to help you pull off your celebration-of-a-lifetime ... and it's actually quite cool. Just be careful, it's also a little addictive!   - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

We at The Bridal Party are excitedly gearing up for our next wedding, taking place in a couple of weeks.  So, as we cross all of the t's and dot all of the i's, I was sure to alert my staff we'll have lots of napkin folding to do.  Our bride would like her menu cards tucked into the napkin at each place-setting, which I love.  I've certainly worked with many clients who ultimately decided to skip this gesture, but I always urge otherwise because it's such a simple way to add just that extra little touch for the celebration.  Some napkin folds are quite complex and take some practice, but for this affair we'll only need a simple pocket-fold.  A quick flip, fold and tuck! RealSimple even offers a nifty online video demonstrating the pocket-fold technique.  Of course this will take some time to complete, especially if you're expecting 110 guests (like we are in a couple of weeks), but I assure you ... it's worth it. - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana An

The red carpet of the 83rd Annual Academy Awards was beaming with glitz and glamour!  From subtle nude sparklers to bold statement-making pops of color, we were in awe of it all.  One trend I particularly gravitated to this year was texture.  So many of Hollywood's elite chose embellished gowns that featured beads, lace, sequins, feathers and flowing ruffles.  Just gorgeous! Check out some of the celebs who allowed texture to make their statement along the red carpet: Halle Berry wearing Marchesa Michelle Williams wearing Chanel Mila Kunis wearing Ellie Saab Scarlett Johansson wearing Dolce & Gabbana Hillary Swank wearing Gucci Gwyneth Paltrow wearing Calvin Klein Now take a look at how several designers make it easy for this year's bride to incorporate beautiful texture into the most important gown she'll ever wear: (from designers Tara Keely, Rosa Clará, Pepe Botella Novias, Lazaro, Alexander McQueen) - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder &