Photo: Courtesy of Journelle

If the only time you want your man reaching up your thigh is in your bedroom — or at least behind closed doors! — you're not alone. And yet, that pesky little traditional of the garter toss remains, where grooms are asked to dive into your dress in search of a thigh-high treat they'll fling toward a pack of single men and your family members.

If you've talked with your fiancé and he's set on sticking to this tradition, there are a few things you can do to make it less awkward and (gasp!) maybe even fun.

Consider modernizing the toss with a new twist.
"I had a bride and groom who really wanted to incorporate the tradition but the bride did not want her dad seeing the groom 'get' the garter," recalls Shelly Stone, owner of Signature Events. So the groom tucked his bride's garter into his pocket, then took his bride for a twirl around the dance floor. "They did a [coordinated] dance, and when she spun him around, he threw it," Stone says. "Fun, easy and not embarrassing."

See More: 6 Wedding Traditions You Shouldn't Feel Bad About Skipping

Limit the pool of men poised to catch the garter to single guys.
There's no shame in privately asking your recently divorced uncle to sit this one out. "When you think about it, the bouquet is usually caught by a young girl and the garter is caught by an older man," Stone reasons. "Do you really want this pair dancing together?"

And if you're dead set against this one, it's okay.
In fact, we promise you won't regret deciding to sit this tradition out. "All of my weddings that didn't incorporate the garter and bouquet tosses didn't miss out on anything," Stone says. "They actually had more people dancing because the music just kept playing. There were no uncomfortable moments and once the night really started it didn't end."

What do you think of the garter toss? Is this one tradition brides should consider tossing to the wayside? Let us know @Brides!

Newlywed bliss looks good on Jessica Simpson! In honor of her new husband's birthday (Jessica wed NFL star Eric Johnson on July 5) the singer and mom of two took to Instagram to share some love and show off just how well married life is treating her.

Eric's 35th birthday officially marks their first celebration as husband and wife — and Jessica was clearly thrilled to recognize the milestone event, sharing three adorable snaps to commemorate his special day.

The first photo, seen above, shows the fashion designer wearing a black bodysuit under a sheer A-line skirt, while posing with her special guy. The caption reads: "Happy Birthday Husband of Mine."

Yesterday, in honor of Eric's actual birthday, Jessica shared two adorable throwback photos. In the photo above, a young Eric is seen playing a saxophone. "Eric Maxwell Johnson is 35!!! Let's all celebrate the saxiest MAN I know!!!!!" his proud wife captioned the shot.

For her last post of the day, Jessica shared another cute flashback photo of Eric, accompanied with the caption, "Eric Maxwell Johnson is 45 today!! I see our daughter Maxi in this pic!! Wow."

Earlier this month, Jessica gushed about her relationship with Eric in a column for Glamour. "Eric has seen me at every size, and he loves me no matter what... Eric was so supportive and challenged me to accept my insecurities and focus on what truly matters. I feel stronger than ever, and Eric's unconditional love has been a reminder of the love I should give myself."

Photo: Courtesy of Bethany Olson

We've seen couples who planned their entire wedding on Pinterest and others that met on Facebook, but recently engaged couple Bethany Olson and Cory Staudacher found love on another social media platform entirely — they attribute their entire relationship to Instagram!

It all started after Bethany, a photographer, joined the photo-sharing network in 2011, when one of her friends posted an image of Cory, who is also a photographer. "I though, dang this guy is talented and cute. So I started following his work!" she tells BRIDES of her initial crush. Pretty soon, they connected on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and started liking and commenting each others' photos.

Photo: Photo: Courtesy of Bethany Olson

The photo above shows when they finally met, later that year. The same friend who'd posted the original image of Cory invited Bethany to hang out at a cafe in Seattle. Fittingly, they Instagrammed the event. Surrounded by friends, but sitting on opposite ends of the table, the self-proclaimed "shy couple" didn't talk much. The meeting was enough, though, and they kept up their social media correspondence.

Photo: Photo: Courtesy of Bethany Olson

What finally got the wheels turning was a Facebook message. "In summer of 2012, I started working at a Vitamin Water stand for a huge music festival in Seattle," Bethany recalls. "As I was pouring some Vitamin Water into cups and hanging it to people who I wasn't looking at, I heard this 'Hello Bethany!' I looked up and it was Cory, and I immediately turned bright red and became flustered." He sent her his number on Facebook, which led to full-on texting. Their first date was a photo adventure to the seaside town of La Push on September 12, and they never looked back from there.

Photo: Photo: Courtesy of Bethany Olson

"After that date, there was something about him that I knew was special," Bethany says of the adventure date, a photo of which is above. "I couldn't pin point it, but after two weeks of dating I realized I wanted to marry him! It's so crazy to think about that now."

Photo: Courtesy of Bethany Olson

The photo adventure quickly spawned more, further flung excursions. The two lived less than an hour apart, so they began seeing each other every day. "A couple months after we were dating, the first place we ever traveled together to was New York City. That was such an amazing trip!" Bethany says of the fruitful vacation. "We now work together as we are photographers that travel all over the place. So after New York, almost every month we were flying somewhere for work or vacation." The photos above show the duo on getaways to Mazatlán, Mexico, and Arizona.

On September 12, 2014, exactly two years after their first date, Bethany and Cory set off on a brand-new adventure that Cory had planned all on his own — something that immediately got Bethany's imagination churning. "I was like, 'We go everywhere together and have traveled to so many places. What is he planning?'" she wrote on her blog. "I was thinking either Portland, the Oregon coast, Lake Cushman, or La Push. I wasn't really thinking La Push was going to happen because it's so far away (and so is the Oregon coast), but whatever. So I packed a bunch of clothes, and we took off."

Soon enough, she realized they were going back to La Push, the location of their first date. Naturally, she suspected that her boyfriend was about to propose. "I didn't want to think about it too much or get my hopes up because I just didn't honestly think it was going to happen," she says in retrospect.

Photo: Courtesy of Bethany Olson

What happened next probably piqued her curiosity even more. "Once we got to the beach, Cory hiked down this basket full of cute stuff; cheese, crackers, wine, and chocolate (my favorite!)," she says of the picnic, pictured above. "We hung out on the beach for a couple hours, and man it was hot. I was wearing shorts and a tee and I was literally sweating."

Once golden hour hit, Cory said to me, "'Eh, maybe you should go back up to the car and change,'" Bethany adds. She balked, despite the heat, but relented when Cory said he wanted to take some photos. "So I walked up to the car, changed, and walked down (that was about a mile and a half)," Bethany says. "On the way up I was thinking to myself 'I wonder if he's going to propose...'"

When she got back, she saw the picnic laid out, heard music playing, and cast her eyes on Cory, who was beaming. Pretty soon, it was the golden hour, and Cory asked that they get a video of them swing dancing. He set up the camera, and next thing Bethany knew, he was proposing — the whole thing was caught on video.

Not only did he plan the perfect proposal, but he picked a pretty great ring, too. The 14K white gold Shane Co. double halo solitaire looks equally as stunning on Bethany's finger as it did in the Instagram photos they inevitably posted.

With their wedding on the horizon — Bethany says they'd like to tie the knot next summer — the traveling photographers are dreaming of a laid-back outdoor wedding in the forest with all of their friends and family in attendance.

Needless to say, Bethany is over the moon about the still-recent proposal. "My favorite part about Cory's and my relationship is that we share the same values in life, and we get to share the same career and happily work together, which is rare for some couples!" she says. "We also get to make our career our hobby as well. So it's a two in one!"

And, yes, when they do get married, they will have a wedding hashtag. "A lot of our friends we actually met on Instagram, which is crazy to think! There's a group of us in Seattle that basically all met through Instagram, mutual friends, or through some sort of social media," she says. "So for our wedding, most of our guest will be our friends we met on Instagram, and/or we will for sure have a hashtag to share images our guests take."

Photo: Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Every time a celebrity gets married on a tropical island or on top of a mountain, another bride-to-be dreams of having a destination wedding.

The problem is that while in theory a destination wedding may become your "dream wedding," there are some couples who are not good candidates for getting married away from home.

If you're very close to your elderly grandparents who cannot travel and would be heartbroken not to see you in your wedding dress, then getting married someplace they can't be is a bad idea. If you're very involved in your church at home and just bringing the minister with you won't make it feel "real," you should be walking down the aisle of your church and not some random beach.

Still, a girl (or boy) has a right to wedding dreams. And the popularity of destination weddings has made them affordable and easy to plan. The question is: Is a destination wedding right for you?

See More: The Most Heart-Stopping Destination Wedding Locations Around the World

If you answer "no" to more than one of the following questions, maybe you should consider a destination elopement followed by a traditional wedding reception back home. Or plan an elaborate honeymoon after the wedding in your hometown.

Take the quiz below and see if you can say "yes" to all of these important questions:

1. Do you and your fiancé both want to get married away from home?

2. Do your parents support your decision to have a destination wedding? And if they're not really excited about it, will they still play ball and be a part of your festivities?

3. Can you afford the travel and accommodations and additional expenses for yourselves that you might not have incurred if you'd gotten married at home?

4. Have you always envisioned a destination wedding (wherever it is, beach, mountains, etc.)?

5. Can the members of your bridal party afford to travel for your wedding?

See More: How to Plan a Stress-Free Wedding From Across the Country

6. If some of your friends can't be there to celebrate with you because of expenses or job commitments, can you live with that?

7. Will you be able to afford (sometime within a year of your wedding) to have a smaller reception back home to include elderly family or other important people who couldn't travel to your destination wedding?

8. Do you understand that, depending on the destination you choose, not everything is available the way it is back home and you might have to make some compromises?

9. Will you look forward to spending an extended amount of times with your guests at your destination?

10. Are you the type of bride who can give up control to a wedding planner or vendors at a destination far away where you can't be the one in charge of everything?

Are you a good candidate for a destination wedding? Tweet us your results @BRIDES!

Owner of Weddings in Vieques, a destination-wedding planning company off the coast of Puerto Rico, Sandy Malone has helped countless couples plan their big day since 2007.

Photo: Getty Images

Want to make the most of your wedding planner's time? While a signed contract is a great first step, turning into a total bridezilla, or worse, a stage-five clinger, midway through the process is definitely not the wisest way to go. Remember: Wedding planners are people too, and you've got to give respect to get it. We asked a bunch of seasoned wedding planners to tell it like it really is when it comes to all the little (and not so little) things that annoy them.

Come with a vision.
"I know this is a hard one because some people really don't know what they want, but at least have a vague idea what direction you would like to move in, maybe a color palette or a theme you like, so we can pull it all together and not have to create a vision for you." — Shafonne Myers, wedding planner and founder of Pretty Pear Bride

Include them in vendor conversations.
"Calling your vendors directly can certainly annoy your planner, especially if you're discussing details they should be privy to. Always include your planner in all wedding planning discussions." — Shawn Rabideau, president of Shawn Rabideau Events & Design

See More: Your Last-Minute, Pre-Wedding Vendor Checklist

Trust their expertise.
"Once you've chosen your planner, trust them and their expertise. Most planners (and vendors for that matter) appreciate the trust, and in return, will go above and beyond your expectations." — Sunny Ravanbach, president of White Lilac Events

See More: 10 Things a Bride Should Never Do According to a Wedding Planner

Be on time.
"If you can't make an appointment, please let your planner know in advance. This is particularly crucial during the busy season because make up or late appointments can be very difficult to reschedule." — Karen Gramlich and Laura Booker of Winey Blonde Events Co.

Use Pinterest only for ideas.
"Not for a full design. No one wants to copy another's work or a design they have seen repinned 10000 times on Pinterest. Plus, you want your wedding to be original too, right?" — Francesca DiSalvo-Follmer, owner of Pure Luxe Bride

Don't expect them to answer your calls around the clock.
"Wedding planners usually work normal office hours on days when they're not executing events, and they don't love working extra nights to accommodate clients' work schedules. Sometimes it has to be done, but it's important to remember that they work in a field that doesn't give them a lot of free time or at-home time with their families and to try and respect that." — Sandy Malone, owner of Weddings in Vieques

Make your mind up.
"Wishy-washy and indecisive thinking can be annoying. The planner is typically working within a timeline to get all activities successfully executed, ensuring all the 'I's are dotted and 't's crossed. The planner will present many options and it's up to the couple to make some concrete and firm decisions in a timely manner. This also applies to last-minute changes that can have a domino effect." — Greg Jenkins, founder of Bravo Productions

She's lived everywhere from Laguna Beach to The Hills, but when it came time to get married last weekend, Lauren Conrad picked a picturesque coastal boutique winery in California's Santa Ynez Valley. That's just one of the many details that are finally coming out about her wedding to her lawyer fiancé William Tell.

According to Us Weekly, Conrad hosted a rustic-chic ceremony on Saturday for guests including family and friends like Lo Bosworth and former MTV costars Stephen Colletti and Frankie Delgado.

See More: Why Lauren Conrad is Taking Her Time Planning Her Dream Wedding

Bridesmaid-turned-wedding planner Cassandra Herschenfeld helped Conrad plan the event, which was nearly a year in the making. "I don't know that I have ever been as happy as I was walking down that aisle," Conrad told Us. "It was amazing!"

Some of those painstaking details included vintage hankies and homemade apple pie, things which the budding lifestyle guru likely had a major hand in choosing. The "crazy party" of a reception also included white flowers, gourmet food and a photo booth.

Conrad and Tell gave guests bottles of wine as a welcome gift and treated them to a post-wedding brunch on Sunday morning, to which Conrad wore an adorable dress that matched some of her stationery.

By all accounts, that's just what happened, and Conrad and Tell pulled off getting hitched without a hitch. As a source told People, "They are perfect for each other."

Photo: Brides

It really couldn't have been more perfect: six stunning ballerinas in the esteemed American Ballet Theatre engaged at the same time. All of them, set to float down the aisle in their best costume yet — a wedding dress!

Naturally, we had to seize the moment, and, lucky for us (and you), we were able to shoot all six dancers in dream bridal gowns. The result? Elegant insight into their unbelievable poise, personalities, and wedding plans.

And, just as we expected, the designer dresses we threw their way didn't wear the talented artists by any means — they wore them. With a simple arabesque here and jeté there, each beautiful ballerina made the designs come to life.

Photo: Alexei Hay

We also have a behind-the-scenes video, below, that captures the magic from shoot day. It's in the clip that you can really see the girls in action — as Nicola Curry takes a breathtaking twirl, on point, in an ethereal, floral-embellished Mira Zwillinger, Lauren Post and Elina Miettinen show off their strong-standing extensions in a Reem Acra tulle mini akin to a tutu.

Photo: Alexei Hay

The awe-inspiring athletes also shared sweet anecdotes about their wedding plans and relationships: Brittany de Grofft revealed her future husband is a fellow ABT member, plus her bridesmaids are all ballerinas as well! Cassandra Trenary noted she'll be wearing a DIY headpiece of pears, gold wire, and flowers picked from her future mother-in-law's veil.

"It's been fun because we just pass around magazines and have plenty of conversations about flowers, and cakes, and all that," Curry says in the video. "It's definitely going to be summer of weddings."

"You know putting on the dresses, getting your hair and makeup done, it's sort of preparing you for that day. So I think we're all feeling the excitement," Post adds.

See more from our shoot by watching the behind-the-scenes video, above. To check out the rest of the spread, don't forget to pick up our October/November issue, on newsstands now!

Photo: Shawn Connell for Christian Oth Studio

You'd never plan your wedding at work (cough, cough) — but your lunch break is a whole other story! For your #WeddingWednesday lunchtime, we rounded up gorgeous real weddings, pretty style details, and helpful tips from across the web. Our favorite recent wedding blogs have one of two things in common: shocking proposals and receptions that bring the outdoors in! From a total proposal fake-out to garden party-inspired nuptials, take a peek at the best wedding blogs:

There's planning a surprise proposal, and then there's what Jack Bermeo did. Instead of kind of throwing his girlfriend off the scent, he planned an entire fake wedding as a ruse to pop the question. You have to watch the video to believe it. —POPSUGAR

We found a couple that met on Instagram, documented their relationship on Instagram, and, last weekend, shared the news of their engagement on Instagram! They're professional photographers, so needless to say, the images they shared with us of their whole story are picture-perfect. —Brides

This couple went all out for their vow renewal, with a ceremony, formalwear, and more! Our favorite part? The mini terrariums they incorporated into the centerpieces, which are one one of the best ways to make an indoor reception feel fresh out of the greenhouse. —100 Layer Cake

A laid-back, gold-tinged wedding is already out of the ordinary. Throw in succulents as the boutonnieres and slices of tree trunks as centerpieces, and it becomes downright woodsy! —Ruffled

We're always looking for ways to mix up the traditional bachelorette party structure — bar nights and dancing are fun, but why not host something totally unique? This styled bachelorette inspiration shoot features craft cocktails and a bar decked out in lush greens and flowers. —Green Wedding Shoes

We're slightly obsessed with this Southern, garden party-inspired wedding. The coupled decked out their tables with topiaries, had canopies of greenery, included actual trees in their ballroom, and sliced into a cake decorated with flowers to match the bride's dress. Talk about attention to detail! —Brides

Photo: Anita Martin Photography

Giving guests a tasty wedding favor is always a good idea, especially if they're homemade meal accoutrements guests can enjoy at home the next day. Maybe you're known for your killer salsa recipe. Or perhaps you and your groom's first date took place at a local barbecue restaurant. Why not whip up batches of your famous salsa recipe or purchase mini bottles of the restaurant's barbecue sauce to give to guests? They'll appreciate all of the thought and effort into making your wedding send-off gift a delicious one.

Jam (above): Into making jam? Make some batches of your favorite flavor (apricot and habanero sounds amazing, doesn't it?) to give to guests.

Photo: A Simple Photograph

Olive Oil: This couple passed out bottles of extra-virgin olive oil bearing a tag printed with the couple's favorite pasta recipe. Love this idea!

Photo: JL Photografia

Honey: A jar of locally sourced honey is such a sweet idea.

Photo: Red Sparrow Photography

Hot Sauce: If you and your groom love all things spicy, then why not give everyone miniature bottles of your favorite hot sauces?

Photo: The Nichols

Spice Rub: Known for your fabulous dinner parties? Let guests in on your kitchen secrets with a jar of your homemade spice rub.

Photo: Lev Kuperman Photography

Maple Syrup: Send guests home with a bottle of delicious maple syrup they can enjoy with pancakes and waffles at home.

Photo: Half Full Photography

Salsa: This couple invites guests to their home for a low-key backyard wedding complete with a taco truck and jars of homemade salsa.

Photo: Kristi Wright Photography

Barbecue Sauce: We love the idea of bottling up jars of barbecue sauce from your favorite 'cue joint to give to your guests

Photo: Courtesy of Disney

Ever since Frozen premiered, pop culture really can't "Let it Go" (sorry, we had to). Frozen-mania has hit hard, with Elsa making her way onto ABC's Once Upon a Time set, a Frozen ride currently under construction at Disney World, and now, an Elsa-inspired Frozen wedding dress! Alfred Angelo, the bridal fashion house behind an entire Disney Fairy Tale Wedding collection with gowns that show a striking resemblance to Cinderella, Ariel, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, and Jasmine's iconic looks, is designing the dress.

The Elsa dress will make its way into the Disney collection's next iteration. "She is beautiful and elegant, and her inner beauty shines through when she is ultimately not afraid to embrace who she is with confidence and poise," Alfred Angelo's Chief Creative Officer Michele Piccione tells InStyle. "We wanted to translate Elsa's inner beauty and individuality into a sophisticated gown that exudes this."

See more: Best Movie Wedding Dresses

Naturally, the dress will be an "ice blue softly-flared sheath gown" according to Angelo. It will also feature a Watteau train, "a classic style that drapes from the shoulders to the floor," which resembles the character's very own sweeping piece of shimmering fabric.

Pretty on-trend for a Disney gown: Both a colorful hue (have you seen the shades walking the runway lately?) and a cape-like train? Very fitting for Disney's own modern-day princess, Elsa.

Want to look like Elsa on your big day? The dress will be available in January 2015. And if you do choose to purchase this gown, we recommend a thick, platinum blonde side-braid to complement the look.

Photo: Corbin Gurkin

When Kevin Boyle moved to North Carolina for a job in 2007, his friend Brian knew he'd need to meet some Tar Heel natives, so he introduced Kevin to MarySue Zaytoun, and the introduction stuck. In February of 2012, when MarySue, a fashion buyer, was coming home from a business trip, Kevin surprised her with a proposal at home. After she said yes, he surprised her again as their families joined them for champagne and celebrating.

The pair wasted no time planning their wedding, setting a date a mere nine months later, on November 3rd, 2012. They hired Ivy Robinson Events to get all the details in order and design their eclectic-meets-French countryside luncheon (and their evening cocktail party!), and Corbin Gurkin to take the incredible pictures.

Photo: Corbin Gurkin

Rifle Paper Co. designed the flower-laden invitations. Because they were wed in an 11 a.m. ceremony, MarySue and Kevin decided to invite their family and close friends for a post-wedding brunch, then have a larger cocktail party later with a bigger group.

Photo: Corbin Gurkin

The dress MarySue wore down the aisle is a real family heirloom. "My great-great-grandmother made the dress, and my great-grandmother, grandmother, great aunt, and mother wore it," she says. The bride made it modern by shortening the sleeves and adding a tulle overskirt.

Photo: Corbin Gurkin

Because the church was small, the couple chose to keep their wedding party small, each tapping two people to stand with them at the ceremony. MarySue's 'maids wore dresses of their choice in black and dark gray. All three women carried brightly-hued bouquets of dahlias, roses, and peonies in coral, orange and burgundy, accented with pops of light green.

Photo: Corbin Gurkin

MarySue and Kevin had a full Catholic mass at St. Peter's Catholic Church.

MarySue's headband and veil were a combination of the veil that was created to go with her gown and an heirloom pearl headband that was a gift from a family friend.

Photo: Corbin Gurkin

Instead of a traditional venue, the bride and groom rented a private home for their wedding—a penthouse condo with an open floor plan and a fantastic patio. "We wanted our wedding to feel like a party we'd throw in our home," says MarySue. They decorated with neutral linens, lush pink and orange centerpieces, and MarySue's mother's family's china.

Even the menu was full of family heirlooms. The couple worked with Craig Barbour, the owner of Roots, a Charlotte-area food truck serving up local, seasonal, homemade foods. "For breakfast we had casserole, hash, and of course my grandma's biscuits," says MarySue. "Craig did an amazing job working with our family's favorites."

Photo: Corbin Gurkin

A wedding wouldn't be complete without cake. MarySue and Kevin had not one, but three! "We didn't want a huge six-tier confection, so we chose to have three smaller cakes instead." Buttercream coated layers of orange bourbon cake, filled with orange zest buttercream and topped with vintage cake toppers.

Photo: Corbin Gurkin

That evening, MarySue changed into a strapless column gown that she found for only $99 at a local bridal shop that was going out of business. She dressed it up with a pink fur coat and brocade pumps.

Photo: Corbin Gurkin

For the cocktail party, a live band played as guests ate passed hors d'oeuvres or drank hot cocoa and played beer pong on the patio. "It was a great opportunity to do something less formal," says MarySue. They reused the arrangements from the brunch to decorate the tables.

"We both have big families," says MarySue. "Having a more intimate family brunch, then inviting our friends for cocktails later, was the perfect way to accommodate both crowds and celebrate with everyone we love."

Ceremony Venue: St. Peter's Catholic Church || Reception Venue: Private Residence || Wedding Planner: Ivy Robinson Events || Bride's Wedding Dress: Family Heirloom || Shoes: Rupert Sanderson || Clutch: Olympia Le Tan || Hair: Jacqueline Bush || Makeup: Elizabeth Black || Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids || Groom's Attire: Hickey Freeman || Wedding Bands: Dezso by Sara Beltran || Florist: John Lupton & Andrew Thomas || Invitations & Paper Goods: save the dates, brunch invitations, escort cards - Rifle Paper Co.; evening invitations - Arzberger Stationers; menus - Anne Watkins || Calligraphy: Kathryn Murray || Music: brunch - Robyn Springer, evening - In The Pocket || Catering: Roots || Cake: The Art of Cake || Rentals: Party Reflections || Favors: Davidson Chocolate || Photography: Corbin Gurkin

Photo: Courtesy of Us Weekly

Finally, details have emerged about vintage-meets-rustic Lauren Conrad's Santa Ynez, California nuptials. The most important element of all, of course, was her wedding dress, which we now finally have more information on!

Unlike our initial predictions that bestie and former Laguna Beach co-star-turned-Vera-Wang-designer Trey Phillips would design her big-day gown, L.C. went with design duo Badgley Mischka for a custom-creation that featured two-tone Chantilly lace embroidered antique-looking Alencon lace, and glamorous crystals and pearls. The finishing touches included an embroidered illusion back and a stunning sweeping veil and train.

See more: As If. Our Fantasy Bridesmaid Dress Selections for Lauren Conrad's Former MTV Co-Stars

"I was so thrilled to have Mark and James work on my dress. Not only have I been a longtime fan of their designs and aesthetic, they are also the nicest guys," L.C. said of her wedding dressmakers in a release from the design house. "They were so sweet and made the process really enjoyable. I love my dress."

"We were delighted when Lauren asked if we would design her wedding gown," Mark Badgley and James Mischka also said in the release. "Lauren embodies a young, modern, and sophisticated style that is the type of women we love to design for. She wanted a simple and classic yet glamorous gown which paired perfectly with the Old Hollywood element we love to put in each of our designs."

Photo: Courtesy of Badgley Mischka

The Paper Crown designer's iconic styles come through in the inspiration board for the dress, above, which features images of the reality-star-turned-lifestyle-guru alongside cuts of romantic lace fabric and dainty embellishments only fit for L.C.

Photo: Courtesy of Badgley Mischka

A sketch of the gown, too, showcases the touch of shimmer along the bodice.

Do you like Lauren's dress? Tweet us what you think @BRIDES!

Photo: Getty Images

If your reaction to having children is akin to that of the heroine in bestselling author Emily Giffin's Baby Proof — that is to say, you love the man and loathe the idea of having his spawn to the point of separation — don't let your real-life love story end in divorce. Instead, talk to your significant other about your maternal instincts, or lack thereof, before your big day.

"If you are vehemently opposed to having kids and you marry someone without either telling them or finding out that they must have kids to feel fulfilled, you've just made a terrible, very expensive — not to mention heartbreaking — mistake," says relationship expert Dana Corey.

With the exception of scheduling this sit-down before saying "I do," there's no perfect time to let this secret slip. Choose a time when you're both in good moods, and in a place where you can hear, discuss and understand the other person's desires. "Have a conversation the same way you talk about where you want to live, what your goals and dreams are for the future, what you're looking forward to about being married," suggests Corey.

See More: Answers to Your Trickiest Family-Related Wedding Questions

If you find your fiancé wants children, that's not necessarily a deal breaker. But you'll still have a serious decision to make. "You have to determine whether or not you can live with what he wants or not," says Corey. "You can't marry him and hope that down the road he's going to come around. You have to choose for yourself — could I live with that choice? If not, he's not the right partner for you, even if you love him."

Living with the choice to marry despite your differing views on family won't be easy, if you do decide to go that route. After all, there's not much gray area between having children and not having children. And the compromise can't be to become an uninvolved parent. "Someone can't say, 'You can have the kids, but I'm not going to participate,'" says Corey. But if you can come to an agreement or compromise, and you both own it and are fully committed to that compromise, then it can work."

What do you think? Could you ever marry someone who wanted kids when you didn't? Tweet us your thoughts at @BRIDES.

Color by Andrew Sotomayor

If you're strictly a liner-and-mascara girl, it's time to up your eye makeup game. And don't worry: It's easier than you think to DIY it! We asked celebrity makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor, whose clients include Jennifer Lawrence and Kerry Washington, to give us the play-by-play for three wedding-ready looks.

Metallic Glam (above): Sparkly eyeshadow catches the light so beautifully, you don't need to pile it on to make an impact. The key, Sotomayor says, is blending.

Step one: Dab a copper shadow, like CoverGirl Bombshell Shine Shadow in Copper Fling ($7, available at Walmart), at your lash line with a brush and sweep it up to your brow bone. Then, smudge brown liner across your upper and lower lashes.

Step two: Grab a few metallic shadows — we like the shades of rose gold and shimmery chocolate brown in Cle de Peau's shadow quad in Satin Moon ($55, available at Nordstrom) —and a large fluffy shadow brush. "The tones intensify each other as you layer them," Sotomayor says, which means it's best to apply the lightest color all over, on top of your copper base, the medium shades up to your crease, and the deepest shade closest to the lash line.

Color by Andrew Sotomayor

Smoky, Redefined: These warm brown shades are flattering on every complexion, and help take the edge off bold liner.

Step 1: Apply a primer, like Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($12, available at Sephora), to the lids, then use a thin brush to drag black eyeliner across the entire upper and lower lashline. Smudge it gently with your finger or another brush.

Step 2: Using an angled brush, apply a warm brown eyeshadow. Then, brush a lighter beige shadow from lashes to brows. Try Nars Duo Shadow in India Song ($35, available at Nars), which contains both shades.

Color by Andrew Sotomayor

Pretty in Lavender: Sweet and feminine, this look is particularly gorgeous for an outdoor wedding. "Since the light outdoors is constantly changing, a matte pastel color is reliably beautiful under any conditions," Sotomayor says.

Step 1: Brush a light veil of light-catching cream shadow, like Sonia Kashuk Pearlescence Cream Eyeshadow in Moonstone ($9, available at Target), from lash to brow. Add a little extra to the inner corners of your eyes for a brightening effect.

Step 2: Work a deep purple liner, like CoverGirl Eyeliner in Plum Velvet ($5, available at Amazon), along the roots of your upper lashes on one eye, then quickly grab a Q-tip to remove most of it before it sets. Sounds weird but it works: You'll be left with subtle definition and just a hint of color between your lashes. Repeat on the other eye.

Step 3: Use a soft fluffy brush to apply a lavender eyeshadow all over the lids. Finish by brushing a deep violet shade at the outer corners, blending in. We like the lighter and darker shades in Revlon's Colorstay 16 Hour Eye Shadow Quad in Seductive ($8, available at Amazon).

Photo: Getty Images

It's no secret that we're anxiously awaiting the moment when George Clooney, the eternal bachelor, becomes a married man! And while we don't yet know when exactly his highly-anticipated wedding to Amal Alamuddin will take place, major details about their nuptials are beginning to surface.

We've already learned from Clooney himself that he'll be tying the knot in Venice, Italy sometime in late September. And now we found out who's footing the bill — and it's not the groom. Despite being worth an estimated $180 million, Us Weekly reports that the two-time Oscar winner won't be covering the financials of the big day. Instead, Alamuddin's parents, who are said to be extremely traditional, will be paying for most of the wedding.

See More: Which Celebrity Couple Will Get Married Next?

Luckily for Alamuddin's parents, they're keeping the wedding plans relatively in-check. According to the Daily Mail, the future Mr. and Mrs. Clooney are only inviting 60 guests. So who reportedly made the guest list? Clooney's long-time pal Rande Gerber — the groom's alleged best man (sorry, Brad!) — and his wife Cindy Crawford, along with Matt Damon and his wife Luciana, will be in attendance when the couple exchanges vows. As for Alamuddin's attendants, her young sister Tala is slated to stand beside her as maid of honor.

By all accounts, it appears that Gerber is already living up to his role as best man. TMZ reports that Gerber was seen boarding a private jet filled with 50 cases of Casamigos tequila — a brand he co-owns with Clooney — headed towards Italy. Considering the couple will be hosting a fairly intimate wedding, it appears the bar will be very well stocked.

Photo: Jana Morgan

Even if you're not planning a destination wedding, there's a good chance that some, perhaps even most, of your guests will be traveling for your big day. As you put together welcome bags and think about reserving blocks of hotel rooms, it's also important to consider planning some events to make out-of-towners feel welcomed and appreciated. If there's open time in the wedding-celebration schedule, or for guests who plan to make a vacation out of the trip, provide your out-of-town friends and family with a list of local activities, sports centers, museums, and other attractions. This aside, there are a few other wedding-weekend events that you should either plan for these guests or include them in. Here, according to etiquette experts, is a sampling of when and how you should plan these.

The night of the rehearsal dinner: Some couples include out-of-towns at the rehearsal dinner. While this is not obligatory, if circumstances enable their inclusion in the rehearsal dinner, then it's a viable option. Otherwise, friends and relatives may offer to host a cocktail party, barbecue, or other gathering for guests while the wedding party is rehearsing or at dinner.

The day before the wedding: Many weddings are full weekend events. Gatherings are planned before and after the main event, so a hike, miniature golf outing, or other casual outdoor adventure is a nice way for folks to get acquainted in a less formal setting before the wedding.

On the day of an evening wedding: Friends might host a brunch or luncheon for guests on the day of a late-afternoon or evening wedding.

At a post-wedding brunch: Out-of-town guests at an evening wedding generally stay the night. For them, a breakfast or brunch makes for a nice send-off.

Photo: Getty Images

Bridesmaids are a blessing. They're there to help you lick envelopes; zip up your wedding dress; consume record-setting amounts of wine at your bachelorette party; and hug the pre-wedding jitters out of you like no one else can. Unfortunately, they're also human, which makes them susceptible to some unflattering emotions, including jealousy.

While a bridesmaid envying the bride is the cornerstone of many a chick flicks and sitcoms, the less addressed topic is the predicament of bridesmaids being jealous of each other. If you find yourself with a couple of 'maids going to head to head, here are a few ways to diffuse the situation.

Make everyone feel special.
First things first, your bridesmaids are most likely butting heads because they want your attention. They want to be the most important friend — the one that knows your food allergies; the one that never makes fun of those sorority t-shirts you wear to the gym; the one that just gets you. Think of the dueling parties as toddlers fighting over a toy ... and you, our friend, are that toy.

See More: 3 Bridesmaid Dress Rental Sites That Will Make Your Life a Lot Easier

Knowing this, the fastest way to diffuse the situation is to give each girl her own serving of special attention. Take each bridesmaid aside — whether at your bridal shower, bachelorette, or engagement party — and let her know just how much she means to you and what an integral part of your wedding she plays. Include a personalized and heartfelt letter for each of your friends with their bridesmaid gift, to keep everyone feeling warm and fuzzy.

Outline specific duties for each.
Because competiting bridesmaids are longing to be your number one, it's likely that they'll both want to be the one to help with your wedding planning. While it's great to have friends clamoring to help, choosing one friend over another is awkward. Instead, proactively ask each bridesmaid for help with different projects. Maybe one will help you choose floral arrangements, while the other is your go-to lady for wedding invite help — whatever it is, be clear about who is owning what task.

Allow everyone bits of individuality.
Finally, let everyone to showcase their own personal style. Maybe it's their hairstyle, their earrings, their shoes, even their dress — no matter what you choose, this avenue for self expression will help prevent "look-at-me" behavior amongst the competitive set.

Photo: Getty Images

No bride ever thinks she's the over-sharing type, but some are. Take our quick quiz below to see where your wedding updates fall on the TMI spectrum.

1. How often do you update your wedding website?
A. Once a week with a personal blog to discuss my wedding workouts, planning challenges, bridal meal plan and dress alteration process. You know, just the basics.
B. Once a month with a handful of artsy photos detailing the wedding planning process.
C. Whenever there's a development — like a change in registry or time.
D. Wait, what wedding website?

2. You're one month out from the wedding — how many photos does your wedding hashtag have already?
A. More than 100 between all the snaps from my bachelorette, bridal showers, and engagement party.
B. Almost 100! That happened fast.
C. Around 50 ‐ mostly from my friends and family.
D. I haven't checked yet.

3. How do you keep your bridal party updated on wedding happenings?
A. Email, group text, a Facebook group, calendar reminders, live tweets.
B. Group texts, emails and a Facebook group.
C. An all encompassing email thread ... and the occasional texts as well.
D. The telephone.

4. In your opinion, what's inappropriate to share on social media?
A. The guest list.
B. The guest list; my wedding dress.
C. The guest list; my wedding dress; my registry details.
D. Anything alluding to the wedding. Some of my social media friends aren't invited...

5. What's your stance on guests posting on social media at your wedding?
A. I love it! I placed our hashtag throughout the ceremony and reception so people remember to post.
B. I love it but only for the reception. I've asked guest to refrain from snapping during the ceremony.
C. I'm into it for the reception but think it's annoying when amateur photographers get in the way and prevent our real photographer from doing her job.
D. I requested every guest to leave their cell phone at home so they can fully enjoy our amazing event.

Mostly A's: Reel It In!
Mayday! You're in the matrimonial danger zone. Pump the brakes on the updates if you like having friends.

Mostly B's: Only Slightly Annoying
Some of your less sentimental friends have probably removed you from their newsfeed already, but if you're okay with that, keep on keeping on.

Mostly C's: The Perfect Mix
If only all brides could mimic your appropriate, but excited bridal behavior. You've got this shtick down.

Mostly D's: Hello? Are You There?
Privacy is your middle name (well actually you would never share your middle name on social media) and a wedding is no exception. Most people on your social networks don't even know you're engaged.

Photo: via Beyonce.com

It's been a busy — and reportedly, trying — year for Beyoncé and Jay Z. The musical power couple has spent the past few months on a joint national tour, while battling divorce rumors following what can only be referred to as "Elevator-Gate." But it appears all of the speculation was just that — speculation. Apparently, Bey and Jay's relationship is stronger than ever because the husband and wife of six years just renewed their wedding vows.

According to the Daily Mail, the couple held an intimate vow renewal ceremony amidst Beyonce's 33rd birthday festivities while vacationing in Corsica, Italy. "They were joined on a private beach by Beyoncé's mum Tina, their daughter Blue Ivy and a small group of close friends and recited a new set of vows during a short but very romantic ceremony," a source says.

They reportedly celebrated with food and drinks courtesy of their private chef before setting off on a luxury yacht.

See More: Our Favorite Celebrity Engagement Rings

"From now on, they intend to mark the day of the ceremony as their new wedding anniversary and have told friends they are focusing firmly on their future together," a source tells Grazia magazine.

Their decision to refocus their energy on their relationship coincides with rumors that Beyoncé is expecting the pair's second child. During their last two shows of the On The Run tour in Paris last weekend, Jay Z reportedly changed the lyrics from his song "Beach Is Better" from "I replace it with another one" to "pregnant with another one." Since then, though, Bey has shared several photos of herself toasting with champagne — presumably to quiet the pregnancy chatter.

A more likely explanation for their vow renewal? Perhaps they were inspired to host their own ceremony after crashing an Italian wedding last week!

Getting gorgeous, wedding-ready hair doesn't have to be difficult! Last week we gave you the step-by-step instructions on how to create a sleek side bun right in your very own home. But in case you're the type of bride-to-be who favors a less structured version of the look, we came up with an easy style that's perfect for you: a romantic updo.

This soft look is ideal for just about any bridal moment — from your shower or bachelorette party to your rehearsal dinner and even the big day. Plus, it can be dressed up or down with the help of accessories and a gorgeous white wedding dress! And, thanks to breezy curls, a volumized crown, and seemingly random (but perfectly placed!) twists, this updo looks entirely effortless and fresh.

The best part is that this pretty 'do is as easy to DIY as your go-to messy topknot. We broke down how to create the look in four simple steps (yes, it's really a no-brainer!) so you can test drive it before you walk down the aisle.

Follow our step-by-step instructions to master this romantic updo and watch the look come to life in the video below.

1. Using a half-inch barrel curling iron, curl small sections of your hair.
2. Tease your hair to give the curls a bit of a bed-head vibe.
3. Leaving out the face-framing sections of your hair, twist sections of hair together and secure with bobby pins.
4. Finish with a light hairspray.

Video by Fantasma Films; Hair: David Cotteblanche for Red Market Salon; Makeup: Gina Monte for Red Market Salon