Christian Lacroix Files for Bankruptcy -- Get Your Gowns Quick, Girls!

If you’d been dreaming of a Christian Lacroix wedding dress like the stunning Spanish-style one, from the designer, that Christina Aguilera wore when she wed Jordan Bratman in 2005, your time could be running out. The fashion house filed for bankruptcy in France, in a petition similar to Chapter 11. Lacroix is known for his ornamental, outlandish gowns — and for being one of the first to incorporate color. Just earlier this month, Philomèna de Tornos, who married a descendant of French royalty, marched down the aisle in a Lacroix custom gown embellished with baby blue ribbon.

We think these whimsical, romantic gowns from Lacroix's spring 2009 wedding collection would be perfect for an outdoor summer wedding. Exactly what you had in mind? Get yours while you can!

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Is “Girl Next Door” Kendra Wilkinson a Bridezilla?

We think the term “bridezilla” is abused and overused. But that’s the word that came to mind when we watched the People.com video about "Girl Next Door" Kendra Wilkinson's bridesmaids dresses... at least at first. She said:

“I went through a time when the bridesmaids weren’t loving the dress I picked, but I was like, ‘No! I love it. I don’t care.’ But then I was like, ‘Fine, I’ll switch it up.’ So, yeah, the dresses are beautiful. They’re flowy. They’re summery. “

But you be the judge: Did her initial reaction fall into “bridezilla” territory? Was she right or wrong when she stood up for the dresses she wanted?

—Josey Miller

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Why is Sarah Chalke Trying on Wedding Dresses?

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After two and a half years of being engaged to entertainment lawyer Jamie Afifi, is Sarah Chalke (of Scrubs fame) finally tying the knot? Well, not exactly. But, in preparation for a new role—in Lifetime’s new movie Maneater—she may have inadvertently discovered her favorite wedding dress designer, according to ETOnline.com:

”Where the similarities between Clarissa and I end is that we're both planning a wedding, but I met my fiancé through friends on a ski trip, and she stalked hers and picked him out and planned a wedding before she even met him," Sarah explains. "I hadn't tried on wedding dresses yet, so it was actually really fun to do that for the part, and I got to try on a ton of these beautiful Monique Lhuillier wedding dresses."

Who’s your favorite wedding dress designer? And what are your thoughts on (really!) long engagements? Talk back below.

—Josey Miller

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photos: Lifetime/Richard Foreman

Bold Thief Steals Photog’s Camera During Wedding: What Would YOU Do?

Your gown is stunning -- as are you in it -- the ceremony, beautiful. Your closet friends and family are all there to share the magical moment, and the two of you, all smiles, are in heaven as your pricey (but well worth it!) photographer captures every blissful moment. You’re now 45 minutes into your reception and the unimaginable happens: Some jerk dressed as a guest has swiped your photographer’s camera – with the memory card holding all 800 plus of your wedding memories inside. (Pause for reaction…) You’d be furious right? I sure was when I read this sad, sad news story.

This wedding nightmare happened to Redondo Beach couple Chris and Areli Kahl. The crime took place under the watch of a hotel security camera about 45 minutes into their wedding reception. The police are saying it was likely a professional looking for valuables. The pair is optimistic that someone will answer their plea for the stolen memory card, but somehow I don’t think they’ll be so lucky. The photo shown here was snapped by a guest. Let’s just hope there’s a lot more where that came from.

This just sucks all around. There’s no one to blame for an unfortunate sitch like this, but I can’ think of a more awful vendor nightmare, can you? Let’s discuss!

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"Girl Next Door" Kendra Wilkinson on Her Wedding Dress: I'm 'Not a Lace Person'

In a People.com video, Kendra Wilkinson—who’s marrying NFL player Hank Baskett on June 27th at the Playboy Mansion—says she’s “not a lace person.” And, when she designed her wedding dress, she had equally strong opinions about the silhouette—especially because she says her body type is so hard to fit:

“It’s a ‘v’ corset, and it helps me because I’m really short and I really have no hips. So the dress actually gives me hips because it cuts off [at my waist], and it poufs out... So the corset gives me that shape that I want.”

Are you a “lace person?” In what ways does your wedding dress flatter your body type? Share your tips below!

—Josey Miller

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Build Your Own (Chic!) Flower Girl Dress

I’m showing your flower girl a little love today ladies! You’ve got you and your fabulous bridal party’s wedding day fashion plan all mapped out, but what about the little lady (or ladies!) in the group? If you’re not into the whole fairytale princess thing, you may find yourself a little disappointed with a vast majority of the flower girl dresses offered out there. We get it; you want her to look as chic as you will, right? So, here’s how: Give Annie Sokoloff (one of the amazing vendors I met at Bridal Fashion Week in April) a call. She’s the founder of Annie Girl Couture Designs, and their new site Annie Girl Dress Up allows you to mix and match flower and sash combinations to pair with a classic white or ivory dress that features a bateau neckline, extra full shirred skirt, and attached crinoline. Newlywed Natasha Bedingfield chose this dress for her spring vineyard wedding to businessman Matthew Robinson.

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6 Stylish (and Affordable!) Vase Ideas You'll Love

Want glamorous or eye-catching centerpieces for your wedding tables that steal the show, but not all your money? I found ‘em for you! Here’s a a round up of my six picks -- all under $35. (You’re welcome in advance!) Listed clockwise from top left:

For the Rustic Bride: Midi Bucket from The Macbeth Collection, $35.00

For the Urban Bride: Artificial Calla Lily and Bamboo Stick Vase from Marks and Spencer, $23.50

For a Chic Bride: Illusion Vases from Uncommon Goods, $25.00-32.00

For an Edgy Wedding: Mercury Vases from CB2, $3.95--$6.95

For a Romantic Wedding: Grace Centerpiece from Bed Bath & Beyond, $29.99

For a Modern Wedding Salong Vase from Ikea, $7.99

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Wedding Reception Grand Entrances: Helicopters?

Is a helicopter too much for a wedding reception grand entrance? British newlyweds Phil and Sally Collins don’t think so! They surprised their guests on Saturday when they arrived by helicopter at Freemasons’ Hall Cheshire View in Christleton (about four hours northwest of London). Mother of the bride Sue Redman explained:

”It was an elaborate stunt organized by myself, Phil and Sally, and the guests didn’t know a thing. We wanted a helicopter because we thought is was a bit different but rang around loads of places trying to find somewhere for it to land.”

...And you thought your dress was enough!

It doesn’t surprise us when celebs pull such stunts—Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough and his bride Leigh Boniello arrived at their wedding reception by helicopter in December of 2007—but what about the rest of us? Would you ever arrive by helicopter?

—Josey Miller

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Lost Luggage: Wedding Dress Missing After Flight

If you were traveling with your wedding dress, would you check it or carry it on? A bride named Jenn chose to check her wedding dress—and she hasn’t seen it since. The bride was flying from Pennsylvania, where she lives, to North Carolina, where she grew up and where her wedding would take place seven days later. But she says her dress was stolen from her bag:

”When I picked up the bag, I nearly fell over because I expected it to be about 25 pounds heavier than it was. I opened the bag in front of the desk agents and inside was the ripped open garment bag, complete with broken zipper, and a broken hanger. There was no dress.”

Jenn’s mom talked her out of panic mode, and they found a dress and had it altered in time. But it wasn’t “her” dress—not to mention the additional $1,000 it cost to buy “her” dress and have it altered in the first place. So what should she do now? What would you do in her shoes?

—Josey Miller

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photo: courtesy of Piccione Bridal

Jessica Biel Puts Career Before Marriage – Do You?

I’ve been secretly anticipating a surprise Justin Timberlake/Jessica Biel engagement in 2009 – looks like I may be a little off...okay, way off. The actress is Allure magazine’s latest cover girl (for the June issue, out 5/28) and in her interview she revealed that marriage is so not on her five-star menu at the moment.

“I have no idea if I want to get married,” she says. “I have a lot to do career-wise.”

This inseparable pair has been together for two years, and recently relocated to New York City so Biel could pursue her theater interests, so was I wrong to think an engagement might soon follow? I think it’s great that Biel wants to keep focused on the big picture, but does it really need to be one or the other?

Case in point: Beyonce and hubby Jay-Z haven’t slowed their superstar pace since saying “I do” in April 2008, and the noteworthy successes for each just keep coming in. And, though they’re not” officially” married, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie sure do live like they are -- sharing international homes, and the big job of looking after six kids while working. Plus, last I checked they were both nominated for Oscars last season. So wouldn’t this beg the question: Why the clichéd assumption? Can’t a woman be successful at her marriage and her career? What do you think?



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