Reality TV Star and WeddingChannel.com Bridal Blogger Jen Schefft Gets Married

That’s right, ladies, our good friend Jen Schefft (of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette fame) is single no more! On Friday she married love Joe Waterman in an intimate ceremony at Chicago’s Private Dining Rooms in a room overlooking Lake Michigan. The pair partied until late in the night hours with guests, and shared lots of memorable toasts. The rest of the wedding details are still top-secret (even from us!) but we promise to share them with you after she shares them with us post-honeymoon. Over the last few months Jen has blogged weekly about her planning process for WC members, and answered all your burning bridal questions too. “Congratulations Jen!”, from the WeddingChannel.com family!

photo: Jason Pohuski/Star Quality Photo

Related Posts:
• Former Bachelorette Jen Schefft Launches New Blog
• Jen Schefft Engaged

Birthday Proposals: Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?

Jennifer Hudson surprised her fiancé, David Otunga, by proposing back to him on his birthday. But my friends are a bit torn about birthday proposals: “I hope he proposes on my birthday next month. Wouldn’t that be the best birthday gift ever?” my friend Kris announced over margaritas. Laura couldn’t help but chime in: “My boyfriend had better not propose on my birthday. My birthday isn’t about us; it’s about me!” So who’s right?


— Josey Miller

Related Posts:
• Will Meredith Grey ever become Mrs. Dr. McDreamy?
• Will your wedding etiquette suffer because of the economy?
• What do you think about Heidi Montag’s bridesmaid dress choice?

The Grey’s Anatomy “Post-It Note” Wedding: Cute or Cop-Out?

Last week we asked if you thought Meredith Grey would ever become Mrs. Dr. McDreamy. (Dr. Dr. McDreamy?) Reader Kerri wrote, “I cried when Izzy got married instead. It was soooo sweet. [But] I was a bit upset it wasn’t Mer-Der.” And reader Kim added that, if Meredith and Derek really do get married it will be “one of TV’s best weddings.” But did you watch last night’s crazy season finale? Did you see their Post-It note (so-called) wedding? Um... THAT’S ALL? Grey’s Anatomy series creator Shonda Rhimes spoke with EW.com, and this is how she rationalizedexplained it:

Did Meredith and Derek really get married last night?
RHIMES: Their wedding was a Post-it note. We had a big series of discussions about it in the writers' room. I felt very strongly—very, very strongly—that the last thing Meredith Grey would do is put on a wedding dress and walk down an aisle. It just felt wrong to me, Meredith being Meredith. And the Post-It wedding will have big reverberations next season.

Will we still get an official wedding at some point?
RHIMES: I think they feel it is an official wedding.

What do you think? Was it worth the wait? Were you disappointed? "Big reverberations?" What does that even mean? Is a Post-It wedding something you and your guy would do? Talk back about the McDreamy wedding—and all things Grey's Anatomy—below. (We're fans, too!)

—Josey Miller

Related Posts:
• Red Carpet Accessory Trends for Your Wedding
• Vintage-Inspired Accessory Ideas
• Celebrity-Inspired Bridesmaid Gowns

European Destination Weddings: Where Would You Choose?

Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard just tied the knot in Brindisi, Italy. Salma Hayek and François-Henri Pinault also opted for Italy: Venice to be exact. I love Italy, don’t get me wrong. But, if I could have thrown a dream destination wedding in Europe, I would have chosen Spain (Barcelona, or somewhere down the Mediterranean coast, like Sitges). In fact, my real-life wedding was a wannabe-Spanish soiree: We served paella and our signature cocktail was sangria!

What about you? If you could have an A-list affair in Europe, where would it be? Are there any details from that country you’d want to include? (Hey, a girl can dream!)

—Josey Miller

Related Posts:
• Are top hats classic or over-the-top?
• Would you ever propose like Jennifer Hudson did?
• How did Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon celebrate their anniversary?

We Want to Throw YOU a Celeb-Inspired Dream Wedding: Enter Now!

I have exciting news to share with you today that's sure to help you beat any planning blues you might be feeling: It’s time, once again, for WeddingChannel.com and US Weekly magazine to team up to give one (very!) lucky couple the ultimate gift – their dream wedding, for FREE! Yes, I said free; we’re picking up the entire (celebrity) vendor tab, we swear! That means it’s time to stop reading all that mood-killing recession news online and instead head over to the official contest site to enter for your chance to win the ultimate celeb-inspired wedding.

Last year’s winners Courtney Dempsey and Gary Courtney received millions of votes, and as you can see here, their wedding was truly fabulous. (They wed at the same place Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore did, and their A-list vendor list included one of Jennifer Aniston’s personal deejay picks, a celebrity florist favorite, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas’ wedding cake baker, and TomKat’s wedding photog!) Are you typing up your story yet? If not, you should be – you only have two weeks! The entry period ends May 26th. Here’s how it will all go down: Once we’ve received all the submission, we’ll partner up with US Weekly to decide on 10 awesome finalists. After that the wild-voting rush begins. In the end, the couple with the most votes wins. Good luck, ladies!

Related Posts:
• How to Book a Celebrity Makeup Artist (for Less!)
• Most Expensive Celebrity Weddings (Ever!)
• Celebrity Style Steals for Your Wedding


photos: Robert Evans Studios

Mischa Barton's New (Bridal Friendly!) Headband Line

If you're a high fashion-junkie (no judgments!) you already know that actress Mischa Barton knows her style. The couture queen recently debuted her Mischa Barton for Stacey Lapidus spring headband collection, and they're not just gorgeous -- they're bridal friendly too! All you garden or goddess brides, listen up. At prices ranging from $50 to $200, one of these internationally inspired headpieces might just be that ultimate bridal (or bridesmaid!) accessory you've been on the hunt for -- that will dent not break your piggy bank. Brides, I'm loving the Silk & Jute Headband w/ Flowers ($130, left) for a tiara alternative for any outdoor ceremony, and the Silk & Jute Headwrap Adorned with Flowers & Metallic Beads ($130, right) for your lovely bridesmaids. (Somehow I don't think they'll be too unhappy about this accessory pick!) Oh, and you might want to start shopping now, the site says they're available for a limited time only.

Related Posts:
• Red Carpet Accessory Trends for Your Wedding
• Vintage-Inspired Accessory Ideas
• Celebrity-Inspired Bridesmaid Gowns

Top Hats at Weddings: Classic or Over-the...er...Top?

When I got married, there was a debate: Our wackier family members wanted to wear top hats. The more reserved family members, on the other hand, refused. It all came back to me when I was reading about Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard’s recent wedding. In their case, according to People.com, it was the officiant who donned the look:

"A family friend, whom a source says donned a top hat for the occasion, officiated at the half-hour ceremony, which took place at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday."

What's your take on top hats? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Talk back below.

—Josey Miller

Related Posts:
• Will Meredith Grey ever become Mrs. Dr. McDreamy?
• Will your wedding etiquette suffer because of the economy?
• What do you think about Heidi Montag’s bridesmaid dress choice?

Jennifer Hudson’s Secret Second Proposal

Seems like Jennifer Hudson wanted to give BF David Otunga a birthday surprise he wouldn’t soon forget! Five months after the Harvard lawyer turned pro wrestler proposed to her on her 27th birthday, she turned the tables—and popped him the question. (Ladies sick of waiting for your Mr. Right to ask the right question, grab your notebooks!) Making this repeat performance even more special, Hudson worked with high-end jeweler Neil Lane to personally design an engagement ring. Since she wanted something that felt studly, but still smacked of star style, they came up with a faceted platinum band—tricked out by five carats of bling!

But just because it was the second time around doesn’t mean the proposal went off without a hitch: When Jennifer Hudson went to slide the ring on Otunga’s finger, they discovered it was slightly too big. Not to worry, the happy couple returned together to the LA jeweler to have it resized. Seems like for this duo, practice makes perfect!



photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

-- Jen DeRose

Related Posts:
• Jennifer Hudson Says Dogs in the Wedding a Must
• Dreamgirl Jennifer Hudson Engaged to Reality TV Star

Will Meredith and Derek Finally Get Married Tonight? (Grey’s Anatomy Fan Craze)

You sniffed and stared your way through that sweet (yet nerdy) elevator proposal. You’ve seen their wedding website on TheKnot.com (and maybe even signed their guestbook too!). And now, you’re rushing home to see if waiting 99 episodes to find out if Grey’s Anatomy soul mates Dr. Meredith Grey and Dr. Derek Shepherd will ever say “I do” was truly worth it. Tonight the hit show turns 100-episodes-old, and we’re thinking the same thing, so we won’t hold you at your computers. We just want to know what you think: Will there be a Mer-Der wedding? Or is this just another tease we Grey’s Fans won’t soon forgive creator Shonda Rhimes for? Share your theories on tonight’s turnout!

P.S. In just a few days, you’ll be able to help WeddingChannel.com support the couple’s charities of choice (American Academy of Neurology Foundation, American Skin Association, Alzheimer's Association) – stay tuned for more details!

Recession-Proof Wedding Style: Does Etiquette Suffer?

If you’re a regular CWB reader you know that even though our favorite stars throw some of the most amazing and one-of-a-kind weddings, they’re also the biggest wedding etiquette offenders too. (Yes, Will.I.Am and Mel B. we’re talking to you!)

Planning a wedding can really cost you – no matter how many corners you cut. The thing is, celebrities earn enough disposable income to pull off their dream weddings without blinking, often disobeying what the general public believes to be proper wedding etiquette in the process. (Sending registry info to guests who weren’t invited to the wedding, Mariah? Really!?!)

But what about all you style-obsessed brides out there? Could you, or rather would you, ignore the laws of wedding etiquette in order to save on the big day and get more bang for your buck? Is wedding etiquette recession-proof? We want to hear from you -- vote now!