All About the Dress

I, too, had to start where most brides do -- the pièce de résistance -- the dress, of course! What girl doesn’t dream of her ideal wedding gown? But when it comes to actually selecting one, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. Cap sleeve or one shoulder? Princess or mermaid? Beading or pleating? The choices are endless. When it came time for me to go shopping, I did what I recommend all of you to do -- I turned to celebrities for inspiration.

I loved the elegance, simplicity and vintage feel of Jenna Bush’s dress. The scalloped sleeves were so feminine and unique. (I swore I wouldn’t go strapless! It looks lovely on most, but I wanted to do something different.) The beading and embroidery gave the garment a “lace look” that really appealed to me and the vision I had for my day, which was that of a down home affair. I appreciated the overall ease of the dress. I’m not a big ball gown kind of girl. For me, this was the perfect ensemble to go with the perfectly understated, barefoot beach ceremony followed by a rustic barn reception. The only problem? Jenna’s dress was an Oscar de la Renta! Slightly out of my price range...

But that’s where photos come in! I simply printed out
a picture of Jenna’s dress and brought it along with
me to dress salons to demonstrate my concept. They were thrilled that I came prepared, knew my style and exactly what I was looking for. It saved both time and confusion. Of course, I still tried on a few other dresses that I knew weren’t for me -- just for kicks! It is your dream day after all -- you should make sure to have fun along the way!

In the end, I decided on a gorgeous Monique Lhuillier that was much more affordable than Jenna’s Oscar de la Renta but still had the same look and feel of her dress. It was understated, classy and, most of all, me!

Which celeb dress best suits you?

-- Natalie Thomas, Us Weekly Editor

And don't forget to check out Natalie's fitness blog on UsMagazine.com!

Carrie Underwood's Dog to be Ring Bearer!

Sueprstar Carrie Underwood will soon walk down the aisle -- but not with her lovable pooch.

The country music superstar, who is engaged to Mark Fisher, says that her pet chihuahua will be her ring bearer at the wedding, reports Us Magazine.

"He'll be one of the ring-bearers," the superstar jokingly told the magazine on Tuesday at the Pedigree Adoption Drive at Bideawee Manhattan Dog Shelter.

"I don't know if I'll give him the actual ring," the star tells Us magazine. "He would probably run away with it or eat it or something."

The dog, whose name is Ace, is "like my kid," the songstress says. "It would be like if I was getting married and I had a child -- of course my child would be in the wedding!"

Are you going to have your pet in your wedding? Or, are you getting your pet dressed up in wedding attire? We'd love to see your photos! For an upcoming slideshow on WeddingChannel.com, we're looking for your best wedding day pet photos. Send them to petphotos@WeddingChannel.com or click here to find out more!

The singer, who's been sporting a flawless yellow diamond ring worth about $150,000 since her engagement was announced in December, says that other wedding details are still underway. As for the dress? It's "in the works," says the 27-year-old singer, but it will be "girly and it's pretty and simple and glamorous." (Carrie was tight lipped on the designer).

She also said her hockey star fiance, who is an Ottoawa Senators player, is also helping with the wedding planning. And, just in case you thought that celebrities didn't also have to deal with a little family drama, Carrie also added that their dreams of a small, intimate ceremony probably wouldn't happen.

"There are so many people. He has a huge family; they're all really close. My family is big, but we're not that tight-knit. His is about three times the size of mine," says the singer.

Image from Terra.com via Getty Images

Bethenny Frankel Ties the Knot!

You got that right -- she's finally a real "housewife!" Well, sorta.

Reality-TV star Bethenny Frankel tied the knot last night in an intimate ceremony at the Four Seasons Restaurant in NYC.

“I'm a real housewife!" Bethenny wrote on her Twitter page on Monday, reports the NY Daily News. The star continued, "On way to honeymoon. best night of my life. your messages were so beautiful & sentimental. have a great week tweeps [sic]."

Bethenny married her beau, Jason Hoppy, in front of 82 friends and family, including castmates from “The Real Housewives of New York," Alex McCord and Ramona Singer, and even "Today" show co-host Hoda Kotb, reports OK! magazine.

The bride arrived for the event wearing an all-white sweatsuit with her 7-month pregnant belly sticking out and with the word "Bride" scrawled in glitter on the back of her hoodie. For the ceremony Bethenny donned a white gown designed for her by Amsale, and her 8-year-old dog, Cookie, made an adorable ring bearer.

Are you including your pet in your wedding party, or do you know someone who has? We'd love to hear about it! Send us photos at petphotos@WeddingChannel.com to have them featured on WeddingChannel.com

The Naturally Thin author reportedly indulged in some red velvet cake at the reception and feasted on a gourmet menu that included lobster ravioli and sirloin steak, reports the NY Daily News.

You can catch the whole wedding on a new Bravo "Housewives" spinoff show, "Bethenny's Getting Married," reports TheInsider.com. (No word yet on when the show will start airing.)

The Bravo network reportedly paid for the wedding and is also footing the bill for Bethenny and Jason's honeymoon to an undisclosed location.

Weigh in: What kind of honeymoon do you think Bethenny and Jason will have?

Image courtesy of Ok! magazine via Getty images

Monique Lhuillier's Take on Today's Trends

Listen up, brides! You’ve already entered to win this gorgeous Monique Lhiullier gown worn by America Ferrera in the hit film, Our Family Wedding. Psst…Be sure to check back next week to find out if you’re the lucky winner! But aside from being made by one of the most coveted bridal designers around, this style was also a custom design for America.

We had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Monique Lhiullier and find out what it's like designing gowns for the stars and which gown trends she's loving right now. Read below!

WeddingChannel.com: What was your inspiration for the wedding dress that America Ferrara wears in, Our Family Wedding?

Monique Lhuillier: I love working with lace and other traditional fabrics and this dress is special because it combines two different designs. The top is from one gown in my collection [inspired by the Scarlet gown] and the bottom is from another.

WC: Tell me about the details of this dress.

ML: It’s a very diverse dress and just beautiful. The alencon lace is from France and it has a mermaid sillohuette underneath.

WC: What was America’s favorite part of the dress?

ML: I’ve worked with America in the past and dressed her for other occassions such as the Emmys and last year’s SAG Awards She loved how she looked in this dress and even emailed me photos of the fitting which was great.

WC:What kind of bride do you think this dress would be perfect for and why?

ML: It’s flattering for petite brides, taller brides—many figures. It has a flexible sillohuette which is similar to many best sellers in the collection.

WC:Based on the dress that was custom-made for America, are you seeing brides stepping away from strapless gown and opting for cap-sleeves?

ML: Strapless is still number one, but it’s nice to see brides trying on something different. A little bit of sleeve and a neckline other than strapless is nice.

WC: Are there any trends out there that you are loving?

ML: I love the different tiers on ballgown silhouettes and having the top layers shorter with a fuller skirt underneath. A lot of details make a dress special. The corset and skirt combo is also nice with either the fuller or slim skirt.

WC:What about trends you aren’t liking at all?

ML: No matter how beautiful a dress is, I don’t like the look of a stark white wedding dress.

Recap: "Our Family Wedding" Private Screening

Congrats to the winning brides who scored a private screening of America Ferrera's hit film, "Our Family Wedding"! Check out our interviews below with these lucky brides! (And if you still haven't seen Our Family Wedding, go check it out soon! It's definitely worth watching!)

Recap: "Our Family Wedding" Private Screening from WeddingChannel.com on Vimeo.

Meet Us Weekly editor, Natalie Thomas!

Hello fellow brides-to-be! I’m Natalie Thomas, the deputy news editor of Us Weekly magazine and I’m getting married on May 30th. For the past ten months, I’ve been planning my nuptials and pouring over every last detail. And, I don’t know about you, but while I’ve found the process mostly fun, it’s also been frenetic at times. These days there’s so much to consider and choose from that it can be overwhelming, even tear-inducing (Trust me, I’ve been there!). Debating over what style of calligraphy to choose and how to properly word the invites and envelopes almost set me over the edge! And don’t get me started on my rehearsal dinner dress. I’ve been searching ever since I got engaged last May and still have yet to find the perfect gown.

Something that helps me immensely when meeting with vendors, going shopping and having hair and make up trials is bringing along pictures of my vision. And when I am looking for photos that represent my ideas, where do I turn? To celebrities of course! Not only are they photographed constantly but they are on top of the trends and have the best-of-the-best at their disposal. As an editor at Us, part of my job is to have my finger on the pulse of what’s happening and what’s hot in the entertainment world- so I’m here to help you with your planning.

Each week I will present new ideas and concepts of what the celebs are doing, wearing and gifting to help inspire you. I’d also love to hear from you! I want to know what red carpet styles you are loving, what elements of the planning process you may be struggling with and, ultimately, what you choose for your own beautiful day. So take this journey with me and hopefully we can help each other along the way!

Check back next Wednesday to read my weekly celebrity inspiration and how you can fit it into your own special day!

-- Natalie Thomas, Us Weekly Editor

P.S. And dont' forget to check my blog on UsMagazine.com!

"Real Housewife" Bethenny Frankel's Wedding Details!

The countdown has started!

"Real Housewives of New York" star Bethenny Frankel is tying the knot this Sunday and her FH, Jason Hoppy, is "really excited" about the big day, according to Us magazine.com.

"He's counting down the days," Bethenny told the magazine at her bridal shower at Bagatelle in NYC last Sunday. The "Houswives" star was joined by 20 of her closest female friends – but Alex McCord was the only other "Housewife" in attendance.

Bethenny, who is due with her first child in June, is showing off her baby bump and also says she's excited to be a pregnant bride. She took to Twitter on Monday to announce, "I CAN’T BELIEVE I’M HAVING A BABY! I had a dream it was a girl. And the wedding countdown is here. 6 days.," reports PerezHilton.com.

The wedding, which will be held at the always posh Four Seasons Restaurant in NYC on Sunday, March 28, will be black tie and include only her closest family and friends.

"There will be about 70 people, her closest friends, so it’s going to be small and intimate," fellow Housewife, Ramona Singer, tells HollywoodLife.com. Ramona also said that she and Alex McCord will be the only housewives attending (hmmm, we’re sensing more catfights to come this season, anyone else?)

Bethenny also says that the wedding will be “a beautiful, classic New York wedding, very sophisticated, understated … with great food and great dancing," reports the HollywoodLife.com.

And, the best part about the reception, Bethenny told Us magazine "we'll have cotton candy!"

-- Amy Eisinger

Image courtesy of Four Seasons Restaurant

"Borat" creator, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher tie the knot!

They've finally tied the knot!

For six years actress Isla Fisher and "Borat" star Sacha Baron Cohen have waited out their engagement, before finally exchanging "I dos" in an intimate ceremony in Paris last week, reports E! Online.

The 34-year-old Aussie actress and 38-year-old controversial British comedian share a two-year-old daughter, named Olive, who was present at the low-key traditional Jewish ceremony, reports Australia's . Another Australian tabloid, Who, reports that a mere six witnesses were present when the two exchanged vows in the original city of love.

"We did it -- we're married!" Isla reportedly tells friends in an email. "I thought of you as everything was happening, but Sacha and I wanted no fuss -- just us!" writes the "Shopaholic" star.

Though critics often ridiculed the couple, who had postponed their marriage several times over the past years, for not making their relationship official, friends say that Sacha and Isla were never phased.

"They were never bothered by the constant public pressure to marrya nd all along were just considering the venue -- Australia or the US," an insider says, according to Australia's Women's Day. In the end, the couple reportedly picked Paris because it was the best option on short notice for their families and "it won them over with romance," the insider adds.

We've picked out a few gowns below that we think she would’ve looked fabulous in! We know she plays a "shopaholic" on the big screen, but we think her intimate ceremony and low-key wedding require a dress that isn't about over-the-top glamour. All of these picks have a certain understated elegance and no-fuss style we think Isla would appreciate. What do you think? Tell us below!

Image credits from left: Claire Pettibone, Spring 2010 Collection (Clark + Walker Studio); Jenny Yoo Spring 2010 Collection (Clark + Walker Studio); Atelier Aimee, Spring 2010 Collection (Clark + Walker Studio).

Heidi Klum is heading to the altar -- again!

One of fashion's most famous brides has chosen to renew her vows!

Model-turned-TV host Heidi Klum will say "I Do" all over again, reports Us magazine.

Knowing that Heidi is a truly daring fashionista (just think about those fabulous body-hugging mini-dresses she wore while pregnant!), we've picked out a few selections for her wedding-themed vow renewal. Since it's not her first renewal, we went for bold and daring designs. What do you think? Any other suggestions about what gown Heidi should wear?

But it won't be any average ceremony, of course. Apparently guests will be required to dress as brides and grooms for the party.

"It's going to be all brides and all grooms," Heidi tells E! News. "All of the women will be brides and all of the men will be grooms."

Heidi, who hosts the fabulous show "Project Runway" and the spinoff series,"Models of the Runway," first married the singer Seal, 47, on May 10, 2005. The couple, who have 4 children, have a knack for renewing their vows in unusual ways. Last year, the supermodel and her husband held a "white trash" vow renewal party, where Heidi wore cornrows in her hair and Seal sported a mullet. Their officiant? Who else, but an Elvis impersonator.

As for the reason behind this vow renewal ceremony, Heidi didn't offer much of an explanation. "Just one day, I woke up and I was like, 'Oh, I know what I am going to do this year'...I like to have fun and I like to make it fun for my family and friends," says the star, according to Us magazine.

And the couple seems just as happy now as ever before. Heidi recently legally took Seal's surname, Samuel, though she has yet to use it professionally and Seal officially adopted their five-year-old daughter, Leni, last year (Leni's biological father is Klum's ex, Flavio Briatore). Looks like congrats are in store once again for the happy—and incredibly good-looking—couple!

So, you tell us: If you were going to renew your vows, would you try out Heidi's style?

Images: Clark + Walker Studio, Courtesy of Vera Wang, Erik Ekroth

Dress info (from left): St. Pucci, Spring 2010 collection; Vera Wang, Spring 2010 collection; Rivini, Fall 2009 collection.

-- Amy Eisinger

Patti Stanger’s Wedding Day Details: Part 2

Stanger already has a sexy new bod, but she’s started working with celeb trainer Christopher Lane to get her best ever. “I’m hoping for the cover of Shape not Playboy!" she says. No matter how many bicep curls she does, she still prefers to cover her arms so she’s leaning towards a sexy sheath with flattering 3/4 length sleeves. “It’s about knowing what looks good on your body,” she cautions brides. Psst, check out our dress guide to find the most flattering fit for you! And, if you're also looking to get in shape for your big day -- we've got just the program for you!

The curvaceous star is opting for a deep v-neck dress, preferably with romantic lace or beading detail. She’s been scouting out designs by Badgley Mischka and Monique Lhuillier. But make no mistake, while Stanger may be a celebrity, she’s far from a bridezilla: this modern bride is most likely letting her 6-8 bridesmaids choose their own black gowns.

For her bachelorette party, options include hitting up Las Vegas for relaxing spa time and a little debauchery or taking a girls-only long weekend to Cancun or Cabo. For someone as successful as Stanger -- besides her show, she also has a new book, Become Your Own Matchmaker, a partnership with 1-800-Flowers, and a matchmaker service for the rest of us, psxoxo.com -- she is remarkably down to earth. The matchmaker chocks it up to the fact that at age 48, she’d prefer a wedding that’s effortless rather than extravagant.

“It’s always all about me. At this point, I don’t need the spotlight,” she says, “This is for my friends and family.”