StyleSchool

Brides planning a New York wedding know that only the best will do. So what better place to select your arrangements than at the flower shop located in the iconic Plaza hotel? The newly-opened Stem by David Tutera, host of My Fair Wedding, offers celeb-worthy creations ranging from avant-garde showpieces to understated bundles.

So many modern, exotic arrangements fill the European-style flower mart, that you may want to consult Stem’s website (davidtuterastem.com) before ever stepping foot inside. Refer to the “seasonal stems” reference guide so you’ll know your Larkspurs from your Liatris.

You'll likely enjoy your bouquets so much that you’re inspired to keep fresh flowers in your home year round. Stem is happy to accommodate, and will deliver arrangements to your apartment door.

—Randy Miller, Editorial Assistant

We hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving! We’re certainly thankful for all the exciting things we found around the Web this week, from beautiful bouquets to groom’s style inspiration.

We recently featured a Sarah Magid (sarahmagid.com) confection in the Fall 2008 issue of In Style Weddings, but I just had to give her a shout-out here, as well. Not only are her cakes completely organic, they're absolutely adorable!

Of course, Sarah (who's based on Brooklyn) can do traditional tiered cakes, but why not be a little more whimsical? I love this mini green (ha!) creation. Take a cue from actress Amanda Righetti who skipped the big cake and used smaller confections that doubled as centerpieces for her wedding in Hawaii.

The best part of all, though, is that Sarah's cakes taste amazing. And you can actually feel good about indulging in them because they're organic! What's not to love?

—Jeanine Edwards, Associate Editor

When thanking your attendants, a nouveau idea is to find a gift and combine it with a professional service. Marcy Blum, wedding planner to the stars (clients include Kevin Bacon, Padma Lakshmi, and Billy Joel), recommends giving an indoor potted tree and a year’s visits from a plant service or a wok and a course in Sezchuan cooking in her book Weddings For Dummies. Making a physical gift interactive (and therefore definitely useful) is a unique way to ensure your gift doesn't end up at the bottom of a drawer.

Here are a few of my innovative suggestions:

As you become more and more preoccupied with planning for your wedding and the holidays, don’t forget to protect your puckers from winter's blistering cold. Dry cracked lips are not what you want on your wedding day and it’s the last thing your future husband wants to feel when the officiant says “you may kiss the bride.”

The key is to protect your pout from the damaging effects of winter with intensive lip products that both hydrate and repair.

My faves? Philosophy Kiss Me Exfoliating Lip Scrub ($15; sephora.com) to slew off any dead skin, followed up by Laura Geller's Lip Heal & Seal Gloss ($18; sephora.com) in Berry Kiss to hydrate with conditioning ingredients like shea and jojoba butters.

—Tasha Turner, Senior Beauty Editor

If you think the shore-side scenery and laid-back feel of a beach wedding is perfect for your upcoming nuptials, then we definitely have a dress for you to consider for your walk down the aisle (or should we say sand?).

This silk chiffon Long Oberon Kaftan ($2995), from Temperley London, has that romantic Grecian goddess look to it. But we also love the deep V-neck and the touches of color at the collar and belt!

Can't you imagine this dress with a loose chignon in your hair, a small bouquet in your hand and the ocean behind you? We say dive right in.

—Jessica Derschowitz

Weddings are the perfect time to start a collection. While some couples covet crystal, and others amass art, wine is certainly the most delectable option. 

But where to begin? We recommend you start with a quick click onto Bottlenotes. Once logged in, you can learn about, buy, discuss, and even share thoughts on wine. Want to know the best red to pair with a Spanish blue cheese? You’re bound to find an answer in this community, perhaps even in Evan Handler’s profile. He, like other celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow, has a profile page on this social network for wine lovers.

With insightful tools like a winecyclopedia and bottletalk podcasts, you’ll be a wine expert by the time you start adding bottles to your online wine registry. But, if you still feel in the dark, take a peek at the Bottlenotes experts’ registries, or join a club to get a shipment of wines to sample and enjoy at home. We love the dinner party club ($89.95 for 3 bottles), perfect for young couples who love to entertain. Cheers!

—Randy Miller, Editorial Assistant

We’re back again with our weekly roundup of things we’ve found and loved all around the World Wide Web. This week we were awed by some real wedding photos, found an interesting take on a bridal shower, and found a discount on some gorgeous invitations.

We loved the bridal shower that the friends of blogger A Practical Wedding threw for her. Instead of buying her gifts off a traditional registry, she asked all of the attendees to give her books! It’s a great idea if you’re the kind of bride-to-be who doesn’t want a traditional shower or you have no need for a new set of flatware.

When a wedding planner weds, you just know the event is going to be one to be jealous of. And there were so many details in the real wedding posted this week on Snippet & Ink to be envious of, from the hand-painted dance floor to the Marie Antoinette-inspired cake.

Oh So Beautiful Paper showed us an adorable foldable letterpress calendar that would be a perfect gift for bridesmaids (or get one for yourself to keep track of your vendor appointments and dress fittings!).

And while we’re on the subject of paper, we found some beautiful invitations this week, too! With This Ring turned us on to Minna Designs. Check out the photos on the blog and see how to get 20 percent of the design fee if you order between now and Dec. 31.

• You wouldn’t think of a bicycle as being a perfect detail for a wedding photo, but the couples in the series of pictures on My Wedding Report might be onto something. We particularly love the “Just Married” sign on the back of one of the bikes.

• Finally, we have one more gorgeous set of wedding photos for you this week. These come from Style Me Pretty, and we don’t even know where to start with all the things we loved from this wedding. Maybe the little buttons on the seating cards were our favorite detail. Or, perhaps the bridesmaids’ polka-dotted shoes. Check out more photos from this wedding here and here.

—Jessica Derschowitz

Every bride-to-be dreams of having a magical sky’s-the-limit honeymoon. No matter how much your head (and budget) is telling you to cut back on wedding plans, your heart will always be trying to lead you to splash out for the most amazing getaway you can find. Many a bride is ruled by the mantra: “It’s my special once-in-a-lifetime experience.” That’s why I’m always thrilled to hear about a honeymoon deal that speaks to both my brain and my romantic spirit. The latest great deal I’ve discovered is at the Marquis Los Cabos in Baja California Sur, Mexico. (Savvy readers will note that Mexico has been a popular honeymoon spot for such celebs as Katherine Heigl, LeAnn Rimes, Bachelor Andrew Firestone and quarterback Eli Manning)

First of all, the spectacular 237-suite beachfront resort, nestled in the spot where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific, is a picture-perfect setting for an idyllic honeymoon.  The suites feature Bulgari bath amenities, luxurious Frette linens and a spa bathtub. And guests get to enjoy a complimentary breakfast delivered to the room via an en-suite private cubby, so you don’t have to make any exceptions once you hang that Do Not Disturb sign on your door.  But the absolute best part is that starting this month, couples that spend their honeymoon at Marquis Los Cabos will receive two nights’ complimentary accommodation on their first anniversary. The offer also includes the resort’s signature Romantic Bath scented with rose petals and a bottle of champagne. Think of it as buy one honeymoon, get one free! Rates through December 20 start at $440 per night for a junior suite and $920 for a casita. From January 5th to May 31, rates start at $495 per night for a junior suite and $1,030 per night.

—Sharon Boone

Although there may be a recession right now, there's no need to sacrifice style. And yes, there are stylish, affordable gift options for all your bridesmaids. Case in point: Chemistry Bridal (chemistrybridal.com). The amazing website, started by jewelry designer Tracy Kahn, has a plethora of gorgeous designs to thank your girls for all their hard work.

All the gems in the collection are available in sixteen different color options, so you're sure to find one that complements your bridal party’s ensemble. And, the site makes choosing pieces a breeze thanks to the Custom-Maid jewelry planner. You start by choosing one of eight different necklines (i.e. strapless, halter, etc.), then the planner recommends necklaces, earrings, and other jewels. But the best part is, as you move along, the site displays the price of each piece you choose, helping you watch your overall gift budget.

My faves: The Marisa cocktail ring (so chic in Smitten with Sky, a pale blue) which retails for $33, or the Daniele drop earrings, which also retail for $33. With prices so low, you’ll be able to outfit your entire bridal party, and snag a piece for yourself!

—Rachel Jacoby, Assistant Editor