StyleSchool

Brides, get your walking shoes out! Michael C. Fina and Tacori have teamed up to host a diamond ring scavenger hunt throughout New York City on September 12, 2009!

Participants in the “Diamond Dash: Dash for a Diamond and a Cure” will have to weave their way through Manhattan stopping at several wedding-related destinations based on clues sent via text message. The grand prize winner will receive a $20,000 Tacori diamond engagement ring, an exclusive viewing of the new Tacori diamond and setting and an all-expense paid honeymoon to Waikoloa Beach Resort in Hawaii! 

Additional prizes include gifts worth up to $3,500 if you’re the first to arrive at a location and special gift bags from Michael C. Fina if you raise more than $100 for the dash.

All proceeds from the “Diamond Dash: Dash for a Diamond and a Cure” will go to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which helps fund critical research and services to blood cancer patients and their families.

Test your knowledge of New York City’s bridal landmarks by signing up for the event at diamondsmakeadifference.com. But hurry! Only 1,000 teams will be selected to compete.

—Chrissy Mahlmeister

We’re back with our weekly roundup of the best of the blogosphere. Read on to see what we found this time around.

-Jessica Derschowitz

Photo courtesy of Meg Baisden

Let's be honest: the thought of spending a year (or more!) planning a wedding just isn't all that exciting for some women. Sure, they want their "I Dos" to be special, but they could do without the months of scouring the Web for the best stationer, baker, florist, photographer, you name it. If you happen to be one of these women, we have great news for you.

Ask any bride who their dream wedding dress designer is and Reem Acra's name is sure to come up. She creates some of the most incredible gowns we've ever seen, with beautiful beadwork and figure-flattering silhouettes.

So imagine our delight when we came across this shot of Jessica Szohr (a.k.a. Vanessa from the CW's hit show, Gossip Girl). Unsurprisingly, Szohr looks amazing (love the red lips!), but can we please discuss the stunning Reem Acra gown she is wearing?! According to People.com, Szohr was filming a scene for GG outside of the National Arts Club in N.Y.C. We don't know what the occasion is, but we'll definitely be tuning in to see that dress in action.

Even better, though, Reem Acra designed a similar gown in her most recent bridal collection. So if you're still looking for a dress or are just feeling inspired having seen it on Szohr, head over to reemacra.com to find a salon near you that carries Reem's dresses.

Click here to see more of Reem Acra's bridal designs.

—Jeanine Edwards, Associate Editor

Photos courtesy of Jose Perez/SplashNewsOnline.com and Corina Lecca

Attention all brides: Bookmark Lock & Mane (lockandmane.com) as your go-to online source for the best hair care products around the web! 

From Jonathan to Oscar Blandi, they only carry the best of the best. And to ensure all their products deliver, the staff at Lock & Mane personally tests everything before it goes on the site. As if real women's results weren't enough, L&M also collaborated with N.Y.C. dermatologist Dr. Michael Lorin Reed, who specializes in hair health, to ensure their picks are the best a bride can get. Looking for a fabulous hair treatment to revive your locks before you tie the knot? Lock & Mane's got it.

For your chance to sample what L&M has to offer, enter the "Locking Down the Aisle" contest. All you have to do is submit an idea or photo of the look that will inspire your wedding day hair and the most unique entry will receive a customized honeymoon hair kit tailored to your hair type and vacation destination. A photo of your wedding ‘do could also be featured on Lock & Mane’s website! Click here to submit your entry before the contest ends September 1st!

–Christa Lee

Fans of NBC's The Biggest Loser will probably recognize this week's featured couple. Nicole and Damien were contestants on season seven of the hit show. Together, they lost over 200 lbs. and were able to tie the knot in the best shape of their lives! They exchanged vows at the Renaissance of Astoria in Astoria, NY on August 16, 2009. Nicole looked drop-dead gorgeous in a fitted tulle gown with a tiered ruffle skirt designed by Amsale. The groom looked dapper in a Calvin Klein tux from Men's Warehouse. Biggest Loser costar Carla Triplett did all the flower arrangements for the happy couple, including the bride's ivory Swarovski-accented bouquet. Beside's Nicole's incredible dress, we also loved her three-tiered "Biggest Loser's Praline Bliss" wedding cake, which was vanilla bourbon-praline and sweet potato orange cake filled with bourbon candied yams and vanilla praline buttercream. Delish! Congrats, Nicole & Damien!! 

All photos courtesy of Parris Whittingham Photography

Vendor Information

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Renaissane of Astoria (renaissanceofastoria.com)
Wedding Dress: Christos (amsale.com)
Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Men's Warehouse (menswarehouse.com)
Bridesmaid Dresses: David's Bridal (davidsbridal.com)
Jewelry: Diamond Nexus (diamondnexuslabs.com)
Cake: Chef Rodney LoveJones (iambilljones.com)
Makeup Artist: Roxanna Floyd (roxannafloyd.com)

You've probably already heard Milla Jovovich married her fiance Paul Anderson this weekend at their home in Beverly Hills, California, but did you hear she wore Temperley London?! We're huge fans of Alice Temperley's bridal collection and couldn't be happier with Jovovich's choice. 

She wore the Long Muse dress (shown here), which is crepe de chine sheath gown with a silk satin lining and a gorgeous embellished neckline. It retails for $3195, so if you're loving it, visit temperleylondon.com/bridal for salons that carry Temperley's bridal gowns in your area.

Whether you're looking to save some cash or just aren't a flower person, Harvard Sweet Boutique (harvardsweetboutique.com) offers a stylish centerpiece alternative. The Massachusetts-based gourmet goods company specializes in quirky table decor that doubles as take-home treats. 

Their whimsical boxes come in a variety of color combos, from beach-themed blue and brown to elegant gold and white. The containers can be piled creatively to make an architectural statement or simply line them down the center of a long table to add the perfect pop of color. 

Best of all, you can fill the boxes with tasty sweet treats of your choice, from miniature cookies to truffles to brownies. Harvard Sweet Boutique always makes their all-natural treats from scratch and to order. 

Founder Sue George takes pride in her company's attention to detail—they "masterfully personalize each order" and ship nationwide. Visit harvardsweetboutique.com to get started creating your centerpiece now!

—Chrissy Mahlmeister

Here’s the best way to start off the weekend—highlights from this week’s musing around the Web. We found a black tie reception you're sure to be inspired by and fun set of engagement photos.

—Jessica Derschowitz

Photo courtesy of Erin Hearts Court

We were totally inspired by the oh-so-chic gift baskets E! star Kendra Wilkinson gave her maids back in June before her fairytale wedding at the Playboy Mansion. Wilkinson worked the staff at whatshebuys.com to create custom baskets for her girls, which included white eyelet Uggs, a Lodis wallet and a Longchamp bag among other things. “It was important to me that my bridesmaids felt special and I wanted them to know how much I appreciated them during the planning process," she says. "The gift baskets I created were made with the best items I knew my girls would love.” 

While Wilkinson's exact package isn't available for purchase on the site, you can steal the idea and customize baskets for your bridesmaids and his groomsmen with items specially picked for them. The site is like a well-edited boutique, so you know your wedding party will be getting the best.

Click here to shop now or, if you're in Cali, visit their retail store in the Old Mission District in San Gabriel!

—Rachel Jacoby, Assistant Editor