All Dressed Up

BRIDE Jessica

PHOTO BY Bryant Livingston Photography (www.blphoto.com)

DRESS BY Alta Moda Bridal (www.altamodabridal.com)

HAIR BY Suggestions Salon

WHAT TO LOVE What don't we love about this photo! The dress is to die for, the veil is fresh and fun, the lighting is mesmerizing, and the bride is as chic as ever.

WHAT TO LEARN Show off your dress! It'll be the most expensive piece of clothing you ever buy, so why not show it off in a big, big way? Have your photographer snap your gorgeous gown from every possible angle, and go to town with your pensive and playful poses. After all, you're all dressed up with everywhere to go.

Hairstyles And Hemlines Change ...

... but love and marriage stay the same.

Enjoy this blast from the wedding past with snapshots of some of our dearly beloved staffers — who, for the record, were totally hip and happenin' when they said "I do."

What styles of today are going to stand the test of time? And what styles will have us looking back saying, "That's so 2010!"?

BRIDE & GROOM Jeanette (editor-in-chief) and Matt Bennett (publisher)

YEAR MARRIED 1995

BRIDE & GROOM Roxanne (ad manager) and Kendall Bennett (expo manager)

YEAR MARRIED 1989

BRIDE & GROOM Stacy (ad rep) and Chris Beck

YEAR MARRIED 1989

Well Groomed

BRIDE & GROOM Heather and Dan

PHOTO BY Nichole V. Photography (www.nicholev.com)

SAGE ADVICE Go for groomals.

While it's a sweet tradition to not let the groom see your dress before the wedding day, sometimes even brides need to be practical. (Such a shame, we know.) 

Take it from an all-knowing photographer:

"Try to move photos of yourself and your groom off of your actual wedding day," says Nichole V., of Nichole V. Photography. "Those beautiful, creative images of the bride and groom together are always the first images to get cut out of a busy wedding day. It really lessens your stress on the wedding day if you know you already have those shots."

Slice of Heaven

BRIDE & GROOM Justina and Landon

PHOTO BY Jessie Alexis Photography (www.jessiealexisphotography.com)

DEARLY BELOVED DETAIL Cutting the cake!

Much to the dismay of wedding albums everywhere, too many brides are leaving out the ever-memorable tradition of cutting the cake. So for the sake of all that is fun and messy (or neat, if that's more your bridal style) serve up a slice and feed your mister some frosting.

Piece of Cake

CAKE BY Wedding Cakes by Dawna (www.utahcakes.com)
PHOTO BY Bryant Livingston Photography (www.blphoto.com)

Dawna, of Wedding Cakes by Dawna, is one of Utah Valley's wedding cake queens. Below, she shares three tips for brides who want to have their cake (and eat it, too). Take it away, Dawna!

1. TRUE COLORS Color swatches are important if a bride is planning on putting color on her cake. The cake decorator will try to match her color swatch as close as possible, but in some cases it may be slightly different. 

2. SUMMER LOVIN' In summer weddings, we see a lot of brides place lights under the table cloth. This does help light up the cake area, but it can attract bugs (gnats) that can stick to the icing. Also for summer weddings, don't place your wedding cake in direct sunlight. This can cause buttercream frosting to melt and fondant icing to get soft.

3. LEVEL WITH ME Take the time to level your cake table if it's on a grassy surface. This will keep your cake from looking like it is leaning.

A Head-Turner

BRIDE Toni Rose
PHOTO BY Lindsay Jane Photography (www.lindsayjanephotography.com)

WHAT TO LOVE The veil is pure eye candy, the colors are stunningly vibrant, and the Provo landmark is always a winning backdrop.

WHAT TO LEARN If you're wearing a veil, be sure to get an album-worthy shot of it. Talk to your photographer beforehand and let him/her know you want your gorgeous headpiece to be the star of a few photos.

Ready, Set, Relax

BRIDE Dyanna
PHOTO BY Photography by McKenzie (www.photographybymckenzie.com)
TAKEN AT Young Living Farms in Mona

SAGE ADVICE Relax!

It's easy to stress yourself silly when you come down to the wedding wire. But do yourself a favor and just relax. Enjoy this time, relish every moment, and treat yourself to a pedicure and massage (magazine's orders).

It may be a cliche, but this one's a keeper.

The Bridal Fair

BRIDE Alexis
PHOTO BY Dan Hixson Photography (www.danhixsonphotography.com)

The Bridal Fair is this Saturday! Don't miss your chance to mingle with Utah's finest vendors at the longest-running wedding show in the valley.

On the docket:
* $25,000 given away in prizes
* Free updos, makeovers and massages
* Fashion shows, demos and workshops

EVENT DETAILS
What The Bridal Fair
Where Provo High School
When Saturday, Feb. 13
Time 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost Free (Yes, free!)
More Info Visit www.thebridalfairs.com

Good Fortune

PHOTO BY Sweet Memory Garden (www.sweetmemorygarden.com)

DEARLY BELOVED DETAIL Wedding favors!

Do yourself a favor and leave your guests with a lasting impression. Whether it's coo-worthy fortune cookies, a jammin' CD of you and your honey's favorite tunes, or a sweet bag of tasty treats, you cannot neglect the all-important wedding favor. Your guests have made the effort to come to your reception (and dote you with gifts, mind you), so it's only fitting to send them home in a memorable way.

All in favor of more wedding favor tips? Click on over here and see page 145.

Love At First Glam

PHOTO BY Oakstream Photography (www.oakstreamphotography.com)

WHAT TO LOVE Just call us smitten. This gutsy, glamorous bridal shot has the perfect amount of drama. We love the bright red lips, the picturesque background, and the lovely, lovely lighting.

WHAT TO LEARN Take chances! If you're up to the task (and if it fits your personality), glam it up with a dramatic location and head-turning makeup. Stunners like these don't happen by accident.

Swept Off Your Feet

SAGE ADVICE You may be walking on air, but you still need to do it with style. So get pumped and find footwear fit for a bride.

For more on becoming "Head Over Heels," click here and turn to page 144 for 12 tips that will keep you on your toes.

PHOTO BY Photography by McKenzie (www.photographybymckenzie.com)

PHOTO BY Jessie Alexis Photography (www.jessiealexisphotography.com)

It's Your Party

RECEPTION CENTER White Willow in Provo (www.whitewillowweddings.com)
PHOTO BY Jon Woodbury Photography (www.jonwoodbury.com)

Becky, of White Willow loveliness, graciously offered to share the following three tips to make your reception a rousing success. Take it away, Becky!

1. OUT WITH THE STRESS Make your wedding day stress-free for both the couple and family members. Have every detail planned, and let a professional carry out the plan. That way you can focus on family and guests — and most importantly your wedding day!

2. IN WITH THE MEALS Don't skip meals on your wedding day. It will be a long and busy day, and you do not want to feel sick because you have not eaten. Get a good night's rest the night before your wedding day. Pack early for your honeymoon, and then add your personal items the day of your wedding.

3. IN WITH THE PUNCTUALITY AND PREPARATION Ask all family and wedding party to arrive 10 minutes early for pictures at the reception so your photographer can use the time taking pictures and not waiting for latecomers. Have the photographer scope out the best locations for pictures of large groups and couple shots before the reception so they are effective with their time and you get the perfect settings in all your pictures.

Child's Play

WEDDING OF Jentry and Danny
PHOTO BY Magnifique Photography (www.magnifquephotography.com)
FLOWER GIRLS Positively adorbs.

DEARLY BELOVED DETAIL Children in the wedding party!

We kid you not. Outfitting the little ones at your reception is a definite forget-me-not. You'll have your guests (and your photographer's camera) swooning at the sight of these sweet little boys and girls who are all dressed up — with everywhere to go.

Carried Away

BRIDE & GROOM Ashley and Aaron
PHOTO BY Wink Fotos by Emily Clark (www.winkfotos.com)

WHAT TO LOVE Ummm ... everything! The location is lovely, Ashley's sneakers are adorable and even their mostly hidden faces can't contain their glee.

WHAT TO LEARN Go for it. When you're taking groomals with your husband-to-be, get carried away and take those un-posed, unabashedly romantic shots. Trust us — they'll be the photos you sigh and gaze at for years to come.