Make a Guest List
Proper etiquette and general politeness suggests that all persons participating in the ceremony rehearsal should be invited to the dinner afterwards. This includes the bride, groom, both sets of parents, both sets of grandparents, siblings and their spouses or a guest, the officiant and a guest or spouse, all wedding party members and a guest or spouse including the flower girl, who gets invited with her parents. Not mandatory but considerate is inviting all out-of-town guests and very close friends and relatives not taking part in the ceremony.

Select a Location
Choose a venue that reflects your personal style and the theme of your wedding and is also within your budget. Locations can be almost everywhere, from a catered backyard barbeque to an elegant dinner at a fine restaurant. Be sure to include some time for the guests to mix and mingle before the dinner but keep the evening short and end it early to ensure everyone is well-rested for your wedding day.

Who Pays?
Decide who will host the rehearsal dinner in advance. Some wedding traditions suggest that the groom’s family pay for the rehearsal dinner if the bride’s family is paying for the wedding. If this is the case, invite your future mother-in-law to help with the planning. However, if you and your future spouse are paying for your own wedding, you might want to consider paying for the rehearsal dinner as well. It is not considered in bad taste to ask both sets of parents to help host and pay for the rehearsal dinner.

Invitations
Send invitations for the rehearsal dinner after you have mailed your wedding invitations. Allow a minimum of two to four weeks before your wedding date to give time for all your guests to respond with an RSVP and arrange their schedules. Your invitations may be simple handwritten notes or elaborate embossed stationary masterpieces or something in-between, the choice is up to you.

Toasts & Gifts
One of the most important aspects of the rehearsal dinner is the toast given by the bride and groom to show their appreciation to everyone who has contributed or participated in their wedding. It is customary for the toast to occur during dinner after the main course has been served. The parents of the bride and groom are usually the first to be toasted followed by more toasts of appreciation and a short speech expressing your gratitude to everyone involved with your wedding.
If you have not already done so, the rehearsal dinner provides an excellent opportunity to give thank-you gifts to all of your wedding attendants. You may also present gifts to persons integral to the planning of your wedding as an expression of your appreciation. Present your gifts during dinner but typically after the toasts have occurred.
If you are planning a wedding in the near future or need ideas and help planning your nuptials, consider attending the Great Bridal Expo to fulfill your wedding need. For ticket and schedule information, click here.

Big Rocks
Big bling rings seem to be the norm for celebrity engagements and recent trends indicate they keep getting bigger and bigger. Tom Cruise bought Katie Holmes her engagement ring after their first date, a stunning art deco-inspired 5-carat oval-shaped diamond set in platinum and rose gold. Elizabeth Hurley received a 15-carat Asscher-cut diamond set in white gold with pave diamonds from former spouse Arun Nayer. Before they got married, Jay-Z presented Beyonce with an 18-carat emerald cut solitaire diamond ring set in platinum by Lorraine Schwartz and cost $5 million dollars.  The elite of celebrity engagement rings is the 20 Carat Club, reserved for those who received diamond rings of 20 carats or more. Members include Kim Kardashian’s 20.5-carat diamond ring, Christina Aguilera’s 20-carat stunner, Paris Hilton with a 24-carat canary diamond and Elizabeth Taylor’s 30-carat diamond and the Krupp diamond, a 33-carat icon valued at over $10 million dollars.

Unique Wedding Favors
Celebrity couples are presenting guests with distinctive wedding favors that reflect their personal style and shared interests. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban presented guests with Tiffany & Co. desk clocks engraved with a message including the couple’s wedding date and the phase “A Moment in Time.” Music artists Avril Lavigne and Deryck Whibley gave guests personalized guitar picks inscribed with “Avril picked Deryck” and “Deryck picked Avril”. For wedding favors, Fergie and Josh Duhamel gifted their wedding guests with trendy rubber bracelets embossed with the phrase “Perfect Pair.” At the 2011 royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the royal couple gave away limited-edition Centex scarves to all of their guests.

Secret Weddings
Escaping the paparazzi has risen to an art form by celebrities desiring privacy for their wedding. In 2011, Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo successfully pulled off a secret wedding by sending their guests plane tickets instead of invitations. Actors Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz pulled off the ultimate celebrity coup; they got hitched in 2011 in New York City with nary a paparazzi in sight. Other secret newlywed couples who successfully evaded publicity include Harry Potter author JK Rowling to Neil Murray, tennis superstars Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, famous reality show host Jeff Probst and Lisa Ann Russell and Grammy winner LeAnn Rimes to actor Eddie Cibrian. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and supermodel Gisele Bündchen got married in a wedding so secretive that some of the guests thought they were at a christening.

Even a hush-hush wedding requires careful planning, visit the next Great Bridal Expo coming to your area soon for great ideas for your nuptials. For Great Bridal Expo schedule and ticket information, click here.

Introduction
Brides, your wonderful skin is composed of many layers from the dermis to the epidermis. Spray tanning is an alternative to traditional tanning methods of sun and tanning beds that seek to darken the deepest layers of your skin called the basal layer. In contrast, spray tanning focuses on the outmost layers of the epidermis. Basically, this means a spray tan does not last as long but will still give you a tanned look. The active ingredient in most spray tan products is Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) a derivative from sugar. DHA creates a chemical reaction that makes the skin cells change color to simulate a tan.
Tip: There are two types of spray tan methods: airbrush by hand and spray tanning booth. Either method may be done at your home or a professional location.

Preparation
Plan to schedule your spray tan at least 48 hours before your wedding. You will achieve best results from your spray tan by thoroughly preparing your skin for the spray tan process on the day before. Begin with an exfoliation by using a scrub, cream or gel preparation to slough off the dead skin cells to create a blank canvas. If you wish, may want to make a facial appointment with an aesthetician or exfoliate yourself at home. Next, you will want to shave as shaving is not advised for 24 hours after a spray tan. Be sure to moisturize afterwards.
Tip: Resist the urge to wear make-up and deodorant before a spray tan as these may affect the effectiveness of the tanning solution.

Application
Spray tans are applied by hand with an airbrush apparatus by a make-up professional or they may be administered inside the comfort of a spray tan booth that releases fine mists of product to gently settle on your skin. After your spray tan is complete there will be a waiting period of about eight hours for the product to develop. Be sure to bring dark loose-fitting clothing to change into after your application and do not shower, swim or take a bath. Expect to wear roomy clothing or baggy pajamas to bed to allow comfort and for the spray tan to develop overnight. Spray tanning is not a messy process, but sometimes there is a slight smell of coconut. You will not go orange or have streaks with spray tanning; those are the side effects of home tanning liquids.
Tip: Do not sleep in silk pajamas or on silk sheets as these will stain.

Removing
Most spray tans last 5 to 7 days, when you are ready to remove the spray tan product begin with a rinse in the shower. Next apply an exfoliation scrub with a clean wash cloth. Be sure to wear your hair in a net or swim cap: this is due to the fact that some exfoliation products may contain ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice that may discolor your hair. Apply additional exfoliation product as necessary and be sure to concentrate on your belly button area and knees as spray tan dye tends to accumulate in these areas. Rinse off and towel dry and repeat as necessary.
Attend the next Great Bridal Expo in your area to receive more about helpful tips, hints and planning advice for your wedding, for ticket information click here.

Other wedding-related reality shows on WEtv include the Family Therapy Show, My Fair Wedding and Rich Bride Poor Bride. Click here for information for submitting an application to appear on these and more shows.

Q: Stacy, thank you so much for taking the time to talk to the Great Bridal Expo about how to apply to Bridezillas. Tell us a little about yourself.

A: I started in the reality television business 10 years ago after starring in one myself, High School Reunion.  I had such a great experience I had to move to Los Angeles to get involved in such a booming genre of TV.  Since then, I’ve cast for shows like The Bachelor, The Real Housewives of Orange County, High School Reunion, Mark Burnett’s Shark Tank and Oprah’s, Your OWN Show, to name of few.  I’ve been Bridezilla’s Supervising Casting Director for the past four seasons (Bridezillas is in its 9^th season) and every season brings on a whole new slew of head strong and charismatic women, it’s never a dull day in my office!

What is a Bridezilla?

If your personal mantra is “My way or no one’s way”, then you might be Bridezilla material. Bridezillas appear as seemingly normal and reasonable women until the wedding process causes them to undergo a transformation that brings out less-than-stellar qualities.
Bridezillas seeks brides-to-be who are passionate perfectionists who love to be the center of attention, and whose extravagant and over-the-top requests all seem justifiable to the bride in order to get her the day of her dreams. Specifically, they look for a sassy bride who can still remain classy, that is not only outspoken and charismatic but also has a great sense of humor. The show favors sophisticated women who are independent, willful and headstrong and are looking for less of the Jerry-Springer type this season. Each episode truly discovers a new species of Bridezilla.

Q: Stacy, do you have a favorite prior season or bride?

A: There are so many standouts every season, but if I had to pick one from last season it would be Danni from Minneapolis. Because she’s a radio personality, she is like a local celebrity, so the pressure was really on her to have a day everyone would be talking about. After a few meltdowns, she was able to get it together and have a beautiful wedding. I can’t leave out Karen from season 6, she was a beautiful bride from Staten Island, but her antics were quite jaw-dropping and controversial.

Q: What is your current casting schedule for 2012?

A: For 2012, we are casting brides with a wedding date that falls between February and July. We are currently a month into casting and plan to finalize all decisions by the end of April.

How to Apply

Share your wedding mayhem with the world by submitting an application to Bridezillas. Applying is easy; simply send an email with your information and personal story to the casting department of Bridezillas. To increase your chances of being contacted be sure to include all of your basic information including your full name, age, city and state, contact number, wedding date, wedding budget and groom’s full name. Tell the casting department what kind of Bridezilla you would be and provide an example of your most recent Bridezilla moment. Write about what or who stresses you the most during your wedding planning. Include the top three concerns that you have regarding your wedding. Lastly, do not forget to include a few photos of yourself and your fiancé.

Q: How many brides do you select each season?

A: Twenty-three brides are showcased each season each with one episode, however popular brides might warrant as many as three episodes.
For complete rules and requirements on applying and compensation, visit Bridezillas for more information by clicking here.

Callbacks
Callbacks are made only to those the casting department have targeted as potential Bridezilla material; a callback does not confirm your acceptance for participation on the show. Expect up to 2 callbacks before a final decision is made. If you are officially selected, someone from their casting department will stay in touch with you regarding all of the participation details.

Q: What kinds of brides make the best applicants?

A: The ones who have a very clear vision, yet no one understands their vision and this drives her to Bridezilla mode. The best ones are naturals, the kind where you don’t have to convince her that she is a Bridezilla, she owns the title and knows that she will do what she has to do, be the way she needs to be, in order for her day to be absolutely perfect. This day must mean the world to her.

Think you or somebody you know wants to be on Bridezillas? Contact Supervising Casting Director Stacy Kitter at (310) 622-1515 or by email castingbridezillas@gmail.com. Good luck.

Great Bridal Expo will be working cooperatively with Bridezillas on casting calls at upcoming events. Click here. to register for a Great Bridal Expo near you!

Modern
Expect two-tone wedding bands to make a strong showing in 2012. The intermingling of two distinct precious metals of contrasting colors blended into one design results in a classic piece of jewelry that can be matched with other jewelry of similar colors creating an opportunity for more fashion possibilities and variety for a couple. Popular combinations include white and yellow gold, platinum and yellow gold and rose gold and silver. Other metal options to consider include tungsten, palladium, titanium, black ceramic or cobalt chrome. Two-toned styles feature an alternating of dark and lighter colors. Decorative styles include simple stripe, braided, basket-weave patterns and a pattern on one metal with the other plain. Two-tone wedding bands are great for a couple seeking a bit of sophistication and a more upscale look.

Embellished with Gemstones
Another trend for 2012 is the embellished wedding band; enhance your wedding bands with precious gemstones reflecting your love and devotion to each other. In pastimes, a diamond-encrusted wedding band was given as an anniversary gift, but now it has gained popularity as a wedding ring bringing to mind the old saying of “diamonds are forever.” If this is true then forever starts today with a diamond wedding band because they are the hardest most enduring of all gemstones. Select stones that you both like and consider the wide variety of choices to choose from such as emeralds, sapphires, rubies, jade, amethysts, opal, topaz, garnets, tourmaline, moonstone, peridot, tanzanite, coral, jasper, turquoise and of course, diamonds. Decide on a design, popular options include singular band pattern, small clusters and decorative-spaced alternation of stones.

Traditional
Never-going-out-of-style is the simple plain wedding band, a type of ring composed on one metal with limited ornamentation. Plain wedding bands are a great option for couples who want a non-intrusive style that both of you can wear and enjoy on a daily basis. Plain Wedding bands come in a variety of exciting styles including dome, flat, milgrain, beveled, Park Avenue knife-edged and stepped. Some feature engravings or cherished sentiments. Gold and silver are the most popular metals but the newer metals are making a strong showing and include titanium, tungsten and platinum.

Attend the next Great Bridal Expo to learn more about wedding band trends and for everything else related to your wedding from the initial planning to the honeymoon. For Great BridalExpo locations and schedule information click here.

Image courtesy of Kara Janx

Brides are taking mercy on their entourage and allowing them to wear versatile dresses that can be worn again and again for a variety of elegant occasions. The 2012 fashion trends for bridesmaid dresses indicate that the bridesmaids may not be hiding their dresses in the closet after the wedding, due to the current movement towards the rewearable bridesmaid dresses. Color is in bloom, necklines are plunging and hemlines are up on all styles. Fabric determines the formality of a dress, not the length. See the latest in wedding attire at a Great Bridal Expofashion show and read on for bridesmaids dress trends of 2012.

Hot
The confident bride of 2012 is not worried about a bridesmaid upstaging her at her own wedding. No more layers of frills and piquant lace, the new bridesmaid get to show a little leg. Celebrating her bridesmaids for the beautiful strong women they are, the new bride wants her girls to look good too. Lengths are above knee and dresses feature a short-sleeve or are sleeveless. Colors explode brightly running the gamut from neon pinks to blazing orange and searing reds to kohl black, inspired by Kim Kardashian’s black and white wedding, her marriage did not last but style goes on forever.

Flirty
Fun and feminine epitomize s the flirty bridesmaid’s dress featuring shorter lengths and girlish details such as shoulder bows, flounced hems and brightly colored sashes. Color trends include cobalt blue, sunny yellow, orange creamsicle and bubblegum pink. Patterns are peeping into the bridesmaid’s dress world and polka dots reign as an early fave. Match the dresses with contrasting yet colorful cheerful heels for a playful pop of color.

Romantic
Romance is everywhere including the bridesmaid’s dresses. The romantic bridesmaid features a traditional full length gown or stylish shorter lengths. With a romantic bridesmaid dress, it is all about the details from delicate handmade silk rosettes strategically placed on the waist or shoulder to long chiffons flowing like a Greek goddess to sentimental Victorian lace ornamentation. Color trends showcase neutrals and pastels such as old-fashioned vanilla or mint green.

Sophisticated
The sophisticated bridesmaid dresses feature refined silhouettes and sophisticated colors including light-brights and muted tones that lack gray undertones. Look for a large palette of colors featuring clear lemons, honeysuckles and soft lavenders to deep rich chocolate browns and purples. Watch for asymmetrical necklines and illusion necklines or a chic combination of both styles. Style trends for the Sophisticate bridesmaid dress include no necklaces but the wearing of dangly elegant earrings. Lengths range from short to long and draped.

Tropical Destinations

Image courtesy of Kara Janx

A huge hit in the United States, tropical destination weddings seem top occur everywhere from the Hawaiian Islands, to the Caribbean Sea. Bridesmaid dresses for a tropical destination tend to be more casual than most other types of wedding. Trends show shorter lengths continuing through 2012 as a preference for bridesmaid dresses. Variety is featured in the neckline including halter tops, sweetheart and scoop necks. Colors take a nautical cue from the ocean and include a combination of navy and white, deep ocean blue, sunrise yellows and coral. Dress fabrics include floating silks, taffets and chiffons with contrasting sashes. Patterns come into play in the form of rich hombre dyes silks or subtle hibiscus patterns.

For tickets to the next Great Bridal Expo in your area click here.

Water
Deter those pesky food cravings by sipping water all day instead of soda. Lose weight and staying hydrated with water, a vital and essential substance for good health. Health benefits of water include flushing of toxins from the body, healthier skin, more energy, burn more fat and build muscle. It is often recommended to drink eight glasses of water a day, but this varies according to different heights and weights. One rule of thumb suggests taking your weight and dividing by two resulting in an estimated amount of water for your daily intake.
Tip: Before starting any health regimen it is advised to consult with a physician

Healthy Foods
Need to get into your wedding dress, slim down by increasing your intake of healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables instead of eating chips and fried fast-food. According to fruitsandveggiematter.gov , fruits and vegetables are great sources of natural vitamins and mineral such as fiber, potassium, vitamin A, folate and vitamin C. Health benefits may include better skin, hair, nails and wellness. Dark colored vegetables or fruits contain more antioxidants than lighter ones.
Tip: Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables to enjoy maximum health benefits.

Exercise
An important key to reducing your weight is to burn more calories than you take in, this can be realized with the addition of exercise to your daily routine. Aerobics generally burns the most calories and includes a wide variety of activities such as running, dancing, hiking, karate, tennis, skiing, inline skating, racquetball, basketball, swimming, walking and biking. Bear in mind that cardio exercise is only one part of your plan to get fit before your wedding. Weight training helps to tone and shape your arms, abs and legs. Consider taking yoga or Pilates, both are great alternatives for toning and shaping. Make your workouts fun and listen to music on your iPod.
Tip: Consider joining a gym, hiring a personal trainer or signing up for an exercise bootcamp.
Consider getting a full physical n the months preceding your wedding, this will help assess your health and establish a baseline for fitness goals. Remember, the healthier you are the more you will glow on your wedding day. To learn more about planning for a wedding attend the next Great Bridal Expo, coming to a city near you, please click here for ticket information.

About Ceremony & Reception Music
Decide in advance the songs you will need for your wedding ceremony including music for the following: prelude music to be played as guests are being seated, wedding party processional music, the bride’s processional, interlude melodies, recessional music, and postlude music as the guests are exiting for the reception. For the reception, you will need to select music for your entrance, the first dance, father-daughter dance and last song. Take time to sit down with your DJ or music artists to determine songs and length of play times.

DJ Vs. Band
Music can make or break a wedding and making the best choice between choosing a DJ or live music depends on a variety of factors such as your budget, space accommodations, personal preference and the ambiance you want to create. Hiring bands and singers from string quartets to rock can be expensive but the end result is a live concert for you and your guests to enjoy. DJs offer a larger repertoire of songs and great emcee skills to get the crowd moving. Always listen to an artist before booking them for your wedding and request to view a taped performance of them in action.

Wedding Music Mistakes
Beginning the wedding in silence can be a mistake, start the music 20-30 minutes before the actual ceremony during the time guests are seated and to lend ambiance and ward off any impatience. Before the ceremony starts do a sound check or confirm a sound check has been performed. Communicate with your officiant before the ceremony to see if he or she allows music during the reciting of vows. Do not play songs that are R-rated or feature suggestive lyrics when children are present.

Styles of Wedding Music
Express your love through your personal music style, almost every genre of music features a love song. Popular music categories worth your consideration include top forty pop, jazz, rock, Christian rock, classical, country, R & B, hip-hop and old school classics.
Share your world and choose unique international music that reflects your cultural heritage. Have performers play unique instruments such as hand bells, sitar, or didgeridoos.
Want to learn more about planning your wedding? Attend the next Great Bridal Expo in your area, for tickets click here.

Horse Drawn Carriage

Be whisked away like Cinderella in a horse drawn carriage, the preferred mode of transportation for many fairy-tale princesses. Carriages originally served as personal transportation for royalty and aristocrats with beginnings rooted in the medieval age. Horse drawn carriages inspire romantic images from a bygone era offering a certain aural comfort from the sound of hooves clip-clopping on a cobblestone street. Choosing a horse drawn carriage reflects a choice harkening back to more simple times.

Specialty Autos

Enjoy waving to your wedding guests from the comfort of your dream car as you depart for your honeymoon. Exotic luxury car choices include the Aston Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, Mercedes and Ferrari. Perhaps a classic ride is more your style, then consider the Silver Cloud Rolls Royce or the nostalgia of a Beauford. Take a trip in time by riding in a Jaguar, Sting Ray Corvette, Camaro, Bentley Continental, VW Bus, Mustang or Ford Model T. Need something a little tougher, go for a muscle car, monster truck or SUV like a Jeep, Hummer or Dodge Charger. Pick a vehicle that you both feel comfortable riding in.

Love Is in the Air

Fly in the air with the greatest of ease in a hot air balloon, a very romantic mode way to leave your wedding. Hot air balloons are best for a spring or summer wedding due to the extreme exposure to the elements. After your wedding you might feel like walking on a cloud, why not go with that urge and take to the skies in a helicopter, a surprisingly affordable and trendy way to depart. Lots of extra cash in your wedding budget, consider chartering a private jet as you escape to your honeymoon getaway.

Sea of Love

Paddle into the sunset with your sweetheart in a canoe on a serene lake, a perfect outdoorsy end for an active couple. Other nautical modes of marine transportation include whitewater rafts, kayaks and ferries. Leave your wedding guests in a wake as you both run to the end of the dock and jump into your high-powered speed boat to hurry off to your honeymoon. Require a bit more luxury, charter a yacht or sloop to sail the world’s oceans or have your wedding and honeymoon on a cruise ship.

For tickets to the next Great Bridal Expo in your area, click here.

Cabo San Lucas
Located on the tip of the Baja Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas offers a variety of accommodations from luxury hotels to quaint bed and breakfasts. Active couples will enjoy the many adventurous things to do such as kayaking, diving, surfing and snorkeling. At the end of the day, sip a drink and watch a fiery sunset before dining on local cuisine. Dance the night away at a club on Marina Boulevard or attend a mariachi show for more traditional entertainment. Inquire about honeymoon packages when making reservations.

Acapulco
Acapulco is a beautiful port city located on Acapulco Bay along the Pacific side of Mexico and once was known as a glitzy getaway for Hollywood stars of the 1950s such as the timeless crooner Frank Sinatra and John Wayne. Offering 12 miles of beaches, Acapulco sports include hiking, sailing, deep-sea fishing, diving and parasailing. The must-do thing for first time visitors is to see the La Quebrada Cliff Divers show near the El Mirador Hotel. Acapulco features an intense nightlife and gourmet dining. Accommodations range from elite expensive resorts to modest motels.

Cozumel
Discover the island of Cozumel off the shore of Mexico in the Caribbean Sea, a world-class dive destination and cruise ship pit-stop. Couples who like to dive will not be disappointed by the spectacular underwater scenery from populous reefs to undersea caves teeming with colorful sea life in all shapes and forms. Above ground pursuits include sunbathing on white sandy beaches to roaming amongst ancient Mayan ruins. Dine on local favorites such as huevos divorciados, pollo Ticuleño or tapas. Cozumel features many inclusive hotels, expect higher prices from Christmas to New Year’s.

Cancun
Spectacular pure white sand beaches and deep blue Caribbean water characterize the shores of Cancun, a premier Mexico destination located on the Yucatan Pennisula. Things to do for honeymooners include day trips to the seafront ruins of Tulum, the mysterious pyramids of Chichen Itza and the jungles of Uxmel. The nightlife is never dull and Cancun offers plenty of fine dining, shopping and entertainment opportunities. Hotels and resorts cater to couples of every budget. Stay at the nearby Riviera Maya is you prefer a more laid back and intimate atmosphere.
Famous couples who chose Mexico as their destination of choice include Heidi Klum and Sealand Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin. To learn more about wedding planning and honeymoon destinations get tickets to a Great Bridal Expo in your area here.