From the flowers to the dress, weddings can be quite expensive. So, before jumping full force into the planning process, we turned to a few of our favorite bridal bloggers for tips on when to spend and when to save. Check out their advice below for a budget-savvy trip down the aisle.

Photography: Splurge! “After your wedding is over, the pictures will be the one thing you have to look back on to remember your wedding day..” – Bride on a Budget

Wedding Gown: Save! “The dress you’ll only wear once, while the accessories, if chosen carefully, can become wardrobe staples you’ll wear for years to come” – Budget Savvy Bride
Continue reading “Save vs. Splurge: Wedding Bloggers Weigh In” »

This time around, our STYLE. I do! Boutique is inspired by decades: the impeccably stylized glamour of the 1920s, the laid-back elegance of the 1970s, and the modern freshness of today. To match those three big-day sensibilities, Rue’s in-house beauty guru Rachael switched up the hair and makeup looks throughout the photo shoot to reflect the essences of the different eras.

- By Katie Flynn, Blog Editor

Our STYLE. I do! Decades of Style to Go Down the Aisle Boutique opens Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 11AM ET.

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

We’re drawn to the figure-loving fits of Nicole Miller’s gorgeous gowns. Whether decadent (think head-to-toe sequins) or strikingly simple, these nuptial numbers are serious show-stoppers. We checked in with a Nicole Miller insider for her picks by body type, all featured in tomorrow’s STYLE. I do! Boutique.

- By Katie Flynn, Editor

Our STYLE. I do! Decades of Style to Go Down the Aisle Boutique opens Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 11AM ET.

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Save the date – on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 11AM ET, we’ll open the doors to our latest wedding Boutique, STYLE. I do! Decades of Style to Go Down the Aisle. This time around, we’re featuring suiting, wedding gowns, and bridal accessories inspired by the glamour of the 1920s, the low-key elegance of the 1970s, and the modern crispness of today.

Insider tip: To get ready for the Boutique, Style Me Pretty is featuring an exclusive preview showcasing the gorgeous designer gowns – that means almost two extra days of browsing and swooning.

Also on Wednesday, we have offerings for all things wedding – whether you’re in one, shopping for one, or simply getting ready to dance the night away. Set your reminders now.

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Insider tip: Our friends at Style Me Pretty have the scoop on Thursday’s STYLE. I do! Live Colorfully After Ever Boutique. This time around, the Boutique includes gorgeous designer gowns and color-splashed accessories – plus handsome menswear, party dresses, and more.

Starting today, get an exclusive preview of the collection at Style Me Pretty. This treat allows Members to see the goods before the Boutique opens – giving you a little extra time to consider your Big Day style.

And remember to shop the Boutique on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 11AM ET.

We could hardly be more excited for our Rue Local Event Coordinator, Casey, who’s planning her wedding at the Chatham Bars Inn this summer. So with Rue’s upcoming this-is-what-dreams-are-made-of wedding package at the Inn, we pulled up a chair and asked her about her big day.

Rue La La: What made you choose the Chatham Bars Inn as your wedding venue?
Casey: Well, my family has had a house about a half mile down the road from the Inn since I was 11 or so, and before that we would stay there on our family vacations – so it’s been a part of my summers for about as long as I can remember. The summer I graduated from college, Kyle (my fiancé) and I lived at the Cape house for the summer and each got one last summer job before jumping into the “real world.” We spent many an afternoon getting drinks on the porch or at the beach bar at CBI, and just wandering around the property – so when we got engaged we knew it was the perfect spot for our wedding. So many happy memories there!
Continue reading “Wedding Bells Are Ringing At The Chatham Bars Inn” »

Abby Larson of Style Me Pretty came to Rue during our wedding photo shoot. We picked her brain on all things bridal – pretty gowns, DIY wedding party tips, and her time in the studio.

Rue La La: Purchasing bridal gowns and wedding necessities online is a relatively new idea – what are a few pieces of advice you’d give a bride when picking out her goods online?
Abby: Most of the rules that apply when buying your dress through a brick-and-mortar shop apply when buying your gown online. Select a gown that will flow cohesively with your wedding style. Whether it be rustic, classic, or contemporary, there is always a gown that will take your style to the next level of pretty. Choose silhouettes that are flattering to your body shape. It’s usually helpful to spend a day trying on gowns so that you know what really looks good. It may very well be a cut that you never considered. And last but certainly not least, try to stick to your budget. You will be so much happier and feel even more gorg, if you didn’t overspend on an area where you allotted a certain budget.
Continue reading “Five-Minute Pow-Wow: Abby Larson On STYLE. I do!” »

We were blown away by Lisa’s DIY wedding, proof that not all nuptials call for hired help. Taking happily ever after into her own hands, this craft-savvy bride created the perfect Cape Cod celebration (with a San Fran stamp) that was both personal and stunning. We sat down with Lisa to talk taking the plunge, DIY style.

Rue La La: From the pink and green flowers down to your blue Jimmy Choos, there were so many beautiful pops of color in your wedding. Tell us about your color story.
Lisa: It started with our thinking “we like bold colors” and my only goal was to have stuff that would coordinate. Pretty early on, I decided to do all of the handmade pennant flags and with that stack of fabric in hand, I pretty much had a color palette handed to me. From there, the items and projects kind of took care of themselves in an evolutionary way.
Continue reading “STYLE. I do!: The DIY Bride” »

While we’re all for a fuss-free makeup routine, there are some special occasions that call for more than cherry lip balm and a coat of mascara. But that doesn’t mean it takes a face full makeup to be the belle of the ball. For a flawless formal look we asked Rue’s makeup maven, Rachael, to share a few of her favorite tricks of the trade.

Go for eyes over lips.
An intense eye will last the night and require little upkeep, while dark red lips need be re-applied after every bite to eat and kiss hello.

Just bring the brush.
Clutches can be tiny, so to save space, buy a brush that comes with a holder and just dip the tip into your lipstick. No need to bring the whole tube, this is enough for touch-ups and still leaves room in your purse for other necessities.

Get picture perfect.
Take translucent powder anywhere the paparazzi (or snap-friendly family) might be. It’ll control oil and shine without looking cake-y.

Make eyes pop.
Fake lashes are a formal favorite, but to avoid an over-the-top look, stick to singles. They’re easier to apply and define the eyes more naturally. And remember, always work from the outside in when applying.

Our The Knot Presents: STYLE. I do! Boutique opens today, October 13, at 11AM ET.