Check out the stylish ideas below from real wedding submissions!

1. Take your veil to extremes.
Lately, I'm drawn to veils that are either ultra-short or ultra-long, depending on the bride's style and the vibe of her dress. No matter which veil you choose, it should enhance your dress instead of competing with it.

For example, Heidi accented her champagne ruffled Allure gown with a birdcage veil, which fit the down-to-earth yet elegant vibe that she was going for on her big day in Walnut Creek, California. Her photographer, Ashley Paige, said that "she looked like she came straight out of a fairytale!" and we wholeheartedly agree.

Photo Credits: Ashley Paige Photography

Stacey opted for a to-die-for mantilla veil for her nuptials at Belvedere Mansion in Rhinebeck, NY. The mantilla trim perfectly coordinated with her 1920-style sheath, which she had customized by adding feathers to the top of the bustline. How glamorous is that black and white shot by the church?

Cakes and cupcakes aren't the only desserts that can be served in tiers! Get inspired by these fun ideas:

Doughnuts
Create a sweet arrangement featuring your wedding colors, or go for ultimate variety with this rustic-inspired stack.

Love The Walking Dead? We've rounded up the most creepy-hilarious wedding ideas inspired by zombies, or "walkers," as they're referred to on the show. Rather than dress up in costume on the day of their actual weddings, the newlyweds featured below got creative and depicted an apocalyptic fantasy using special effects, décor and more.

Zombie Photos

A groom who goes by the username Josiahx on Reddit asked his wedding photographer to shoot him, his lovely wife, and their bridal party doing their best zombie impressions, and then he added incredible special effects using Photoshop. Watch this amazing timelapse showing how he created this pic!

Photo Credit: Josiahx on Reddit

Who could forget the picnic gone wrong that we covered back in August 2011? The couple survived thanks to a shovel, but we'd feel a lot safer using Daryl's crossbow or Michonne's katana sword. This is one of our favorite creative engagement shoots to date.

Why are decade weddings so popular these days? They're themed without overwhelming your guests with circus tents or costumes. Plus, they allow you to incorporate all of the traditional wedding elements while transporting your guests back in time. Add family heirlooms to the décor, drive off in a vintage car or transform your bridal look to fit the time period — the ambiance will create an unforgettable event for everyone! Check out our favorite wedding ideas inspired by the 1910s through the 1950s.

The 1910s

Mix and match fonts and bold colors to create an old-time look.

Photography by Krista Mason // Stationery by Cherish Paperie
 

The 1920s

Printed handkerchiefs and shawls will have all of your guests dressed to theme!

Photography by Ralph Alswang // Event planning by Cape Cod Celebrations 

A vintage car makes the perfect backdrop for family photos.

Artful. Festive. Special. Of all the DIY skills to take on, calligraphy has always seemed just out of reach. I’ve searched high and low for classes (to no avail). And up until now, instruction books have centered on old-school calligraphy: think illuminated manuscript-esque gothic lettering. Not exactly the style du jour when it comes to contemporary design.

Thankfully, designer Molly Suber Thorpe’s new book puts a glorious, swirly capital “M” on the title’s keyword. Modern Calligraphy is precisely that: a learning guide to today’s freewheeling approach to elegant hand lettering.

The early chapters take you through the, ahem, ABCs of this contemporary craft, from the supplies you need to holding the pen correctly and taking those first baby steps as you learn upstrokes, down strokes, then move on to actual letters and words. There’s even a section devoted to left-handed calligraphy. There are practice exercises and photos galore, each and every detail clearly explained and illustrated.

Once the basics are mastered, you can put your mad skills to use as you see fit: addressing invitations, perhaps, or crafting escort or table cards. Or how about taking on these lovely place cards — a particularly wedding-worthy project that combines two major trends, hand calligraphy and watercolor wash?

Fear not, this is a beginner level project — though you’ll want to consult the book for a head start on materials and techniques.

Watercolor Wash Place Cards

Guest Blogger: Jessica Hochstadt, MS, Nutritionist and owner of “I Do” Nutrition
Jessica was a Nutritionist and Health Educator in a Boston-based hospital before deciding to focus her practice on brides with “I Do” Nutrition—a global weight-loss service that caters to brides and their bridal parties, on their schedule. She understands that everyone has a different relationship with food, and enjoys guiding bridal parties to appreciate the importance behind meal planning, understanding nutrition, and building a healthy lifestyle. In a time where our world and kitchen cupboards have become overly saturated with misinformation about nutrition, Jessica brings the simplicity back to a field that has sustained us through life.

Photo Credit: Luca Faz/Photographer in Venice

The engagement period before your wedding is almost like holiday season. There will be a whirlwind of parties, celebrations, and plenty of reasons to try new and delicious foods — from drinks with family and friends on the weekend of your engagement to menu and cake tastings to your bridal shower and bachelorette party.

It is said a bride should carry or wear something blue on her wedding day for good luck. Here, a few of my favorite options. 

Credits left to right: 1. Light blue hydrangea simply set in a modern clear glass by Vera Wang for FTD flowers. 2. Dolce & Gabbana High-rise stretch-silk satin briefs. 3. Dolce & Gabbana stretch-silk satin balconette bra. 4. Damaris silk tulle knicker. 5. Lace drop-waist bateau bodice with tulle ballgown skirt by Theia. 6. One-shoulder appliquéd silk-chiffon gown by Marchesa. 7.Badgley Mischka Peep Toe Platform Evening Pumps. 8. Sterling Silver Aquamarine and Diamond Heart Ring at Amazon.com. 9. Tiffany Blue roll clutch by Amanda Pearl.

—Naima DiFranco