Let's face it — these days, most men don't wear a tie every day and probably haven't put on a bow tie since prom (and that was likely a mock bow tie anyway). To help out your groom, we asked custom suit tailor and fashion expert J. Toor for step-by-step instructions for the various tie options, from a classic Windsor knot to a unique Eldredge knot to an unexpectedly casual ascot. 

The Full Windsor

The full Windsor knot is one of the most common knots in the tie world. While most men perform a half Windsor, simply adding an additional knot creates a fuller, wider knot. Pro tip: When tying a tie, never flip up your collar — flipping the collar can damage the perfect crease. Instead, slip your tie through the collar and slide it up.

When it comes to shoes, I’ve been that girl at the party. I'm the one in the sexy red-soled stilettos who has to take breaks from dancing after only two songs, grinning through gritted teeth, just one step away from face planting (my fiancé’s always there to catch me). At only five-foot-two-inches tall, I’ve come to accept that beauty involves a little sacrifice.

But after one too many nights limping home, I swore that my wedding would be different. I want to float down the aisle, dance my heart out, and kiss guests goodbye with sure-footedness. True to my promise, I took the newest shoe styles for a whirl around the BG office to see which ones could stand up to the big day. I wore each one for a full workday from eight-fifteen to five o’clock. (As you can imagine, I was quite the sight with my business-casual attire and twinkle toes!)

It was worth the sheepishness: The 10 pairs below passed the test of a full day’s wear, including jumping, dancing and sitting. (Important note: Nothing will ever be as comfy as these flats, so I went into this with the realistic expectation that my knees would be a little sore by the end of this experiment.)

Thank you to my lovely colleague Kristen O'Gorman Klein for shooting all of the photos below!

Have you checked out TLC's latest wedding series, "Something Borrowed, Something New"? Each episode follows one bride as she's forced to choose between two wedding gown options: a family heirloom (like her mom's gown) that stylist Kelly Nishimoto re-works into a modern-day dress, or a brand new gown that stylist Sam Saboura shops for with the bride's preferences in mind. Last week, Sam gave us the inside scoop on how he chooses the "something new" gown. Now, Kelly reveals her secrets to modernizing mom's gown!

Lauren in her mom's dress, pre-alterations!

How do you find the right balance between keeping the integrity of the mother's dress and modernizing it?
I essentially keep the best elements of the dress — the ones that make it special — and get rid of any elements that make it dated and frumpy. Generally, I'll find myself getting rid of tacky sparkles and eliminating extra fabric. Brides today want to be more sleek, and older gowns tend to overwhelm their bodies.

The last time that I wore an elegant floor-length gown was in 1985, at my wedding. Every girl dreams of her wedding dress, and I loved mine with its long cathedral train. Fast-forward 28 years, and I will be walking down the aisle again for my daughter Stefania's wedding (in the same exact church where I was married). Shopping this time around was very different.

My friends told me that the second most looked-at person after the bride is her mom. Co-workers and family members bombarded me with questions: "What color are you getting?" "Why haven't you picked a dress yet?" "Are you wearing strapless?" It all made me a little nervous. Several of my friends who had gone through the same process for their child's wedding told me that the most important thing is to feel both comfortable and beautiful in a dress.

Armed with good advice, a new strapless bra, and the best pair of Spanx I could buy, we went to the first store on the list. Nervously, I touched each gown on the rack, slowly flipping through them as if they were pages in a magazine, not pulling any of them out. Luckily, my daughter was there with me! Together with the sales associate, she sized me up and pulled gown after gown. I tried on several ball gowns, but learned that it wasn't flattering on my body type. Several children (and multiple surgeries) later, I was determined to find a style that accentuated my figure, not one that made me feel heavy, dowdy, or older than I am.

Guest Blogger: Nathaniel Neubauer, owner of Contemporary Catering
Nathaniel’s mom says it best: “When Nathaniel was turning three, I asked him what he wanted for his third birthday. He said, ‘Quiche.’” Ever since, Nathaniel’s love for food has never been far from reach. With his presence, Contemporary Catering quickly became a major contender in the Los Angeles catering industry. From overseeing production to designing a nine-course tasting menu with five-star service, Nathaniel’s dedication to his clients and his company is unparalleled.
 

While it’s a tradition to have that jaw-dropping wedding cake, times have changed! Sometimes we even wonder, “Who needs a wedding cake anymore?!” Lucky, for couples who don’t want to go through the cake selection process, serving an assortment of mini desserts is definitely trending.

The best part is that you can really personalize your offerings. We suggest taking family recipes from both sides and making miniature desserts in larger quantities. Recently, we had a bride who really loved pie, so we handmade a three-tiered “wedding pie” by using 20”, 18”, and 16” pies! 

On my wedding day, I want to not only look stunning, but also express my fun personality through my hair and makeup. Knowing how important these beauty decisions would be, I started the process early on, and did a few things that made all the difference.

First, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that many salons will offer to do a free or discounted trial for brides—all you have to do is ask. They explained that it's worth the effort on their part because they book more brides (and even bridal parties) this way. I made an appointment with Salon Trisse in Dyer, Indiana, which came highly recommended by our venue.

I loved all of the different looks so much that the girls at the salon offered to come to my wedding to switch up my hair and makeup throughout my wedding day! Gretchen, the makeup artist, suggested doing softer makeup for the ceremony, moderate makeup for the reception, and an even more dramatic look to cap off the night. Also, knowing that they'll be there to help me with touch-ups is very comforting. 

This is what we came up with—which look is your favorite?

Look #1 Soft Curl with Tiara and Subtle Makeup

This demure, romantic look consisted of light eye makeup with rosy lipstick and bronzer.

Valentine's Day marks the only day of the year when couples can marry atop the Empire State Building. Following Preston Bailey's own nuptials at the stroke of midnight, the event planner transformed the space for three lucky couples, who were selected from couples around the country who submitted their love stories to the NYC landmark building.

The ceremonies, held at 9 a.m, 10 a.m, and 11 a.m. yesterday, each had their own unique style. "I have always been inspired by Mother Nature and the way she changes her designs throughout the year. I wanted to give each couple the chance to marry surrounded by the unique beauty of their favorite season without any limitations," said Preston.

Laurie Ann Phillips and Daniel Rosenthal of Washington, DC
Both single parents, the pair met on a blind date and instantly hit it off, bonding over their young children. "There was a magic about our connection that no one — not us, nor the friend who set us up — ever could have predicted," Laurie Ann told Preston. After deciding to tie the knot, they took an nontraditional approach and purchased a house together in lieu of an engagement ring. Their ceremony had a winter wonderland theme, followed by a spring reception.