As I write this, I am just a few days away from my wedding. I loved sharing my journey with you all for the past year. It feels surreal that it will soon be over and I'll finally be married to the man who makes me happier than anything in the world! Here are 20 lessons and tips I've learned along the way.

1. Think beyond the altar.
The wedding is more than just a party; it’s about your decision to share your life fully with another person. We’re talking forever, brides. Make sure you and your hubby-to-be discuss your future plans (where you'll live, how you'll raise your kids) in addition to seating charts and honeymoon destinations.

Photo Credit: Joy Marie Photographers

2. Make it personal. 
The last thing I wanted was a ceremony and reception that could have worked for any couple. I’d suggest adding as many small, personal touches as possible so your wedding is uniquely yours. Some ideas I love: asking for song requests, creative table numbers, and serving unexpected treats, like cookies and milk. 

Guest blogger: Rosanna Casper, co-founder of Idojour.com, a new wedding website where brides, grooms, family and friends can purchase a stylish and affordable mix of beautifully curated pieces. Designed to make wedding planning all the more inspiring and enjoyable, Idojour offers accessories and apparel for your wedding weekend, complemented by both inspirational and practical content. Rosanna oversees content, among many other things, and makes sure that everything comes together beautifully on the site.

Here, Rosanna discusses one of her favorite gown trends right now.

The peplum; It's a dress with a short skirt-like overlay or ruffle sewn at the waistline that became a popular look on the bridal runway this year. It's an ultra-feminine and fashion-forward trend that creates a curvaceous silhouette on the bride. Peplum gowns come in a number of different fabrics and styles. Here, a few of our favorites.

Airy and Light:

Left: Amy Kuschel; right: Watters

Each week, we feature music recommendations from Scratch Weddings, the nation's leader with the best wedding DJs at affordable prices. This week's post comes from DJ Z, a Chicago native known for creating his own unique style of mashups, remixes, and party breaks at every social and corporate event he headlines. His eyes never come off the dance floor, guaranteeing that he'll play the music you want, not just what he wants to play! His professional personality, can-do attitude, and drive for success has led him to perform all over the world, including events for The Bacardi Live Tour with Mix Master Mike, Norwegian Cruise Line, Nike, McDonald's, and many more. 

Photo Credit: Kimberly Chau Photography

Weddings are a special time for the bride, groom and their families, so most couples want to make sure their special day is unique and reflective of their style and personalities. However, when it comes to music, most couples tend to play it safe. But why not get a little creative here and throw your guests a few musical curve balls that will surprise and delight them all the way to the dance floor?

I do love shiny, pretty things, so it was a real treat to get a sneak preview of David Tutera’s new jewelry collection, David Tutera Embellish, available exclusively online at davidtuteraembellish.com. David never ceases to amaze me with his incredible style and his understanding of what brides need, want and must have! And this collection proves just how on target he is; it is simply gorgeous. There are so many pieces and styles to choose from and the prices, ranging from $15 to $200, definitely won’t break your budget! As David says, “There’s truly something for everybody and every style.”

Take a look at some of these fantastic selections:

I love the sophistication of this collection. It’s ideal for anyone having an evening wedding or a black and white theme.

The “Elle” cuff and the “Aubrey” earrings are stunning and can definitely be worn again for any dressy occasion.

Have you discovered Lover.ly yet? It's the ultimate visual search tool for weddings—we're hooked. Unlike Google Images, photos are hand-selected and only the most gorgeous make the cut, so you're not stuck scrolling through 15 pages of so-so results. Each image also gives credit to the vendor who created it, making it much easier to actually buy that wedding program or flower girl dress you found online.

We're happy to announce that we're an official Lover.ly partner, so now you can search and save all of your favorite BG images. Organize them into groups called "bundles," which unlike Pinterest, you have the option of making private (take that, wedding snoops!). To celebrate and help you get started, check out some of our color bundles below.

1. Red Wedding Ideas

If you love red: You operate by the M.O. that bold is always better. Passionate, fiercely loyal, impulsive, and a natural-born leader, odds are that your wedding will be luxe and dramatic (in the best possible way).

Search more red wedding ideas from Lover.ly here.