Forget drive-through chapels—the hottest new trend is curbside weddings. For just $99, the Las Vegas Wedding Wagon will marry you in 15 minutes, max, at your desired location (the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign is a crowd-pleaser). Co-founders Andy Gonzalez and James Cass ditched their corporate jobs to find their true calling. Inspired by the Hangover Truck, which gives tuckered-out revelers intravenous aid, their mobile matrimony idea was borne.

Sure, it sounds like a scene in a rom-com: Lonely girl meets lonely boy at wild party, and after a brief, but promising conversation (and five too many rounds of margaritas) they decide to make it forever. But there’s only one problem: They don't have a car, so they text the Wedding Truck to meet them on the Strip. Not so fast—they require that you obtain an official marriage license in advance, but you can speed up the process with this online form. Gonzalez and Cass are available for immediate service between 12 – 9 pm, but you can schedule your nuptials in advance on their website.

I recently met with Kate Harrison, creator of greenbrideguide.com and author of "The Green Bride Guide,” the definitive bible on how to have an eco-chic wedding on any budget.

It might seem strange to have Dad as your wedding planner, but with my circumstances, it just made natural sense. (As I've mentioned in past posts, my fiancé Michael is deployed in Afghanistan, so I'm planning our wedding in San Diego from across the country, in New York.) A couple of months ago, I realized I needed to call in reinforcements, so I found a planner in Cali who completely shared my vision. I was enamoured with her ideas—until I got the quote. I was seriously considering dropping $2,400 for her help, but when I brought it up to my dad, he enthusiastically offered to plan the wedding himself. I knew he'd always have my back, but I was surprised by just how thrilled he was to take part in my wedding. It was a big relief.

Since I've asked him to take over, my dad has secured the venue, DJ, rentals and linens, florist, and photographer. Basically, all the heavy lifting is done. Luckily, we haven't had any disagreements yet. He's happy to hear me out if I don't like something or would prefer a more affordable vendor, so I never feel pressured to go with his first choice or afraid to say no. The planning process is new to both of us, so we're learning everything together and having fun in the process! Dad's a natural—he talks to strangers with ease and even thrives on it (much to my embarrassment as a teenager). He loves to brag about his son-in-law, too, so he'll use any excuse to bring up his brave soldier in conversation.

After testing out our favorite DIY braided hairstyles, we decided to continue the fun with even more romantic wedding-day options. We rounded up six of the best YouTube tutorials, ordered by level of difficulty, to help you achieve the perfect look all by yourself. The best part: Each of these easy-to-follow videos is under five minutes!

Wedding-Day Chignon

 A simple, loose bun is perfect natural look for a bride or bridesmaid.

Side Ponytail

This feminine style provides glamorous volume and keeps strands out of your face. 

Half-Up Half-Down

Long, lush waves look stunning with a low-back dress. 

Hair Flowers

These hair flowers can stand on their own or as the perfect accessory for a ponytail or loose waves. 

Elegant Updo

Don't shy away from an intricate style like this one — we absolutely love the finished product. 

Retro Bouffant

Adjust amount of teasing to your liking, and don't be afraid to accessorize with a chic barrette. 

From classic exits to fun thank-you cards, sparklers are everywhere lately in wedding photos.

Photo Credits: B&G Photography (left);  Ruth Anne Photography (right)

If you're thinking about using sparklers, keep in mind a few safety tips:

► Don't pass around already-lit sparklers. 
► Sparklers are not recommended for kids under 12.
► Keep your distance; everyone using a sparkler should stand six inches apart from one another. Also, when holding a sparkler, keep it at arm's length. 
► Check the legal status in your area; sparklers are banned in several states.
► Because the sparkler stick remains hot long after the flame is gone, drop used sparklers into a bucket of water.

And now, some of our favorite photos with sparklers!

Photo Credit: Heidi Rae Photography for Ron Parks Photography