Last week, my fiancé Michael and I spent two hours (excessive, but necessary) debating our delicious options for our wedding menu. Our event manager presented us with images of enticing hor d’oeuvres, stations, entrées and desserts. Needless to say, we were left drooling and unable to decide which appetizer to pair with which entrée.  After much debate, we were able to create a menu that incorporates our favorite dishes yet also caters to the diverse appetites of our beloved guests.

Comfort Food

I was surprised to discover that selecting our menu was like taking a stroll down memory lane, with so many options reminding Michael and I of dining experiences from the past. We selected crispy, blanketed franks—a new spin on classic pigs in a blanket—a starter that we have during every holiday at my future in-laws' home.  Michael and I then chose a BLT salad, complete with apple-smoked bacon, asiago cheese and buttermilk chive dressing. This dish reminded us of a scrumptious salad we enjoyed while vacationing in Florida. Lastly, our wedding cake will be filled with lemon curd and raspberry buttercream as a nod to Michael’s favorite lemon cake. These personal touches will probably go unnoticed to the majority of our guests, but will have Michael and I secretly grinning from ear to ear.

Pigs in a Blanket. Photo Credit: Abigail Kirsch Catering

If you’re looking for a nail color that’s fun and different,  but still wedding-day appropriate, try Butter London’s limited edition Lillibet’s Jubilee, a silvery metallic lavender shade.

With an infusion of holographic glitter for an extra sparkly effect, it complements almost any gown shade, especially the new nudes and metallics seen on the recent bridal runways.  

With a nod to Queen Elizabeth II’s childhood nickname and a twist on the royal purple, the polish commemorates her majesty’s Diamond Jubilee — 60 years as monarch — this June.
 
I sampled the color and can’t stop looking at how my nails shimmer. So brew yourself an English tea and rejoice in this delicious, silvery lavender lacquer — the latest installment in our ongoing royal obsession. Long live the Queen!
 
Available now at butterlondon.com.

— Robin Zachary

If you're attending one or more weddings this summer, struggling to find a stylish bridal shower dress in your budget, or just want to make a splash at your bachelorette party, we've found the answer to all of your style dilemmas: Rent the Runway has unveiled a new boutique where brides and guests can rent gowns and accessories for every special occasion related to weddings. Items are curated by stylists and broken down by category and formality, making it that much easier to find a memorable outfit you can actually afford.

This past Memorial Day Weekend, I took David Meister’s “Cleopatra” style ($75 to rent; retail price $358) for a test drive at my cousin’s wedding. I needed a dress that was sophisticated yet comfortable enough to survive the tarantella (my family is a fun crowd!). The one-shoulder sheath made it into my shopping cart after I saw all of the photo reviews – it looked flattering on women of all sizes.

Despite this, I still held my breath when I first slipped it on, letting out a sigh of relief when the zipper whizzed shut. RTR includes a free back-up size, so I was able to guarantee a perfect fit. (If none of the dresses in your order fit, you can contact RTR and they’ll issue a merchandise credit if you postmark the unworn dresses within 24 hours.) Can't decide on just one style? You can order a second dress for only $25.

Table numbers are yet another way in which you and your spouse can express yourselves on the big day. Don’t believe me? Check out the super creative and personal ideas below.

1. Table numbers inspired by song lyrics. Corey and I are adding a special touch to our table numbers by including quotes from our favorite love songs. Each number will feature a quote from a song we both like or can relate to. Here are lyrics we would consider using from a band we saw in concert together last summer:

Let me be your everlasting light

A train going away from pain

Love is the coal 


That makes this train roll

Let me be your everlasting light

– The Black Keys

Photo Credit: Tin Sparrow Studio

2. You at every age. I love pictures, so to me, table numbers are a great outlet to feature the faces of you and your spouse in your early years. For each table number, display a photo of you and your future husband at that age. Not only will this be an adorable way to personalize your wedding, but it will also act as a conversation starter to get your guests talking.

Even if you have your heart set on your bridesmaids wearing matching dresses, that doesn't mean your girls need to look like clones of one another. We usually see bridesmaids with different hairstyles and/or accessories. But you can also add a little diversity to the group by letting them express their individuality through their bouquets.

Each of these bridesmaids carried a different type of flowers in the purple family: 

In keeping with the mix & match vibe, the groom wore a differently-colored tie than his groomsmen, and each of the men sported a different boutonnière:

Photo Credit: Watson-Studios

What do you think of this idea?

—Kristen O'Gorman Klein