Celebrity Insider

Bride Wars premiere...tonight!

Cari and I are off to the premiere of Bride Wars and we'll be interviewing the film's stars—Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson—along with other celebrities about their thoughts on weddings.

Starting at 6pm, tune into Wedded Bits for our interviews with the stars of the film and other red carpet guests. Some of the expected guests at tonight's premiere include: recent bride Beth Ostrosky Stern, Spiderman Toby Maguire and designers Erin Fetherston, Tory Burch and Lucy Sykes.

For Erin Fetherston, Kate Hudson, Vera Wang and more, read on... ..read more

Celebrity Insider

Top Chef's Nikki Cascone engaged

Talk about a cute story! Top Chef's Nikki Cascone became engaged to boyfriend Brad Grossman over the holidays, People.com reports. Brad popped the question while Nikki was cooking him dinner. "I tied the ring around one of the dogs' necks and tried to get him to run over to Nikki...but that wasn't happening...so in the end I told Nikki to go see the dog," he said. The pair, who co-own a restaurant in SoHo, plan to have a green wedding in Spring 2010. —Kathryn Papanek

Wedding Wisdom: Thinking about involving your cat or dog in your wedding or proposal? Take a cue from Brad and have a back up plan in case the animal doesn't act exactly as planned.

Celebrity Insider

Dancing with the Stars stars engaged

People.com is reporting that Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff, of Dancing with the Stars fame, are engaged. The groom-to-be popped the question in Las Vegas on New Year's Eve. The couple rang in the new year at the Wynn Hotel.

Maksim and Karina are currently performing in the Dancing with the Stars Tour which is crisscrossing the country through February 8th. —Anne Chertoff

5 Questions With...

Trainer Brendan Comer

Courtesy of Peak Performance NYC

Whether you just announced your engagement or your wedding is a few months (or weeks) away, you're probably looking to get in shape for the big day. It's never too late to start a wedding day workout program, but it's important to have a plan as to which areas of your body you want to tone. We asked Brendan Comer, Trainer at New York City's Peak Performance for his expert tips on how a bride can get in shape for her wedding day. Here's what he had to say: —Anne Chertoff

How soon should a bride-to-be start a wedding day workout program?

Any trainer or fitness specialist will tell you the sooner, the better. If the bride is serious about looking her best for her big day she should aim to start a year ahead of the scheduled date (or, if the date is within that year timeframe, the day after the groom proposes). That way, a detailed, realistic, goal-oriented program can be undertaken. It can ensure proper progression (i.e., avoiding too-much-too-soon burnout or overuse injuries) and takes pressure off the bride to get it all done in 2 or 3 months).

Wedding dresses will leave certain areas of the body bare—backless-backs, minis-legs, strapless-shoulders and arms—should a bride focus on one area or tone her whole body?

While some body parts will be shown more than others in a wedding dress, effective training programs... ..read more

MD, DC and VA

Chocolate cravings

Courtesy of Co Co Sala

Got a sweet tooth? Co Co Sala, a Penn Quarter chocolate lounge and boutique with sleek and sexy decor, is a great place to host a pre-bachelorette party dinner, bridal shower, or rehearsal dinner. The menu is focused on sweets, but there are also savory items as well. I particularly love their brunch menu—the "French Toast S'mores," a cinnamon brioche French toast filled house-made marshmallow, dark chocolate, and graham shortbread, has my mouth watering. And the evening menu has delicious-sounding options, with small plates like macaroni and cheese "bites" and beef sliders. Of course, this is a place where dessert is not-to-be-missed—from churros to six different types of hot chocolate to a "chocolate tasting."—Kim Forrest, Assistant Editor, Brides.com Magazines

Colorado

Mani/pedi party

Courtesy of ten20

Getting your bridal party together for manicures and pedicures is fun, but if your group of girls is large, it can sometimes be hard to squeeze everyone into one salon. But not at Boulder, CO-based ten20. At this fun, laid-back nail and waxing spa, up to twelve women can simultaneously get their nails done. And if you want to turn the pamper-fest into a real party, the salon can also arrange for custom gift bags and catering. The place feels more like a cool apartment than a chi-chi spa—you and your bridesmaids can kick back in oversized armchairs, while watching movies on a big screen TV, reading gossip mags, and munching on an endless supply of M&Ms. Perfection. —Lauren Matthews, associate editor, Brides.com Magazines

NY, NJ, and CT

Secret Garden

Courtesy of Inside Park

If the weather's right, an alfresco rehearsal dinner can be charmingly romantic. One of the newest options in New York City is the "secret" Cloister Garden at Inside Park, the restaurant that opened a couple months back inside the transformed Great Hall of the Community House adjacent to St. Bartholomew's Church on Park Avenue.

The plant-and-sculpture filled garden space, which can seat up to 20, is surrounded on all sides by stone, but is open to sky—so you can see Midtown's skyscrapers rising up above you in all their glory.

And just in case the weather isn't cooperating, inside you'll find thirty-foot coffered ceilings with ornate stenciling, stained glass windows, and a raised semi-private gallery area, with a 20-foot screen projecting old and modern photographs of New York City park scenes, that seats 30. —Lauren Matthews, associate editor, Brides.com Magazines

Wedding Wisdom:Wondering who exactly is supposed to be invited to the rehearsal dinner? Traditionally, the guest list includes close family members and anyone participating in the wedding ceremony, plus their spouses or dates. It's also a nice gesture to invite any out-of-town guests.

California

Eye candy

Courtesy of Suedy's Koo-Ki Sushi

To qualify as an awesome favor in my book, it has to be A) edible, B) stylish, and C) fun. These handmade sushi-inspired "cookies" from San Jose company Suedy's Koo-Ki Sushi most definitely qualify—they're conversation pieces to say the least, and surprisingly delicious. A chocolate "plate" displays crisp rice cookies, gourmet chocolate, and gummy candy masquerading as raw fish, seaweed, and rice. Other fake-out favors: Chocosticks, chocolate chopsticks, and Kanapai! cups, chocolate sake cups. —Lauren Matthews, associate editor, Brides.com Magazines

Atlanta

Jewelry party

Courtesy of Tiffany Christine

I love when bridesmaids wear big, bold jewelry with their dresses, so I was naturally drawn to the pieces by Atlanta-based jewelry designer Tiffany Christine. Sure, you can choose the pieces you like best to gift your bridesmaids, but if you and your girlfriends are the DIY types, Tiffany Christine can host a jewelry making party, where your bridesiamds can make their own necklaces to wear on the wedding day. It's a fun idea as an alternative bachelorette party, a bridal shower activity, even just an excuse for a sleepover! Tiffany will bring all the supplies to your home or the venue of your choice, so all you have to worry about is the color and style of your brand new necklace!—Kim Forrest, Assistant Editor, Brides.com Magazines

Houston

Crafty look

Courtesy of Friendly Banter

I just came across these felt rose hair pins, created by Houston-based Etsy seller Friendly Banter. If you want to add a touch of whimsy to your wedding-day look, I think these little pins would be just adorable—especially if you're a crafter yourself! Look at how pretty they look tucked into a chignon—it definitely adds a little twist to the common updo. The flowers also come in other colors, a nice option for bridesmaids. For guys, Friendly Banter also creates felt boutonnieres that are not only cute, but will last forever. For more information, visit Friendly Banter's Etsy shop.—Kim Forrest, Assistant Editor, Brides.com Magazines