BRIDES Washington DC: The Best Hotels for a Mini-Moon in Our Nation's Capital

The Hay Adams Washington DC Honeymoon Hotel

Photo: Courtesy of The Hay-Adams via Facebook

If you are forgoing the typical beachy, exotic honeymoon and opting for a more relaxed close-to-home getaway, Washington D.C. is a great place to celebrate your newlywed status — no passport required! With so much history and endless things to do, it’s easy to say “I do” to D.C. Here are a few of our favorite mini-moon-worthy hotels in the nation’s capital.

The Hay-Adams (Above)
You just can’t beat the views offered at the 1920s-built Hay-Adams hotel in downtown Washington D.C. The hotel’s plush rooms feature European linens, marble bathrooms, and private balconies. Some even offer awe-inspiring views of the White House, Lafayette Park, and St. John’s Church. Go all out for your mini-moon by booking the celebrations package, which includes champagne, flowers, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and an in-room breakfast for two. Read real brides’ reviews here!

Four Seasons Washington DC Honeymoon Hotel

Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons

Four Seasons Washington D.C.
If you and your new hubby are history buffs, then the Four Seasons Washington D.C. is the hotel for you. The luxurious property is situated amid a slew of historical landmarks, delicious restaurants, nightlife spots, boutiques, art galleries, and museums. The best part? The hotel’s spa allows you and your hubby to slip into monogrammed bathrobes and enjoy indulgent 80-minute massages at nighttime. The night spa package also includes dinner, flowers, and a bottle of bubbly. Talk about romantic! Read real brides’ reviews here!

Rosewood Washington DC Honeymoon Hotel

Photo: Courtesy of Rosewood Hotel

Rosewood Hotel Washington D.C.
Ideal for the couples who love to explore, the Rosewood Hotel Washington D.C. offers so much to do. Honeymooners can get a front row seat to see the Washington Ballet’s private rehearsals, go on a biking tour along the Potomac River, or take a walking tour through the historic neighborhood of Georgetown. After a long day of exploring, you can head to the hotel’s rooftop infinity pool and soak in the views of city landmarks like the Kennedy Center and the Washington Monument.

See More: Still Figuring Out Those Big Day Details? Let These Local Wedding Planners Lead the Way!

The Jefferson Washington DC Honeymoon Hotel

Photo: Courtesy of The Jefferson

The Jefferson
Located just a short walk away from the White House, the Jefferson draws in newlywed couples for many reasons: Award-winning restaurants, a historic collection of antiques, a complimentary house car, and proximity to The Smithsonian and the National Zoo. To make the most out of your mini-moon, we suggest opting for the hotel’s personalized weekend offer, which includes private tours of the Library of Congress, Washington’s monuments, and International Spy Museum. Read real brides’ reviews here!

Ritz-Carlton Georgetown Honeymoon Hotel

Photo: Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown
For couples who want to do nothing but relax, we suggest the posh Ritz-Carlton Georgetown for a mini-moon. Spend your morning brunching at the hotel’s Degrees restaurant then enjoy a couple’s massages in a private room at The Boutique Spa. End the day relaxing and eating s’mores by the cozy fireplace in The Living Room.

To check out more Washington D.C. hotels for your honeymoon (or even your wedding day!), be sure to browse our Local Venues page!

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6 Wedding Workouts You Can Do With Your Fiancé

couple working out

Photo: Getty Images

If you’re eager to start sweating for the wedding but you don’t want to do it alone, ask your fiancé to get involved with joining your pre-wedding workout plan. Working out with your best bud is the best way to get a pre-wedding body that’ll make you feel happy and healthy on your wedding day. You’ll feel less stressed about hitting the gym or spending a few hours after work if the love of your life joins you, instead of seeing him stay at home, keeping the couch warm for when you’re done.

Whether you’re looking to do a workout at the gym or just want to learn some cool moves you can do together during commercial break when you’re watching your favorite TV show, here are 6 wedding workouts you can do with your fiancé.

1. Squats in Sync
Put on your favorite song and stand side by side. Squat in sync while the entire song plays out in the background, only stopping once for ten seconds as a quick breather.

2. Sit and Twist
With your backs together, twist from side to side and pass a ball or even a heavy bottle of laundry detergent. This is a great workout for your abdominal muscles.

3. Partner Lunges
Face each other, with enough distance to lunge forward so that your toes touch. Lunge in unison together and give each other a high five every time you lunge.

4. Partner Curls

If one of you is much stronger than the other, lay across their biceps vertically. This will be a challenge at first, but quite the tough workout for the partner that’s curling the other. If this seems too much, use weights instead.

5. A Dance Class
Since you’re going to have a dancing debut together on your wedding day, start early with dance classes. Even learning how to slow dance or salsa is great after work cardio.

6. Boot Camp
Challenge each other by going to a boot camp class. You’ll be able to push your physical strength to the limit while an instructor gives you a structured workout. Perhaps make it a goal to do a boot camp class once or even twice a week.

See More: Hannah Bronfman’s Healthy Tips for Getting Wedding Ready

Jen Glantz is a “Professional Bridesmaid” and the founder of Bridesmaid for Hire. She’s the author of All My Friends Are Engaged and frequently wears old bridesmaid dresses to the grocery store and on first dates.

6 Things to Know Before Saying 'I Do' to a Backyard Wedding

If you’re getting married in a season or location where the weather is nice and you’ve always had a vision of saying “I do” underneath the stars and the fresh air, considering a backyard wedding may be the right style for you. Whether you’re planning to have your wedding in the backyard of your childhood home or you’re using the backyard of a historical house or friend’s house, here are the 6 things you need to know before deciding to use that location as your wedding venue.

1. Will the Neighbors Be Home?
Check to see if there are neighbors nearby. Let them know you’re planning to have your wedding in the backyard and provide them with the date and the times this will be going on beforehand. Ask them if they have any concerns so you’re aware of any potential problems before the wedding.

2. Is There a Noise Constraint?
Look into if the neighborhood or the city has any laws on when outdoor concerts or noise must end. Your party may not be allowed to go on past midnight but at least you’ll have an end time in mind so the police don’t become your wedding crashers.

3. Have You Checked for Outlets?

You’ll most likely have a decent amount of electric equipment that needs to be set up, so check to see if there are places you can plug an extension chord into.

4. Do You Have a Rain Backup Plan?
What happens if the weather isn’t so agreeable on the day of your wedding? Be sure to have a plan B, even if that includes having tents on hold that you can have delivered in case of rain.

5. Are Their Any Safety Hazards?

Have you scoped out the area for dips in the ground or holes in the yard? Be sure to see if there are any potential hazards that might injure guests who are dancing around the property.

6. Can You Spend Time There Pre-Wedding

Since your venue is less formal than most, it’s best to be able to check in there often so you can get a good feel for how you’d like everything to be set up.

See More: How to Have an Outdoor Winter Wedding Ceremony

Jen Glantz is a “Professional Bridesmaid” and the founder of Bridesmaid for Hire. She’s the author of All My Friends Are Engaged and frequently wears old bridesmaid dresses to the grocery store and on first dates.

Pippa Middleton Is Engaged, According to Reports

Pippa Middleton Buys Princess Charlotte Presents

Photo: Getty Images

Break out the royal china, Pippa Middleton is engaged! Looks like we have another Middleton bride to look forward to, Pippa Middleton, the world’s most famous bridesmaid, is reportedly engaged to longtime boyfriend James Matthews.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge’s sister is reportedly engaged to financier James Matthews, according to Richard Kay for the DailyMail. The hedge fund manager got down on one knee over the weekend on the peaks of the Lake District and asked the world’s most famous bridesmaid to be his wife. Naturally Middelton said, “yes” to the romantic proposal.

According to Kay’s reports, Matthews went traditional and even got permission from his future father-in-law before proposing with a stunning diamond ring. The couple is reportedly already planning a splashy 2017 wedding.

The Middleton family has tons to celebrate, as this news comes on the heels of engagement rumors for Kate Middelton’s brother, James Middleton, might soon be tying the knot to girlfriend of 3 years, English model Donna Air.

The U.K. magazine Fabulous recently sat down with Donna Air, where the subject of marriage came up because duh of course it did. And from the sound of it, there definitely could be wedding bells in the near future for the Middleton family. “I feel like I’ve already had a marriage of sorts. But would I like to have an official one? Yeah. Hell, why not!” the blonde beauty declared. “I always say you have to try everything once,” Air continued. “Marriage is important and it’s a nice foundation if you have children.”

pippa-middleton-engaged.gif

Photo: Giphy

Pippa Middleton’s engagement of course begs some very important questions. Will Pippa wear another sleek Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen creation down the aisle? Will Kate be the bridesmaid this time? And do you think Prince George and Princess Charlotte will serve as ring bearer and flower girl? We can only hope the answer to all of these is yes!

The 4 Things Brides and Their Moms Will Fight Over During Wedding Planning

mother daughter fighting

Photo: Getty Images

Not all brides fight with their mothers during wedding planning — just most of them. I admit it, I wasn’t as nice to my mom as I should have been during my wedding planning. I believe brides are hardest on their mothers because we know they love us unconditionally, and they understand how stressed out we are about the wedding.

That doesn’t mean moms let their daughters off the hook, especially if they have a close relationship. If anything, some mothers of the bride are willing to go to war with the bride if they feel strongly she’s making the wrong decision. When the parents are picking up the tab, all bets are off.

Interestingly, I’ve learned from listening to my clients over the years that most mothers of the bride and their daughters argue the most about the same four things:

1. The Registry
Despite the fact that the gifts are for the couple getting married, and mom will only see those gifts when she visits her daughter’s new home, most brides report that involving mom in their wedding registry is a nightmare. While the current trend in registries is to be non-traditional — think registering for a honeymoon fund or cooking classes — a lot of mothers are unhappy that their daughters aren’t registering for at least 12 place settings of formal china and crystal.

2. The Guest List
When our mothers got married, their parents took the first whack at the guest list so that they could include all the family, friends, neighbors, and business associates whose children’s weddings they’d attended. Brides and grooms were given a number of guests they could invite by the bride’s parents. Now, more couples are paying for their own weddings, and could care less about inviting friends of their parents whom they’ve never met. On the flip side, moms hold grudges, and don’t like to see friends who haven’t been good to you in the past on the list, either.

3. The Wedding Dress
Face it, plenty of wedding gowns are strapless now, and a lot of dresses are quite revealing. Yes, less fabric is in sync with current fashion trends, but there are a lot of mothers of the bride who lay down the law about what is too much skin to display while going down the aisle. Several brides have told me that was the reason they wore a different dress to the reception — they compromised by wearing mom’s choice down the aisle, and their choice to celebrate afterward.

4. The Wedding Party
Although it’s perfectly acceptable to have someone other than your sister as your Maid of Honor, that may not fly with mom. Traditionalists will want all your siblings, and possibly first cousins, included in the wedding party, even if that means you won’t have room to ask your friends to be bridesmaids. Brides have pretty firm opinions to the contrary, and this can get ugly if your mother has a particular dislike for any of the people you and the groom are including, based on personal experience.

See More: 8 Fights Every Couple Has During Wedding Planning

Sandy Malone is the owner of Sandy Malone Weddings & Events and author of How to Plan Your Own Destination Wedding: Do-It-Yourself Tips from an Experienced Professional. Sandy is the star of TLC’s reality show Wedding Island, about her destination wedding planning company, Weddings in Vieques.

Where to Eat, Drink, and Stay on a Charleston, South Carolina Honeymoon

charleston foodie honeymoon

Photo: Courtesy of Zero George Street

Craving a little quiet time down South for your honeymoon? Look no further than Charleston, South Carolina. Recently named Travel + Leisure’s 2016 Best City in the World, it’s no longer under-the-radar, but a city with such a high honor is definitely worth a visit. The historic streets, award-winning culinary scene, and luxe hotels make this the perfect place to wander hand-in-hand, grab a cocktail, and bask in the joy of your brand new marriage. We’ve put together an itinerary of a few can’t miss destinations to make your honeymoon in Charleston a trip you’ll always remember.

Where to Stay
Even with a full itinerary, you’ll want to leave plenty of time for aimless wandering, which is why we love the central location of Zero George Street. Comprised of five gorgeous townhouses surrounding a central courtyard, book the Anson Suite for a secluded outdoor seating area perfect for lounging and views of Charleston harbor. Head to Zero Restaurant + Bar for a classic cocktail or a hyper-local Lowcountry meal, or head into the kitchen for a cooking class with Executive Chef Vinson Petrillo. And keep an eye out for the proprietors: Owner Lynn Easton is also one of our favorite wedding planners!

Where to Eat
You can’t come to Charleston without eating the freshest of seafood, and The Ordinary is the place to do it. Pair a glass of bubbly with a seafood tower, and don’t forget the littleneck clams that basically swam from the ocean onto your plate.

With four categories (Pure, Lush, Southern, and Cosmopolitan), Charleston Grill has something for everyone. Global or local, light or indulgent, pair your meal with amazing jazz in the formal dining room, or settle into the lounge for a more casual evening.

No visit to Charleston is complete without a meal at Husk, Sean Brock’s ode to Southern cooking and heirloom ingredients. Everything from protein to basics like oil are sourced in the South, giving you a true taste of Charleston and the surrounding area. The menu changes twice daily (really!), so you know what you’re getting is fresh, but make sure to order the cornbread skillet with Benton’s bacon.

What do you get when you combine a James Beard Award winning chef with biscuits? The Hominy Grill. Serving breakfast every day until 11:30 and brunch until 3:00pm on the weekends, there’s no reason to get up too early on your honeymoon — except to avoid the lines at this local hotspot! Grab a cocktail at their outdoor bar while you wait, then tuck into the Charleston Nasty Biscuit, with fried chicken, cheddar cheese, and sausage gravy (the wedding diet is long gone!).

Where to Drink
Named after an Englishman who began brewing beer in Charleston in the 18th century, Edmund’s Oast is a brew pub that prides itself on both brewing their own libations (like the Extra Fine Pub Ale, an English-style ale with cashew and pear notes) and bringing in some of the best available, adding up to over 40 beers on draft. They’re also serving up cocktails that harken back to Charleston’s history as port city and butchering and curing meat for their in-house charcuterie program.

See more: Can You Take Your Honeymoon Before Your Wedding?

For a proper cocktail, head to The Gin Joint, where the classics are served alongside seasonally-inspired libations like the Maize Runner, a combination of corn whiskey, roasted corn milk, lemon, and fresno chile oil. Or pick two words from the Bartender’s Choice list, and let their pros whip up something special for you.

What to Do
Still hungry? Spend a few hours wandering the historic Charleston City Market, an institution since 1804. From art and souvenirs to locally-made treats and hand-woven sweetgrass baskets, it’s the perfect spot to pick up some mementos from your trip.

If you needed a reason to snuggle up a little closer, take a ghost tour through the city’s cemetery or down the cobblestone streets. The Ghosts of the South tour combines chilling tales with Charleston history, visiting some of the city’s most haunted landmarks.

And of course, you’ve got to relax! The Spa at Belmond Charleston Place is a rejuvenating oasis with seasonal treatments that will get you to a complete state of zen. We’re dreaming of their magnolia body wrap — what could be more bridal than the sweet scent of flowers!

Did Chris Martin Get Engaged Before Officially Divorcing Gwyneth Paltrow?

chris martin

Photo: Getty Images

It has only been a few days since Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow‘s divorce became official, but a recent Instagram post by Martin’s new girlfriend has fans wondering if he already has plans to get married again.

The buzz started after 39-year-old Martin’s girlfriend, 31-year-old actress Annabelle Wallis, posted a photo on her Instagram account two weeks ago. In the post (which you can see below), Wallis is wearing a white Malene Oddershede Bach dress covered in pink flowers (which is adorable, btw), and on her ring finger, you can see what looks like a huge diamond engagement ring.

If that wasn’t enough to get fans talking, she captioned the photo “Perfect dress for a wedding.” Though the caption probably isn’t in reference to her own wedding, the huge diamond sparkler has people questioning whether this meant that Martin got down on one knee before his very public divorce from Paltrow was finalized last week.

There are conflicting reports on when Martin and Wallis officially became an item, with The Daily Mail reporting that they have been together since last fall, and The Sun claiming that they became official in March of this year. Previously, Martin and Paltrow were married for 11 years and have two children together, Apple and Moses. The former couple has had a pretty amicable separation, with the two still spending holidays together as a family and Paltrow even attending Martin’s concert in Cannes. They have famously called to their separation a “conscious uncoupling,” which is defined by BBC as “the idea of a joint spiritual journey, resulting in an amicable split which also takes the needs of any children into account.”

No one has released a statement yet confirming or denying the engagement, but we can’t help but wonder whether or not Paltrow would receive an invite to the potential wedding. Even if she did receive an invitation, would she request a plus one for her boyfriend, Glee co-creator Bran Falchuk?

Perfect dress for a wedding. Thank you .@maleneoddershedebach #terribleatselfies @jimmychoo

A photo posted by @annabellewallis on Jul 3, 2016 at 2:39am PDT

See More: Gwyneth Paltrow Opens Up About Her ‘Conscious Uncoupling’ from Chris Martin

This Nature-Loving Couple Tied the Knot in Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Big, fat water droplets soaked Bethany McFarland and Mykal Leslie from head-to-toe as they hiked to the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. It was hardly fun to make the six-and-a-half mile-long trek in the middle of a storm, but with an engagement ring in his pocket and a plan to propose at the top, Mykal knew there was no turning back — even when two good samaritans offered to give the couple a lift in their car. Just as the couple reached the very top, the black clouds parted and sun shone through, so Mykal saw his chance and asked Bethany to marry him. After a resounding “Yes!” and a quick selfie, the couple headed back down the mountain soaked and sore — but filled with joy and ready to plan their big day.

For their October 3, 2015, wedding in Peninsula, Ohio, the couple envisioned a naturally rustic fete with a touch of woodland-inspiration. “We wanted an ethereal atmosphere complete with dreamy, twinkling candles,” the bride says. With yards of fresh floral garlands and hues that played up the natural aesthetic the couple was dreaming of — think: ivory, hints of blush, and plenty of forest green — Bethany and Mykal created the party of their dreams. And luckily for us, Studio Elle Photography was there to capture it all.

Given their engagement story, it’s no surprise this nature-loving duo would choose a national park for their big day celebration. Hines Hills Campus, inside the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, had the whimsical look the couple yearned for with the added benefit of an indoor facility to protect them and their 80 guests from any inclement weather.

“We knew we wanted to keep our invite list fairly small,” the bride says. “We wanted people to be comfortable, to have fun, and to enjoy every moment of our special day.”

This bride went into wedding dress shopping knowing exactly what she was looking for: Something soft and flowing, and in a must-have shade of blush. The winner? This Stella York gown, complete with delicate lace details and a flattering sweetheart neckline. “As soon as I found the dress and put it on, I knew it was the one,” Bethany says.

She finished her look with a handmade lace mantilla-style veil, a sparkling beaded belt, and a delicate pearl necklace — Mykal’s wedding day gift to his bide. “I also wore a black onyx ring, which was my great-grandmother’s, as my something old,” she says.

To contrast their wedding’s overall neutral palette, Bethany and Mykal decided that the groom and his groomsmen should dress in navy. “We liked that it’s a deeper, more masculine hue,” Bethany says. They added boutonnieres made from blush and ivory colored flowers and greens to tie back into the day’s natural vibe.

Bethany asked her maid and matron of honor to wear knee-length lace dresses with quarter-length sleeves in shades of ivory. “I wanted a soft, feminine look for the girls,” she says. And because the bride wore blush herself, she loved the idea of reversing tradition and asking her ‘maids to wear the classic bridal hue.

The bride’s bouquet contained tons of green foliage, with pops of color courtesy of eucalyptus seeds and blush café au lait dahlias. Her maid and matron of honor carried bouquets brimming with greens with ivory garden roses.

Bethany and Mykal took on a DIY project — or 10! — including crafting all of their wedding signs. For their ceremony welcome sign, the couple stained a piece of wood, then hand-painted the wedding day schedule in white lettering.

Because they choose Hines Hill Campus for it’s natural beauty, Bethany and Mykal hoped to host an outdoor ceremony and reception. But Mother Nature had other ideas and delivered rain on their wedding day. “While we weren’t thrilled to turn to our backup plan at first,” Bethany admits. “But it seems our Plan B was the real plan all along. The indoor settings made for the cozy, intimate, and perfectly romantic day we imagined.”

The bride and groom exchanged vows in front of a roaring fire and beneath a chuppah made from tree limbs and an asymmetrical garland of eucalyptus and other greens. And while the couple didn’t write their ceremony vows, they did choose ones that most represented their relationship to be printed on their Ketubah.

Guests found their seats on an unique seating chart display: A vintage window pane the couple hand-painted with their names and table numbers.

Inside the Hines Hill Campus, long banquet tables were topped with ivory linens and tan napkins. In addition to long, green garlands, place cards served as added décor. The couple’s florist tied a sprig of eucalyptus to each handmade Kraft paper name tag.

The bride and groom’s seat signs were also a DIY project that Bethany and Mykal tackled together before the big day.

Candles held in mercury and clear glass votives were mixed in with the table-length garlands. Bethany and Mykal also made the table numbers using white oval frames with a vintage-inspired floral patterns. “It was so much fun to be able to pour so much thought and effort into making every little detail just perfect,” the bride says.

A friend made the couple’s one-tier cake iced in ivory frosting and decorated with café au lait dahlias. “We also had a dessert table with a large assortment of cookies and sweets,” Bethany says.

Bethany and Mykal shared their first dance as husband and wife to Alicia Keys’ “Not Even the King.” But the party was just getting started. “At the very end of the reception, as the final song of the evening played, our guests spontaneously formed a circle around us as we danced,” Bethany remembers. “Mykal swooped me up in his arms and spun me around and around. It was by far the most memorable, special moment of the entire day.”

The couple enjoyed a mini-moon on Lake Erie, then took a weeklong honeymoon in St. Lucia.

Venue: Hines Hill Campus || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Stella York, purchased at Leonardo’s Bridal Boutique || Veil: Alex Bridal || Shoes: Badgley Mischka || Hair & Makeup: Sam Wanna Salon and Day Spa || Bridesmaids Dresses: Bloomingdale’s || Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Attire: American Commodore Tuxedo || Wedding Bands: Braidy Jewelers || Florist: Fair Rarity Flowers || Invitations: Minted || Music: DJ David Ramey || Catering: Old Carolina Barbeque || Rentals: Miller’s Party Rental Center || Favors: Fall for Design || Photographer: Studio Elle Photography

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Do you and your groom love the outdoors just as much as this couple? Then check out another beautiful open-air bash in the video below, sure to inspire ideas for your own big day.

I'm Making a Speech at My Friend's Wedding. What Should I NOT Include?

Being asked to make a toast at a wedding is a huge honor. Out of everyone in attendance, they’re asking you to say a few words to kick off their marriage on a sweet note. And while years of friendship probably means you have all sorts of anecdotes and memories to share, some are perfect fodder for a wedding toast while others are better left unsaid. When it comes to writing your wedding speech, what should you make sure not to include? Here’s what our experts have to say.

The first thing to remove from your list of potential toast topics is anything that would make your grandmother uncomfortable. A passing reference to your crazy nights in college is one thing, but anything related to using controlled substances, sex, or doing something illegal or particularly questionable should be avoided. You should also skip any references to your friend’s ex. Keep the stories PG (PG-13 at the very most) to make sure the toast is crowd-pleasing.

You should also avoid complicated inside jokes or stories that don’t make sense without a drawn-out backstory. If it would take longer than your allotted 3-5 minutes to just explain where the story came from, you’ll end up with a long and meandering speech that guests won’t follow at all.

Planning to tell a joke or use a quote to start or end your speech? Think about your audience first. Just because the two of you think it’s a hilarious one-liner doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for mixed company.

And of course, if you don’t approve of your friend’s new spouse, bring that up in private, NOT during your toast. You’re not required to sing anyone’s praises, but do your best to find something positive to say — or don’t say anything at all. A simple “congratulations” will suffice.

See more: Taylor Swift’s Maid-of-Honor Speech is Everything

Kate Middleton Might Be Attending a Sibling's Wedding Soon!

James Middleton and Donna Air

Photo: Getty Images

Another royal wedding? Be still our beating hearts! We don’t think we could take all that excitement! Well, thankfully for our blood pressure, the potential nuptials in question wouldn’t technically be a royal wedding… More like a royally-related wedding! Kate Middleton’s brother, James Middleton, might be soon tying the knot with his sweetheart of three years, English model Donna Air. Think the Duchess of Cambridge will be serving as a royal bridesmaid? One can only hope!

Kate Middleton Gif

Photo: Giphy

The U.K. magazine Fabulous recently sat down with Donna Air, where the subject of marriage came up because duh of course it did. And from the sound of it, there definitely could be wedding bells in the near future for the Middleton family. “I feel like I’ve already had a marriage of sorts. But would I like to have an official one? Yeah. Hell, why not!” the blonde beauty declared. “I always say you have to try everything once,” Air continued. “Marriage is important and it’s a nice foundation if you have children.”

Having Prince William as a brother-in-law can’t be easy when you’re thinking of proposing. We mean, James Middleton probably doesn’t have a 12-carat blue sapphire heirloom engagement ring lying around, right? But the British model sounds like a rather low maintenance almost-bride-to-be. In fact, according to Air herself, a big grand wedding (ahem, like that her sort-of sister-in-law’s) just isn’t her style. “The thought of a big wedding…,” she mused. “I would rather just go for lunch!”

Kate Middleton Eye Roll

Photo: Giphy

So while it doesn’t sound like another over-the-top Alexander McQueen wedding dress is in the works for this fam, we’re sure that the Duchess of Cambridge will slay in whatever bridesmaid dress her to-be sister-in-law ends up dressing her in. (She is going to be a bridesmaid, right? Right.) She can even steal some tips from the queen of all bridesmaids, Pippa Middleton, if she needs a few pointers. Remember how she rocked that white sheath like nobody’s business? Le sigh…

Pippa Middleton Bridesmaid Dress

Photo: Getty Images

See More: Kate Middleton Just Re-Wore Something from Her Wedding Day — And Totally Rocked It