More and more brides-to-be are ditching a once sacred wedding day tradition — wearing a veil on their wedding day. So, is wearing a veil right for you? First, let’s look back at how this accessory came to be an integral part of the bridal ensemble.

Wearing a veil is a custom that goes back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who believed a wedding veil protected the bride from evil spirits. Other old-school uses of the veil — revealing the bride’s face to her groom, who had likely never seen her before in the case of some arranged marriages. It has also helped with one of our favorite superstitions — the groom must not see the bride before the wedding day. Of course, today the white wedding veil has become a symbol of the bride’s style — usually making a classic, traditional statement.

But if you’re not interested in upholding the ancient custom of wearing a veil on your wedding day or wearing one simply, yet most importantly, messes up your entire wedding day look, it’s completely okay to do away with wearing one.

Many modern brides have traded in wearing a veil for wearing a flower crown or jeweled hair accessory instead, doing something that fits in better with the overall vibe and theme of their wedding. Plus, the benefit of these options, is that they won’t blow in your face when you walk down the aisle or even rub against your make-up right before you’re about to kiss your groom — sticky lipgloss and tulle are not a match made in heaven.

If your wedding day look won’t feel complete without a veil, you still have options to best suit your style. The first thing to do is pick your wedding dress , then find a veil that compliments the look, be it birdcage, shoulder, elbow, hip, or even floor length. You’ll find that there are plenty of veil options out there to make your look stand out.

See More: Wedding Veils 101: A Veil Length for Every Bridal Style

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.

Milliam fans, it’s time to rejoice! In a rare and unexpected Instagram post that again sparked rumors about the couple’s secretive engagement, Miley Cyrus debuted her Prince Charming, Liam Hemsworth, in all of his Aussie glory. She captioned the adorable photo yesterday saying, “So much love in one pic…” as her beau lounged around with his furry pooch Dora while wearing what appears to be a “happy hippie tee” in support of Cyrus’ LGBTQ youth clothing line. This is either one genius PR stunt to get fans to buy copious amounts of t-shirts, or it’s a true proclamation of the love the two share. Don’t hate us if we’re reallyyyy hoping for the latter.

In an even more revealing Instagram post by Cyrus about a month ago, the Wrecking Ball singer donned a large t-shirt that just so happened to have the word “Hemsworth” plastered across the back. The photo was obvs captioned with a triple cat heart-eye emoji because, well, LOVE IS REAL PEOPLE! P.S., where can we get our own Hemsworth tee, Miley?

Perhaps the most conspicuous detail surrounding the Milliam engagement rumors is not the fact that the pair has been spending a lot of time together (although that certainly helps), but that the Hannah Montana star has been spotted wearing an engagement ring since January of this year — the same engagement ring that Hemsworth proposed with back in 2012. And if that didn’t cement their future wedding plans enough for you, Cyrus even went so far as to get a Hemsworth-inspired tattoo on her arm as a token of her love. Don’t worry, the tat wasn’t of his face, just of a very cute (Australian) Vegemite bottle.

Rumors are swirling that the pair is planning on tying the knot next month in two separate ceremonies — one in Los Angeles, and the other in The Hunger Games star’s Australian homeland. And although they haven’t come out and said “HEY, WE’RE ENGAGED!” to the public at large, Hemsworth pretty much gave it away in a recent GQ Australia interview when he said, “People will figure it out, they already have… They’re not dumb.” Eeek! Can we get a seat at the wedding(s) of the century?!

See More: Billy Ray Cyrus Has Something to Say About Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth’s Rumored Engagement

So much love in one pic…. ?????????????? get ur happy hippie teeeee hereeeee http://miley.lk/HappyHippieMerch

A photo posted by Miley Cyrus (@mileycyrus) on Jul 17, 2016 at 5:01pm PDT

????????????

A photo posted by Miley Cyrus (@mileycyrus) on Jun 19, 2016 at 9:33am PDT

@mileycyrus don't play when it comes to #vegemite ???? #halfneedle

A photo posted by Doctor Woo Tattoo (@_dr_woo_) on Jul 9, 2016 at 1:40pm PDT

It’s a nice initial thought that you’ll set a wedding budget and stick to it. But what you’ll find happening, slowly but surely, is that the more and more you plan your wedding, the more things you’ll find to spend money on — and you’ll start to see that vendors were much more expensive than you ever thought. So before you rip up that wedding budget you set and head down the road of wedding debt, it’s time to get back on track with your wedding spending. Here are four ways to hold yourself accountable with your wedding budget and keep it in check.

1. Reward Yourself
Wedding planning can be dauntingly stressful, especially when you’re trying to negotiate with vendors and find the right ones who fit into your budget. Make yourself a promise that if you stick to your budget, every few months you’ll reward yourself with a trip to a spa or a dinner at your favorite restaurant. Give yourself little incentives to stay on track.

2. Up the Stakes
Pick one big wedding must-have that may cost a little more than you can afford. Tell yourself that if you find a way to go under budget with everything else, that you’ll splurge on that one wedding must-have item, whether it’s a 7-piece wedding band or a high-tech photo booth.

3. Involve Someone Else
Get an accountability buddy who will review your budget and make sure you are staying on track. Maybe it’s a former bride who can shed some insight — or a financially savvy family member.

4. Save Even More As You Go
Try to start a side fund of little savings along the way. Perhaps cut out daily trips to the coffee shop or expensive concert tickets and use that money to help pad your wedding budget when you go over here and there.

See More: How to Get the Wedding Photographer of Your Dreams (and Still Stay in Budget)

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.

It may not be Thursday, but we’ll let this non-scheduled throwback from Chrissy Teigen slide. Seriously, it’s just so darn cute, we ain’t even mad about it. Teigen, her hubby John Legend, and their three-month-old daughter Luna (a.k.a. Hollywood’s most adorable little fam), took a family vacation to Italy over the weekend and made the most picture-perfect pit stop back to where it all began — Lake Como, a.k.a. the romantic spot where Teigen and Legend tied the knot!

You do remember Legend and Teigen’s 2013 wedding, don’t you? In case you need a little refresh, let’s take a trip down memory lane along with these two lovebirds, shall we? In September of 2013, the musician and model said their “I do’s” in the resort Italian town of Lake Como in front of 125 guests (including famous pals like Kanye West and Stevie Wonder). Teigen donned not one, not two, but three Vera Wang wedding dresses for the opulent occasion and Legend serenaded his bride at the reception, singing his hit “All of Me.” It was in one word, bellissimo! And on Sunday, the husband and wife of almost three years headed back to that lovely locale where it all began. This time, with their baby girl in tow. We’re not crying, you’re crying…

During their Italian vacay, the Legend family couldn’t resist stopping by Lake Como, with Teigen snapping a selfie with her hubby. “Back to where it all began — Lake Como, Italy,” the supermodel caption the photo on Instagram. “First came here in 2007. A boat tour guide took us to a little spot on the lake and told us to make a wish. I asked for this to be the man I marry and have children with. I think John asked for the most perfect bite of cacio e pepe,” she captioned, referencing a yummy pasta dish and simultaneously making us cry and our stomachs rumble. “Both came true, and here we are.” Ugh! We. Can’t. Even.

Back to where it all began – Lake Como, Italy – first came here in 2007. A boat tour guide took us to a little spot on the lake and told us to make a wish. I asked for this to be the man I marry and have children with. I think John asked for the most perfect bite of cacio e pepe. Both came true, and here we are.

A photo posted by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on Jul 17, 2016 at 12:37am PDT

Besides the fact that the serene spot holds such a special meaning in their hearts, how could one not feel the love in Lake Como with it’s pristine blue waters, mountaintop views, and charming architecture. Seriously, it’s unreal.

A photo posted by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on Jul 14, 2016 at 12:14pm PDT

my cherie amour

A photo posted by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on Sep 16, 2013 at 8:23am PDT

No wonder why Teigen and Legend (and George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin!) are fans of the romantic little town, with the former choosing it as their “I do” locale. #DestinationWeddingGoals, you guys…

See More: Chrissy Teigen and John Legend Will Finally Learn How to Swim for Their Daughter Luna

Being a wedding photographer gives you insight into life and love in ways that other people can’t quite imagine. After all, it’s your job to capture the sweetest and most special moments of a couple’s life together! Having witnessed so many vows, first kisses, dances, and bites of cake, we knew there had to be a few moments that stood out as wedding photographers’ favorite moments to both watch and photograph. While it was a tall order (seriously, with so much love in the air, how could you choose just one moment?), we’ve rounded up photographers’ favorite wedding moments. Have a tissue handy, these sweet snaps just might bring a tear to your eye!

A Moment with Mom
“I love when brides choose to get ready somewhere meaningful, like in the home where they grew up,” says Abby Jiu of Abby Jiu Photography. “This bride [above] got dressed in her mother’s dressing room, the same place she’d watched her mom get ready for an evening out so many times while growing up. It was so peaceful and quiet, and they had a beautiful moment together as the significance of the day set in.”

The Man of the Hour
“Grooms are often overlooked on the wedding day,” says Melanie Nashan of Nashan Photographers. (We’re guessing it has something to do with not wearing a big white dress!) “I love taking their portraits and capturing this moment in their lives. I especially loved this one, because the groom is also a photographer. His bride gave him a vintage camera as her wedding gift!”

Happy Tears
“What better way to show your happiness on your wedding day than with tears?” asks Tamara Gruner of Tamara Gruner Photography. “I love this moment where our bride looked at her almost-husband with tears in her eyes, with a beautiful look on her face that said “I love you.'”

Emotional Ceremonies
“It’s so special to capture ceremonies the couple has really put a lot of thought into,” says Emily Delamater of Emily Delamater Photography. “During this wedding, many guests stood up to speak about how they knew the bride and groom and give them a blessing. Watching the couple’s faces in reaction was so beautiful — laughter, tears, love… it was just too good.”

Post-Ceremony Joy
“There is an amazing energy right after the bride and groom kiss for the first time and walk back up the aisle. I loved capturing this couple as they celebrated with their bridal party immediately following their nuptials,” says Jiu.

Walking Up the Aisle
“The moment the couple has been announced after the ceremony and heads back up the aisle is a classic, and for good reason! It never gets old. There’s always an expression of joy on their faces,” says Delamater.

See more: The Best Wedding Photographers to Follow on Instagram Now

Candid Moments
“I love those candid shots that capture a wedding day’s pure happiness,” says Gruner. “This groom had a look of “Yes, we did it!” on his face after signing their marriage license. I love how natural and genuine these scenes are.”

Brides With Their ‘Maids
“It’s hard to not be happy surrounded by your best friends. This image is a perfect example of how joyful a bride can be amongst her beloved bridesmaids,” Gruner adds.

Sunset
“I love having time with our couples during sunset,” says Delamater. “By this point in the day they are super relaxed, and it serves as a lovely pause away from the party so they can take it all in.”

A Sense of Place
If you’ve chosen a wedding venue that holds meaning for the two of you and your relationship, images that capture where your wedding was held can be incredibly powerful. “Environmental portraits make the viewer feel what it was like to be in that particular place at that particular moment,” says Nashan.

The Big Exit
“So many emotions swell as the bride is waiting to enter the ceremony, with the groom, her parents, and all the guests waiting for her to arrive. While I love capturing the beginning of a wedding, after getting married myself I found a new love for the height of jubilation a couple feels (along with some relief!) as the wedding day comes to an end. The exit shots always have the biggest smiles, and you can really see the joy, completely uninhibited by stress,” says John Cain Sargent of John Cain Photography.

When it comes to bridal showers, there’s nothing more elegant and charming than an intimate afternoon tea party replete with dainty delicacies, posh pastries, exotic teas, and delicious cocktails. Here, we round up six decadent LA destinations — ideal for a chic afternoon tea affair to celebrate the glowing bride-to-be. Basically, these spots are #BridalShowerGoals waiting to happen.

The Hotel Bel-Air
Steeped in luxury, the Hotel Bel-Air provides the picture-perfect backdrop for a bridal shower. You and your gals will enjoy an Instagram-worthy feast replete with savory bites like salmon and sourdough grilled cheese, as well as an assortment of heavenly sweets like blueberry scones, chocolate-dipped cream puffs, and French macaroons. Then, toast with champagne or relax with a loose leaf tea like the signature Hotel Bel-Air Swan Song, which features an aromatic blend of white tip jasmine and hibiscus. Read real brides’ reviews here!

The Huntington Rose Garden Tea Room
Surrounded by three acres of fragrant roses, the Rose Garden Tea Room at The Huntington sets the scene for a memorable afternoon affair. Sip on strawberry kiwi and apricot tea, while noshing on cucumber mint and watercress finger sandwiches. And don’t forget to save room for dessert. The tea room’s enticing array of sweets includes freshly baked chocolate chip scones and lemon drop cookies. Read real brides’ reviews here!

The Langham, Huntington Pasadena
This Pasadena oasis is the epitome of high tea. In fact, The Langham, London was the first hotel in Europe to serve afternoon tea. The Langham, Huntington Pasadena stays true to the long-standing tradition with its tea service served in the Lobby Lounge daily. Boasting beautiful views of lush Horseshoe Garden, the experience features finger sandwiches and French pastries served on rose-pattered teaware, as well as an extensive selection of teas from tradition black and green teas to the hotel’s own decadent blends. Read real brides’ reviews here!

See More: Serve The Perfect Meal at Your Wedding With One of Our Favorite Local Caterers!

The Peninsula Beverly Hills
Plush seating, a flickering fireplace, and classical harp music playing in the background makes the elegantly adorned The Living Room at The Peninsula Beverly Hills an easy choice for a bridal shower. The tea menu stars finger sandwiches, pastries, champagne, and teas that range from traditional options to more exotic flavors. Read real brides’ reviews here!

The Beverly Hills Hotel Polo Lounge
For a afternoon tea bridal shower that’s oozing with Old Hollywood glamour, look no further than the Beverly Hills Hotel’s Polo Lounge. The celebrity-adored hangout offers high tea service on Friday and Saturday afternoons. Sip black, green, or fusion teas with divine pastries like eggnog tart, pumpkin cheesecake, and lemon blueberry scones. And if you and your besties want to add a little booze to the mix, you can toast with champagne or sparkling wine. Read real brides’ reviews here!

Getty Villa
Enjoy teatime by the sea at the Romanesque Getty Villa. Served in the glass-encased Founder’s Room, the luxe high tea experience is a homage to the villa’s past with its Mediterranean menu of treats, teas, and cocktails that take inspiration from the herbs, veggies, and fruits that bloom in the villa’s Roman-inspired gardens. Following the tea service, you and your favorite ladies can spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring the villa’s treasure-filled galleries and majestic gardens.

Need more bridal shower inspo? Check out out our venue options on our Local Vendors page!

Whether you’re a blushing bride-to-be, a veteran bridesmaid, or a serial wedding guest, chances are you’ve got a calendar stacked with weddings, bridal showers, or engagement parties this summer. While that’s all fun and exciting, getting ready for those important occasions can prove to be a bit of a challenge, what with the scorching hot temperatures and sticky humidity cramping your style. How does one manage to keep their makeup on through it all? The key to making sure your gorgeous face doesn’t melt off in the middle of a speech, or on the dance floor, is using the right products. Making sure you prep and set your face, from start to finish, will ensure your highlighter, eyeshadows, and blush stay put. Here are 7 ways to keep your makeup on, no matter how hot it gets.

1. Use A Cooling Primer
A primer is arguably the most important product you need to prep your skin and also guarantee your makeup stays put all day long. But what about a primer that does all that while cooling your skin off? Win-win for the summer. Consider Stila’s Aqua Glow Perfecting Primer — it’ll smooth out your pores, hydrate your face, and leave you feeling refreshed. (Aqua Glow Perfecting Primer, $28, Stila available at Sephora)

2. Opt For Waterproof, Long-Lasting Formulas
This might seem obvious, but it needs to be said. Waterproof formulas are your best friends during the hot summer months. Look out for the words waterproof, long-lasting, all day, or sport when choosing mascaras, eyeliners, brow color, and even concealer. Just remember to remove it with a strong makeup remover, like Lumene’s Eye Makeup Remover (Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover, $4.49, Lumene available at Ulta)

3. Skip Dewy, Luminous Foundations
Dewy skin is all the rage, but it can easily turn into an oily or sweaty mess with the sun beating down on your face. Opt for foundation formulas that are oil-free, matte, and provide full coverage, like MAC’s Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation. (Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation, $33, Mac Cosmetics)

4. Choose Brushes Over Fingers
When product comes in contact with your fingers, it begins to loosen due to the warmth of your touch. Avoid slippery concealer or foundation by using brushes or sponges to apply your makeup. (Essential Kit, $160, Sigma Beauty)

5. Set With Powder
Lock in all of your makeup by dusting a light, translucent powder all over your face. Focus on areas where you tend to get oily most, like your T-zone. (Studio Finishing Powder, Translucent Finish, $9.98, NYX Cosmetics available at Amazon)

6. Use A Setting Spray
Finishing off your look with a setting spray will not only provide you with extra insurance, it will also refresh your face. There are even formulas with SPF built in. Instead of reapplying sunscreen, just throw your spray in your purse and spritz throughout the day! (Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50, $28, Supergoop! available at Sephora)

7. Carry Oil-Blotting Papers
When all else fails, oil-blotting papers will have your back. These magical sheets will absorb shininess without ruining your makeup. In a pinch? Grab a toilet seat cover, tear off a piece, and soak up excess oil. (Not So Slick Oil-Absorbing Blotting Papers, $10, tarte available at Sephora)

See More: Who Should I Book Hair and Makeup Appointments For?

Now this is a story all about how little Ashley Banks tied the knot! Tatyana Ali, former star of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, is now a married woman after tying the knot this weekend with her sweetheart, Dr. Vaughn Rasberry. And guys, the intimate California nupitals sound GORGEOUS.

Ali exchanged Bel-Air for Beverly Hills for her wedding to Rasberry (whom she met on eHarmony!). The couple decided to keep the guest list short for their daytime wedding (so unfortunately it doesn’t sound like any other Banks family members were attendance), but it certainly doesn’t sound like they were short on style. According to People magazine, the wedding toted an “upscale Caribbean vibe” and took place at the Four Seasons hotel. The bride walked down the aisle wearing an off-white silk Amsale wedding dress with a fitted silhouette. And her bouquet sounds just as beautiful, as it was full of white peonies and lush garden roses. Meanwhile, Ali’s bridesmaids also donned Amsale frocks for the occasion, wearing raspberry-hued tea-length bridesmaid dresses.

The reception had the 100 guests grooving to tropical house, hip-hop, and afro-punk music and also toted a totally unique wedding guest book. “We’re doing a wishing tree,” the actress explained ahead of the big day. “We saw it up in northern California. It’ll have ribbons on it and people can put wishes on it. We did that because it’s a tree that we can bring with us.” So cool, right? Mind if we steal that idea, Ali?

So what’s next up for the newlyweds? Parenthood! Ali announced her pregnancy back in April and she and her new hubby are both looking forward to the arrival of their little one. “I just want to see my baby,” she said. “I can’t wait to smell the baby! That’s what I think about.”

Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. And we can’t wait either for you two to become three!

See More: Memorable Vows from the Best TV and Movie Weddings

Think you have your wedding budget all planned out? Well, chances are you didn’t plan ahead for the unexpected costs along the way, or you were too modest when you guessed how much some of your vendors and decorations would cost you.

Do yourself a pre-wedding favor and revise your budget after seeing how much these common wedding expenses actually cost.

1. When You Dress to Impress
The dress itself will have quite the hefty price tag, especially if you have your eyes set on a designer gown. But you’ll also want to factor in the price of alterations (which can be a couple hundred extra) and accessories for the dress, like a belt, shoes, and veil (which could be close to a thousand dollars more).

2. If You Want it Live
On the top of some couple’s must-have list is a live band at their wedding. A DJ just isn’t their thing and they have their heart set on a 6-piece band with a crew of singers. A band that size can cost anywhere from $10,000 to over $20,000 so be sure to factor that in to your wedding budget.

3. All of Your Vendors
Think you paid all your vendors in full and your done handing over the cash? You’re wrong. You’ll want to tip your vendors, especially if they did a good job, and that’ll cost you close to $1,000 more.

4. Food for All
Having good food at your wedding is one of the most important things in your budget. Catering appetizers and a main course for your guests, plus bar service and dessert, can run you upwards of $10,000.

5. The To and From
Forgetting something on your pre-wedding to-do list? It’s probably transportation. Plan how you’re going to get yourself and your guests to and from your wedding venue ahead of time, or you may have to pay a higher cost on the day-of calling a taxi or arranging a car service.

6. Fresh Roses
Flowers smell good but they also cost a lot of money. Consider skipping fresh flowers everywhere and use an alternative decoration, especially for your centerpieces.

7. Someone to Marry You
Thought you’d find someone for free to lead you into the world of “I Do”? Having a trained and well-spoken officiant for your ceremony can set you back anywhere from $500 to over $2,000.

See More: The Traditional Breakdown of Whose Family Pays for What

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.

While picking your wedding menu may be tough, choosing what’s for dessert is easy: Wedding cake! And what’s not to love about a sweet confection that doubles as part of your décor — especially when often times it’s one of the few things a bride remembers to eat on her wedding day. But if that first bite is going to be one of the first things you’ve eaten in hours, the question is: When should you cut your wedding cake? Here are a few ideas from our experts.

Traditionally, the wedding cake is cut as dinner comes to an end, but before the bride and groom head to the dance floor for their first dance. It’s a great way to signify that the party is about to start, as well as notify older guests that they are welcome to head home if they aren’t planning on staying through the end of the reception.

Of course, this timing isn’t set in stone. If your reception will alternate between guests seated for courses of the meal and on the dance floor for short sets, you can cut the cake as the introduction to any of the dance sets. Going straight from your grand entrance to your first dance, before salads are out? You may want to finish your dance and head straight to the cake table. Cutting the cake early is also a great option if you’re planning to have slices of cake plated and served to guests at their seats: The sooner you cut the cake, the sooner your catering staff can slice and plate it, which means they’ll be able to bring it around to guests’ tables before they’ve flooded the dance floor. As an added bonus, this means your photographer will be able to capture the moment without you needing to add an extra hour to their services, so you can more strategically schedule the time they’ll be at your wedding.

See more: The 3 Best Ways to Cut Your Wedding Cake