For every two fitness truths, there’s a lie, and sometimes it’s hard to determine which is which. (Especially when it’s something many of us have just assumed for as long as we can remember.) So, now presenting: Mythbusters, Fitness Edition. Letting go of these 12 fitness misconceptions will help you get better, faster, stronger, and more powerful. Flex on friend, flex on.

Myth #1: Strength training will make you bulk up.
Truth: It’s pretty hard for women to bulk up from a normal strength-training routine because they don’t have as much testosterone as men (the difference in this hormone level makes men more prone to bulking up). In fact, if weight loss is your goal, strength training can actually help you lean out, but you have to keep your nutrition in check, too. “Muscle is metabolically active,” explains Adam Rosante, C.S.C.S., author of The 30-Second Body. Simply maintaining lean muscle mass requires higher energy, he explains. “So, the more lean muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn at rest.” #Science.

Myth #2: You can focus on losing fat from certain body parts.
Truth: Spot-training is not a thing. “Fat cells are distributed across your entire body,” says Rosante. “If you want to lose fat from a specific spot, you need to lose overall body fat.” High-intensity interval training can work wonders—after an intense workout, your body needs to take in oxygen at a higher rate to help it return to its natural resting state. This process requires the body to work harder, burning more calories in the process. Incorporating strength training can help you hit your goals too, since having more lean muscle will help your body burn more calories at rest. (Psst—here are 10 workouts that are insanely effective for weight loss.)

Myth #3: Doing lots of cardio is the best way to lose weight.
Truth: If your goal is weight loss, logging endless miles on the treadmill isn’t always the best approach. Yes, traditional cardio workouts will help create a day-to-day calorie deficit (in addition to a healthy diet), which is essential for losing weight. But in the long-term, since having more lean muscle mass helps your body burn more calories at rest, you’ll be adding to this deficit without doing a thing. A combination of both high-intensity cardio and strength training is a good idea. And don’t forget, when it comes to weight loss, having a smart nutrition plan is key.

Myth #4: Not feeling sore means you didn’t get a good workout.
Truth: While soreness and workout intensity are sometimes connected, how tired your muscles feel isn’t always a good indicator of a solid sweat session. “Being sore doesn’t necessarily mean it was a great workout—it just means that a significant amount of stress was applied to the tissue,” says exercise physiologist and trainer Pete McCall, M.S., C.S.C.S., host of the All About Fitness podcast. “You can have a great workout and not be sore the next day,” he says. Proper recovery will help prevent achy muscles. “Refuel within the first 30 to 45 minutes post-exercise, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep—all of these things can help boost recovery and minimize soreness.”

Myth #5: You should give 100 percent effort during every workout.
Truth: Sort of. You should try your best to stay focused, be present, and give 100 percent during every workout. But not every gym session should require a balls-to-the-wall level of intensity. And if you are sore everyday, that may be a sign that you’re going too hard. “It’s not a good idea to exercise at too high of an intensity too frequently—it limits recovery and can lead to overtraining,” says McCall. Ideally, to avoid putting too much stress on your body, you should only be going extra hard two to three times per week.

Myth #6: Strength training means using machines and heavy weights.
Truth: Strength training means using resistance to work your muscles—and that resistance doesn’t necessarily have to come from a machine or a heavy weight. (Hello, killer bodyweight exercises!) Aside from your own bodyweight, you can also use tools like kettlebells, medicine balls, and resistance bands to add resistance. None of that around? Here are 13 incredible bodyweight moves you can do at home.

See More: After Running For 15 Years, I Made This Change and Finally Lost My Belly

Myth #7: Sweating a ton means you worked your ass off.
Truth: Not necessarily. “You sweat because your core temperature increases,” explains exercise physiologist Tracy Hafen, founder of Affirmative Fitness. Yes, your muscles create heat when you exercise so a tough workout will increase your internal temp, she explains, but it also has to do with the temperature you’re working out in. “For example, you’re not going to sweat as much in 40-degree weather as you would in 80-degree weather,” Hafen explains.

The humidity in the air also plays a role. “It’s not sweating that cools you off, it’s the evaporation [of sweat]. You’ll feel like you’re sweating more when it’s humid because sweat can’t evaporate.” (This is also a reason to be careful exercising in hot, humid climates, because your body temperature will keep increasing.)

Myth #8: Crunches are a great exercise for your abs.
Truth: Meh. Crunches probably aren’t going to hurt your core strength, but they’re not the most efficient exercise you can do to strengthen your midsection. “Your ab muscles are designed to work most effectively when you’re standing upright,” says McCall. Of course, there are plenty of great abs exercises that aren’t completely upright (for example, this perfect plank), but these four standing abs moves will set your whole core on fire.

Myth #9: You have to do at least 20 minutes of cardio to make it worth your while.
Truth: You can get an amazing cardio workout in less time by utilizing high-intensity interval training. “High-intensity cardio challenges the respiratory system to work efficiently to deliver oxygen to working muscles,” says McCall. “If the system is stressed hard enough, it doesn’t require a lengthy workout for results.” Plus, high-intensity training creates an afterburn effect, meaning you continue burning calories after you’re done. One approach is Tabata, or 20 seconds of hard work, 10 seconds of rest for eight rounds total, which adds up to a four-minute routine. Here’s what you need to know about Tabata.

See More: 12 Surprising Tricks To Make Your Workouts More Effective

Myth #10: You need to stretch before a workout.
Truth: While it’s true that you shouldn’t just jump right into a workout, dynamic warm-ups are where it’s at—you can save those static stretches for afterwards. “Your pre-workout goal should be to improve mobility and elasticity in the muscles,” says Rosante. This is best done with foam rolling and a dynamic warm-up, where you keep your body moving (instead of holding stretches still). This preps your body for work and helps increase your range of motion, which means you can get deeper into exercises (and strengthen more of those ~muscles~). Try this five-minute warm-up, or the warm-up section from this 30-minute workout.

Myth #11: Yoga isn’t a “real” workout.
Truth: “People who write off yoga probably have an image of yoga as series of gentle stretches—they clearly haven’t taken a tough yoga class,” says Rosante. “The first time I took one was at Jivamukti Yoga Center, and was a radically humbling experience. It’s been one of the best additions to my routine, both for my body and mind.” While there are some blissfully relaxing yoga classes out there, tougher types (like Bikram and power Vinyasa yoga) can definitely leave you sweaty, sore, and satisfied. Can’t make it to class? Here’s a yoga-flow sequence for stronger abs you can do at home.

Myth #12: You should work out every day.
Truth: Definitely not true—hallelujah! When you work out, you’re breaking down muscle fibers so they can rebuild stronger. However, to do this, you need to give your body time to recover from working out. Aim for one to two days per week of active recovery rest days—that means doing something that doesn’t put stress on your body, like gentle stretching or a walk. So, you’re definitely off the hook for that seven-days-a-week workout plan.

See More: Why We Reach Weight-Loss Plateaus—And How To Get Past Them

This article originally appeared on SELF.

Forget any notion of Fort Lauderdale as being a spring break destination. Sure, Miami’s sister city still has remnants of these roaring college-era days (hello Riverwalk!), but this beach town is going more for laid-back vibes than a loud club scene these days — and hotels are following suit. Say “I do” on sand as stunning as anywhere you’d find in the Caribbean at one of these five beachfront venues that are sure to make both you and your new partner swoon at first sight.

Lago Mar
Lago Mar has been in the Banks family since 1959, so it’s no surprise this spot is a family-friendly wedding destination for guests bringing the kids along (playgrounds and lagoon pools are just the start). And when it comes to quintessential Florida backdrops, the 500-foot-long private beach — one of the largest in the county — plays the part beautifully. Walk down the makeshift aisle amongst 300 breezy palm trees with a ceremony for up to 130, followed by a reception just as stunning at the chandelier-strewn Lakeview Ballroom overlooking Lake Mayan. Read real brides’ reviews here!

B Ocean
One of just four hotels set directly on the sand, the recently renovated B Ocean (formerly the Yankee Clipper) is home to over 14,000 square feet of event space where couples can exchange vows before moving on to dancing. No need to worry about wedding crashers here if you’re going for a barefoot beach affair, since the spot boasts its own private stretch. If you’re all about an “Under the Sea” theme, pair dinner with a show at the Wreck Bar, lined with portholes looking out to the pool where mermaids put on an Ariel-inspired performance. Read real brides reviews here!

See More: Find More Beachfront Venues in Florida on Our Local Vendors Page

Ocean Sky
At Ocean Sky, couples can take advantage of the Fort Lauderdale Beach views in three ways: from the sand, oceanfront patio or ballroom. If you want to capture sand in your wedding shots without actually stepping in it, exchange vows on the pool patio overlooking the sea — equally as impressive by day or night. Leave the fine-tuning in the hands of the planners here who can coordinate rehearsal dinners as well as farewell brunches, with in-house caterers taking care of all the cuisine. Read real brides’ reviews here!

The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale
The Ritz-Carlton may not be sitting directly on the sand, but all you have to do is cross the buzzing boardwalk and you’re on the beach. Classy vintage-inspired venues abound here from the Grand Ballroom with its hand-strewn Hungarian crystal chandeliers to the tropical pool terrace are sure to impress you guests — let alone overlooking the Atlantic Ocean (where your guests can stargaze from oversized telescopes). Read real brides’ reviews here!

Ocean Manor Beach Resort
Picture morning ceremonies under a flower-adorned arch or white linen canopy with the sound of the waves lapping in the background — and that’s Ocean Manor Beach Resort. The resort’s 12th floor balcony with views of the water from Fort Lauderdale Beach is the first seaside high-rise. If you want to take things outside — but not skip out on ocean views — the Banquet Room or penthouse can seat up to 150. Read real brides’ reviews here!

Still looking for your dream venue? Check out our favorite Florida wedding spots here!

Fewer things get us more excited than weddings, but the upcoming Gilmore Girls revival might just do it! The Netflix series’s official date was just announced and we’re counting the days until Thanksgiving 2016. And while we’ll have to wait and see if the rumors of a Lorelei and Luke wedding are true, that doesn’t stop us from looking back on some of our favorite wedding moments from the beloved series. From Sookie and Jackson to Richard and Emily, here are the cutest wedding moments from The Gilmore Girls.

Sookie and Jackson
Sookie and Jackson’s long-awaited wedding is anything but drama free, for the Gilmores at least. Christopher-shippers everywhere got their heart broken when he announced he was having a baby with Sherry, and Jess fans got the Rory and Jess kiss they were dying to see. Obviously this is Sookie, so the food was perfect. Too bad Lorelei and Rory were two very sad bridesmaids.

Liz and TJ
OMG, Lorelei and Luke FINALLY have their first date. Sure, it’s at Luke’s sister Liz’s amazingly Renaissance-themed wedding (we won’t talk about TJ’s tights), but that at least gives Lorelei the opportunity to wear a really sweet flower crown.

The Gilmores’ Vow Renewal
Was there ever any doubt that Emily Gilmore could throw one heck of a wedding? The grand dame of event planning (all of those D.A.R. luncheons!) threw herself a gorgeously glam vow renewal with all the traditions — even a drunken bachelorette party, Stars Hollow style. As with any wedding, drama ensues — Rory and Logan, Luke and Christopher, oh my!

Lane and Zack
We should really count Lane and Zack’s walk down the aisle as two separate events. After a very traditional Korean ceremony, Lane gets the rock n’ roll wedding she had always dreamed of — complete with a rocking mod mini and boots look courtesy of one Lorelei Gilmore. A Hemp Alien performance and a very drunk Lorelei later, Lane Kim gets her happily ever after.

Lorelei and Chris
The Lorelei and Chris wedding was perhaps the biggest tease in Gilmore Girls history. After two engagements (we miss Mr. Medina too) Lorelei FINALLY had her bridal moment, and we were denied it! We totally felt Rory’s pain when she was less than thrilled her parents decided to elope in Paris without including her — we waited a long time too, Rory.

We love incorporating succulents and air plants into your wedding—on reception tables, into bouquets, and even as take-home favors! But when added to the bride’s hairstyle? Gorgeous! Here, a few ideas on bringing these lovely plants into your wedding day hair look.

Tiny Airplants (above): A pair of tillandsia plants are the perfect accessory to this bride’s loose and wavy hairstyle.

Updo with Succulents: Instead of a flower, why not incorporate a succulent or two into your updo? It’s such a chic and unexpected look.

Hair Crown of Succulents: A crown made entirely of teeny tiny succulents is whimsical and sweet.

Half Up with Succulents: Can’t decide between a sleek updo or a romantic down hairstyle? Wearing your hair half up offers the best of both worlds: you get the look of free-flowing waves without having the fuss of strands blowing into your face. Add a handful of succulents and pretty blossoms to finish off the look.

Succulent Hair Crown: For a more dramatic wedding-day look, pair a traditional wedding veil with a succulent-and-florals crown.

Side Chignon with Succulents: Accent a loose and chic side chignon with a couple of textural elements, like succulents and seeded-eucalyptus sprigs.

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It’s all in the details, brides! And the good news is, you don’t have to spend a fortune prettying up your wedding venue with all the little things. Simply take what you already own from home and transform your wedding space into a picture perfect place. Here’s how to do it.

1. Throw pillows and blankets
Add a pretty punch of color or pattern to lounge furniture with your favorite throw pillows from home, recommends Francesca DiSalvo-Follmer of Pure Luxe Bride. Don’t have any you really dig? “Then find some you’d like to own at home so you can keep them after the wedding is over,” she says. Same goes for a beautiful throw or blanket, tells Chancey Charm Boston wedding planner Jyl Deering. “Toss it over a couch or chair to dress up the area and make the lounge feel more personal.”

2. Books
Hardcover books from your personal collection can add height to a dessert buffet or floral centerpieces, notes Anthony Navarro of Liven It Up Events. If you have lounge areas, wedding planner Lauren Chitwood, owner and founder of Lauren Chitwood Events, suggests bringing your personal coffee table books to make your reception personalized. “Guests will feel like they’re right inside your home.”

3. Unique decorative items
Grab those random (albeit beloved) knickknacks off the shelf — they’ll be perfect to place on shelving behind the bars or on coffee tables as accents, offers Marina Birch of Birch Design Studio. “For example, we had a client who adored pigs and had a whole collection of porcelain pigs so we incorporated some of her collection peeking out from behind floral on bookshelves and clustered on coffee tables in the lounge areas.”

4. Family photos
“Family pictures from both the bride and groom’s side are a must to enhance the wedding d&#233cor, along with an heirloom table to display them on,” says Lori Hogan, Special Events Assistant at Andalusia. Laura Irizarry-Garcia, owner of LIG Events, agrees. “I love incorporating your grandparents’ and parents’ wedding photos into the gift/guest book table. Bringing the photos from home in their original frames usually works very well. Guests always love looking at them and it’s a great way to include those family members who might not be with you any longer.”

See More: The 9 Biggest Black Tie Wedding Mistakes Brides Make

5. China, linens and champagne flutes
If your family has amazing china, or even linens, bring them, advises Deering. “I had a bride use her family’s beautiful lace tablecloths for the cocktail tables and the cake table.” A special heirloom place setting of china for two and the “good” crystal wine glasses, water goblets and silverware from your mother’s china cabinet are perfect for the sweetheart table too, notes Florida Keys wedding planner Lynn D’Ascanio of D’Asigner Events. A cake cutting set and chic champagne flutes from home are a must as well.

6. Trays and vases
Have a pretty tray that you could use for the boutonnieres or a shot of your invitations? DiSalvo-Follmer encourages you to bring it along to spruce up photos. You could also use it for your favor or dessert table. “One couple I knew brought serving trays that had been in the family for years for their going-home favor table,” tells Dezhda “Dee” Gaubert, owner of No Worries Event Planning. “My couples have also brought candy jars, vases and other home d&#233cor items that can be used for candy displays or centerpieces.”

7. Family heirlooms
Family heirlooms like display family crests, your mother’s wedding gown or any variety of personal items that may be in storage are lovely to display at your wedding, says Chitwood. “Most brides are surprised to find all of the meaningful history you can discover around the house to personalize your big day.” Other ideas, according to Jenny Orsini, Owner and Creative Director of Jenny Orsini Events Inc., include family heirlooms, such as an old table linen that can cover the sweetheart table, or your grandmother’s jewelry trinket boxes as d&#233cor for your cake table.

8. Mirrors
They add a beautiful reflective glow to your wedding and the best part is that you can easily write (think calligraphy) on a mirror and remove it later, points out Chitwood. They make for gorgeous signs!

9. Lanterns & pillar candles
Chitwood recommends arranging them in strategic clusters for added styling on guest book tables or even escort card displays.

A wedding party implies it’s a happy group, and that’s certainly your goal on your wedding day. But just because you and your fiancé love all of the people who will be standing up for you doesn’t mean that all of your bridesmaids and groomsmen are as equally enamored of each other.

Whether they’re your siblings or best friends, chances are most of your wedding party will have met each other in the past. If you’re marrying your childhood sweetheart or high school crush, it’s likely that your social circles have mixed, mingled and possibly even hooked up with one another through the history of your relationship.

Before you start asking people to stand by your side on your big day, I recommend brides and grooms consider the makeup of the group. If you MUST include people who have had previous romantic entanglements, or who openly dislike each other for any other reason, be prepared for some drama during your wedding planning and on the big day. But whatever the specific issues may be, try my five expert tips for helping your wedding party get along:

1. Don’t choose favorites.
If two of your friends detest each other, and tend to compete for your attention, do not choose one of them, over the other, to be your maid of honor (or best man). You will hurt feelings, and you will give one of them a leg up on the other. True, their problems with each other are not YOUR problems. But if they’re bickering in your bridal suite, nobody has fun.

2. Don’t include your entire wedding party in all of your planning missions.
Not all the bridesmaids need to go wedding dress shopping with you. Hair and makeup trials only require opinions from a couple of people, max. There are plenty of pre-wedding tasks that need to be accomplished and there’s no need to force people to hang out with friends of yours they don’t like for more than the wedding weekend.

3. Don’t pair up former pairs.
Avoid pairing ex-partners to walk down your aisle, or dance at the wedding. If these people really liked each other, they’d still be together. Hopefully, they’re able to be poised and gracious for the duration of your wedding events, but asking them to sit next to each other at dinner is thoughtless, and a little bit cruel.

4. Don’t be a fixer.
You know where your trouble spots are — figure out how to work around them. Don’t try to use your own wedding to mend fences between friends who aren’t speaking to each other. As members of the wedding party, they have an obligation to behave in a civil manner, but zero obligation to be friendly.

5. If you do need to step in, do it early.
Tackle the problem before the week of the wedding, if something must be said. Sit down, privately, and explain your concerns if you’re worried that someone will drink too much and things may turn nasty. Ask them to respect the importance of your day. And be sure to talk to all parties involved in the conflict, so that nobody feels singled out.

See More: Does the Wedding Party Need to Bring a Gift to Every Pre-Wedding Event?

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.

Summertime brides have the added challenge of trying to keep their makeup fresh for hours of celebration in a hot, sticky environment. Many brides complain that their makeup slides right off their faces. Or that they wipe off all the beautiful (and expensive) cosmetics their makeup artist applied, wiping sweat off their faces throughout the evening.

For some lower-maintenance brides, the solution is to wear less makeup on your wedding day. But when you’re spending thousands of dollars on photography and videography, most brides want to look their absolute best regardless of the temperature.

I went on a quest to figure out which hot-weather makeup products my brides were using, and what they were happiest with — it’s easy to tell from the late-night wedding pictures whose makeup held, and whose did not. The freshest-looking brides and bridesmaids attributed their success to using mineral-based cosmetic products, instead of a liquid foundation.

It turns out that Bismuth-free mineral makeup is great on hot humid summer days, because the powdered application lets skin and pores actually breath, versus liquid foundation that just leaves a bride’s face feeling hot and uncomfortable.

Heather Lins, the co-creator ofSweet Minerals, an all-natural makeup company, explains that mineral-based cosmetics seem to stick better in hot weather because the powdered application binds to the oils in your skin, giving it a natural water resistance. And it’s easier to refresh your look with a mineral product’s layering process, because you don’t have to go back and start from scratch when you make repairs.

“Mineral makeup is so easy to touch up and blend throughout the day versus your traditional foundation. Repeatedly blotting perspiration of your face throughout your wedding can leave your skin looking grey and uneven,” Lins says.

Additionally, most mineral-based cosmetics give you natural sun protection, because they’re rich in Titanium and Zinc Oxide. For a sensitive-skinned bride with daytime wedding events, the built-in sunscreen means you don’t have to add yet another layer of goop to your face on a humid day.

Experts agree that if you’re planning to switch up your cosmetics for the wedding, you should figure out which products you want to use and start wearing them a few months ahead to make sure they flatter you, and agree with your skin. It takes a month for our skin to renew itself if you don’t respond well to the new makeup, so it’s best to start experimenting months in advance so you’re not dealing with skin problems at your pre-wedding showers and parties.

Several of my brides swore by their go-to, stay-on lip color to get through wedding events, but for those who dislike the dry feeling those can give you, there are lines of mineral-based lipsticks, glosses and pencils with better staying power than most traditional cosmetics.

See More: 7 Tips for Long-Lasting Summer Wedding Makeup

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.

It’s the story that we were expecting but were hoping wouldn’t happen; Lindsay Lohan and her alleged fiancé Egor Tarabasov have reportedly called it quits.

After a week of rumors swirling about this drama-filled romance, Page Six reports that a source is claiming that not only have Lohan and her Russian love split, but he was seen moving out of her apartment in London.

“They are taking a break, she didn’t want him trespassing in her apartment, but he went in and took all his possessions,” the source told Page Six. The source also hinted that his conservative family may be behind the split, as they are not huge fans of Lohan’s recent social media posts about their relationship problems.

This heart breaking news is the latest in the couple’s headline-making, drama-filled week. Earlier this week, Lohan took to Instagram to vent her frustrations with Tarabasov. In the posts, which have since been deleted but were quoted by Page Six, Lohan claimed that Tarabasov was cheating on her with a famous socialite named Dasha Pashevkina, and included a video of Tarabasov and Pashevkina hanging out together in a club. She also posted Pashevkina’s home address and email, but later took down the post.

Following Lohan’s social media rant, police were called to her London apartment to break up a fight between her and Tarabasov, where a neighbor caught Lohan on tape begging for help and claiming that Tarabasov strangled her and tried to kill her. This led to another Instagram post from Lohan yesterday, where she apologized for exposing her private life. (You can see the post below.)

The couple never officially stated that they were engaged, but according to multiple reports Lohan and Tarabasov got engaged about two months ago, after about 8 months of dating. Sources said that the proposal happened in London and Lohan was seen wearing a 5-carat oval-shaped emerald ring on her ring finger shortly after.

While we are hoping things look up for Lohan, another source reveals that this could be the beginning of some hard times for her.

“After moving to London and meeting Egor, Lindsay felt like she’d finally moved on from the chaos of her youth. She was really ready to settle down and start a family,” the second source told Page Six. “Sadly, for her, she is losing much more than just a boyfriend.”

See More: Lindsay Lohan’s Possible Engagement Ring: Up Close and Personal with LiLo’s New Emerald Sparker

Dear friends. I'm good and well. #ATM I am taking time for myself with good friends. I am sorry that I've exposed certain private matters recently. I was acting out of fear and sadness… We all make mistakes. Sadly mine have always been so public. I have done a lot of soul searching in the past years, and I should have been more clear minded rather than distract from the good heart that I have. Social media comes with the territory of the business and the world we now live in. My intentions were not meant to send mixed messages. Maybe things can be fixed… Maybe not.. I hope they can. But I am 30 years old and I do deserve a #GENTLEgiant Life is about love and light. Not anger ???????? Thank you to those who stand by my side

A photo posted by Lindsay Lohan (@lindsaylohan) on Jul 26, 2016 at 12:45pm PDT

As Brit Morton tells it, she and Wes Turner first locked eyes in August of 2003 at a fraternity party at Appalachian State University. Fast forward 12 years and you’d find these two on the top of the Empire State Building, Wes on bended knee with an engagement ring in hand. “My favorite movie is An Affair to Remember so Wes planned an elaborate surprise engagement at the top of the building,” Brit says. “He enlisted my best friend to get me to the Empire State Building for a work-related emergency.”

Finding a venue for their October 24, 2015, nuptials was a breeze. “Wes and I live in Manhattan near the Williamsburg Bridge so when it’s nice, we bike over and spend a lot of time in Brooklyn,” the bride says. “We knew that we had to get married in the borough that was been the setting for so many of our dates, celebrations, and anniversaries.” They chose Maison May Dekalb (formerly ICI Restaurant) and invited 76 guests to join them in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn for a wedding that evoked a sense of cool and simple elegance. Briana Moore captured it all — including one celebrity wedding crasher!

“The venue felt really authentic and sophisticated,” Brit says of Maison May Dekalb. “The staff was always so nice and cool, and we decided on a vibe for the day that was laid-back elegance with good drinks, awesome music, and out favorite people.”

Brit admits she didn’t instantly know her lace wedding dress from Watters was “the one,” but once she considered topping the geometric pattern with a white leather jacket, she was sold. “I knew it would look really cool!” she says. She completed her look with a pair of vintage earrings purchased at Fabulous Fanny’s, one of her favorite shops in the East Village. “My mom and I always go in when we’re walking around shopping,” the bride says. “She actually wore the brooch that came with the set. That was a really great way for us to feel connected on the wedding day.”

Wes wore a navy suit from SuitSupply, which he personalized with a patch that said “Brit + Wes.” Unfortunately, there was some miscommunication about where the patch should be sewn, and it ended up on the front pocket of his jacket rather than the inside of his suit. “I happened to open it up to see it and put out that fire by taking it back to the seamstress!” Brit laughs.

While taking pre-wedding portraits at their hotel, actress Emma Roberts stumbled upon the bride and groom. “She was so nice and gracious and even took a few pictures with us,” Brit says. “We had a fun conversation about my hair, of all things!”

The bride asked her five ‘maids to select a neutral-hued bridesmaid dress they loved that would make them feel confident and cool. In the end, three ladies donned Reformation while the other two ladies rocked Tibi and Anthropologie. “I thought they were all amazing and so true to the style of each of my BFFs,” Brit says.

Groomsmen wore the same navy suits at Wes, which they all paired with light colored slip on shoes.

The couple’s ceremony was held on an outdoor patio illuminated with glowing string lights. Aisle-facing chairs were decorated with swags of greenery and white roses while a wall of more greens and flowers served as Wes and Brit’s backdrop.

“I walked myself down the aisle,” Britt says of her entrance to Lord Huron’s “She Lit a Fire.” “I feel like I’ve always been really independent and I wanted this to reflect exactly who I am. I carved out other special moments for my parents.”

In addition to sharing vows the couple had written themselves, a friend also recited the lyrics to one of Wes and Brit’s favorite songs, “A Little Bit of Everything” by Dawes.

The party then moved inside, where wooden tables were topped with understated arrangements of roses, peonies, dahlias, ranunculus, and greenery. The bride and groom’s sweetheart table featured chairs dresses in floral garlands and a low arrangement of pastel blooms.

“Our venue was a farm-to-table French restaurant, so the food was incredible!” Brit says. “We had an amazing chicken and pasta, and so many delicious fresh veggie dishes.” In addition to the great grub, Wes and Brit also served up two tasty cocktails: The Beauty Queen, a lavender vodka lemonade mix that was a nod to the bride’s southern beauty queen roots, and The Marathon Man, a whiskey smash that hinted at the groom’s love for running.

Like true New Yorkers, Wes and Brit chose Momofuku’s classic naked birthday cake as their big day dessert.

CitiGrass, a Brooklyn-based bluegrass band, kept everyone out on the dance floor. The hit of the night? The band’s rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road.” “They were a huge hit,” Brit says. “Everyone was dancing!”

“Do everything exactly the way you want to do it!” this bride advises future couples. “Don’t worry about anything except having fun, throwing an unforgettable party, and getting the kiss right.”

Venue & Catering: Mason May Dekalb, formerly ICI Restaurant || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Watters || Hair: Jennifer Matos of Rita Hazan Salon || Makeup: Makeup by Stephanie Perez || Groom’s Attire: SuitSupply || Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: Zameer Kassam || Flowers: Rosehip || Music: Citigrass || Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar || Photographer: Briana Moore Photography

Looking for more wedding inspiration just like this? Then check out another couple’s Brooklyn wedding in the video below.

Even if every detail is perfectly organized and an expert wedding planner is at the reins, there’s no guaranteeing a bride won’t be stressed out or emotional on the morning of her wedding. If you have a large bridal party or are including other friends and family members in the getting-ready festivities, the pressure of being “on” starting first thing in the morning can be a lot to handle. So instead of heading to the salon with 15 friends in tow, can you opt to spend your wedding morning with a smaller group, instead? Here’s what our experts have to say.

The morning of your wedding should be about getting you ready for your wedding day, not feeling like you have to host and entertain — that comes later! However, you also don’t want to make anyone feel like they can’t be part of your excitement. If you’re nervous about getting ready with such a large group, consider planning to have some of your services done separately, then meeting up with everyone for the finishing touches. For example, you could hire a hair and makeup artist to come to your home or hotel room get you, your mom, and your sisters ready while your bridesmaids get ready at a salon, then all get dressed together. This way you have a little quiet time, but also can feed off of the excitement and energy!

If you’re all having hair and makeup done together, your stylist will probably recommend that your services be the last ones they perform, making sure that you look the absolute freshest when you walk down the aisle. If you have a few hours before you need to get into the makeup chair, consider going for a solo manicure or hitting the gym, or buck tradition and go out to breakfast with your groom before the madness begins.

And of course, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to step away for a few minutes of quiet. One of the best reasons to reserve a hotel suite instead of just a room is that you can close the door between the bedroom and the living space for a little privacy! Otherwise, go for a walk, head out for coffee, or run a bath, turn up some tunes, and find a little zen.

See more: Where Should the Mother of the Groom Get Ready?