The 5 Worst Groomzilla Stories We've Ever Read

groomzilla

Photo: Getty Images

Usually the bride gets a bad rap as a bridezilla. But in these instances, it’s clear the crazy culprit was the groom. You won’t believe what these guests and wedding pros have witnessed men do before and even at their weddings.

“As a former wedding singer, I attended a lot of wedding receptions. But the craziest one had to be when the groom was hitting on me at the reception. He kept winding his way back to the bandstand to chat with me, touch my arm, and ask me to dance. It was beyond awkward.” — Marilyn

“The groom called off the wedding a week before — via a phone call to his would-be bride. No sit down chat with her for him. Then, he had his mommy berate all the vendors and give every excuse under the sun why they shouldn’t have to pay any of us. Because, you know, Charleston weddings are so not popular and we totally don’t get booked a year in advance.” — a wedding vendor in Charleston, S.C.

“I was the guest at a wedding a few years ago, in which the ceremony and reception were held at two different venues. The groom did not attend the wedding reception. Instead, he dropped off the bride at the hotel where the reception was being held and drove off. He let her attend the reception alone. She sat at the table alone. There was no first dance. I guess the groom told one of his family members that he didn’t like what was being served at the reception, so he decided not to attend. It was very awkward, to say the least!” — Steffanie

“I was working on a very elaborate wedding with a huge installation on a private property. It took a crew of 15 people three days to install a 60-by-90-foot tent and all of the decor inside. But on the Friday before the Saturday wedding, the groom demanded that the tent we erected be taken down and moved 15 feet to the left so that he and his wedding guests to get a better view of his putting green. The crew worked overnight and the next day all of the guests enjoyed a fabulous view.” — Lauren, a wedding planner

“The last wedding I attended had a total groomzilla. You could tell he was on edge the entire day, but he totally lost it during his best man’s speech. He didn’t like what the guy was saying — the best man was making some pretty tame jokes about the couple — so he grabbed the mic and proceeded to give his own spur-of-the-moment speech about how none of could possibly appreciate all the time and money that went into the wedding, and all of the people who were laughing inappropriately at the last toast while they were drinking booze he paid for could go to hell. True story.” — Abigail

See More: How to Recover from a Bridezilla Moment

BRIDES Florida: Miami Wedding Bands That Will Please Every Wedding Guest

After saying your vows and eating an incredible meal, the perfect wedding is usually accomplished with a full night with your friends and family dancing under the stars. Top 40 bands have some catchy beats and latin flare can get the dance floor grooving, but sometimes a couple is begging for songs from another era — that guests across generations will know and love. Whether you’re the couple that prefers Frank Sinatra’s well-known hits or the couple that wants the vintage rock of ’70s Rolling Stones, the below bands provide you with the best of Miami while celebrating your wedding reception in the way you’ve always dreamed.

Jerry Wayne’s Private Party Band
Jerry Wayne’s Private Party Band has years of experience and performance knowledge, meaning that they have the background necessary to perfectly deliver the classic wedding of your dreams. They pride themselves on avoiding a “cookie cutter” approach to weddings. Rather, the group much prefers to be open to any changes you may request to make your wedding customized to your tastes and preferences. Included on this list because of their unique, fun take on classic singles, the group enjoys mixing in some current trends with the goal to achieve a memorable wedding that your guests will be talking about for years to come. Read real brides’ reviews here!

Jeff Grainger & The Hoboken 11
If the swinging styles of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin are your cup of tea, then Jeff Grainger & The Hoboken 11 are the band for you. Fully clad in tuxedos, the group’s deep baritone voice and incredibly skilled musicians will make you feel instantly transported through time. While the group is full of youthful energy, their fun vibe is matched only by their professionalism and musical talent — as many of the band-mates played in the Symphony Orchestra together in Cuba prior to coming to Miami. Whether you’re interested in Jeff playing a solo show over your cocktail hour or you’d prefer a full 17-piece band complete with a string section, Jeff Grainger & The Hoboken 11 will set the scene perfectly for your classic event.

See More: These Miami Wedding Photographers Will Capture Everything from Your First Dance to the Very Last Song

The Cat Daddies
The Cat Daddies are Miami’s premier band for the classic rock-loving couple. After playing together for the past 11 years, these four band-mates are incredible musicians that still love to have a lot of fun on stage. While willing to be accommodating to any couple, The Cat Daddies pride themselves on playing the top songs on the B side of albums — the songs that you love, but you forgot how much you loved them. Being a group of two guitars, one bass, and one drummer, this group can fit perfectly in any size venue, from a small space to 500-person weddings.

Dancing to the beat of a different drummer? Browse our Miami Bands page to find dozens of other wedding musicians in the sunshine state!

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Happy Birthday, Mr. President! Looking Back at Barack and Michelle Obama's Wedding Photos

barack obama wedding photos

Photo: Getty Images

Happy Birthday, Mr. President! As President Barack Obama celebrates his 55th birthday, we’re of course taking the opportunity to reminisce about the Obama’s endearing love story. These two are always giving us #MarriageGoals — whether it be gushing each other on Twitter, or sharing sweet romantic moments in the White House (fist bumps, flirting, and dancing galore!). And while we love ogling the First Lady’s every fashion choice, now it’s time to look back on Barack and Michelle Obama’s gorgeous October 3, 1992 Chicago wedding day.

How They Met:
Barack and Michelle met in 1989, while the future President was a summer associate at a Chicago law firm. Michelle, then Michelle Robinson, was his advisor. At first Michelle refused to accept a date from Barack, but fate took over. Their first date itinerary? A picnic, long walk, tour of the Art Institue, Baskin-Robbins ice cream, and a movie — Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing.

“We clicked right away…by the end of the date it was over…I was sold,” Michelle has said about their first date.

The Proposal:
The couple dated for two years before Barack proposed at Gordon’s restaurant in Chicago — where they were celebrating finishing the bar exam. “And he got me into one of these discussions again, where, you know, he sort of just led me down there and got fired up and it’s like you’ve got blah blah blah blah, and then dessert comes out, the tray comes out, and there’s a ring!” Michelle told the New Yorker.

obama wedding photos

Photo: Polaris

The Wedding:
On October 3, 1992, Michelle and Barack said “I do” at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. The bride’s brother walked her down the aisle, while the groom’s brother served as best man. After the vows, a reception was held at the South Shore Cultural Center. Of course, self professed Stevie Wonder super fan Michelle chose the singer’s “You and I” for their first dance as husband and wife. After the wedding the couple took off for a California coast honeymoon.

obama wedding photos

Photo: Courtesy of Michelle Obama via Instagram

The Dress:
Way before she wowed us with her spot on fashion sense (Jason Wu, Narciso Rodriguez, Christian Siriano!), First Lady Michelle Obama was a picture perfect 90s bride. Wearing one of our favorite resurrected 90s trends, the future First Lady was lovely in an off-the-shoulder long sleeved gown, pouffy veil, and statement drop pearl earrings. One a fashion maven, always a fashion maven.

When to Honeymoon: 10 Real Brides Weigh In

couple honeymooning

Photo: Getty Images

Some couples jet off on their honeymoon right after the post-wedding brunch, while others wait a few days or even months before taking the trip. Not sure which way to go? Heed the advice of these 10 real brides.

“We waited until the next weekend so we didn’t feel rushed after the wedding. It gave us time to unwind at home and get ready to travel. I was so busy finalizing wedding plans and entertaining relatives from out of town that I can’t imagine if I had to have everything packed for the honeymoon.” — Sarah

“We left for our honeymoon the day after our wedding. My husband and I are both attorneys and have pretty crazy work schedules. Leaving right away was perfect for us because we were able to plan our time off and not have to worry about going back to the office in between the wedding and honeymoon. Had we waited, we inevitably would have had lingering tasks hanging over our heads for our big day.” —Brittany

“We got married in May and decided to postpone our honeymoon to early January. It was much harder than I thought it would be to return to work two days after the wedding. I had a really hard time focusing the first few weeks back, and it just felt like a major buzz kill after all of the fun and special moments of the wedding week. On the other hand, we still have the honeymoon to look forward to as the post-wedding blues set in, and we are taking the time to plan it now versus during the stress of planning the wedding.” — Emily

“We left for our honeymoon in St. Lucia the day after the wedding. I wanted to sort of ride the high we were on from the last couple of days. Yes, we were exhausted, but what does it matter when you have seven days of lying on a beach drinking pina coladas ahead of you? If we had done our originally planned trip to Tokyo and Bali, I might have considered waiting because that was more of an adventure trip without as much relaxation time. But if you’re doing a tropical, relaxing trip, keep the party going and go right away!” — Carolyn

“We got married in August and didn’t honeymoon until February, though we did go to Maine for a few days as a ‘mini moon’ to unwind from wedding chaos. I would definitely do it the same way again. We had something exciting to look forward to during those months in between.” — Jordan

“We waited one week, and it felt like an eternity. I went back to work for a few days, and it was such a buzz kill. I highly recommend keeping the high going and leaving right away if possible!” — Jaclyn

“We left two days after the wedding. We had all day Sunday to wind down and enjoy actual one-on-one time with a few family members and friends that came from out of town. The wedding was a great party, but as with any awesome big party, it’s hard to really spend time with all the guests.” — Meghan

“We left for our honeymoon the next day and took a redeye. It was so nice to just leave right away and a perfect way to start off married life. Planning a wedding and working full time is super stressful, and it was nice to get away, relax, and be alone together.” — Lauren

“Stay in the moment. We went to Hawaii for two weeks and left the next day. It’s so important to keep the excitement going, even if you can only get away for a couple of days.” — Kathleen

“We waited two days — one was spent partying with our friends and family and one for traveling home and destressing. We originally were going to wait until later to honeymoon due to money, but one day our families stressed us out, and we decided to just say whatever and spend the money!” — Bonnie

See More: The Hottest Honeymoon Destinations

6 Wedding Ceremony Spots in the U.S. with Breathtaking Views

little nell docuvitae

Photo: Docuvitae

Unless you’re getting married in the temple you regularly attend or your childhood church, a big part of choosing a wedding ceremony venue is superficial: You want to pick a spot that’s totally beautiful! After all, while you really want your guests looking at you during your vows, they’ll want something pretty to consider as your officiant shares your story — not to mention how it will look in your photos! While there’s no shortage of spectacular views across the country, a few wedding ceremony spots stick out as some of the most stunning around. Here are some of our favorites, from crashing waves to towering peaks and everything in between.

The Wedding Deck at The Little Nell (Above)
At over 11,000 feet in elevation, this stunning spot boasts 360-degree views of the Elk Mountain Range and Aspen Mountain, with space for an intimate elopement or 250 guests. Whether a summer sunset or softly falling snow accompany your vows, the backdrop will truly take your breath away.

inn at newport ranch

Photo: Courtesy of The Inn at Newport Ranch

The Inn at Newport Ranch
Part of a 2,000 acre cattle operation, Newport Ranch boasts a mile of coastline along the Pacific, and we’re not talking sandy beaches. Rolling fields give way to dramatic cliffs, with waves crashing below. Even with all that space, the Inn encourages you to keep things intimate, with space for only 60 guests.

wayfarers chapel

Photo: Courtesy of Wayfarer’s Chapel

Wayfarer’s Chapel
Tucked into a forest in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, this glass chapel combines the very best of indoor and outdoor venues. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s son, the natural sanctuary is airy and spiritual, surrounded by redwood trees and designed to make you feel one with nature. Whether glowing with candlelight or lit by the sun, it’s a dramatic place to say “I do.”

See more: 5 Signs a Ceremony Site Is Perfect For Your Wedding

amangiri

Photo: Courtesy of Amangiri

Amangiri
Set in the desert just north of the Utah-Arizona border, Amangiri is an oasis amongst the canyons of the American Southwest. Cliffs and plateaus rise in every direction, and the venue’s muted color palette blends seamlessly into the surroundings, perfect for a bride looking to really get away from it all.

The Breakers Palm Beach
Get a taste of Florida’s Golden Age on the Atlantic coast at The Breakers Palm Beach. The beachfront property flaunts a manicured lawn with sand just steps away, palm trees perfectly in place, and room for up to 800 guests — seriously!

Peninsula New York Wedding

Photo: Courtesy of The Peninsula New York

The Peninsula New York
City views count, too! With one of the best rooftop venues around, a ceremony at the Peninsula New York will show you the Big Apple like you’ve never seen it before. A stone’s throw from Central Park, this Midtown icon is the perfect place to take in the night sky and the towering skyscrapers.

Everything You Need for Your Rain-Day Wedding Back-Up Plan

There are some things that happen on your wedding day that you simply can’t control. Sometimes that thing is a fight between family members or the cake vendor not showing up until hours after the wedding is over. But sometimes that thing you can’t control is one of the most important factors of your wedding day — weather. If you’re planning on saying “I do” outdoors or you have a component of your wedding outside, it’s key to have a rainy-day back-up plan just in case. Even if you’re sure it won’t rain, because it seems to never rain in that area, or during that time of year, it’s a good idea to have a plan B just in case the weather decides to laugh in your wedding day glammed up face. Here’s what you should have on your rainy-day wedding back-up plan.

1. Umbrellas
Keep a few of these on hand just in case the rain follows you on your wedding day. These will be important and be your shelter if a sudden rainstorm decides to fly through.

2. An Indoor Space
Even if you really want your ceremony to be outdoors, make sure you have an indoor space reserved just to be safe. Even if that space isn’t ideal or as beautiful, it’s important to have it as a plan B in case it starts raining. Your guests will thank you, forever, for not making them sit outside in the rain.

3. A Place for Food to Be Stored
If you’re planning on having your reception outdoors, be sure to have an indoor spot you can keep the food if rain suddenly comes down. That way, all your food won’t be spoiled.

4. An After Party
If rain comes to crash your wedding and the venue isn’t working out as much as you hoped, have an after party lined up. That way, guests can always stop home and dry off before continuing the party some place else.

5. A change of shoes
Nobody likes to walk around with wet feet. Keep a spare pair of shoes in your bag in case you need to dry your feet and put on a new pair of kicks for dancing.

6. Big Towels
You might need them to wipe yourself off if you get stuck taking photos in the rain or if it suddenly downpours on you during the ceremony.

See More: 6 Ways to Prepare for Rain on Your Wedding Day

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.

Real Bride Story: Over-Budget with 3 Wedding Dresses

bride trying on gown with designer

Photo: Getty Images

I tell all of my brides and grooms that I will be their Budget Nazi, and help them avoid choosing things for their weddings that will definitely put them over budget. They can have whatever they want, as long as they can afford it. It’s my responsibility to make sure they make educated decisions when they add things that weren’t included in the initial estimate.

While your wedding planner should absolutely help you keep track of where you stand with your budget, you should bear the responsibility for watching your spending. In fact, the vast majority of my brides who blow their budgets do it by spending money on little add-ons that have nothing to do with planning the actual wedding.

True Story:
I had a client who was an accountant in the U.S. Army. She was a captain, and in her late 30s, so I expected her to be a pretty reasonable bride when it came to the budget. I was wrong.

We would have actually brought in the entire wedding — including gratuities — just under the predicted budget if they hadn’t had added a lot of last-minute guests, taking them 20 heads above what we had initially budgeted. That’s the facts of life — each guest costs you incrementally more, and it adds up quickly.

She had a complete and total meltdown. She called me, looking at the spreadsheet I’d sent her, and sobbed that she was $10,000 over budget. I didn’t understand — the budget spreadsheet I was looking at put her just a little less than $2,000 over budget. Certainly nothing to sneeze at, but also nothing to get hysterical about. She had, after all, emailed me the previous evening to add 18 names to the final guest list.

When I questioned her math, she exploded, I was taken aback completely. Her reaction was disproportionate to the size of the problem. And I still didn’t know where she was getting the other $8,000 in expenses. I let her rant and rave at me, and eventually she revealed the problem. She hadn’t spent all that other money on her actual wedding, she had bought THREE WEDDING GOWNS!

Lots of my clients buy a second, less expensive wedding dress to wear for their trash-the-dress shoots if they don’t have the heart to destroy the dress of their dreams. But this bride had spent $5,000 on the first dress she bought (in the budget we’d planned), and then she spent another $8,000 on two more dresses. And she wasn’t even doing a trash-the-dress shoot. She just wanted to have one for the ceremony, one for before the luncheon, and a third for dancing and partying. Seriously.

Every bride is certainly entitled to as many gowns as she wants (no matter how crazy it may seem). However, you can’t count all that extra spending as part of the original budget estimate unless you warn your wedding planner in advance.

See More:
So You Want Two Wedding Dresses… Here’s How to Make Multiple Looks Work!

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.

This Romantic Garden Wedding Took Place at the Maryland Mansion Where Wedding Crashers Was Filmed

Though Kathryn and Ryan lived minutes apart in Arlington, Virginia, for years — and had a bunch of mutual friends to boot — the pair didn’t meet until October of 2014, when they locked eyes across a crowded bar. Ryan was a complete gentleman, asking for Kathryn’s number and taking her out to dinner later that week. A year and a day after that first date (and two rescue dogs later!), Kathryn watched as the youth lacrosse team Ryan coaches won their big game and posed for a celebratory photo. But it wasn’t the snapshot she was expecting. “When I looked over, they were all holding up cards that spelled out ‘Will You Marry Me’ and Ryan was on bended knee!” she says.

With a groom who loves the sea and a bride who is all about flowers and gardens, the pair searched the Maryland coast for a venue that showcased both and fell in love with The Inn at Perry Cabin — the gorgeous locale you’ll probably remember from the main party scene in Wedding Crashers. “The grounds are gorgeous, and the waterfront location meant we could have a ceremony with the sea in the background,” says Kathryn. The twosome planned a sophisticated garden wedding for August 29, 2015, drawing inspiration from the Inn’s property and incorporating a relaxed, nautical vibe with help from Elizabeth Duncan Events. From watercolor illustrations to soft raspberry blooms against boxwood bushes, the celebration perfectly captured who Ryan and Kathryn are as a couple. “It was a true escape for our guests, and all the details highlighted that relaxed, elegant style,” says the bride. Take a look at the gorgeous event for yourself, photographed by Sweet Tea Photography.

Kathryn loves watercolor painting (and dabbles in it herself), so she and Ryan worked with Inslee by Design to create a custom botanic motif in soft blush and peach hues. The floral design was used on everything from the invitation suite to the welcome boxes.

“It was amazing how many ways our planner and the stationery designer were able to use the watercolor floral print,” says Kathryn. Repeating the design from the beginning of the event to the day’s final moments helped tie together the secret garden theme.

Kathryn was head-over-heels for her textured blush and ivory bouquet. “I really wanted peonies, but they weren’t in season, so I settled on garden roses, dahlias, and veronica. Our planner found peonies online two days before the wedding, and had them shipped overnight as a surprise to tuck into my bouquet!”

Her bridesmaids all wore blush pink Donna Morgan gowns with strapless bodices and flowing skirts. “I knew they would want to dance all night, so I picked a style that would be comfortable and easy to move in,” says the thoughtful bride.

The couple had two flower girls, who both wore white and pink organza dresses with a flower at the waist. Instead of baskets of petals, the girls carried a garland of greenery and garden roses down the aisle.

The ceremony overlooked the Miles River, which feeds into the Chesapeake Bay. An arbor of boxwood was draped with billowing white fabric, and topiaries of roses flanked the aisle. The front row on either side of the aisle was comprised of mismatched chairs in cream and white hues.

“Ryan insisted that we write our own vows, and we ended up saying incredibly similar things to one another,” says Kathryn. “It’s as if we knew what the other person was going to write!”

After the ceremony, the bride and groom took to the Inn’s grounds for portraits. Kathryn stunned in a fluted Romona Keveza wedding dress with re-embroidered lace details and cap sleeves. “I realized all the dresses I loved were by the same designer, and I liked each one that I tried on more than the last. Seven or so dresses later, I’d found the perfect one!” says the bride. She swapped the standard white shantung lining with blush pink for a little extra contrast. But even a shopping story that successful comes with a warning: “During my final fitting, I tried on one more dress that had just arrived at the salon. It was completely different from what I chose, and I was curious so I tried it on just for fun. I don’t know what I was thinking!” Kathryn loved the dress, and worried that she’d made the wrong choice. Thankfully, with some reassurance from her bridesmaids, she remembered why she loved the first gown she’d chosen — and is so glad she didn’t change her mind at the last minute!

Finding the perfect balance between a formal wedding and the afternoon outdoor setting, Ryan wore a gray slim-fit Black by Vera Wang tuxedo. “It was unique, but still classic,” says Kathryn.

The reception took place in a tent on the Inn’s lawn, with an archway draped in greenery and blooms marking the entrance.

Instead of traditional escort cards, table assignments were printed onto paper leaves that were tucked into garlands of roses, accented with watercolor butterflies and ladybugs. Says Kathryn, “I loved them! They were just the right touch of whimsy.”

Before entering the tent, guests sipped cocktails (including a non-alcoholic rosemary lemonade and a bourbon, ginger beer, and lemon Shoofly Punch) on the lawn. Even the cocktail napkins featured the floral print used on the invitations!

Inside the tent, round tables were topped with blush linens, while long tables were topped with cloths in light green. Boxwood hedges and rose topiaries marked the corners, with white vases full of blush and pink roses in the middle of the room.

In low silver urns, dahlias were tucked between garden roses and veronica, with a few blooms in brighter pink for contrast.

Gold-rimmed chargers featured illustrations of leaves and dragonflies. Those mismatched chairs from the ceremony made another appearance at the head table, where they added a vintage, eclectic vibe to the romantic setting.

The tables topped with green linens featured white chargers with cutout details. In the bar area, a round couch flaunted sequined and plaid pink pillows, topped off with dozens of pink roses.

The pair’s three-tiered wedding cake also featured the watercolor design used on the invitations, painstakingly applied to off-white fondant. Two tiers were red velvet cake, while the third was a coconut cake with fresh strawberry filling.

“I’m a little obsessed with music, and it was important to me that we have an epic dance party,” says Kathryn. She and Ryan worked with their DJ to create a diverse and dynamic playlist — and it was a smashing success. “Our guests said it was the best dance party they’d ever been to!”

At the end of the night, Kathryn and Ryan made a photo-worthy exit beneath a shower of rose petals. “My best advice is to definitely have a first look,” says the bride. “It was so romantic and meaningful to have time together, just the two of us, to wander through the gardens. It helped us connect and be even more present during our ceremony.”

Venue, Catering & Cake: The Inn at Perry Cabin || Wedding Planner: Elizabeth Duncan Events || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza || Hair: Hair by Seven || Makeup: Kristina Em || Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Donna Morgan || Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Attire: Black by Vera Wang || Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: Pavé Jewelers || Florist: Amaryllis Inc. || Invitations & Paper Goods: Winifred Paper || Watercolor Illustration: Inslee by Design || Music: Sage String Quartet; DJ D-Mac || Rentals: Amaryllis Inc., DC Rental || Tent: Sugarplum Tent Company || Favors: Breakfast in Bed from Olivin’s and The Inn at Perry Cabin || Videographer: In Depth Photo and Video || Photographer: Sweet Tea Photography

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Loving all of the beautiful details at this Maryland wedding? Then we think you’ll love another couple’s classic bash, seen in the video below.

Bridesmaid Dress Shopping Etiquette 101: Rules Every 'Maid Should Follow

Yay! You’re a bridesmaid! Standing up beside your friend on her wedding day is all sorts of fun, from the bachelorette party to the bridal shower to the morning-after brunch. It also means you’ll be donning a fancy new dress — but this one is of your friend’s choosing, not your own. Whether you’re so excited to be part of the process or are wishing you didn’t have to shell out for a bridesmaid dress you’ll only wear once, there are a few rules every bridesmaid-to-be should follow when heading to the store with the bride. Here are a few bridesmaid dress shopping tips you should make sure to follow.

Have an Open Mind
Repeat this mantra: “It’s not my wedding.” Before you get anxious or defensive about what your engaged friend is looking for in her bridesmaid dresses, whether it’s a style or color you’re not partial to, keep your mind open and give it a shot. Best case scenario, you put the dress on and it’s totally fabulous on you. Worst case scenario? You come out of the dressing room in something that’s just not working — and hopefully the bride realizes maybe it’s not the best choice.

Follow the Bride’s Lead
If she’s asking you to pick whatever you like, or to browse the racks and help her get inspired, ask for a little guidance first. Does she want everyone in chiffon, or is she open to multiple fabrics? Is there a length or detail she’d prefer? Don’t grab a mini-dress if the event will be black tie, but if she wants some new ideas, feel free to look toward complementary colors or a silhouette she may not have considered.

Give Constructive Feedback
Wearing a dress that you totally hate? Keep the strong feelings to yourself. Instead, find a helpful way to vocalize what you don’t like, whether it’s a shade that’s not working on your skin tone or a neckline that’s way too revealing for your liking. If you can explain what you don’t love, you might either be able to find a way to fix the situation with alterations or helpfully guide the bride in a new direction.

Wear the Right Undergarments
If you know you’re heading to a bridal salon to look for bridesmaids’ dresses, make sure you’re wearing nude underwear and tuck a strapless bra into your purse. This way you’ll be able to try on any color or neckline with relative ease, and won’t be distracted by bright red boyshorts or a lacy bralette that sticks out in all the wrong places.

Be Upfront About Money
Make sure you’ve spoken to the bride about any financial difficulties you might face, especially since bridesmaids dresses easily run over $200 a pop. You can’t force her to pick something different, but once she’s selected a style or color, you might be able to find the same dress for less on a resale site, so let her know if you plan to shop around before placing your order.

See more: Pregnant Bridesmaid? Here’s When to Order the Bridesmaid Dress

Trishelle Cannatella is Engaged! See the Real World: Las Vegas Star's Ring

Trishelle Real World Las Vegas

Photo: Getty Images

Trishelle Cannatella, Real World: Las Vegas star and former contestant on MTV’s The Challenge, is engaged!

The former reality show contestant and Playboy model, 36, posted a photo to Instagram on Monday after her boyfriend, Louisiana fighter pilot John Hensz, proposed the day before. The photo, shown below, features the couple kissing under a parasol and surrounded by a band.

In an interview about her engagement with TooFab, Cannatella admitted that she was completely surprised by the proposal because she thought she was just enjoying a casual Sunday brunch with her now-fiancé and her sister.

“My engagement was amazing,” Cannatella said. “He completely surprised me. We went to brunch at Brennan’s with my sister then walked outside and saw my best friend standing there with a few friends listening to a jazz band. I thought we just ran into them randomly then we walked down the street and I saw more of my friends.”

“At that point, I realized that the jazz band was following us and we had police escorts,” Canatella explained. “Then ran into more friends who gave me a parasol. So we all danced down the street in the French Quarter until we reached Jackson Square and my daddy and step mom and more friends were there and he got down on one knee in the park in front of the church with the band playing! It was insane. He had to get a city permit for the second line and everything, I was so shocked. He did so well with the ring too!!”

Shortly after getting engaged, Cannatella wrote on Twitter, “Soooooo in other news….some poor guy asked me to be his wife. And I said hell yes.” You can see the post below.

The ring is a huge square cut diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds on a band covered in diamonds. Talk about a sparkler! (A close-up can be seen on TooFab.)

See More: Bethenny Frankel Engaged?! These Diamond Ring Pics Certainly Point to Yes