Lauren Conrad Shares Never-Before-Seen Wedding Photo to Celebrate Anniversary

lauren conrad proposal photo

Photo: Lauren Conrad via Instagram

She’s no longer a newlywed! Lauren Conrad celebrated two years of wedded bliss to husband William Tell yesterday, sharing an absolutely stunning Instagram photo of the couple on their wedding day.

“Celebrating 2 wonderful years with my love today,” the 30-year-old entrepreneur wrote on the Instagram photo on their anniversary, showing her lip-locked embrace with her (new-at-the-time) hubs. The two got hitched on September 13, 2014 at a stunning locale in Santa Ynez, California in front of close friends and family.

To celebrate the momentous anniversary occasion, LC and musician-turned-lawyer beau enjoyed some QT together (evidenced by her adorable post of the two sipping beachy drinks while wearing matching tropical shirts) and looking in love as ever.

When we think back to her big day, it was nothing short of a magical fairytale wedding — with the bride wearing a sweetheart Monique Lhuillier wedding dress that had a flowing, 12-foot train. Her musician-turned-lawyer beau wore a classic black tux, while her ‘maids donned blush chiffon dresses of their choosing. “We wanted different dresses for certain people,” Conrad said of her girls’ mismatched gowns. “We took into account people’s shapes and common wedding colors.” Always ahead of the curve, LC.

Bridesmaid-turned-wedding planner Cassandra Herschenfeld helped Conrad plan her nuptials, and according to the bride, it was the perfect day. “I don’t know that I have ever been as happy as I was walking down that aisle,” Conrad told US Weekly. “It was amazing!”

See More: This Bride Wears Her Wedding Dress on Her Anniversary Every Year

Celebrating 2 wonderful years with my love today!

A photo posted by Lauren Conrad (@laurenconrad) on Sep 13, 2016 at 2:28pm PDT

The pair were set up on a blind date on a very daring day — Valentine’s Day — in 2012 and have been going strong ever since. In 2013, Tell proposed with a round-cut rose gold engagement ring that would make anyone swoon. The former reality star opted for a rose gold wedding band to complement the sparkler (which needs no introduction).

When it comes to married life, Conrad told Redbook that her man is “the first person I ever thought I could marry,” adding that she was “never a person who was obsessed with the idea of marriage.” But, when it comes to weddings — it’s a totally different story. Case in point: the DIY queen’s wedding details included vintage hankies, homemade apple pie, and bottles of wine as a welcome gift for guests. The lifestyle guru and her man certainly know how to throw a party!

But don’t let her wedding details distract you from the fact that the two are total soulmates. As a source told People, “They are perfect for each other.” Cue the ‘awwwws.’

Happy anniversary you guys — and cheers to many more!

Celebrating 4 wonderful years with my Valentine ????????????

A photo posted by Lauren Conrad (@laurenconrad) on Feb 14, 2016 at 3:43pm PST

So nice to have the day off to do a little exploring…

A photo posted by Lauren Conrad (@laurenconrad) on Mar 24, 2016 at 2:20pm PDT

Happy Anniversary to my favorite Valentine ???? I love you dearly xo ( Photo by @elizabethmessina )

A photo posted by Lauren Conrad (@laurenconrad) on Feb 14, 2014 at 8:22am PST

5 Common Marriage Mistakes — And How to Fix Them (According to Real Couples)

couple picnic

Photo: Getty Images

Everyone makes (marriage) mistakes in a relationship. But it’s how you deal with these issues will designate whether a couple will succeed or fall apart. These women are here to fess up to their own mistakes, plus give you the inside scoop on how to fix these common marriage faux pas.

1. Focusing on the negatives.

“I relentlessly focused on how my own needs weren’t being met, and this tendency only exacerbated negativity within our relationship. Let’s be honest: Criticism does not evoke real change. Eventually, I began to focus on how my emotional needs could be met and what I could do to inspire and evoke that specific kind of behavior from him, rather than complaining.” — Lisa

2. Not having enough self love.

“It sounds cliched, but I didn’t love myself enough. And how I felt toward myself and how I treated myself was what my husband reflected back to me. I had to learn to love myself more and forgive myself for my mistakes, including this one. As soon as I started to believe that I deserved love and joy and was enough exactly as I was, he began to express his love for me more deeply.” — Anna

3. Being too demanding.
“I thought my husband should know exactly what I needed and wanted at all times, without me telling him. I finally figured out that wasn’t working for either of us. I wasn’t getting what I needed or wanted, and he was just getting frustrated. So I started to praise him when he did do the things I needed, rather than complain when he couldn’t figure it out. Soon enough, he was doing those ‘good’ things more often, and we were both a lot happier.” — Jasmine

4. Not valuing alone time.

“When we first got married, I didn’t value my alone time. I wanted to soak up every second with my new husband, which I think is a pretty normal reaction to being a newlywed. But when I started to be grouchy and moody, I realized it was because I was missing ‘me’ things. My hobby is painting, but I hadn’t picked up a paintbrush in months because that would mean shutting myself off from my husband for hours. I realized though that I needed that ‘me’ time to be ‘me’ around him, if that makes sense. So I started taking time for myself again, and we were both a lot happier when we did have time together. And there was still plenty of it.” — Annette

5. Involving family members in the relationship.

“My biggest marriage mistake was probably talking to my mom too much about our relationship! My mom is my best friend, and I would tell her everything, down to the tiny spat my husband and I had over who would shovel the driveway that morning. I didn’t realize it, but sharing every little argument with her made her build up some resentment toward my husband. I had to learn to keep some things to myself so that they could have a good relationship too!” — Jen

See More: The 50 Mistakes Brides Always Make

This Is the Most Pinned Wedding Food on Pinterest

Ask any guest what their favorite part about a wedding is and they’ll most likely (and without shame) tell you, “THE FOOD!” Is that really a surprise to any of you? While the vows and first dance are unbelievably moving, us mere humans tend to think in terms of our stomach first, and heart second. Hey, just being honest! So because of this brutally honest fact (and knowing we had already found what the most pinned wedding dress, wedding cake, and bridesmaid dress were) we decided to do a deep-dive on Pinterest to figure out what exactly the top pinned food item really was. And what we discovered was definitely not what we expected. Prepare your tastebuds because it’s about to get veeery tasty up in here.

As we searched through the Pinterest “Wedding Food Ideas” database, we found that the most pinned food item wasn’t a fancy shmancy hors d’oeuvre, but rather a delicious take on the shish kebab. Pinned an astounding 401.2K times, these banana split bites seem to be a HUUUUGE hit amongst our fellow hangry Pinners. But TBH, we don’t blame them one bit. Put chocolate on pretty much anything and we’ll devour it. Tip: make it more allergy friendly by ditching the chopped nuts.

Because we researched these yummy foods during lunch hour, we simply couldn’t stop at one. So here we grace you with seven other edible notables that were pinned more than 50K times. Ummm, you’re welcome!

Instead of spending a bajillion hours on your, ahem, non-edible DIY escort cards, why not test out your culinary skills with these inside-out caramel apple slices? Pinned more than 218K times, these sweet treats are perf for a fall wedding.

At this point you’re probably saying to yourself, “Again with the sweets!” We know, we know, it seems that the peeps on Pinterest have a taaad bit of a sweet tooth. But don’t despair, some more savory bites are on their way. For now can we puh-lease focus on these gorgeous apple roses?! If you replaced your real roses with these we would NOT be angry about it.

Four words: MINI.BUNLESS.CHEESEBURGER.BITES. Need we say more?

See More: Crowd-Pleasing Late-Night Wedding Snacks: The Breakfast Foods Edition

Ah, back at it again with the sweets. But, to be fair, these are pretty freaking cute. Give the people what they want — give ’em mini strawberry shortcakes.

Your wedding party isn’t a true party unless it features this Mexican fiesta taco bar. #SorryNotSorry

The same is totally true for this “Make Your Own Waffle Bar.” Because in the end, waffles are life.

And let us not forget our more health-conscious guests. These mini salads are not only adorable, but not super expensive to make! Win, win.

Do you think you’ll use any of these scrumptious foods at your wedding? Let us know in the Facebook comments!

Anna Camp's Second Wedding Dress Literally Just Made Her the Coolest Celebrity Bride

anna camp skylar astin wedding photos

Photo: Courtesy Anna Camp via Instagram

By now, you’ve probably seen the Pitch Perfect photos of Anna Camp and Skylar Astin’s wedding from last weekend. With a bright, floral-filled ceremony on the central California coast and the couple’s Pitch Perfect co-star Brittany Snow serving as bridesmaid, the stunning wedding is still on our mind — especially the actress’ glorious gown. Camp’s Reem Acra wedding dress was totally princess-worthy with its ball gown style tulle skirt, strapless sweetheart neckline, and dainty lace detailing. Gorgeous, right? We didn’t think any look could top it, but it turns out that Camp’s newly-revealed second wedding dress might just be the most memorable part of the nuptials!

After saying “I do” in her regal Reem Acra gown, Camp exchanged the yards of tulle for a short and sassy frock. The blonde beauty’s second wedding dress couldn’t have been more different than her ceremony gown — or any cooler. Created by designer Hayley Paige, the wedding white minidress (see photo below) featured tons of feathers adorning the short skirt and a lace detailed bodice with a V-neckline for a look that was fun, feathery, and totally unexpected. What more could a bride want, right? Well, shoes to dance in, of course!

Before Camp and her new hubby took to the reception dance floor, The Help actress kicked off her wedding heels and slipped into a pair of bridal sneakers. (Yes, they exist!) Camp paired her second wedding dress with light gold high-top Chuck Taylors, perfect for dancing the night away. We’re obsessed!

See More: Pitch Perfect‘s Anna Camp and Skylar Astin Hosted an Epic Joint Bachelor-Bachelorette Party

But still, her reception ensemble wasn’t complete! After tying the knot in a ’40s-inspired wedding hairstyle, Camp pulled her blonde locks up and away from her face, coupling her feathery frock with an easy-breezy topknot. It’s official: Camp is literally the coolest bride ever.

Between her Reem Acra ball gown, her Hayley Paige flirty dress, and her Pitch Perfect groom, this acapella actress hit all the right notes with her beautiful big day.

Wedding planner of the century over here!! Thank you to @tessalynevents for making our dream wedding!! You rock!

A photo posted by Skylar Astin (@skylarastin) on Sep 13, 2016 at 11:34am PDT

13 Sex Questions All Happy Couples Know The Answers To

sex questions happy couples know the answers to

Photo: Getty Images

Many things factor into having the kind of relationship that’s so joyously happy, sometimes you even annoy yourself when you talk about it. And yes, sex is often a major player in creating that kind of blissed-out connection, but that usually doesn’t happen by accident. If you’re in it for the long haul, maintaining a good sex life takes work, and knowing the answers to these 13 key questions can help you out.

1. How important is sex to each of you?
The issue that launched a thousand divorces (let’s be real, it’s contributed to many more than that). Every relationship deals with sexual ebbs and flows, but open communication is essential to staying on top of how much sex matters to each of you, how long you each think sex should last, and how often you want to have it.

2. Past-partner counts: fair game or off the table?
Some people want to know, some people don’t. Both are fine. But if either of you is even remotely curious about the other’s sexual past, you’ll have to figure out a balance of what information is need-to-know and what information you’ll play on a loop in your mind, drinking vodka until you cry.

3. What is their past sexual experience like?

This is a major part of the framework you need to understand your partner sexually. It encompasses whether they’ve been sexually fulfilled in past relationships, whether they’ve dealt with sexual assault — and are ready to talk about it, because of course that should never be pressed if they’re not — and maybe even taking it back to what their first time having sex was like.

4. What are you two doing for birth control?
Part of having a happy relationship is not having to freak out about being pregnant (if you don’t want to be). Figure out which birth control option is right for you and make sure you both understand the basics of how it works. Also, since we’re on the subject of sexual health, you should absolutely know each other’s STI history.

See More: THIS Is Why People Cheat In Relationships

5. Which sexual activities are non-negotiably off-limits?
If, for example, you will lose your sh*t if anything gets close to your butt, that’s something they need to know.

6. Are you down with each other’s kinks?
It’s always helpful to know what you each think of as outside-the-box territory and what you consider vanilla. (As luck would have it, this conversation can go hand-in-hand with the previous question.)

7. Which fantasy do you each find so hot that thinking about it basically melts you into a puddle of nothingness?
There’s nothing like having your partner’s ultimate fantasy in your mental back pocket for the times your sex life could use a little boost.

8. What are the ground rules for surprises?
Consent is sexy. Supposedly, so is doing things like waking each other up with oral sex. Yes, that can be great if it’s what you’re into, but it’s still important to know whether your partner is open to such surprises before going for the gold.

See More: 5 Things Couples In Love Do Every Single Day

9. Which sexual words, phrases, or actions makes your skin crawl off your body?
Maybe every time a past person has delighted in how “moist” you are, you had to resist the urge to hurl. Perhaps when your partner licks your earlobe, you astral project back to kids giving you wet Willies on the playground and your sex drive shrivels like a raisin. Whatever turns you each off, know it, commit it to memory, and avoid it.

10. What’s each partner’s post-sex M.O.?
This will help you not unwittingly steamroll over their emotions because you don’t like to cuddle after sex, or vice versa. Always nice to head an I-want-to-share-my-tender-heart-feelings-and-you-always-fall-asleep fight off at the pass!

11. How do you each feel about porn?
Do you refuse to watch it or do you want to explore watching porn with them? Will they consider it cheating if they find out you watched some? Are you both really into Pokemon Go porn right now? Pressing questions.

12. What are the rules re: having sex with other people?
It’s not automatically cheating, after all — maybe you two are in an open relationship or have some sort of other arrangement. That’s great as long as you’re both in on it.

13. What makes you each come the hardest?
Like, that holy orgasm grail that leaves you ravenous, exhausted, and forever changed on a fundamental level as a human being. Of course, there’s the caveat that orgasm isn’t always possible/easy to reach/even the goal, but if it is for you two, learn what it takes to get on that level.

See More: 8 Questions People Ask Me When They Find Out I’m In An Open Relationship

This article originally appeared on SELF.

BRIDES Southern California: 5 Delicious Los Angeles Food Trucks for Your Wedding

Trend alert: food trucks at wedding receptions are all the rage. And since the food truck frenzy started in the Golden State, adding a touch of it to your wedding day should be an obvious choice for our SoCal brides. Not only does it add an element of fun to your reception or cocktail hour, nowadays there’s a truck to cater to any of your food wishes and wants. Here are a few of our favorite (and most delicious!) Los Angeles food trucks — for whatever type of cuisine.

Komodo
Described as “one of the Los Angeles tacos you need to try before you die,” this Mexican-Asian fusion on wheels also has two restaurants in West Los Angeles, so you can easily sample their tacos, sides, and salads before you book. For weddings, they offer several different packages depending on your needs — ranging from light appetizers (think dumplings and steak skewers for your arrivals or cocktail hour) to a full-on dining experience (they even offer gluten and dairy free options for diners). Read real brides’ reviews here!

Sweet E’s Bake Shop
Not only can owner Erica and her staff create the most decadent custom wedding cake for you, but this West Hollywood bakery also has an equally sweet food truck that can show up with enough desserts to satisfy any sweet tooth. The truck is filled with everything from customized cookies (like adding initials or custom frosting colors) to their signature peanut butter bliss bars. What makes things even better is that all of their products are certified Kosher, and they can easily create vegan and even sugar-free desserts. Read real brides’ reviews here!

See More: Start Thinking About Wedding Cakes With Our Favorite Local Bakers

Lobsta Truck
Having your nuptials and reception by the ocean? Why not keep the theme going with this truck that was inspired by its owners’ trip to Maine — where lobster is always on the menu. The specialty is (no surprise) the Lobsta Roll, featuring fresh lobster meat on a toasted split-top roll with mayo or butter — with other options like a crab roll or traditional clam chowder. A major plus to this type of food truck is the simplicity of eating each of the menu items which is key when choosing your truck since a lot of the dining may involve standing depending on your set up. If you want to kick it up a notch, these lobster connoisseurs can also set you up with a full-on lobster bake complete with lobsters and signature sides for all.

In-n-Out Burger
Any L.A. resident will tell you that this is the one burger joint they crave whenever they leave Southern California — and it’s pretty much a SoCal institution, having opened in 1948. Choosing this option would add a serious ‘City of Angeles’ vibe to your big day, and you can guarantee a grin on your guests’ faces when they see the signature red, white and yellow burger truck at your reception. Known for their burgers and fries and the “not-so-secret” menu alterations like Animal Style (no bun) and Flying Dutchman (extra meat extra cheese), no In-n-Out experience is complete without a chocolate or vanilla shake — perfect for a pre-dinner hour snack. Read real brides’ reviews here!

CVT Soft Serve
These guys do one thing and they do it really well — soft serve ice cream. Originally from the east coast, this husband and wife team wanted to create the creamy treat they remembered as kids but weren’t able to find in California. The menu is simple: chocolate, vanilla, or a swirl of both with sprinkles on top if desired. Their bed of wheels is adorably vintage, and a perfect vehicle to show up at the end of your reception as a parting sweet treat to all your guests.

Can’t decide which food truck to hire? Find even more food options on our Local Vendor page!

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6 Trendy Ways to Hydrate Post-Workout

Hydrating Post-Workout Drinks

Photo: Courtesy of BLK Beverages via Instagram

Water is a wonderful performance enhancer and a crucial part of our daily intake. But hydration needs vary from person to person, depending on such factors as our age, body type, activity level, weather and diet. Use this handy hydration calculator to determine what’s best for you!

It’s true that a tall glass of water is one of the best-known ways to stay hydrated, but there are plenty of alternatives out there to keep it fresh and fun. If you haven’t noticed, trendy water (a.k.a. wellness water) is booming and it’s far from boring. Here are six options to get your taste buds psyched.

WTRMLN WTR
This bev has six times as many electrolytes as your fave sports drink and the same amount of electrolytes as coconut water. It contains L-Citrulline, which helps to minimize lactic acid buildup. (Your muscles will thank you!) It has no added sugar and is packed with antioxidants like Vitamin C and lycopene, which help prevent cancer.

BLK
Don’t let the dark color scare you — this alkaline mineral water is pretty tasty and gets its color from being infused with naturally black fulvic trace minerals. Fulvic trace minerals are thought to contain an abundance of natural plant-sourced nutrients including natural electrolytes, amino acids, 77 trace minerals and antioxidants.

ALO (Aloe Vera Drink)
Not only is ALO non-GMO, gluten-free and fat-free, the line also offers 20 flavor blends to help you find a sip that suits your mood. This refreshment gives replenishes your body with vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It also helps promote healthy skin, healthy digestion, reduces inflammation and supports your joints and muscles.

Banana Water
Bananas are a super food full of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes. Most importantly, this beverage is packed with potassium (as much as two bananas), which helps fuel your body and keep you hydrated. It is made with natural ingredients, has no added sugar, is gluten-free and fat-free, and has only 70 calories per bottle. If you have trouble cramping on runs, this beverage could be for you.

Harmless Harvest Coconut Water
This (sometimes pink) beverage is the closest you’ll get to drinking straight out of a coconut. Some say the ingredients in coconut water are way more effective for hydrating than several sports and energy drinks on the market today. Coconut water also contains five essential electrolytes: calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and sodium. It is also fat-free, low in calories, and contains protein and fiber.

Karma
This wellness water has 110 percent (or more) of the recommended daily allowance of seven essential vitamins: A, B3-Niacin, B5, B6, B12, D and E. It also includes a variety of superfruits, antioxidants and nutraceuticals. My favorite drink of choice is the Raspberry Guava Jackfruit. The container also has a patented, one-of-a-kind cap called the KarmaCap that promises maximum potency and peak freshness.

This post was originally published on ClassPass’s blog, The Warm Up by Danielle Page. ClassPass is a monthly membership that connects you to more than 8,500 of the best fitness studios worldwide. Learn more here.

See More: Is Working Out Better Than Couples Therapy? Experts Weigh In

6 Unique Wedding Flower Ideas That Will Take Your Breath Away

Weddings and flowers are almost synonymous, but there’s so much more to floral design than bud vases, centerpieces, and bouquets. With the right vision and a little ingenuity, flowers can enhance your wedding celebration in a way you might never have expected. And who better to give us insight into some totally breathtaking new ideas for wedding flowers than the experts themselves? We got three top floral designers to spill on out-of-the-box ideas that will change the way you think about flowers at a wedding.

Color Blocking
Get your feet wet by keeping the style of your floral arrangements traditional, but playing with color instead. Molly Kobelt and Heidi Joynt, owners of Field & Florist in Chicago, updated this stunning table [above] by keeping the colors of each section consistent — from the flowers and glassware to the napkins. “Guests could really get the experience of a single color and enjoy all of the details,” says Kobelt. “Using a limited color palette allowed each arrangement to tell a story.” They kept the runners and dishes white to allow each hue to really pop.

Architectural Accents

Photo: Sasha Gulish

Architectural Accents
Rhiannon Smith, production coordinator for Brown Paper Design in Los Angeles, departed from the lush, wild bouquets that are so popular for one inspired by a client, an interior designer with a keen eye. Lady slipper orchids and hellebores were paired with foliage and twisting vines for a totally unique look.

The New Corsage
Think beyond the wrist! Smith worked with a bride who wanted something totally unexpected, and this was the result. “Draped along the elegant, plunging back of a dress, this is for brides that aren’t afraid to stand out!” she says. It’s the perfect way to dress up an otherwise simple gown.

Cascading Florals
We’ve all seen garlands draped across the back of a vintage car, but have you ever seen them pouring out of the back seat? Liz Griffith, owner of Siloh Floral Artistry in Denver, created this colorful display in a vintage Bentley for a client’s engagement shoot. “Using a vintage car as the structure to build the florals on was the perfect way to achieve romance, elegance, and a uniqueness that speaks to the couple,” she explains.

See more: Over the Flower Crown? 5 Fresh Ways to Incorporate Flowers in Your Wedding Hair

Minimal Greenery
Instead of filling in a bouquet with extra greenery, Kobelt and Joynt love keeping the leaves sparse to really showcase the uniqueness of each individual bloom. “We have so many beautiful flowers growing on our farm right now, we don’t want to hide them!” says Kobelt. “It’s also great as a centerpiece, because guests can see through the airy designs and across the table.”

floral canopy

Photo: Courtesy of Siloh Floral Artistry

A Floral Canopy
“I think every little girl dreams of sleeping under a blanket of flowers,” says Griffith. “Rather than a two-posted or four-posted arch that’s more typical in wedding decor, we created a soft, draped display that hung from the ceiling. I wanted to bring the feeling of the lush blooms you see draped over fences in the spring indoors.” She took that idea and transformed it into a canopy of lilac, spirea, and hellebores that would be stunning in a boudoir shoot or over the bed on your first night as husband and wife.

Why Grooms Don't Give a Damn About Most Wedding Details

Grooms and Wedding Planning

Photo: Getty Images

Every week, we give our readers a glimpse inside the mindset of a guy’s brain on weddings with the help of the hilarious and smart editors at The Plunge.

Ladies, we understand. You’re planning a wedding with the precision of the Allies landing at Normandy, so it’s no wonder you get pissed if we seem to zone out when certain subjects come up. C’mon: you wouldn’t have asked us if the bridesmaids should be carrying calla lilies or tulips if you didn’t want us to chime in, right?

Sorry, we men aren’t falling for it. We know that your interest in our opinion is inversely proportional to how much of it we actually express. The more we speak up, the less you’ll want to hear what we have to say.

Which is fine, because, typically, we aren’t that interested in the flower arrangements anyway, nor the china patterns, nor the question of which calligrapher we should hire to write the place settings.

It’s not that we don’t have aesthetic preferences, it’s that they are completely useless when it comes to planning a wedding. The game console with the best graphics? That we can tell you. What color Porsche you should buy when you get rich? We’ve got you covered. Who has the coolest uniforms in the NFL? Don’t get us started…

See More: Should You Be Worried About Wedding Hook-Ups? THIS is What Your Groom is Telling His Friends

If there is one thing men respect, it’s expertise. If there is one thing we abhor, it’s someone trying to fake expertise. When it comes to flowers, china patterns, and table settings, you are the expert. Anything we say on these subjects will just highlight our ignorance. We’ll be faking it without making it.

Besides, what if we do have a strong opinion about the china pattern? Do you really want to have to negotiate that with us? Don’t you have enough to worry about as it is? You know you’re going to get your way in the end anyway, so why put the both of us through that? Let’s save up our energy for all the legitimate issues we’ll have to fight over in the years to come.

Remember, the wedding day means more to you than it does to us (note that we said “wedding day” there, not “marriage.”) We didn’t spend any of our childhoods fantasizing about walking down the aisle — we were too busy eating our own boogers, collecting Pogs and picturing Scarlett Johansson naked. The wedding represents the beginning of our time as husband and wife, and sometimes the best thing a husband can do is keep his mouth shut.

So don’t be offended if we fail to contribute to certain decisions — it’s not indifference, but strategy. Your troop transports are heading for the beaches — we’re just trying to get out of the way.

Jenny Packham on How She Designs Her Bridal Collections and How She Chose Her Wedding Dress

jenny packham nyfw interview

Photo: Getty Images

Jenny Packham truly does it all when it comes to fashion. She’s already designed five collections this year, which means that she and her team are always onto the next even after showing her latest wares. She just showed her Spring 2017 collection at New York Fashion Week — inspired by 31 women including Blake Lively, Frida Kahlo, Iman, Jennifer Lawrence, and more. A rocker chic flair could be felt with the tunes blasting through the space — Stevie Nicks and Joan Jett made up the soundtrack — as well as oversized, round shades, menswear-inspired blazers, embellished trousers, and cape silhouettes.

jenny packham nyfw interview

Photo: Getty Images

Designer burnout has become quite pervasive in fashion of late, as those at the helm of the world’s biggest fashion houses struggle to meet the high demands of customers, social media followers, and retailers. For Packham, she’s been able to avoid that exhaustion and fatigue because she thinks of bridal and ready-to-wear in totally different ways. “It used to crossover a bit more, but now I feel that what makes a great wedding dress no longer makes a great eveningwear gown for me,” said the designer. “With a wedding gown, I have to make sure that people fall in love with it and that the details are very specific and special. There has to be a big story behind it and a great deal of integrity when it comes to the design,” she added.

See More: First Look: Jenny Packham’s Fall 2016 Bridal Runway Show

Speaking of wedding gowns, Packham recently designed her own back in December, when she married her longtime partner of over two decades. For the momentous occasion, she slipped on a grey midi lace style. To many, that wasn’t the traditional or expected choice. And that was intentional for her. “I’m 51 and I wanted something more understated. It didn’t feel appropriate for me to wear a long white dress. We’ve been together for 28 years and we have two children together.”

Packham truly loved her dress and hopes she can spark that same feeling for anyone who chooses her brand. “The way I felt is the way I want all brides-to-be to feel. I wanted to make something for myself that felt right for me and matched my style. I aim to do the same thing for everyone who wears my designs.”

19.12.15 Mathew and I married! @mo_hydepark photo by @tonjethoresen

A photo posted by Jenny Packham (@jennypackham) on Dec 20, 2015 at 2:29am PST