Fall isn’t only back-to-school time for collegiate whippersnappers — it’s the perfect season for weddings that just as cool as the weather. Channel a little collegiate style into your nuptials with preppy patterns and bookish details to turn your wedding into a very smart party. Trust us — your guests will consider your big day the Ivy League of weddings!

Start with a classic academy-inspired color scheme to set the scene — think royal blue, deep red, and gold accents. Then personalize your party with your (new!) monogram or a custom-designed family crest. Adorn your crisp and clean wedding invitation suite with the impressive crest and then wait for the RSVPs to roll in.

On the big day, a bridal white pantsuit is an unexpected preppy twist on tradition. Pair the elegant ensemble with sleek stilettos that offer up a pop of color. These suede burgundy heels from Jimmy Choo earn straight As from us! Spritz on a classic, romantic fragrance and you’re wedding day ready.

See More: 3 Ways to Make Sure the Weather Doesn’t Get in the Way of Your Fall Wedding

Who says outdoor wedding are reserved for only spring and summer nuptials? Throw a garden party reception — with the inclusion of outdoor heaters to keep everyone toasty — and then challenge your guests to a game of croquet to get family members mingling. Serve a classic white wedding cake, with a gold accent tier and navy-hued ribbons. Hungry for more? Offer up cookies emblazoned with the school crests of you and your hubby’s alma maters as a late night snack.

Heck, your wedding won’t just be in the Ivy League — you’ll be the valedictorian of brides!

1. “Cheers” cocktail stirrer, $14 for 10, Sideshow Press; 2. “Tender Romance” eau de toilette, $96 for 3.4 oz,. Ralph Lauren available at Sephora; 3. Wedding cake, $6.50 per slice, For Goodness Cakes; 4. Bespoke family-crest invitation, $1,850 for 100, Richie Designs; 5. “Picture Perfect” cookies, starting at $5 each, Eleni’s New York; 6. Shoes, $1,195, Jimmy Choo

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Bringing together your best girlfriends from all different parts of your life can be such an exciting moment — but it can also be very challenging — and potentially a bit awkward. That being said, it’s always best to get your bridesmaids bonding way before the wedding. That way, on the day of the wedding, they can work together as a well-oiled machine to make sure you have everything you need — and of course, dance the night away together at the reception. Here are five easy ways to help your bridal party bond.

1. Plan a Pre-Wedding Potluck
Instead of bringing together your bridesmaids and having them spend a ton of cash on a night out on the town, plan a potluck where everyone can bring their favorite dish. It’ll help your girls get to know each other better over some delicious home-cooked food.

2. Put Them In Charge of DIY Crafts
If you’ve become Pinterest obsessed and have a long list of DIY crafts you’d like to make before your wedding, ask your bridesmaids to work on these activities together. Nothing bonds people together like some glue and scissors.

3. Have Them Go Dress Shopping
Letting your bridal party have a say in what dress they’ll wear on your wedding day will make them feel excitement — and also get them motivated to go dress shopping together. It’ll be a fun way for them to get to know each other, while trying on dresses of all different fabrics and colors.

See More: The 49 Mistakes Bridesmaids Always Make

4. Do a Workout Class Together
Kill two birds with one stone — getting svelte for the big day and enjoying your bridesmaids’ company. Your bridal party can bond over a group boot camp or a Zumba class, which is sure to bring some laughs (and sweating).

5. Do a Virtual Meet-and-Greet
If your bridal party is spread out over the country or even the world, one way to get them together is through a virtual meet-and-greet. Do a Google hangout or Skype session where everyone can see and speak with each other. Even better — make it a wine night where everyone shows up to the virtual chat with a glass of their favorite wine.

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.

Leave it to a fashion blogger to throw a wedding that’s heavy on the style, couture, and romance. British fashion guru and E! television host, Louise Roe, just tied the knot with her sweetheart, Australian director Mackenzie Hunkin, in a British wedding as classic as an English rose. Of course we already knew Roe had the fashion know-how from her red carpet coverage and her style manual, Front Roe. But it’s her bridal style that’s got us gasping!

After getting engaged eight months ago — with Hunkin proposing with a totally gorg oval-cut diamond engagement ring, we might add! — the dazzling duo finally said “I do” on Saturday, October 1 in Windsor, England, according to Us Weekly.

The ceremony took place inside the uber-romantic Gothic-style Eton College Chapel, but let’s just get right down to the good stuff — the dress! For her “I do’s,” Roe rocked a classic and feminine lace wedding dress by Pronovias with an on-trend off-the-shoulder neckline. Seriously, was this bride’s traditional yet super stylish look a surprise to anyone? Roe also had her bridesmaids don white frocks for an overall wedding party look that was soft, romantic, and chic — much like the day itself!

See More: A London-Inspired Wedding Color Palette Fit for Royalty

After the ceremony was closed with a choir performance, the newlyweds headed to their wedding reception in a vintage Mercedes, while their 150 wedding guests where shuttled there in a fleet of red double-decker London buses — Roe is a true Brit, after all! The post-“I do” party was held in Dorney Court, a 450-year-old manor house, which was decked out in an autumn-hued color palette. There, guests sipped on custom cocktails and danced until well after midnight, thanks to a little energy boost from the couples’ late night snack — pizza!

Forget the trendy meal of the month — even fashion bloggers know you can’t go wrong with a slice of cheesy goodness!

We did it! I can't even put into words the emotion and highs I felt yesterday, marrying my best friend in the whole world, surrounded by everyone I love. I love you @mackenziehunkin !!

A photo posted by Louise Roe (@louiseroe) on Oct 2, 2016 at 4:45am PDT

A photo posted by Xanthi (@xtoup) on Oct 2, 2016 at 2:49am PDT

Best wedding- thank you @mackenziehunkin @louiseroe

A photo posted by Ben Hugh Johnston???????? (@buntus) on Oct 2, 2016 at 10:33am PDT

What an amazing wedding, what a stunning bride @louiseroe – what a lucky man @mackenziehunkin is! Absolute couple goals! ???????? @xtoup @jonnyramsay87

A photo posted by Matt Wells (@matty_wells1) on Oct 2, 2016 at 7:10am PDT

With all the bouquet and wedding ring close-up photos, perfect wedding-day nails are an absolute must. While a manicure may not seem like the most important detail of wedding planning, choosing a reputable salon is important. From classic bridal nails to trendier design options, we’ve rounded up some of Washington D.C.’s best nail salons that are worthy of your wedding manicures.

Varnish Lane
Varnish Lane’s co-founder Lauren Dunne was a former D.C. wedding planner, so she helped build the chic nail salon with bridal parties in mind. Housed in an open floor plan with comfy leather seating and bar, brides and their ‘maids will find this Friendship Heights neighborhood nail spot to be the perfect place for wedding nails. Expect all-natural products and a warm towel wrap complete with an exfoliating sugar scrub. It’s also worth noting that Varnish Lane is an entirely waterless salon, making it an overall more hygenic experience. Extra perks like extended massages and iPad minis loaded with magazines at each chair make for an overall luxurious salon experience. With over 500 polishes to choose from, even the pickiest of brides will find something they like.

Karma Beauty Lounge
Located in D.C.’s West End neighborhood, glam-loving brides will adore this salon by celebrity makeup artist Erwin Gomez. The Bourbon-infused mani pedi uses a Bourbon Bubbler brown sugar scrub (which is actually made with brown sugar and Kentucky whiskey). For brides looking for something to get them feeling more serene, Karma offers a honey lavender mani pedi, pampering tired bridal hands and feet with a raw honey-lavender oil salty scrub down and a warm nectar milk soak. Needless to say, you’ll leave relaxed and ready to walk down the aisle, regardless of what else is left on your to-do list. Read real brides’ reviews here!

See More: Rock The Perfect Glam Up-Do With One Of Our Favorite Local Hair Dressers

ILO Salon and Spa
Classic brides will love this Georgetown nail salon that’s been serving the D.C. area for over three decades. Salon ILO’s employees have worked with many of D.C.’s most elite clients. Known for their professionalism and skill, this beauty spot is ideal for the bride who desires a salon with high standards and a long history in the district.

Mimosa Salon & Spa
Let this one sink in: free mimosas with any service. The original location (just off Dupont Circle) is open until 11PM — great for the bride who can’t step away from planning or work until very late in the evening. The Mimosa Salon and Spa gives brides plenty of options for stunning, elegant wedding-day nails, offering prices based on the number of nail designs per finger. Designs on all 10 fingers costs $18 in addition to the normal $14 manicure. For brides who want longer lasting nail color, the salon and spa offers CND shellac gel, CND Vinylux gel, and Essie gel.

The Nail Saloon
Do not let the name dissuade you — the Nail Saloon is simple, stylish, and perfect for helping put together the ultimate fingernail vision. Two longtime friends wanted to create “the most delicious nail salon experience on either side of the Mississippi,” and that is exactly what they did. The salon is impeccably clean and the perfect place to unwind all those pre-wedding jitters, even offers complimentary coffee, tea, lemonade, beer, or wine (it is a ‘saloon’ after all!). Everything is done with a Southern flair, so D.C. transplants from the deep South can enjoy things like soda being called “pop.” Located in the trendy Logan Circle neighborhood, once you’ve enjoyed your spa treatment it will be a cinch to head out to any of the local restaurants once you’re fully polished and dried.

Still haven’t made final arrangements for you wedding day hair and makeup? Hire one of our favorite Local Vendors to help you look flawless on your big day.

Much more than just a great bachelorette weekend destination, New Orleans combines culture, music, flavor, and a spirit that can only be truly understood by those who have experienced it first hand. So, grab your best girls, your party pants and your appetites and head on down to New Orleans for a bachelorette weekend for the books. Oh, and don’t forget to “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” (Let the good times roll!)

Where to Stay:
There’s so much to do and see in New Orleans, we totally encourage you to spend as little time in the hotel as possible. Yet with the plethora of hotel options, chances are you’ll be tempted to take in the comforts and convenience of NOLA style hospitality. One of our favorite places to stay for a bachelorette weekend is Harrah’s New Orleans. This 4-star hotel and casino has everything you could need under one (actually two) roofs. One part hotel, the other casino, you’re just steps from fine dining, dancing, gaming, entertainment AND a great night of sleep with luxurious amenities.

Where to Eat:
In a food-focused city like New Orleans, you can pop into virtually anywhere and enjoy something delicious, local, and made with Louisianan flare—but we do have a few spaces you should be sure to check out.

Breakfast:
There’s nothing like a good jazz brunch to kick off your bachelorette party weekend. Head to Court of Two Sisters for a buffet brunch that will fuel your day on the town. Every day this gem of a restaurant (with a stunning courtyard featuring twinkling lights, fountains, and greenery) offers hot and cold dishes of both traditional brunch options and local favorites amongst live jazz music performed by a super talented jazz trio.

Lunch: It’s only right to indulge in a Mufaletta or traditional Po’Boy sandwich on your Big Easy adventure. Head to Central Grocery for their famed Mufaletta sandwich made with quality Italian cold cuts, olive salad and fresh bread. (Think Italian sub with a delicious twist.) If Po’Boys are more your thing, Johnny’s Famous PoBoys have sandwiches for everyone — from fried shrimp, oyster, and even gator for those with adventurous palettes.

Dinner: Two notorious chefs hail from the Crescent City: Emeril Lagasse and Paul Prudhomme. Head to one of their restaurants for a legendary meal full of flavor, with that special wow factor only New Orleans can offer. K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen serves up homestyle entrees in their open style layout complete with a gorgeous courtyard. In the Warehouse District, Emeril’s New Orleans is the celeb-chef’s award-winning flagship restaurant where the dress and vibe is casual, yet the food is anything but.

See More: 4 Offbeat Bachelorette Party Ideas

Where to Party:
Everywhere you turn, the city is celebrating something no matter the time or day — but for a proper bachelorette, you’ll need to find the perfect spot for drinks and dancing. Look no further than Beach on Bourbon for a Bourbon Street experience you won’t soon forget. With happy hour specials, DJs, live music, epic dance parties and a mechanical whale, this one-stop party central is all you could ask for for a fun night on the town. For a more relaxed vibe amongst some of the best jazz music the city has to offer, head to The Spotted Cat Music Club on Frenchmen Street, which is known for being a less-touristy area with New Orleans soul, culture, and music. For those looking for a true club-type atmosphere, The Metropolitan Nightclub is a huge two story club that offers bottle service, dancing, house music and more.

No matter the season, getting married outdoors is a super gorgeous option — that requires a little extra planning. You know you’ll need a backup plan, should the weather interfere with your intentions, but did you know you also need to take steps to ensure your guests are comfortable, even if everything goes exactly the way you’d like it to? Here are a few things you should make sure to provide if you’re having a wedding in the great outdoors.

Sun Protection
Having a summer wedding, or saying “I do” on the beach? Keep your guests comfortable with available sunscreen, as well as parasols or yard umbrellas for some extra shade.

Bug Spray
If your venue is in a region with mosquitoes or biting flies (and during a season when the critters are out in full force), have a few cans of bug spray set out throughout the space. Worried about the smell? Citronella candles are a great alternative. You can also get tiki-style torches that burn citronella candles, which might fit better into your décor.

Temperature-Appropriate Accessories
For a summer wedding, this means a basket of fans or individual mineral water sprays. In the spring or fall, a soft wrap or pashmina will be welcome once the sun goes down. Getting married outdoors in the winter? Drape faux-fur blankets over the ceremony chairs so guests can snuggle up before heading indoors for the reception.

Shoe Solutions
A basket of plastic heel covers will go a long way in helping women in stilettos navigate your outdoor wedding. You could also provide flip flops or foldable flats, should they choose to slip off their heels before you head indoors. If you’re getting married on the beach (or outdoors in the snow!), offer shoe storage where guests can tuck their formal footwear during the ceremony. This way beachgoers can watch your ceremony barefoot, while winter wedding guests can wear their snow boots and stash their heels until it’s time for the party.

See more: 5 Things No One Tells You About an Outdoor Wedding

We might still be awaiting (and not so patiently, we might add…) the newest season of The Bachelor to see if the third time’s the charm for Nick Viall, but we just got a sneak peek at one of the group dates of the upcoming season — and it’s a ’90s girl dream come true! The ladies and Viall just headed to the IHeartRadio theater for the recent Backstreet Boys concert, where The Bachelor cast took the stage. Because what’s a date without a choreographed group dance, right?

Who needs a trip to Jamaica? This is our version of a fantasy date! The season 21 contestants — in matching outfits, of course — and Viall attended the Backstreet Boys concert and slayed the stage (see video below), according to E! News. After the Backstreet Boys performed “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” the concert got a reality show twist when the ladies began performing a choreographed group dance around their sweetheart.

But the performance wasn’t just a surprise treat for the audience — it was a competition amongst the contestants! At the end of their performance, the Backstreet Boys themselves practically took on rose ceremony duties by choosing a winner of the dance-off. The prize? A sweet slow dance to “I Want It That Way” with Viall as the other contestants watched from the sidelines. Our past teenage selves are SO jealous right now…

See More: Every The Bachelor and The Bachelorette Proposal That DEFINITELY Made You Ugly Cry

“You’re like my personal Ryan Reynolds,” Backstreet Boys member A.J. Mclean joked to Viall. “Not only is Nick handsome, he can move.” If we weren’t already looking towards the upcoming season, we definitely are now!

“Nick seemed to have a lot of fun,” said one onlooker. “The girls are definitely into him and definitely wanted to grab Nick’s attention during the group date.” Is it too early for us to be planning Viall’s future televised wedding?

This is Nick Viall dancing to The Backstreet Boys while filming #TheBachelor, also known as my happy place. #iHeartBSB pic.twitter.com/do0PCrcVtW

— Taylor Banks (@MsTaylorBanks) October 1, 2016

We want it this way: Nick Viall plus 7 #Bachelor contestants dancing with the Backstreet Boys at their concert . https://t.co/edIucMY9F0 pic.twitter.com/96yMhQXofr

— E! News (@enews) October 1, 2016

Looking for some great new ideas for your wedding? Then look no further than our real weddings video channel, packed with tons beautiful celebrations and countless ideas to steal for your own big day. Each week we take a deeper look at one of our favorite new love stories, and today’s inspiration comes courtesy of Lindsay and Kyle’s rustic ballroom wedding in Ohio.

Thanks to JFray Productions, you can take a close look at every element of this couple’s super-sweet day. And if you’re planning your own fall wedding, you’ll definitely want to pay close attention to how this pair successfully melded rustic charm with classic ballroom style. How did they pull it off? For starters, the bride wore a traditional strapless lace wedding dress, which was balanced with her groom’s more relaxed style.

The pair kept their ceremony décor simple, opting to tie the knot beneath a wooden arch decked out with neutral-hued flowers and lanterns. The reception mixed the two styles, too. Lindsay and Kyle chose lace-wrapped vases to hold their baby’s breath centerpieces and covered a mix of round and long tables with white linens and low glowing candles.

See more: These Bridesmaid Looks Are Perfect For Fall

Guests listened to heartfelt toasts before joining the newlyweds on the dance floor. One detail we especially loved was the couple’s guestbook. Everyone wrote notes to the bride and groom and then hung their messages on a chicken wire-backed frame so all guests could read the special notes. Then, the night closed out with a fun sparkler exit, which allowed friends and family to take in the full venue from the outside.

You get an inkling the proposal’s imminent. Or you’re been talking about it for months, and you can sense that your guy’s close to pulling the trigger. Suddenly, your mood nosedives. You become a nervous wreck. Your mind races and you feel really anxious — about everything. This is SO not how you expected to feel on the eve of your marriage proposal, and yet you do.

Why? Once you know that the proposal is in fact coming, you’re finally free to take the focus off of “Will he ever propose?” The result: You now have the mental and emotional space to consider the consequences of said coveted proposal.

It can be a whirlwind processing through all the changes in your identity and relationships this imminent proposal will cause: What’s it like to be a fiancé? To plan a wedding? To become a wife? How’s your mom going to react? Your dad — can he handle it? How will your single girlfriends respond? (You remember the jealousy and sadness you always felt when another friend got married and you don’t want to cause them that pain.) Who’s going to be in your bridal party, and what does that say about your friendships? What does it mean to have him become your husband? To link your life forever with this great guy (who, because he’s a human being, has all these annoying and difficult qualities as well)? With his family? What’s it actually like to be engaged and get married?

In short: How is this going to change my life?

These are worthy and important questions to ponder, consider, and work through. Doing this emotional work can make you feel anxious, sad, scared, and overwhelmed. It’s all normal and necessary to help you make the psychological transition from single woman to married woman.

See More: The 5 Items You MUST Check Off Your Wedding To-Do List Before You Get Engaged

For some women, this process begins when you get wind that the proposal’s actually, truly, and finally coming. It’s disappointing and upsetting to be feeling topsy-turvy when he’s about to get down on one knee.

Or you can think it this way: You’re an overachiever, just getting a head-start on the emotional work every bride has to do.

Allison Moir-Smith is an author and bridal counselor who specializes in engagement anxiety and cold feet.

Finding the perfect gown to fit the mold of some of the past’s finest silhouettes is no easy task. We’ve gathered a list of some of Chicago’s most renowned vintage bridal shops that encompass true elevated elegance, designated for any windy city bride to find the perfect present day gown inspired by the styles of the past. Here are the best vintage bridal shops in Chicago.

1. Silver Moon Vintage
With over 18-years of design experience in helping to create some of the music industry’s most influential entertainers’ gowns, owner Liz Meyer continues to spread her impeccable eye for design across the racks of this vintage bridal mecca. An endless variety of handcrafted designs blend effortlessly with old-world textiles and modern silhouettes to make this Chicago landmark a perfect resource for romanticism and style. Read real brides’ reviews here!

2. Meringue Vintage
With a motto that fittingly focuses on “curated vintage for the modern bride,” this Chicago bridal shop houses some of the city’s most diverse selection of vintage bridal gowns, headpieces, veils, and accessories. The breathtaking and cozy environment offered by this famed Chicago boutique is perfect for any bride looking to spice up her bridal experience with a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.

See More: Find The Perfect Jewelry to Match Your Vintage Gown On Our Local Vendors Page

3. Veronica Sheaffer
Labeled as one of Chicago’s premiere design studios, this house of curated vintage carries everything from custom bridal gowns to heirloom accessories. Having built a nationwide reputation for luxurious dresses that embody classic elegance, owner Veronica Sheaffer is a favorite among Chicago’s fashion-forward brides thanks to her self-taught skills in design and dressmaking. Read real brides’ reviews here!

4. Mignonette
Not only can every bride find her perfect vintage gown at this upscale Chicago bridal shop, but now she can match with her groom thanks to the vintage suits offered at this formalwear hotspot as well. Devoted to making every bride feel beautiful on her big day, owner Kpoene Kofi-Nicklin devotes her time to finding one-of-a-kind vintage pieces to help connect each modern bride with her perfect vintage past. Read real brides’ reviews here!

Need more options to find your dream gown? We have even more wedding dress boutiques on our Local Vendors page!