It’s pretty surprising that Kayla and Jeff didn’t formally meet earlier. “We crossed paths so many times while living in New York City, and even lived in the same apartment building during summer internships in 2007,” she says. But it wasn’t until June of 2011, when they were both invited to visit a friend’s summer home in the Hamptons, that the pair was introduced. After a few days of beach volleyball and nights out dancing, they made a plan for their first date, and have been together ever since. “So have five other couples who met at the house that same summer!” Kayla reveals. Two years later, Jeff was planning a Labor Day proposal when Kayla suggested a road trip back to the Hamptons for Memorial Day. He quickly put his plan into action, then during a hike in Montauk, Jeff proposed on a cliff overlooking the island.

Though Kayla and her parents moved to Atlanta 25 years ago, she and Jeff didn’t consider the southern city as a spot for their destination wedding until, after scouring dozens of other locations, Jeff said, “You know what? I love Atlanta.” With a beautiful backdrop, low-key vibe, and the gorgeous Swan House at the Atlanta History Center as their venue, Kayla and Jeff were perfectly prepared for a garden- turned dinner-party, with Southern sensibility and a little European flair. They invited 240 guests to Georgia on April 11, 2015 — including photographer Julia Robbs for Our Labor of Love, who captured every detail!

Kayla didn’t find her wedding shoes until days before her last fitting — when her seamstress said she needed to bring the shoes or her dress wouldn’t be ready in time. “I bought strappy gold Christian Louboutin heels on impulse, and never looked back,” says the bride. She paired the sandals with vintage Chanel earrings and a gold-accented clutch.

An anchor and reporter for CNBC, Kayla is no stranger to dressing for the camera, but finding her wedding attire was a little different. “I tried on dozens of dresses to see what was out there,” she says. But one Amsale gown she’d seen on the runway was stuck in her mind, and was the first dress she tried at the designer’s boutique in New York City. “I chose the ‘Lenox’ wedding dress, but didn’t love having so many embellishments for an outdoor wedding. We kept the ‘Lenox’ neckline, added straps from the ‘Magnolia’ and the body and detachable train from ‘Jane.’ I wore the straps and train for the ceremony, then slimmed down to the strapless column for the party,” she says.

Kayla’s textured bouquet combined garden roses, ranunculus, and a hint of Lily of the Valley for fragrance.

The bridesmaids wore navy blue Jenny Yoo dresses with fluttering sleeves. “I’ve been in enough weddings to know the dress probably won’t get worn again, so instead I focused on something that would be comfortable to wear all day and a style that could transition from day to night,” says the bride. Their bouquets mixed antique blue hydrangeas with ranunculus and garden roses.

Jeff and his groomsmen all wore classic tuxedos, paired with monogrammed suspenders that were a gift from the groom. “Jeff wanted the groomsmen to all look simple and classic, in a look that would stand the test of time instead of looking overly fashion-forward,” says Kayla.

The groom rocked a custom notch-lapel tuxedo by Louis Purple, with cap-toe oxfords and a classic tuxedo shirt. He wore studs and cufflinks from his bride, and his wedding band was a family heirloom: It was the one his father wore on his wedding day in 1983!

Kayla attended the Cathedral of Christ the King on special occasions growing up, and knew there was no place more majestic to have their ceremony. “They have an incredibly talented guild that coordinates the holiday floral arrangements. Our wedding was the week after Easter, so the altar was flanked with cherry blossoms, daffodils, and orchids. The church’s stunning architecture took care of the rest!” says Kayla.

Even though she’s on television every day, Kayla was nervous before she walked down the aisle. “My dad made a joke about filing taxes with my new married status, and he and I were laughing by the time the doors opened!” she remembers.

“So few couples have had an outdoor reception at the Swan House, so we didn’t have many pictures as our inspiration,” says Kayla. “We had a tent built to the exact specifications of the lawn, and everything from tables to restrooms were brought in for our guests.” The pair took advantage of the stunning grounds, encouraging guests to wander during cocktail hour.

All of the calligraphy (including the font on the invitations!) was Kayla’s own handwriting. “Since we were using my handwriting on the invitations, I decided to complete the look by taking a calligraphy class and addressing all of our envelopes and escort cards,” she says. “Jeff was a huge help in keeping me on track, organizing my work station, and erasing all of the faint pencil lines. That’s love!”

Included in the invitation was an illustration of Swan House, created by the bride’s father. “My dad is a graphic designer and artist, so I turned to him for help with the color scheme and our invitation design. It was a wonderful labor of love, but I don’t think he’ll ever take me on as a pro bono client again.”

Beneath the tent, greenery-covered lanterns hug over the dance floor and a huge garland was draped over the head table. Dark cross-back chairs popped against the subtly patterned linens.

Neutral-hued patterned linens in shades of ivory and blue-gray topped a mix of round and square tables. The florist combined blue and white porcelain and gold accents for an elegant garden party vibe, and filled the vessels with white hydrangeas, peach garden roses, ranunculus, and fresh peaches.

“Our florist, Jackson Durham, used a combination of single-stem vases and stacks of books to give the tables an interior design-like feel,” says the bride. “We worked with Cheree Berry to create a watercolor pattern inspired by a Christian Lacroix ikat fabric. We used it on our invitation liners, appetizer trays, and the welcome boxes.”

Each guest’s place card was tucked into a fresh peach — with gilded leaves, of course! The peach theme was carried through to the signature cocktail, Midnight Train to Georgia. “Jeff and I love Old Fashioneds, so we put a southern twist on it with muddled peaches and peach bitters alongside the bourbon,” says the bride. Even the stirrer boasted a miniature version of Kayla’s father’s illustration of Swan House.

“Though we live in New York City, Jeff and I love Southern cuisine,” says Kayla. The menu included fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, baked brie and fig jam crepes, and a surf-and-turf entrée with filet and shrimp.

After their first dance, to “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra, Jeff and Kayla cut into their five-tier cake, simply frosted with white icing and separated by tiers of fresh hydrangeas. “Jeff has quite a sweet tooth, so we had tiers of chocolate and peanut butter for him,” says Kayla. “The other flavor was salted caramel. I’ve had a chocolate allergy since I was a kid, so having each tier separated by flowers meant there wasn’t a risk of the ingredients mingling.”

The couple knew they wanted a crazy dance party, and Atlanta Showstoppers brought it. “They learned songs like ‘Blank Space’ by Taylor Swift and ‘Edge of Glory’ by Lady Gaga for us, as well as all of our parents’ must-hear tunes. We made a Spotify playlist of every song they played and listen to it all the time!” The dance party felt more like a concert than a wedding reception, and Kayla and Jeff had the time of their lives.

“The day before our wedding, a massive thunderstorm rolled in, and a hail storm knocked out the power in our church,” says Jeff. “But the day of our wedding was absolutely gorgeous. We had a number of friends say they wanted to move to Atlanta because the weather was so great. And then our wedding was followed by eight days of rain, the longest streak in Atlanta since 1935!” It just goes to show that, no matter how well you plan, you can’t plan for everything — but you just might get lucky!

Ceremony Venue: Cathedral of Christ the King || Reception Venue: Swan House || Wedding Planner: Lindsay Sims of TOAST Events || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Amsale || Shoes: Christian Louboutin || Jewelry: Chanel; Tiffany & Co. || Makeup: The Moore Agency || Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jenny Yoo || Groom’s Attire: Louis Purple || Engagement Ring & Bride’s Wedding Band: Camilla Dietz Bergeron, Ltd. || Floral Design: Jackson Durham || Invitations & Paper Goods: Tausche, Inc.; Intima Press; Cheree Berry Paper; Paper Daisies Stationery || Music: The Atlanta Showstoppers || Catering: Bold American Events || Cake: Lush Cakery || Rentals: Peachtree Tents & Events; Jackson Durham; Magnum Lighting; Bold American Events; Event Drapery || Favors: Momofuku Milk Bar || Videographer: The Reason || Photographer: Julia Robbs for Our Labor of Love

Did you love this beautiful wedding? Then check out another couple’s colorful Atlanta wedding in the video below.

Cake is always a good idea, especially at a wedding. But if you’re passing wedding cake during dancing instead of serving slices at the end of dinner, there’s a good chance some guests will leave the reception before the cake is available, or won’t realize there’s dessert to be had. If your caterer opts to slice cake as needed (instead of cutting the entire thing as soon as it’s brought into the kitchen), you may wake up the next morning with nearly a full tier waiting to be sliced. So here’s the question: Can you wrap it up and bring the cake to your morning-after brunch as an extra sweet treat? Our experts weigh in.

Before you pack up your wedding cake to go, make a plan in advance. Ask your caterers to cut the cake as needed, increasing your chance of having a wedge of a tier left over instead of a pile of slices. See if your baker can provide you with a box you could use to transport the cake, and ask your caterer to wrap up any remaining cake at the end of the evening. Additionally, check in with your brunch venue. Some restaurants and venues may charge a fee to bring in outside food, even if you’re buying out the entire space, so familiarize yourself with their policies before showing up with cake in tow.

If everyone is on-board, by all means bring the cake to your brunch! Let guests know that there will be extra dessert available, though it may be on a first come, first serve basis. Ask your brunch venue to slice the cake and set it out for guests to grab as they mingle, or place the cake on the buffet line so guests can serve themselves. Be sure to let your brunch venue know what you’d like them to do if there are still slices left over by the time the last guest has gone home. The cake probably won’t be very fresh, so at this point it probably isn’t worth saving any longer.

A quick note: Your brunch venue may not be familiar with wedding cakes. If your cake is covered in fondant that hasn’t already been removed by your caterer, ask them to peel of the fondant layer before slicing into your cake so guests get cake and frosting without the gummy coating.

See more: The Wedding Cake Superstition Almost Every Couple Abides By

Our favorite type of wedding crashers are those of the celebrity set. On second thought, celebrity wedding crashers are the only kind of uninvited guests we’d willing offer a slice of wedding cake to. The latest celeb to surprise a pair of newlyweds? Tim McGraw, who recently crashed a Philadelphia wedding, where he made the entire wedding party — and us, of course! — tear up with a super sweet performance.

The country crooner is far from the first celebrity to play wedding crasher. By now, Taylor Swift is a fully-fledged expert at sneaking into a strangers’ nuptials. Back in 2014, Swift crashed a fan’s bridal shower and even brought a KitchenAid mixer for the bride-to-be! And earlier this summer, she performed as a surprise wedding singer at another unsuspecting fan’s wedding. Meanwhile, last September, Robert Pattinson showed up at a wedding celebration within the hotel he was staying in. Of course, the bridal party was more than happy to invite the Twilight hunk into the festivities! Even President Obama got in on the wedding crashing fun, after showing up at a golf course where “I do’s” were being said. But Tim McGraw’s go at wedding crashing is the one that’s got us all misty-eyed.

At Lisa White and Paul Getz’s Philadelphia wedding on Saturday, the bride’s father David White pulled out all the stops when it came to the father/daughter dance, recruiting the one and only Tim McGraw to help make the moment truly magical.

As a surprise to the newlyweds and all of the wedding guests, the Grammy-winning singer stopped by the reception to perform his song “My Little Girl” for the bride’s dance with her dear old dad. “Mr. White was the only person who knew it was happening,” the groom’s sister later explained to CBS Philly. “Tim was there for two hours backstage beforehand and that’s when him and Mr. White planned how the surprise would go down.”

And what went down was this: As father and daughter took to the dance floor and the guitarist began strumming the first few chords of the song, McGraw emerged from behind the stage. Cue the surprise cheers from the crowd and the bride’s mini freak-out, all captured on a guest’s video posted to Facebook. Lisa and her father completed their tear-jerking spin around the dance floor, and then if that wasn’t enough to make you jealous of this bride’s A-list wedding singer, McGraw stuck around to get the party really going, performing his hit “Live Like You Were Dying.”

BRB… Crying over not scoring an invite to this reception.

A video posted by C Star (@chs135) on Aug 27, 2016 at 6:59pm PDT

Thank you to @TheTimMcGraw for making my wife and I's wedding night so awesome ?????? pic.twitter.com/mRomaN3vC6

— Paul Getz (@getzy89) August 28, 2016

See More: How to Calm Your Dad’s Nerves About the Father-Daughter Dance

We’re starting to see a pattern! Beyoncé stunned in a white sheer dress as one of her 2016 VMA ensembles — proving that her wedding dress outfit choices aren’t just a one-time thing (Grammys, we’re looking at you).

While there were a lot of wild and crazy outfits gracing the red carpet at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards this year, the 34-year-old singer showed her fashion-forward ways with a total of four looks for the show — with two being absolute show-stoppers. Upon arrival, Beyoncé and daughter Blue Ivy paraded around in bedazzled Francesco Scognamiglio numbers, according to Daily Mail both wearing dresses that complimented each other. Queen Bey was rocking a mint-bejeweled gown with a feathered neckline that resembled angel wings (you know, just because), and her 4-year-old princess rocked a gold tutu and jeweled head band — complete with golden high tops. Flower girls are jealous all around the world from the cuteness that is Blue Ivy, you can count on that.

On to the main event: even though we wouldn’t say that Mrs. Carter was looking subdued in outfits two and three (a sequined gold jumpsuit and several costumes while performing her hit singles “Don’t Hurt Yourself” and “Sorry”), we will say that number four was the one that truly caught our eye. The sheer Elie Saab number left little to the imagination, which included a nude bodysuit, rouged cap long sleeves, a plunging ruffled neckline, and lace detail throughout. Wearing her hair back in a half-up, half-down style with dazzling statement earrings, the pop star was truly channeling bridal vibes.

See More: The 2017 Bridal Trends We’re Obsessing Over

After the award show performance and award acceptances (seven thank-you speeches are a LOT of work, let’s be serious), she and her hubs retreated to an after party with the crew: a noteworthy squad including P Diddy, Kanye and Kim, Cassie, and Alicia Keys. And what was B wearing, might you ask? None other than outfit #4, her white wedding-dress stunner — showing us that wedding gowns to award shows (and afterparties) are always on trend.

See below for the photos of her gorg dresses — and, of course, the squad.

Beyonc?? arriving at the 2016 mtv after party . . . . . . . . #vmas2016 #beyonc?? #lemonade #beyhive #beyonce #vmas #like4like #followforfollow

A photo posted by Queen Bey ???? (@queen_beyoncee__) on Aug 29, 2016 at 9:57am PDT

Beyonc?? arriving at the 2016 MTV VMAs after party (Aug. 28) #Beyonc?? #Beyonce #BlueIvy #JayZ #MTV #VMAs #BeyMAs #BeyHive???? #Lemonade???? UHQ photos now available on Beyonce-Contour.com

A photo posted by BEYONC?? LEGION (@beylgn) on Aug 29, 2016 at 9:56am PDT

A photo posted by Beyonc?? (@beyonce) on Aug 28, 2016 at 10:25pm PDT

A photo posted by Beyonc?? (@beyonce) on Aug 28, 2016 at 5:39pm PDT

A photo posted by Beyonc?? (@beyonce) on Aug 28, 2016 at 5:52pm PDT

A photo posted by Beyonc?? (@beyonce) on Aug 28, 2016 at 5:39pm PDT

A photo posted by Beyonc?? (@beyonce) on Aug 28, 2016 at 5:58pm PDT

Family Zone????????????????????????????????????

A photo posted by therealswizzz (@therealswizzz) on Aug 29, 2016 at 12:47am PDT

You spent months or even years planning out the perfect day. So when a single, solitary detail goes awry, your gut instinct is to sweat it — or worse. As Jaclyn Fisher, owner of Two Little Birds Planning in Philadelphia explains, “couples expect for the wedding day to go exactly as planned, so therefore even small things that may not bother them any other time will seem huge on the big day.” But that being said, our experts promise these 10 things are nothing to sweat on the big day. After all, you’ve got enough to worry about.

1. You’re running a little late.
So your family portraits were supposed to start at 3 p.m. on the dot, but it’s 3:05 p.m. and you haven’t yet made your way through the church door. You can stop checking your watch, however. “Your planner padded your timeline to account for some things running a little behind,” explains Fisher, “so don’t panic if you’re starting photos 10 minutes after you were supposed to.”

2. Your vendor is running late.
It’s not exactly an ideal situation when your cake is stuck in traffic. “But it happens,” says Aviva Samuels, owner of Kiss the Planner in Palm Beach, Fla. “If they can hustle to make up for lost time, and they’re smiling, and in the groove by the time that your guests first interact with them, then there’s no real damage done. Unless you want to freak out and cause yourself unnecessary stress, the only damage you would be doing is the damage you’d be doing to yourself over it.”

3. You know you blinked for that last photo.
You want to look perfect on your wedding day, but “couples should not worry about looking perfect in every photo,” says Fisher. “Thousands of shots will be taken by your photographer, and he or she will only deliver a few hundred edited photos. That means you’re getting the best photos that were taken, and you’ll never even see the ones with your eyes closed.”

4. Your centerpieces look nothing like what’s on your Pinterest board.
If your centerpieces miss the Pinterest mark, take a deep breath and remember that while you know what they were supposed to look like, your guests have no clue. “As a general rule of thumb, fresh flowers in any color, shape, or style are beautiful,” says Samuels. And while you have a right to be upset that what was promised wasn’t delivered, she says, “is it really worth getting aggravated over?”

5. You fear your friend is about to give an embarrassing toast.
Try as you might, you can’t control what comes out of another person’s mouth. “You can ask them to keep it positive, but you can’t control whether or not they respect your wishes,” points out Fisher. “So if a toast takes a bad turn, shake it off, move on, and get back to enjoying your day.”

6. Your DJ goes rogue.
Let’s say he plays the wrong song for your first dance. Or, “when everyone is up, dancing, and having fun, he threw a curve ball, played a song that bombed, and it cleared out the dance floor,” describes Samuels. “Sure, he may have made a big faux pas. And it might have been a real doozy. But it’s done. And it’s still not the end of the world. It’s still a wonderful wedding and the mistake will long forgotten by everyone there, and hopefully even you.”

7. You checked the weather forecast — and it’s not good.
You’ve made a rain plan and checked it twice. Just make sure you love Plan B — and Plan C and Plan D — as much as you love Plan A, says Fisher. Because if you do, “you won’t need to worry about what Mother Nature brings on your wedding day,” she explains.

8. Your ceremony music is off.
So your pianist is supposed to hit the high notes just as you walk down the aisle, but she starts the crescendo long before you’ve taken your first step. “That’s not how it was supposed to go,” admits Samuels, “but does anyone really know that, and does it really matter? I bet all they were thinking is how beautiful the melody was, how happy your loved ones seemed, and how stunning you looked.”

9. You haven’t had time to talk to every guest.
Whether you’re making the rounds at dinner or mingling during cocktail hour, realize you may unintentionally miss some people — and that’s OK. “Your friends and family will understand,” assures Fisher. “Just do your best and don’t let it take the focus away from having fun.”

10. You tasted the chicken, and it’s dry.
Or maybe the rice was cold. Whatever the problem, “you tasted it just the month before and it was perfect, and now it isn’t,” describes Samuels. “But your guests are surrounding you, having a wonderful time and feeling your joy as they see and feel your wedded bliss. They aren’t nearly as critical as you are. They didn’t come for the food, they came for you. That part of course was perfect, and happily, they got what they wanted.”

See More: 6 Ways to Calm a Bride’s Nerves On the Big Day

Instead of radiant in white, this bride was pretty in pink! Model Agyness Deyn just got married to hedge fund manager Joel McAndrew and went totally untraditional with her bridal style. Seriously, everything from the bride’s bouquet to her cotton candy hued wedding dress was unexpected — and totally cool. Would you expect anything less from this mega model?

In recent years, the British beauty has stepped away from the fashion world in exchange for Hollywood. She has since appeared in Hail, Caesar! and The White King. But just because she’s no longer slaying the couture runways, doesn’t mean that she’s left her fashionista status behind. Case in point: Deyn’s unconventional wedding day look.

For her weekend wedding to her sweetheart, Deyn donned a pale pink gown by Molly Goddard, complete with voluminous organza sleeves, sheer neckline, and an ankle-length hem. Teal bejeweled flats peeked out from beneath the anything-but-traditional frock and the bride completed the look with a totally unique bouquet of white orchids and an armful of wheat. (Anyone else predicting wheat bouquets as the new fall wedding trend?) Meanwhile, the groom wore a cream-colored suit, accessorized with a blue tie, teal pocket square, and bright pink boutonniere.

According to People magazine, the pair was wed in Brooklyn Heights, New York, with the bride just itching to say her “I do’s.”

“I get to marry my best friend today,” Deyn wrote on her Instagram page, captioning a photo of herself and her new hubby in a lip-lock. The couple’s fashion designer friend, Henry Holland, posted a few wedding snapshots himself, including a close-up of the beautiful bride, the newlyweds outside of the stained glass adorned church, and one of the intimate wedding party. “Going to the chapel and we’re…,” Holland captioned the too-cute pic, adding the chapel emoji for good measure. That they most certainly did!

So much ?????? @aggy_deyn @joelmcandrew

A photo posted by Henry Hollands (@henryholland) on Aug 28, 2016 at 3:15pm PDT

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

A photo posted by Henry Hollands (@henryholland) on Aug 28, 2016 at 3:07pm PDT

I get to marry my best friend today ????

A photo posted by Agyness Deyn (@aggy_deyn) on Aug 28, 2016 at 12:33pm PDT

Going to the chapel and we're… ????

A photo posted by Henry Hollands (@henryholland) on Aug 28, 2016 at 1:28pm PDT

See More: 12 Celebrities Who Didn’t Wear White Down the Aisle

In today’s dating world, we find ourselves sifting through a variety of people and experiencing all sorts of relationships with the goal of finding the person we can’t live without.

But when searching for a life partner, it’s important to ask yourself the following questions FIRST. Then, as you screen potential loves and move through the selection process, your answers to these questions will help you get to know your dates.

You can then make a wise choice based on true love and real friendship:

1. How important is it for your spouse to be your best friend? (And, what does being a good friend look like to you?

via GIPHY

2. What does “love” mean to you?

3. What are the top five items on your bucket list?

4. Is it important to have a balance between giving and taking in the marriage?

5. How important is it for you to be able to express your true feelings to your partner?

via GIPHY

6. When is it OK (and not OK) to express sadness, anger or fear to one another?

7. How important is it to you to feel affirmed (supported, valued, accepted, challenged) within the relationship?

8. How important is it to share honestly and openly? (Where does truthfulness rank in your relationship values?)

9. Is it OK to feel jealous or resentful if one of you becomes close with other people? (How would you prefer you and your partner express those feelings?)

10. What does “quality time” mean to you and how much of it do you need to feel happy in the marriage?

via GIPHY

11. What is the greatest gift you’ve ever received? And what is the best gift you have to give?

12. When are electronic devices prohibited and how much social media sharing about you and your relationship is OK?

See More: 50 Love Quotes That Express Exactly What ‘I Love You’ Really Means

13. How important is trust and privacy? (What happens if your trust is betrayed?)

14. What’s the role of emotional intimacy? How much sharing is enough? How much is too much?

15. What does monogamy mean to you? Commitment? Fidelity?

via GIPHY

16. What role does “adventure” play in the relationship? Spontaneity? Surprises?

17. What interests or activities do you wish to share with your spouse?

18. How important is it for you to be able to rely on your partner?

See More: I Refuse to Let My Wife’s Depression Ruin My Marriage

19. How important is affection and non-sexual touch i.e., cuddling, kissing, holding hands, hugs, back rubs?

20. How important is romance? What are expressions of love and romance for you?

via GIPHY

21. If one of you acquires more money or a higher status than the other, how would that affect your relationship?

22. How important is it to agree about spiritual matters and religion? (What spiritual practices do you wish to share with your spouse?)

23. How important is it for you to agree about politics?

24. How important is it for you to have the same philosophy of family life or parenting?

25. How many children would you like? What values do you want to instill in them?

via GIPHY

26. What hopes and dreams would you like your spouse to fulfill for you?

27. What life goals would you like your spouse to support you in?

See More: These 20 Quotes Explain Why We Need Unconditional Love So DAMN Much

28. How important is it to agree on the same philosophy of money management? Life-style?

29. How important is sexual intimacy and how often do you wish to engage sexually in order to be happy?

30. How important is it to forge intellectual, spiritual and emotional connections before engaging sexually? (Do you wish to wait for a commitment or marriage?)

via GIPHY

Jianny Adamo, LMHC, founder of Fearless Love Coaching and Counseling supports singles and couples breaking through fears and limitations to create safe and intimate marriages and relationships. Skype and phone consultations available. Jianny is currently writing her book Love Trauma: Recovering from Psychopathic, Narcissistic and Sexual Abuse. 561-450-5580. www.fearlesslove.net. @Facebook.

This article originally appeared on YourTango.

As much as you’re anticipating the big day, the big honeymoon trip is just as exciting — and you’ll need some new clothes and accessories (or an entire new wardrobe!) for your big trip, regardless of where you’re headed. Check out our favorite NJ boutiques for some honeymoon shopping galore and then head out for some New Jersey-style shopping. We promise the planning will be there when you get back!

Alicia Di Michele
Owned and operated by VH1 star Alicia Di Michele, this boutique has something for everyone. From fitted rompers to flowy bohemian frocks and an array of trendy typography tees, tanks, and flannels — you’ll find an abundance of hip items perfect for your one-of-a-kind vacation. As every bride knows, no ensemble is complete without accessories. To complete your getaway look, Alicia Di Michele also curates an array of jewelry, handbags, and accessory bags.

Town House Shops
With both a Hoboken, NJ location and a spot in NYC, Town House Shops is a treasure trove for globe-trotting (and local) brides basking in newlywed bliss. Regardless of shopping season, Town House consistently stocks the latest trends, seasonal colors and festive patterns to ensure you’re the belle of the trip, after being the belle of your ball. Scroll through the endless racks of lacey bralettes, sophisticated scarves, shimmering baubles, and cut out dresses as you stock up for the trip of a lifetime.

See More: Every Wedding Vendor You Could Possibly Need Is On Our Local Vendors Page

Gypsy Warrior
For the edgy, trendy bride, be sure to shop at Gypsy Warrior in Ridgewood. This shop embodies individuality by combining “gypsy” and “warrior” styles in their unique hot shop. Founders (and best friends) Nicla DiCosmo & Michel Bezoza called on rock ‘n roll vibes, high fashion, tattoo culture, and more creating a shop where you can items ranging from striped midi shirts to leather jackets. Among the affordable racks of GW are floral and lace dresses, chic black minis, leather moto boots, and gladiator sandals — so you know that regardless of your dreamy destination and honeymoon style, you’ll find the perfect outfits.

JAX Boutique
Opened just a few years ago in downtown Haddonfield, JAX boutique boasts a variety of well-known brands including BB Dakota, Kings of Cole, Eight Sixty, and much much more. Shop ’til you drop for clothing, accessories, and lingerie before you jet-set off with your new spouse. Grab some must-have Hanky Panky undies, much needed comfy Havianas flip flops (especially for beach-bound brides!), and PJ Salvage lingerie to wear when you’re not sporting one of their many head-turning dresses or rompers.

Still not quite sure where to jet off to after your wedding? Talk to one of our favorite local travel agents!

This is it… The final countdown to your big day. And along with settling those last few details — figuring out where to seat your eccentric Uncle Carl, firming up the flowers, deciding on your first dance song — you’re likely also making one last push to make sure the body that will be wearing that gorgeous white gown looks as good as it possibly can. You and nearly every other woman with an engagement ring on her finger. In fact, research shows that an overwhelming 91 percent of brides-to-be are anxious about their weight. But from here on out, you won’t have to be!

Whether you want to drop those last few pounds or look more toned — or both — we’ve got a month’s worth of daily tips (none of which require starving yourself or working out nonstop!) that will help you feel stunning and confident when you walk down that aisle. You know where to send the thank-you card. Let’s get started!

Day 29: Mangia, Mangia!

We get that the stress and activity leading up to B Day (Bride Day!) may make your appetite tank. Plus, there’s a wedding dress you want to fit perfectly into. But whatever you do, don’t skip meals or deprive yourself. It backfires 100 percent of the time.

“You’ll wind up overeating and your body will store those calories as fat because it fears starvation,” notes Vandana Sheth, R.D.N., a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In other words, the exact opposite of what you want to happen will happen. “Make sure you eat small, frequent meals and snacks that have a mix of protein and complex carbs, like a little turkey on a whole grain cracker.”

See More: Cook Your Way to a Perfect Bridal Body with These 3 Recipes

And promise us you won’t skip eating on your wedding day, too. “So many brides are too nervous to eat — or want to save all those calories for the cocktail hour and reception. But that can be disastrous,” says Sheth. “You have a lot of toasts coming your way and if you don’t have anything in your system, well, you want to remember your wedding, right?”

She suggests having something simple for breakfast — even if it’s a slice of whole-wheat toast with a little peanut butter. “And have at least small things throughout the day — a container of Greek yogurt, some fruit and nuts — to keep your energy and attitude up,” adds Sheth. “You can put your bridesmaids in charge of making sure you eat.”

Just getting started on our 30 Day Wedding Shape-Up? Kick off your journey from Day One, here.

Finding the right wedding dress may be trial-and-error, but finding a bridal salon shouldn’t be. Our editors polled more than 1,500 brides to discover the places with the prettiest dresses (from the designers like Carolina Herrera, Mira Zwillinger, and Houghton, just to name a few!), nicest consultants, and chicest spaces from coast to coast. Every single shop on this list is a true standout in style, service, and atmosphere whether it’s the white dress mecca in your state or a gem in the middle of nowhere (we didn’t judge!). Get ready for our curated, tested, and fully endorsed list of The Best Bridal Salons in America. Here, our editors narrow down the best bridal salons in the Western United States. Happy shopping!

Bateau Bridal Boutique, Anchorage, Alaska
With both hot designers and fab consignment finds, this salon is a true standout. But it’s really the owner, Tara, our reviewers are obsessed with: “She got on the floor at nine months pregnant to fluff my dress!” says one.

Lillian Lottie Bridal Couture, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Every reviewer was referred by a friend — and has since spread the word herself. And with a huge stock of gowns under $1,500 and consultants who “have your back,” that’s no surprise. “My rep even called after the wedding to see how everything went,” says one customer.

Erin Cole Couture Bridal, Costa Mesa, Calif.
Sure, SoCal brides could buy directly from a designer salon in Beverly Hills, but the ladies we talked to came here instead because of the awesome alterations team. “I’m a size 16, and they made me feel like Vera Wang designed my dress just for me,” says one.

The White Flower Bridal Boutique, San Diego
Brides count shopping here, with its super-fun vibe (think paper umbrellas on the ceiling and Selena Gomez on the speakers) and “a team that really cares,” as a highlight of planning. In fact, one says, “I wanted to invite the staff to my wedding!”

Jin Wang, San Francisco
Designer Jin Wang’s thing is a modern-meets-classic aesthetic, and her penthouse oozes that with cases of statement jewels, floor-to-ceiling windows, and gowns from the likes of Angel Sanchez.

LOHO Bride, San Francisco
Owner Christy Baird’s specialty: a bride who wants to rock something cool and unique on her wedding day. (It’s very Solange.) In San Fran and now L.A., her customers snatch up looks from Rime Arodaky and Houghton. Says one, “Forget the whole princess thing; this place makes you feel like a woman.”

Anna Bé, Denver
This Front Range favorite is a go-to for chic Colorado brides, thanks to its “nearly endless selection” of the designers you love (Berta, Anna Maier) and up-and-coming ones you need on your radar stat (Sareh Nouri, Tara LaTour).

Little White Dress Bridal Shop, Denver
You’ll be finding more than a LWD at this downtown salon, which is basically the coolest dress shop ever. Why? It’s located in a restored church that’s spacious and awesome, and it’s the only place in the state selling J. Mendel and Naeem Khan.

Velvet Bride, Missoula, Mont.
Some Montana brides trekked 400 miles on mountain roads to shop the gorge gowns (from Leanne Marshall, Willowby, and more), vintage jewels, and uber-feminine lingerie.

Swoon… A Bridal Salon, Reno, Nev.
Go-big-or-go-home types will get lightheaded over pristine samples from ball-gown favorites Hayley Paige and Lazaro. And the owner knows wedding dresses; she literally wrote her graduate thesis on them.

Ania Collection, Portland, Oreg.
Grab your gals and head here to choose between Theia and Watters for yourself and a rainbow of gowns for your ‘maids. Take it from this client: “There’s a bridesmaids’ dress for every price point, every size, and every style.”

The Dress Theory, Seattle
Calling all cool girls! This airy boutique features a unique collection (Truvelle, Claire Pettibone) that’s hand picked and carefully edited.

Alta Moda Bridal, Salt Lake City
Indecisive? Don’t fret if you’re torn between that Katie May and a Yolan Cris because the salesladies here are, in a word, patient. “I must’ve tried on my final two dresses 100 times each, and they didn’t pressure me once,” says a bride.

Subscribe to BRIDES now for the best wedding dresses, advice, and big-day inspiration.

See More: 50 Things to Know About Finding Your Dream Wedding Dress