Boston’s North End is considered the city’s Little Italy, lined with authentic Italian bakeries and pizzerias founded by immigrants generations ago. Share a slice of the city’s culture sourcing traditional sweets from some of the best bakeries outside of Italy. Whether you stack these treats on a table for guests to nosh on or offer them as prettily packaged party favors, these local goodies will definitely add a unique touch to traditional wedding day dessert — and have your guests lining up for more.

Mike’s Pastry
This family run bakery is a Boston legend, with a constant queue circling the block at its North End location. Mike has been in the biz for more than 50 years and still hand-selects all the ingredients himself for the Italian-inspired pastries. It’s hard to go wrong here when it comes to picking the perfect wedding pastries, from ricotta- and chocolate chip-filled cannolis to the cream-stuffed lobster tails, which can also be ordered in cake form. Read real brides’ reviews here!

Bova’s Bakery
What could be better than a 24-hour bakery? This North End hotspot has been in Boston since 1932 and has made quite a name for itself — not only for its nonstop service, but also for its freshly baked Italian round bread. The pastries are also a local fave, especially the ricotta cannoli, but why not leave the choice up to your guests? Curate a dessert table that’s topped with tons of traditional sweets, from tiramisu to fresh fruit tarts, that’ll pair beautifully alongside your wedding cake.

Maria’s Pastry Shop
The North End pastry shop is a winner when it comes to cannolis — voted best in Boston. Three generations — from grandma Filomina to Maria and her daughters — are behind these award-winning goods that also include Italian classics like flaky Sfogliatelle clam shells and cream-filled Aragosta lobster tails. Of course you can also go the cake route here, opting for something that’s both sweet and slightly savory — like the soft crust ricotta pie that’s an Italian version of a cheese cake.

See More: Need Some Catering to Go with That Cake? These Boston Wedding Caterers Are the Best of the Best

Modern Pastry
On the opposite side of the street, the shoebox-sized Modern Pastry has drawn its own cult following over its 70 odd year history. The family run bakery brings together three generations of master chefs who’ve perfected Italian traditions like Amaretto sponge cakes and spongy rum-soaked Baba cakes, both great off-the-beaten-path options for your big-day dessert. Read real brides’ reviews here!

Parziale Italian Bakery
It’s been almost 100 years since Grandpa Joe and Grandma Anna landed in Boston from Naples, Italy, who were among the first to open a pizza bakery in New England. The business has been passed down to their son and is now run by Augie Parziale, who has been instrumental in helping keep the family recipes alive. The real draw here is the bread, which comes in styles from ciabatta to French, but couples can also stock their dessert tables with batches of the bakery’s stand-out Italian butter cookies. These are covered in powdered sugar — sure to be a hit with the adults as well as the kids.

Have your (wedding) cake and eat it too at these other yummy Boston bakeries!

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 6: Have An Afternoon Snack

“I can’t tell you how often I see women wanting to get in shape for a big event and snacks are like the first thing to go. They think it will help them ‘save’ those calories. But if you skip it, your body will work against you,” says New York City nutritionist Keri Gans, R.D., author of The Small Change Diet.

“Your blood sugar will plummet and you’ll overeat at dinner. Guaranteed.” So don’t pass up that P.M. snack, especially if you’re going more than four hours between meals. And be sure to plan for it, too, so you don’t face a vending machine situation.

Gans recommends stashing nonperishable snacks in your bag, desk drawer and car, so wherever you are, you’ll have something good to eat, and keeping other ready-made nibbles in the fridge.

See More: Healthy Breakfast Ideas to Help You Lose Weight Before the Big Day

The ideal snack should be no more than 150 or 200 calories, as unprocessed as possible and contain a mix of sustaining protein and complex carbs to keep your energy up. Think: An apple and a small handful of almonds, a cup of vegetable soup, or half a turkey sandwich on whole grain bread.

Your bridesmaids are supposed to be your support system before and during your wedding day — aside from your fiancé, of course! So the last thing you want to have to deal with is clashing personalities in pastel pink. But what if you just know that one or more of your best gals is likely to be a handful? We asked the pros for their advice on managing your maids and enjoying your big day.

If you’re anticipating some drama, no matter how big or small, it’s best to communicate early and often, says Megan Velez of DestinationWeddings.com. “Be mindful of your bridesmaids’ sensitivities or potential issues in advance — you know them best!” Relationship and etiquette expert and author April Masini agrees that talking through things without pointing fingers is best. “Tell them that you’re really stressed because of the conflict and ask if they’d help you with that.” This may put them in more of a problem-solving than combative state of mind.

Still, close friends or family members may have their own meltdowns when there’s the usual stress or anxiety surrounding the big event. “Remember too, that it’s a special day for them as well,” says Aviva Samuels of Kiss The Planner. Although it’s your wedding, your ‘maids are viewing it as their best friend’s wedding, older sister’s wedding, and so on, and they’ve likely spent a ton of time and energy (and money) preparing and anticipating it as well. “If you remember that they too are in the spotlight on this special day, then it will be easier to understand how they can be on edge and with this new found empathy it will be much easier to deal with.”

Velez recommends having plenty of pre-planned meals and excursions on the agenda so everyone keeps busy, and staying calm in hopes that it will diffuse any tension. Of course, if the wedding party members are prone to clashing with one another, you may want to limit the number of times when they’ll be together. Velez says it’s fine to connect virtually (group text, anyone?) or to do in-person meetings one-on-one. Your friends will likely jump at the chance to have some alone time with you, and that may be time you can spend working out whatever issues are at play.

See More: The 49 Mistakes Bridesmaids Always Make

Another great tactic is to give each person in your wedding party a project that doesn’t require collaboration with whoever she doesn’t mesh well, says Stephanie Aspinwall of Pretty Entertaining. “Emphasize to each ‘maid that you’re giving her this job because you know she’s just the right person to manage it, then let her fly and support her as needed,” she says. Masini suggests having one bridesmaid host the grannies and another deal with the florist so they can focus on the task at hand and feel useful. “Building people up often helps keep them from tearing others down,” Aspinwall adds.

Looking for one more way to keep everyone happy and reduce any competitiveness? Let your girls choose their own looks, Aspinwall suggests. If you provide them with a color palette and a few style directions, feel free to let them find gowns they love. And hope that any energy that might have gone into feuding will go into finding the perfect dress.

When it comes to the wedding day, build in some buffer and schedule the clashing bridesmaids far apart from one another for hair, makeup, processional order, and formal photos. Play it safe and seat them at different tables, both at the rehearsal dinner and at the wedding reception, if possible. “Give them the opportunity to enjoy some personal space, rather than throwing them together all day long,” Aspinwall adds.

If all else fails, never underestimate the value of a sincere heart-to-heart. It’s important to acknowledge that your friends aren’t getting along but to ask that they get to know each other better and see why you love both of them. “Ask them to give it a chance for your sake,” Samuels says. “If you handle it in this way, at the very least there won’t be any ill will and they will respect your need for bridesmaid-harmony.”

Whether you’re dying to show off your new “Mrs.” title to the world or just looking for a little extra travel comfort, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite fashions for the new “Mrs.” headed out on her honeymoon.

Wear it With Pride
You’ve waited a long time to be a Mrs. — so sport your new title with pride. With endless options available on Etsy and tons of other shops, too — sport your Mrs. moniker, or Wifey status on travel friendly t-shirts, tanks, or trendy off the shoulder sweatshirts for a trendy trek. For the extra “aww” factor, consider matching or complimenting Mr. and Mrs. themed shirts you can sport along with your new husband.

Chic and Comfy Shoes
Both footwear fashionistas and comfort-before-style believers will agree — whether you’re taking planes, trains or automobiles, comfy, supportive footwear is essential, and can make or break your positive traveling experiences. Pack away the heels and trendy sandals for dinners, and opt for practicality without it being at the expense of fashion. Luckily, there are tons of fashion forward footwear options to keep you comfy AND chic while your headed to, or returning from your honeymoon. Embrace the throwback to the classic Adidas staple with the Stan Smith sneaker. You also can’t go wrong with Converse Chuck Taylors. (‘New York’ glitter sneakers, $80, Keds for Kate Spadeavailable at Kate Spade)

Want a little bit more glam? The Keds for Kate Spade glitter sneaker can be worn on your big day and travel days, too. Don’t call it a comeback (but it really is) Birkenstock sandals are back “in” and are extremely comfortable and supportive (and will make TSA lines a breeze.) The Tory Burch travel flat is also a phenomenal staple for your travel and work wardrobe.

Reliable Black Leggings
Pretty much a staple in everyone’s wardrobe, we can’t stress enough how important it is to have a solid pair of leggings for travel days. Ditch the thin, possibly see thru fabrics for a thick, reliable construction and possibly even moisture wicking features for warmer temps. (Added bonus — these are easy to wash in any hotel room sink and you can rock them for your workouts abroad, too!) Our favorite beloved legging superstore Lululemon‘s High Times Pant with Full-On Luon are high-rise and 7/8 length with flat seams and a “no-dig” waistband for extra comfort. Athletic and athleisure retailer Athleta‘s Metro High Waisted Legging will keep you stylish and happy all trip long. (‘Metro’ High Waisted Legging, $79, Athleta)

Cute Carry On
You’ll need magazines, books, water, headphones, beauty essentials and more readily accessible to help pass the time on your journey to wedded bliss, so be sure to pick the best carryon for you. Always reliable (and super on trend at the moment) backpacks are a convenient hands-free way to lug around your necessities. Check out Hershel for fun and funky colors and prints, while luxury lovers may opt for the hot new MCM Backpack.
Cute yet durable carry-all totes are also fabulous option to not only contain your travel items but to complete your chic travel ensemble. Longchamp, Furla, Louis Vuitton and Kate Spade are amongst some of our favorite shopper-style tote designers. (‘Stark’ backpack, $595, MCM)

See More: How to Get Sexy Honeymoon Hair Without Packing the Blow Dryer

Are Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani getting ready to walk down the aisle? Rumors of upcoming engagements have swirled around the adorably in love couple for months but new reports have it that they have already secured a wedding planner to help with their wedding day.

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani have cemented their place on the list of our favorite Hollywood couples. The PDA-loving couple seems so genuinely in to each other that we can’t help but wonder when they will decide to make it official. And we’re not the only ones! TMZ is reporting that the The Voice couple is officially engaged to be married and wedding plans are in the works! Sources have shared with TMZ that Blake and Gwen have reportedly retained the services of celebrity wedding planner Jerri Woolworth. It should be noted that Woolworth has offices in Tennessee, where Blake calls home.

Other sources have told People.com that the couple sees a longterm future together but that there’s no wedding in their immediate plans. “Everyone is expecting it to happen at some point, but Gwen is touring and busy,” the Stefani source told People. “The time just hasn’t been right.”

So are they or aren’t they? One thing’s for sure, the couple shows no sign of slowing down their courtship, and Blake even bragged about how he wooed his girlfriend with a song to the Today show. “It’s funny because I only started the song to just try to impress her,” he explained. “At that time we were getting to know each other and I thought, ‘I’ll write her a song, that’s what I’ll do!'”

See more: The Most Iconic Celebrity Brides of All Time

Earlier this week a source revealed to People magazine that the country star and the “Make Me Like You” singer were not headed down the aisle just yet. How could you not be hearing wedding bells after seeing that, right? You can’t play coy with us, you two! In fact, how lovey-dovey Shelton and Stefani were last night supports the latest rumor about the future of their relationship. “They are not engaged yet,” a source close to the “Make Me Like You” singer recently divulged to People. “Everyone is expecting it to happen at some point, though.” Obviously! We already dreamed up all their wedding details, after all!

So is it true? Are Blake and Gwen making all of our dreams come true and getting married this year? For now all we can do is cross our fingers and picture Adam Levine as the greatest best man possible!

If you had asked Bri McDaniel and her friends where the best place to find a potential suitor would have been in 2009, you’d get one resounding answer: the Georgia Tech campus. “You gotta love those engineers,” Bri laughs now. Humor aside, their instincts were on point. It was there, at a campus pizzeria, that Bri first bumped into Phil Richards. And she hasn’t left his side since.

Five years later, Phil popped the question at a park, and the couple began to plan their casual March 21, 2015, wedding on Folly Beach, South Carolina. As Bri says, the process was quite relaxed — thanks in large part to the help of the team at Detailed I Do’s — as was the couple’s barefoot, sandy ceremony and gold,
black, and white reception near the beach. And with Michelle Scott Photography there to capture every colorful detail, you’re sure to find ample inspiration for your own eclectic fete.

Bri and Phillip invited about 70 guests to join them at their celebration. “I wanted a very chill beach trip for my guests, where we just happened to be getting married,” the bride says.

Bri knew she didn’t want to go the traditional white route for her wedding dress. “I was looking for a gold dress with over-the-top sequins,” she says of the perfect gown. When she spotted her Vienna dress on the rack at a store, she admits the glittering material immediately stood out. And with its $100 sale price tag, this bride couldn’t resist buying it on the spot. That being said, Bri does admit she wondered about her final choice until the wedding day. “It didn’t really feel right until I was walking down the aisle toward Phil,” she says. “His eyes lit up like a Christmas tree, so that was when I knew then that I had made a pretty good choice.”

Bri went without a veil, choosing to wear a floral crown in hues of red, orange, pink, and peach instead. She carried a bouquet of roses, anemones, greenery, favoring the same cheery colors as her crown.

And if you needed more proof that their wedding was entirely relaxed, just listen to this: Phil’s suit came from H&M. And his stand-out accessory? “He carried a flask that his best friend engraved for him,” Bri says.

Bri’s bridesmaids chose their own black dresses from either Rent the Runway or Forever 21. “I wanted them to choose a dress that they felt the best in and that represented their personal style,” the bride says. Each ‘maid also carried a slightly different bouquet, in hues of red, pink, peach, and yellow.

The twosome envisioned a wedding ceremony in the sand, where the natural beauty of the beach could speak for itself. “I really wanted to be surrounded by nature during my ceremony,” Bri says, so it was no surprised that the couple kept their décor to a minimum. A wooden arch served as the focal point of their celebration, and was covered in an asymmetrical garland with pops of pink, orange, and red flowers.

Bri’s father walked her down the aisle, with the sounds of the ocean as the only processional music to be heard, and her grandfather acted as the couple’s officiant.

While the couple did write their own vows, they didn’t put pen to paper until minutes before the ceremony began. “I wanted them to truly come from the heart,” she explains. “No special quotes. Just short and simple.”

The newlyweds held their reception at a nearby open-air pavilion. “It allowed my guests to have the beach as a reception backdrop,” Bri says, and for the couple to yet again let the natural beauty that surrounded them take center stage.

Bri and Phillip sat at a sweetheart table, topped with a sparkling gold runner and a bottle of hot sauce, all the better to slather their Southern Comfort dinner with. “We used the food to tell who we are as a couple,” the bride says. On the menu: chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and collard greens.

Their sweetheart table included gold marquee letters in the couple’s initials, flanked by flowers.

Other tables were topped with the couple’s DIY project: Mismatched wine bottles spray painted gold, and filled with bright flowers. While some wooden tables remained bare, the couple dressed others up with black and white chevron table runners. Their sweet favors, miniature fruit pies, also doubled as dessert.

Bri and Phillip danced to “Just the Two of Us,” by Bill Withers, then opened up the dance floor for their guests to get down.

At the end of the night, Bri and Phillip gathered their guests on the beach and sent off Chinese wish lanterns. “It was really special because Phil and I made a private wish along with everyone else,” Bri says. “It just seemed like everything was full of hope and promise.”

If Bri and Phillip’s laid-back wedding sounds like a dream, it can be yours, too. No matter how complex your wedding day plans are, Bri says to remember everything will work out. “Chill out and everything will naturally fall into place as it should. Nothing will really go as planned on the wedding day, but that’s what makes it exciting and special.”

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Pelican Watch Shelter at Folly Beach || Wedding Planner & Invitations: Detailed I Do’s || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Vienna || Hair: Shear Rhythms || Makeup: India Drummond || Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Rent the Runway; Forever 21 || Groom’s Attire: H & M || Wedding Bands: Helzberg Diamonds || Florist: Victory Blooms || Music: DJ Chuck Nice Inc. || Catering & Favors: Carolima’s Low Country Cuisine || Rentals: Synder Event Rental Company || Photographer: Michelle Scott Photography

Searching for more beach wedding inspiration? Then watch another couple say
“I do” with the ocean as their backdrop in the video below.

Weddings are about more than just your love for one another and the new family you’re creating: It’s the joining of both of your families, parents and siblings included. And while you absolutely love your fiancé, there’s no guarantee you’ll be equally enamored with their siblings. So what’s a bride to do when she and her sister-in-law just don’t get along? Our experts have a few tips.

The good thing is, there’s no rule that says you and your sister-in-law have to be the best of friends. Especially if you live far away from your fiancé’s family, as long as the two of you can be cordial when you get together for family celebrations and visits, you’re golden. Just be friendly, do your best to get to know her, and put a smile on your face. She is his sister, after all!

If it’s more than just not getting along, that’s when things get sticky. Whether the two of you have had some sort of fight, she doesn’t approve of your marriage, or she’s jealous, any sort of animosity between you two has the potential to cause rifts with your fiancé, as well. Begin by trying to talk about it. Did one of you offend the other person somehow, and you haven’t had a chance to clear the air? Use your upcoming nuptials as a reason to get it all out on the table, and at least try to get to a place where you can tolerate one another. If it’s a bigger issue and she really doesn’t believe that the two of you should get married, you and your fiancé should discuss how you want to handle it as a couple. Don’t ask him to choose between you and his sister — that would be making the problem even worse — but instead ask how he recommends you handle any time you need to all spend together, and find a balance that you are BOTH comfortable with.

No matter the situation, the only behavior and reactions you can control are your own. Be kind and civil, avoid causing drama or bringing up past issues that are already resolved, and know when to excuse yourself for a breath of fresh air. The more you can stay calm, cool, and collected, the easier it will be — and hopefully you’ll be able to warm up to one another over the years.

See more: Can Having a Mean Sister-in-Law Make or Break Your Marriage?

Nobody tell Dwight, but The Office‘s Angela Kinsey is officially off the market! The actress just announced her engagement to her longtime boyfriend via Instagram, showing off her über-unique engagement ring in a super sweet post (see below). And you know what a wedding is the perfect excuse for? An Office reception reunion!

Well, one can dream right? If one thing’s for sure, Kinsey’s off-screen BFF and former co-star Jenna Fischer — who played Pam Beesly on the NBC hit — is bound to make the guest list. “My best friend from The Office is Angela Kinsey,” Fischer revealed during her Watch What Happens Live appearance back in January. “We trade phone calls and texts every single day. We see each other, we have breakfast, I see her the most.” So we’re sure that they’ll be at least one other Office alum there when Kinsey says her “I do’s,” and we already have some ideas of who should make up the bridal party…

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here! First and foremost, it’s time to fawn over the incredibly adorable proposal details.

In the best #TBT we’ve seen in awhile, Kinsey posted her new engagement bling to Instagram, captioning the photo with all of the details of how her beau popped the question. “#TBT to earlier this week,” the actress wrote. “We were going out to dinner and my daughter said that first she wanted to show me the fort in the backyard that she and my boyfriend’s sons had been working on,” she said referencing, her eight-year-old daughter Isabel whom she shares with her first husband, writer Warren Lieberstein.

“She led me outside and there was a blanket by the pool and she said I had to sit on it. His sons brought me flowers and then he came around the corner with a ring.”

“He had called my mom and asked for her blessing,” Kinsey continued. “That would have made my Dad so happy. He proposed and I said yes. The ring is an emerald… All three of our kids’ birthstone. The kids made me cards and pictures and I cried. I cried that happy ugly cry.” You cry that ugly cry, girl! With a proposal that sweet, we can’t blame you.

A photo posted by Angela Kinsey (@angelakinsey) on Aug 4, 2016 at 8:50am PDT

Kinsey’s new special sparkler is unique and simplistic chic, featuring an emerald stone on a gold band. Perfectly dainty and so pretty!

We couldn’t be more excited for Kinsey and her family. But, uh, back to that Office wedding reunion… Can we PLEASE make sure this happens at the reception?

See More: John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer Just Had a Mini Office Reunion

Some brides slave for months and years to put together the perfect wedding. Others do it in the blink of an eye! Here, real brides share how they put their weddings together in just a few days.

“I put mine together in a few days. I found a stunning cream cocktail dress that fits like it was made for me marked down to $170 at Kate Spade online. Already had the perfect strappy shoes — silver $100 Jimmy Choos from the Off Fifth. A friend lives on 30 acres of a former plantation on the water here in Charleston with property that is littered with live oaks. So adios to the marketed formal plantation venues that want $4k and are booked into next year. The Immortal Lobster food truck made unbelievable fresh Maine Lobster rolls. And because I own a mobile bakery and cocktail bar my two custom-built vintage style caravans provided cocktails and desserts from mason jars…No arguments over napkin colors or seating. Just two people in love who dove right in.” — Karen

“I arranged my wedding literally overnight. My fiancé and I were leaving from Baltimore the next morning to fly to the Virgin Islands. My parents, visiting from Iran, were coming with us and I decided to get married to surprise them. We overnighted the marriage license application and filed it with the court the following morning. That afternoon we picked up the license and headed to the beach. I contacted a wedding officiant on the Island who arranged for a photographer, flowers, bamboo arch and local Rastafarian to come cut coconuts for refreshments. My family was completely surprised and thrilled and everything went off without a hitch.” — Delara

“Fred and I decided on Friday to get married. Fred’s friend Joe was kind enough to offer us use of his lovely Chelsea loft. I went with a girlfriend to Sak’s Fifth Avenue and fortunately I was a sample size so got a beautiful sample wedding dress off the rack for under $1,000. We got on separate phones and called all our friends and relatives and asked everyone we cared about to get to that loft on Sunday at 2 PM for our wedding. My girlfriend Mary recommended a playwright who was also a rabbi to do the ceremony, as well as a flutist and cellist. Fred and I ran around Manhattan buying champagne, cheese and crackers. (My parents contributed the cake and chocolate covered strawberries.) My cousin Stewart brought along a photographer as a wedding present. We bought our wedding rings and each wrote our own vows for the special day. It was too late to buy a traditional headpiece so my very creative and quick-thinking fiancé asked the florist who was making my bouquet if he could make something I could wear on my head! It’s amazing how much you can accomplish when you’re motivated.” — Jan

“I was on a trip to Thailand working, and on a lunch break at Chewang Beach (on the island of Koh Samui) my then boyfriend proposed. I enthusiastically accepted, and he had the genius idea of getting married the next day. It was the most romantic place we’d ever been to, and we were travelling with my best friend, so tapped her to officiate, called our parents to tell them the good news, and went to some street vendors to get wedding clothes. My husband had a custom suit made in four hours, ready by midnight! We had a joint bachelor/bachelorette party that night at a beach bar, and the next morning headed to Chewang beach, exchanged vows, and spent the day paddle boarding and eating delicious Thai food. Our friends took photos with their iPhones and a GoPro, and all told I think our wedding was under $200. We then rode our bikes to the highest point in Thailand and hung out with elephants. Getting spontaneously married on a work trip was a 10 – something I highly recommend.” — Madeline

“We did it the old-fashioned way — decided on Friday morning and that afternoon went to City Hall with our parents and two closest friends.” — Sheila

See More: How to Stay Organized (and Sane!) During Wedding Planning

Sherry Amatenstein, LCSW is a New York City-based marriage therapist and author.