WEDDING TREND TUESDAY - NATURAL ELEMENTS

Nature is inspiring and beautiful. There are so many gorgeous things that just exist in the wild. In fact, mother nature can provide a beautiful backdrop for weddings, usually more breathtaking than brick and mortar venues tend to be.

But, outdoor venues are not always easily accessible or available for all brides. Plus, if you don't want to take a chance on the elements interfering with your big day, you may want to find an indoor location. However, if you love natural elements or the great outdoors, there are ways to bring the outside in when it comes to your wedding. 

Wood accents and lots of greenery are an easy, and usually affordable, way to add a rustic, woodland vibe to your affair. You can have the forest without the trees, so to speak. Using different elements of wild flora and fauna can also add some whimsy to your wedding, and lends itself a more relaxed atmosphere. 

  

You can also use more tropical flowers and greenery, like palm leaves and fronds, to create a fun, exotic wedding atmosphere.

Finally, you can look to the actual earth - the land on which we stand - to find natural elements to incorporate into your special day. Marble and stone accents, along with geodes and crystals, can add an air of elegance and minimalism to your wedding. 

WHITE DRESS BRIDE - SARAH

Congratulations to Sarah, who looked absolutely stunning in her Enzoani gown on her special day.

The dress was soft English Net and had beautiful beaded detail at the waist.

Sarah's groom, Randy, was blown away by his beautiful bride.

Congratulations again to Sarah and Randy!

Photography by Andrea Barnett.

WHITE DRESS BRIDE - LAUREN

Congratulations to Lauren, who looked absolutely stunning in her blush lace Pronovias gown. What a beautiful bride! Photography by MGB Photo.

WEDDING SUPERSTITIONS

Weddings have been going on for centuries, and with that kind of history, there's bound to be some traditions and superstitions that stand the test of time. Brides often ask us about why certain wedding customs exist, and a lot of time don't have an answer. Luckily, Brit + Co has dug around and answered a few of these questions, like why aren't the bride and groom supposed to see other before the wedding, or where the well know rhyme "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" comes from. You can head over to the Brit + Co website to see the answers to these questions and more.

BRIDES MAGAZINE HONEYMOON AWARDS

Each year, BRIDES Magazine chooses the best & most romantic resorts and hotels around the world. They compile lists of their top 10 choices in areas of the world, so happy couples can more easily find their dream honeymoon destination. We've compiled the top choice from each geographical category for you here, but click on the heading to check out the rest of the top 10, and be sure to head over to the BRIDES website for all of their award winners from this year and previous years. 

Asia/Australia/New Zealand

One&Only Reethi Rah Resort, Maldives
BRIDES says: Look up the definition of "luxe" in the dictionary and you could see a photo of this sleek, uberprivate resort in the Indian Ocean. Many of the villas come with their own infinity pools, and all of the overwater bungalows have hammocks suspended over the crystal clear lagoon — the better to take in all that tropical gorgeousness. (Doubles from $1,190; oneandonlyresorts.com)

Cruise Line

SeaDream Yacht Club
BRIDES says: Less amusement-park-at-sea, more celeb-worthy-charter, SeaDream Yacht Club's two twin mega-yachts — SeaDream I and SeaDream II — are each outfitted with 56 luxe staterooms, including 10 suites, meaning you and your new hubs basically have the ship to yourselves. (In fact, you can have it to yourself — the line also offers private charters, perfect if a wedding at sea is your idea of heaven on earth.) Itineraries are booked on an all-inclusive basis, meaning food, drinks (including alcoholic beverages), water sports, and gratuities are included (because who wants to have to sign a bill on their honeymoon?). Whether you're headed on a Caribbean, Mediterranean, or transatlantic voyage, days at sea can be spent relaxing in the saltwater pool, screening movies in reclining loungers at night, and sleeping on-deck under the stars as you glide through the sea. (seadream.com)

Europe

Le Sirenuse, Positano, Italy
BRIDES says: Hovering 230 feet above the sea, this 58-room gem feels more like a glamorous private estate than a hotel. As exquisite as your white-washed room is, you'll want to spend most of your time outside, either swimming in a pool surrounded by lemon trees or dining on the candlelit deck of La Sponda, a Michelin-starred restaurant with epic views of that famed Amalfi Coast. (Doubles from $367; sirenuse.it)

Hawaii

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka'upulehu, Hawaii Island
BRIDES says: Want your super-luxe 'moon with a side of Hawaiian culture? This swank resort on the Kona-Kahala Coast offers fun classes in everything from hula to lei making. And if you'd rather just hang by the beach or one of six stunning pools — King's Pond, carved out of lava rocks and filled with fish and rays, is beyond Instagram-worthy — that's cool, too. (Doubles from $845; fourseasons.com)

Mexico

One&Only Palmilla, Los Cabos
BRIDES says: Fresh off a $140 million-dollar renovation, this haute property (Jennifer Aniston is a regular) is hotter than ever. Not only does it have two gorge infinity pools and one of the only swimmable beaches in Los Cabos, but every whitewashed room comes with a balcony and a jaw-dropping ocean view. (Doubles from $590; oneandonlyresorts.com)

South Pacific

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, French Polynesia 

BRIDES says: Sure, the resort has some beachfront villas, but this superchic retreat is all about the overwater bungalow. Three reasons you'll never want to leave yours: 1. Your breakfast is delivered by canoe each morning. 2. If you want to swim in the ridiculously clear lagoon, all you have to do is jump from your deck. 3. You can watch fish swim by through a window in your floor. Baller. (Doubles from $1,148; fourseasons.com)