Popped collar

I'm loving this gorgeous Pronovias dress with the Edwardian-style collar, as seen on Snippet and Ink. Remind me again why I went with the standard strapless?

Yipee!

I feel like immediately after every wedding ceremony, sometimes even right after the vows have taken place, there's that "OMG, we did it!" moment. After all that time together and weeks, months, or maybe even years of planning, there's this look of total elation on on the bride and groom's faces that is just priceless. Case in point, actress Milla Jovovich and her new hubby (as of this weekend) director Paul Anderson. Adorable. More details on their Beverly Hills backyard nuptials here.

Show-toppers

You just don't see caketoppers anymore, and looking at these sweet selections via Martha Stewart Weddings has me wondering why?

Vintage Bride and Groom, (easy to find at flea markets or on Ebay)

Doves, (did you know they mate for life?) Wreath, (a symbol of the "eternal nature of marriage")
Monogram, (proclaim those new initials to the world)Quilled Bells, (announcing the new Mr. & Mrs)

A deux vers le mariage

Se préparer au mariage, c'est avant tout poser des jalons pour un dialogue conjugal de qualité, sur toutes les étapes de la vie à deux. "A deux vers le mariage" écrit par un des anciens responsables de la Préparation au mariage catholique en France, trace un itinéraire destiné à ceux qui se marient à l'Eglise catholique. A partir de questions et d'exemples concrets, il permet de s'interroger sur les chemins de l'amour et complète utilement une préparation au mariage à l'église. Il reprend les premières pages d'un livre publié sous le titre "Bonheur dans le couple" mais sous une forme plus adaptée à une préparation à deux (questions, exemples, commentaires).

The morning after

Lots of couples, at least those who can get themselves up early in the morning after a night of dancing til the wee hours (read: NOT ME), choose to have a post-wedding brunch the morning after their wedding, as did actress Ali Larter.
I love the dress and hat. It's so "Mrs.".

If you're more of an early-bird than I am, a next-day brunch can be a wonderful way to thank your guests for helping celebrate your big day, a great excuse to add another LWD to your wardrobe and the perfect honeymoon send-off.

Just a word of advice. . .be sure there's plenty of water and maybe even a Bloody Mary bar around for those guests who don't bounce back quite as quickly.

(Picture via Popsugar.com)