Vera Wang designs a mattress to match her 2008 bridal collection. Awesome. [via Weddingbee]

The Indianapolis Museum of Modern Art is the world's most popular place to get engaged, reports one magazine. [via Bridalwave]

Newsweek reports on the growing pressure brides feel to look perfect on their wedding day. Ladies: He loves you exactly how you are.

The latest celebrity engagement rumors: Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz.

Have bridal news to share? E-mail mconrad@washingtonian.com.

To read the latest Bridal Party blog posts, click here. 

Florists at Amaryllis created these centerpieces for a Washington wedding. Photo courtesy of Amaryllis, Inc.

Friends who have tied the knot lately say that picking flowers was one of the hardest parts of planning. You have to think about size, shape, price, and color—and what blooms will be in season on your wedding day. If you want some advice before you hit the florist, Bridal Party is bringing in Rick Davis, owner of Amaryllis florist in Northeast DC, to answer your questions about bridal bouquets, boutonnieres, table decorations, and more.

Win a honeymoon to Tahiti.

J. Crew introduces "wedding specialists." A fancy name for a personal shopper? [via bon mariage!]

This ceremony takes the term "monkeying around" to new heights.

In Mexico: New legislation may give jilted brides and grooms a little cash.

Have bridal news to share? E-mail mconrad@washingtonian.com.

To read the latest Bridal Party blog posts, click here. 

When Matt Cowan first saw Kristina Lane in August 2004, he knew nothing about her—except that he had to talk to her.

“My brother and sister-in-law had invited me to their church in Arlington,” says Matt, who had moved to Washington from California just a month earlier. “I’m sitting in the back of the church and I see this girl walk in, and she has this long hair and I’m mesmerized. The whole service I’m thinking, ‘How can I meet this person?’ ”

As the service ended, Matt kept his eye on Kristina . . . and watched her walk right over to his sister-in-law.

It's Running of the Brides season! (Washington brides: Mark your calendars for April 4.)

Rachel Bilson teams with Brian Reyes to design a bridesmaid dress. Not too exciting, since the dress won't actually be for sale.

The revealing dress trend crosses continents.

Wedding detectives?

There are only a few times in life when you can legitimately rock a tiara. Prom and playing Pretty, Pretty Princess come to mind. But the big one is—you guessed it—your wedding day. That’s where Virginia resident Mandy Greenan comes in. Her Richmond company, Tigerlilly Jewelry, was built around her own wedding and her love of all things tiara.

After years of scouring antique shows and flea markets for vintage jewelry, Greenan has just launched her latest line, the Vintage Bride, a collection of headpieces that combine stones from her best finds with accents such as ostrich feathers and Russian netting. If vintage is your thing, let Greenan tell you more:

Emily did find a dress—but sorry, Drew, it's going to be a surprise.

Despite my strong desire not to stress out over wedding plans, I must confess that I have. My mom met me for dinner one night last week, and as we rode the Orange Line to our respective Metro stops, the floodgates opened without warning. By floodgates, I mean a few glistening tears—but still, they sprang from a deep well of frustration. All of the wedding planning felt heavy on my shoulders, and I’m more of a runner than a weightlifter, so I was struggling. Not finding a wedding dress, not finding a reception site, trying to fit our plans into a budget, getting frustrated at myself getting frustrated . . .

Talking to Drew one night and again close to tears, I said, “I don’t want to do any of this. I just want to get married and go on our honeymoon!”