For all the grooms who don't want to stand on the sidelines, Modern Bride has you covered.

Want some help from Jung Lee? Don't miss your chance to win a copy of Fete: The Wedding Experience. [via The Bash Blog]

If you're looking for love and happen to love books, Penguin Books has a new site for you. [via Bridalwave]

The Post-It plan for seating assignments. [via Nearly Wed]

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

(Photo courtesy of Heather Z Photography)

Wedding planner Laura Auer’s passion for events started early. Her father is a professional photographer, and as a child, Laura loved looking at all the beautiful images he took of lavish parties. For college, she headed to James Madison University, where she earned a degree in hospitality with a concentration in special events. Creating the company Soiree Special Events was her final project during her senior year, and after graduation, she made the event planning company her full-time job. She planned 23 weddings in her first year in business.

Three years later, Laura and her team of eight planners are teaming up with a local stationery and gift company to create Wish Special Events, a new event planning company that will debut in September, replacing Soiree Special Events. Laura has more than 150 weddings under her belt, having planned events at DC wedding hot-spots including the Decatur House, Woodend Sanctuary, and the Torpedo Factory. What’s Laura’s typical client? “A normal person with a regular budget looking to make the most of their money and throw a wonderful party for their families and friends,” she says. “We’re very realistic for any bride or groom who need a helping hand. We are thrilled to make an important milestone in their lives an even happier one.”

Got wedding questions? Laura’s here to help. She’s coming in for a live chat on Thursday. Submit your questions now and Laura will answer them from 11 AM to noon on Thursday.

More>> Bridal Party Blog | Wedding Guide | Wedding Vendor Search

How's this for a roster of bridesmaids? Jessica Biel, Hilary Duff, and Haley Duff. Can we get an invite to that wedding?

If you can't afford Fiji, but don't want to settle for honeymooning in your backyard, here are 10 places worth taking a look at.

Eight cake questions, answered!

What to do when your guests turn into the Paparazzi. [via Always a Blogsmaid]

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

If we were getting married, Martin Andrews would be one of the first people we’d call. Why? Well, aside from being one of the nicest guys in the industry, Martin knows his stuff. As owner of Blue Sky Films, (801 Wayne Ave., Suite 200, Silver Spring; 240-494-1022), Martin started shooting weddings in 2000 with the goal of making the videos a more cinematic, nostalgic experience. Has he succeeded? According to rave reviews from his clients, he has indeed.

Yesterday, Martin came in for a live chat to share all the need-to-know details when it comes to videotaping your wedding. How can you tell if a videographer is good? What should a couple budget for filming the wedding? What happens when there’s an awkward moment caught on tape? If you missed the chat, read up on all of Martin’s best wedding advice here.


Next week, wedding planner Laura Auer will be here to answer any and all wedding questions you have. Submit them now, and Laura will answer them from 11 AM to noon on Thursday.

More>> Bridal Party Blog | Wedding Guide | Wedding Vendor Search

I have some bittersweet news to share. Drew and I are leaving Washington and trading it for another, very different city that begins with a “W.” Because when we make life changes, we like to make them all at once: new marriage, new city, new job.

Let me explain. Drew was offered a job at Wichita magazine, located obviously in Wichita, Kansas. But it wasn’t just any job he was offered—he was offered the editor-in-chief position. At age 25, that’s such an amazing opportunity for him. And being the wonderful fiancé he is, Drew also thought of his future bride (me) and my future happiness, and he asked his would-be employers at Wichita magazine what jobs there might be for me. And they got back to him later with a job for me to write magazine departments and help plan the magazine’s special events. So we’re very excited . . . but it’s a lot all at once.

Drew is actually in Wichita right now, sitting at his editor’s desk and editing away at the October issue. We drove the 20-plus hours out there together a couple of weekends ago and got set up in our new apartment, and then he went to work in Wichita while I flew back to Washington. And that really stinks! Altogether, we’ll be away from each other for 17 days, the longest time we’ve been separated by far. And I just miss him so much! I know some couples have it much, much harder . . . men and women who are in the military, travel for business, etc., but I’m so happy that this distance thing doesn’t have to be a common thing for us.

Tradition makes a comeback.

Your color questions, answered!

For two cupcake lovers, the proposal was the icing on the cake. (Literally.)

Not even a bolt of lightning could stop this groom from getting to the church on time.

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

If you're cutting corners and buying online, do your homework. And don't end up with wilted flowers.

Not all weddings go exactly as planned, but sometimes a severe thunderstorm and a power outage can actually make the big day that much more memorable.

It might be hot outside, but are 10 tips for staying a cool bride.

Lessons learned at father-of-the-bride bootcamp.

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