A Badgley Mischka gown.

Thursday, May 15: Summer Sample Sale Begins  
Starting Thursday, get sample gowns at Promise (4931A St. Elmo Ave., Bethesda; 301-215-9232) at up to 60 percent off. The sale goes through August 2, but looking at the store’s gallery of gorgeous dresses (we’ve got our eye on the Lea-Ann Belter number in the top row of photos), we’d mark it with a “while supplies last” tag. Schedule an appointment (required) by calling the salon or e-mailing info@promisedc.com. Tuesday through Friday 11 AM to 7 PM; call for Saturday hours.

Friday, May 16: Badgley Mischka Trunk Show
Through Sunday, view Badgley Mischka’s complete 2008 collection at Harriet Kassman Bridal Salon (5300 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-363-1870). Appointments are recommended, but not required. Friday and Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM, Sunday noon to 5 PM.

This "cake" made out of kitchen gadgets is amazing.

So useful: 50 ideas, tips, and even drink recipes for a bachelorette party. [via DC Nearlyweds]

Mariah Carey honeymoons at Six Flags.

Star Wars wedding! Click through to see the photos, because we're kind of in disbelief right now.

Dye a tub of white frosting to turn this cookie into a bridesmaid dress.

To make Wedding Dress Cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:
• 1 bag white chocolate chips
• 1 package Twizzlers Pull-n-Peel licorice
• Supplies for your favorite sugar cookie or snickerdoodle recipe (I like these)

I’m not going to lie—I was a little behind on baking duty last night when I got home at 11 and realized I had never decided what I was making to celebrate a co-worker’s last day in the office before her wedding. I surveyed my candy cupboard—white chocolate chips, Twizzlers, and strawberry fruit leather. I looked at the clock. I set the oven to 375.

To make these strapless (always in fashion) snacks, throw together some cookie batter (anything you can flatten with a rolling pin, like sugar cookies or snickerdoodles), roll it out a quarter-inch thick on a floured surface, and use a butter knife to cut out cookies in the shape pictured. Because the dough will expand while baking, make sure to cut the waist extra narrow—otherwise, your finished product will look like The Blob. Warning: These cookies are thin, so they will take significantly less time to bake than the traditional fat, round snickerdoodle. My recipe called for 12 minutes in the oven, but the edges of each cookie were nicely browned in five.

Animal-shaped ice sculptures? A big, fat "cheesy."

The other day someone asked me what I thought about ice sculptures, ice bars, and other dangerously meltable wedding decorations. Two things popped into mind:

• A massive Jaegermeister luge in the Rob Burgundy style;
• Hideously ugly mating swans or other animals engaged in disreputable behavior, melting and dripping into the shrimp cocktail.

So . . . not quite at the top of our list. However, a wedding I was at last weekend had an afterparty with pre-mixed shots sitting in ice blocks, which I thought was kind of cool. I did a little Googling, and my opposition to ice decorations has softened. They can work, if they are done in the right circumstances and fit with the overall theme. Modern/edgy wedding with caviar or martini station that has an ice bar—cool. Traditional wedding with heart-shaped, pink-lit ice centerpiece—NOT cool.

Does Carrie marry Mr. Big? Vote here. [via Bridalwave]

The guy on The Bachelor proposed!

Fall bridal fashion has styles for everyone.

Your veil doesn't have to be white.

A bride-to-be panics because she can't cook.

Been to any great weddings lately? Or maybe you’re planning one yourself. Either way, The Washingtonian would love nothing more than to hear all the details of the big day. E-mail us at mconrad@washingtonian.com or jneal@washingtonian.com and give us all the details! Don’t be shy about sending a few digital snaps, too. You could be featured in our magazine or online.

I’ve always thought Survivor should do a wedding season. I mean, planning this giant party that you’ll remember forever is just as hard as an 11-mile race through Guatemala, and can be a lot more emotional—especially between the bride and her mom. Brides, are you running into mom-is-helping-too-much issues? Moms, are you getting misty during wedding plans? The Washingtonian’s own Leslie Milk, author of a wedding advice book for mothers and daughters, can help during this Thursday’s live chat. Submit your questions now!