In the wake of the conservative, buttoned-up 1950s came the flower power counterculture of the '60s: civil rights, the sexual revolution, and the women's liberation movement. While marriage held the utmost importance in the '50s, the role of women and wives began to change in the following decade. Along with Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique came the rise of feminism, which questioned women's Read more

It was all about the flawless, quintessential white wedding throughout the '50s: extravagant ceremonies, pristine formal attire, and happy, upbeat music. Crooners like Frank Sinatra stole the scene early on, while Elvis Presley and rock and roll took over the radio spots later in the decade. Onscreen, Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe made pin-up girls the ultimate male fantasy, while TV programs Read more

Gay marriage is having a moment, after President Obama committed his support to equal rights last week. Just like other lifetime lovers, same-sex couples incorporate many well-loved traditions, and the heart of big day is the same: two people who love each other dedicating the rest of their lives to each other. I've picked some of my favorite gay weddings to share with you that are paving the way Read more

Weddings of the military-minded 1940s involved men in uniform, simple gowns, big band entertainment, and plenty of romantic details. It was the decade of film noir, Casablanca, "Rosie the Riveter," and the introduction of classic pin-up girls — plus the royal wedding of then-Princess Elizabeth to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in 1947. Hoping to channel a bit of vintage flair on your big day? Read more

Throughout the wedding planning process, engaged couples are constantly faced with standard traditions they must decide to either include or exclude from their big day. Will you get married in a church? Will your bridesmaids wear matching dresses? Will you use the traditional vows or write your own? Will you have a bouquet toss? And while you may feel the pressure from everyone from your mom to Read more

Some of the toughest decisions you have to make when planning a wedding revolve around the music. First, you have to decide if you're going with a band or a DJ; then you have to choose the songs for the guests' arrival, the reception, and the cocktail hour; and most importantly, you have to pick the songs for the processional, recessional, grand entrance, first dance, father/daughter dance, Read more

In the midst of post-World War I prosperity, the Roaring '20s were all about new technologies, jazz music, speakeasies, and a flippant attitude. For fashion, this meant simple elegance: feathers, pearls, boas, flapper dresses, bucket hats, and brooches. Weddings were much more informal than in earlier eras — gone were the corsets, tossed aside in favor of drop-waist dresses that showed a bit of Read more

The Edwardian period, also referred to as the Gilded Age, was an era of newfound wealth, the start of industrialization, and peace before the first World War — it's also known for the sinking of the RMS Titanic — and for weddings, this meant rich, extravagant occasions. Several wedding traditions first began during the Edwardian period, including the bridesmaid-then-bride processional, the Read more

"Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" — it's a wedding tradition that began in the Victorian era along with several other practices that continue today. While "something old" should have once belonged to a happily married woman, "something new" is usually the bridal apparel. To guarantee good fortune, "something old" must be gold, and "something blue" symbolizes the Read more

St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow, and we can't help but feel the Irish love. We're all about green beer, shamrocks, and leprechauns, but there's a lot more to Irish tradition than the commercialized side of the holiday — especially when it comes to Irish wedding traditions. You don't have to be an Irish bride-to-be to appreciate these sentimental Irish and Celtic traditions, which have inspired Read more