In fact, I had a look around Bluefly today — I know, hard work, right? — and found a bunch of gowns that would look fab on a bridesmaid or maid/matron-of-honor. From strapless to strapped, slim to poufy, I hope my choices will delight and perhaps inspire those of you who have not yet decided how your female attendants will be clothed on the big day.

From Vera Wang:

From Nicole Miller:

From A.B.S.:

From Amsale:

As always, you can click for more info!

Now, when I start thinking “oh I wish I’d done/bought/used such-and-such a thing” I just plan a fabulous house party that incorporates all those products and ideas. Favors aren’t just for kiddie birthdays and weddings. Brides don’t have a monopoly on fresh blooms. And there’s no reason not to dress to the nines if you feel comfortable in a gown…the trick is learning to feel comfortable in a gown when everyone else is wearing slacks. Master that, and you’re golden!

The number one thing I wish I’d known about would have to be Bluefly. I didn’t start seriously thinking of this shop to end all shops as a source for reasonably priced, re-wearable bridesmaids’ garb until after I’d had a pickle of a time badgering my own ‘maids into picking something, anything, because we’re really getting down to the wire, here. Maybe telling them to go to Bluefly would have made everything easier for everyone…then again, probably not.

We gave each of our attendants gift bags full of good stuff, and if I’d known about Pre de Provence soaps I would have thrown some in of their fab samplers. Ah well, there’s always birthdays and Christmas.

Looking back, I have conflicting thoughts about my gown. It was too busy, but it photographed well. I loved the neckline, but the dang thing was just too big by the time my wedding rolled around. This dress from Cicada Bridal has a similar neckline without all the geegaws and doodads, and I simply adore the fact that the model wearing it doesn’t look totally evil or chronically malnourished.

All of the great paper on Etsy–I’m a huge Etsy fanatic, but somehow it never crossed my mind to do a search there for things like thank you cards and other stationery. Jewelry, yes. Paper goods? Not so much. Ah well, you live and you learn, and you buy things you don’t exactly need because they are beautiful. This fantastic specimen is from K&K Baby Boutique.

Candy sushi? HECK TO THE YES. Suedy’s Koo-ki Sushi creates chocolate and sugar “sushi” that looks so much like the real thing that the vegetarian in me gets a little freaked out. Single boxed pieces are tres expensive, but one could always deconstruct the bento boxes and re-package them in bits of tulle.

What got me thinking about all of this is the advance copy of iDo that’s making its way to my doorstep as I write this. With less than a month until my first book is officially released (and my second book proposal is wrapped up), I have weddings on the brain even more so than usual! Add to that the fact that my one year wedding anniversary is in a mere seven days, and you have a recipe for wistfulness.

Remember the bubble boob bow number I wrote about a few months back? As it turns out, that frock did not represent an isolated case of boobowocity. While trolling for potential bridesmaids’ dresses I came across more boob bows, which I have arranged here from the most minuscule to the most tuggable.

But why stop there? If you really want to drive home the point — Bows! You love ‘em! You’ve got ‘em! BOWS BOWS BOWS! — you can gift your gals with one of these Franchi clutches to thank them for dutifully encasing their bosoms in gigantic bows without complaint.

Whether you give two toots about Jenna Bush’s May 10th wedding to Henry Hager (I don’t, oddly enough), it’s beyond cool to see all of the potential dress designs. As Style Scoop tells it, the first lady (hey, should I be capitalizing that?) asked twelve notable designers to submit sketches of the gown that may just clothe her daughter on said daughter’s special day.

The twelve designs sprang forth from the minds of the following designers (from one to twelve): Vera Wang, J. Mendel, Arnold Scaasi, Carlos Miele, Amsale, Carmen Marc Valvo, Angel Sanchez, Badgley Mischka, Nicole Miller, Lela Rose, Marc Bouwer, and Oscar de la Renta.

My personal favorite is number nine, but I have always fancied those Nicole Miller ruffles. Number one looks like it ought to be in the annual toilet paper gown contest. Three gets a big ol’ yawn from me, but all things considered it does look sort of right for a White House wedding. Eight is too daring for the same, and I have nothing to say about seven other than that the cartoon model looks entirely undead.

Which, pray tell, do you favor?