Bride

One of my best friends (and bridesmaids) recently got engaged and wonderfully asked me to be a part of her big day. I'm so excited for this experience because, so far for me, it's been “always a bride, never a bridesmaid.” So as I wrap up my experience as a bride, I want to make sure I transition smoothly into being a bridesmaid and making my friend's experience as great as she has helped make it for me. Some of the things I've already thought about...

Wedding date: May 4, 2013 Her story: Ashley Valis, 31, grew up in Baltimore. She is the assistant chief of staff for Gov. Martin O'Malley. Her mother, Beth Russell, is a director of marketing and sales, and her father, Jim Valis, is a sales director. His story: Jim Gillis, 31, grew up in Baltimore. He is an assistant state's attorney for Baltimore County. His mother, Kay Gillis, is retired, and his father, Dr. David Gillis, is deceased. Their story: Ashley and Jim met in July 2006 at an event for then-Mayor O'Malley's campaign for governor.

Of all the high hopes and potentially unrealistic expectations that a bride has concerning her wedding day, the desire to look like the most obscenely beautiful version of oneself tops my list. At the risk of coming across as vapid and shallow, I not so secretly fantasize of a super dramatic hush rushing across the room as I walk down the aisle followed by whispers of  “SHE LOOKS AMAZING.” I warned you that this was pretty vacuous. Of course, there are the long-term self-improvements that many brides make leading up to their big day, whether it be joining a gym, kicking a bad habit to the curb or paying visits to a “special” doctor.

For their May nuptials, Mount Vernon residents Katie Joost and Nick Garber made careful preparations. They booked a gazebo at Owings Mills' Irvine Nature Center, accessible by a quarter-mile hike. They selected readings that had special meaning to them, including one from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer. " And they prevailed on Katie's uncle, Peter Joost, to officiate - prompting him to become ordained online through the Universal Life Church. "It was really great to be able to create a ceremony that really represented us as a couple," said Katie.

I spoke with a friend/fellow bride-to-be recently who brought up something I hadn't really considered before. In terms of wedding planning, when is it appropriate versus inappropriate to copy off of another bride's ideas? Obviously in the world of social media, especially Pinterest, it sometimes can be hard not to copy, but typically that's taking an idea from a stranger who you don't even know. That, I think, is completely appropriate…and I'm very grateful to all of the strangers whom I have snatched ideas from during the planning process.

As I have mentioned before, I think it's important for a person like myself to have a day-of coordinator. My friends who have used them say wonderful things about being less stressed and being able to enjoy the day to its fullest potential. I understand that they are useful in terms of the flow of the wedding and troubleshooting but I also believe wedding coordinators have a tendency to go above and beyond. For example, one coordinator pulled the mother of the groom out of the bathroom so she didn't miss a family photo opportunity.

Not the greatest quirk for a bride-to-be who needs to squeeze into a white dress in five short months, but my fiancé and I are both self-described foodies. From indulgent dinners at Woodberry Kitchen to Soju-soaked meals at Jong Kak with friends, our social lives seem to revolve pretty heavily around eating. Even a quiet night in is often made special by the addition of a great new recipe that we have been jonesing to try. When the topic of food came up for the wedding, it was an obvious decision.

The glorious sound of wedding bells poured forth from Long Reach High School's production of Father of the Bride and heralded the merriment and mayhem that inhabited the home of the Banks family. The endearing performance told the heartwarming tale of Kay Banks and her overprotective father who is fraught with worry over the wedding, the fianc?, the guest list, and mostly the expenses. Will the pandemonium at the Banks' house prove too much for the bride and her father to bear? The performances were first-rate.

He held her gently around the waist, dancing past pink and white balloons and singing the words to "Ain't She Sweet." He was too busy smiling to notice the gray in his new bride's hair, and too jubilant to worry that he might be awfully young for this 90-year-old lady.Stanley, 55, was enjoying every minute of the mock wedding held at the Keswick Adult Day Care Center yesterday, excited that Margaret had chosen him as her groom.The mock wedding was part of a reminiscent therapy program, a technique that can help stimulate the minds of people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia that cause memory loss and disorientation.

Jill Andrews Bell may design wedding gowns, but she's the antithesis of a bride.In her Canton studio, she's more likely to wear black Converse sneakers and a skirt made of upholstery fabric than satin pumps or a silk sheath. "People look at me and they don't believe I make wedding dresses," says Ms. Bell, 26, who has worked in New York and London.But in the heart of the marrying season, she's more concerned about her creations than their creator. Some days, she's lucky to have time to throw on a T-shirt and shorts.

James and Teresa Crumpler of Forest Hill announce the marriage of their daughter, Jamie Teresa Crumpler, to Christopher Sean Kalck, son of Lawrence and Geraldine Kalck of Fallston. Their wedding and reception took place on Saturday, April 6 at 6 p.m. at The Belvedere in Baltimore City. The bridal party included bridesmaids Desiree Ortman, Amber Lotocki, Jennifer Cloud, friends of the bride; Karen McCormick, sister of the groom; and Matron of Honor Christy Lylo, aunt of the bride.

Wedding date: April 14 Her story: Megan Ibbotson, 30, grew up in Manassas, Va., and now lives in Waldorf. She is a school counselor. Her father, Peter, was a military veteran and her mother, Joanne, was a school principal. Both of her parents are deceased. His story: Phil Neforos, 28, grew up in Greenbelt and now lives in Waldorf. He is a probation officer for juvenile offenders. His father, Philip, works for the painters' union and his mother, Yong, works for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

One of my best friends (and bridesmaids) recently got engaged and wonderfully asked me to be a part of her big day. I'm so excited for this experience because, so far for me, it's been “always a bride, never a bridesmaid.” So as I wrap up my experience as a bride, I want to make sure I transition smoothly into being a bridesmaid and making my friend's experience as great as she has helped make it for me. Some of the things I've already thought about...

I spoke with a friend/fellow bride-to-be recently who brought up something I hadn't really considered before. In terms of wedding planning, when is it appropriate versus inappropriate to copy off of another bride's ideas? Obviously in the world of social media, especially Pinterest, it sometimes can be hard not to copy, but typically that's taking an idea from a stranger who you don't even know. That, I think, is completely appropriate…and I'm very grateful to all of the strangers whom I have snatched ideas from during the planning process.

Brides-to-be can browse hundreds of designer and gently worn wedding gowns at the Brides Against Breast Cancer "Tour of Gowns" this Valentine's Day weekend at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel. "These brides are really progressive because they can buy their dresses anywhere, but they choose Brides Against Breast Cancer because it supports a great cause," says Amy Paulishak, vice president of business development for Brides Against Breast Cancer. "Every time a bride finds her gown, we ring a bell and the DJ makes an announcement.

I've been told the two most important things on your wedding day are the DJ/music and the photographer. This post is dedicated to my photographer! Although we've never actually met in person, I'm obsessed with the photographer that will be capturing our wedding and can't wait to see the shots she gets. Now, if you know me, you know that I have a few rules when selecting vendors. They're very simple but easily broken. And if you break a rule, you're out. My Rules: You must respond promptly (if you can't get back to me, then I can't trust you)

The good old days are gone, boys. It's not enough anymore to pop the question, ride out the engagement, then appear at the altar all goo-goo eyed and suave in your penguin suit. The times, they are a-changin'. Just ask Scott Geesey. He's researched photographers, hired musicians and made the hotel reservations for his August wedding to Catey Galatola. "It was definitely a mutual endeavor," says Geesey, 37, a lawyer at the U.S. House of Representatives. So mutual, in fact, that Geesey broke out of the macho mold and chose the couple's china, sort of. The couple, who live in Odenton, were having trouble finding something they liked until Geesey stumbled onto the winner.

Bridezilla: a bride who is greedy, thoughtless and rude, thinks nothing of etiquette and believes her friends and family should cater to all of her desires, no matter how outrageous. In action: A woman is asked to be a matron of honor for her best friend's wedding. After buying an expensive gown and shoes, and organizing a bridal shower, the bride tells her that she is too fat and can no longer be part of the bridal party. A bridal registry department store clerk recalls a bride who asked to insert a note in her registry that read, "The china costs $90 for each place setting.