EDITOR’S LET TER
I
t’s officially wedding season!
Whether you’re going to a friend’s
I do’s or counting down the days
to your own, there’s lots to love about
a wedding: the dress, the dinner, the
dancing, the decor. And this issue has
all of them, from romantic gowns
and veils to a close-up look at classic
cakes reimagined and ways to wow
with a tent.
But there’s one thing no one
loves about a wedding: the price tag.
Celebrating this milestone with your
friends and fam can cost a pretty
penny, and then there are those sur-
prise add-ons. I have a friend who got
married four years ago, and ever y time
his wedding comes up in conversation
he says some variation of “Did you
know that it costs thousands of dollars
to rent a photo booth?!” So that you’re
not talking about your big-day tab onKEIJA MINOR
EDITOR IN CHIEF
@keijaminorA FEW OF MY
FAVORITE THINGS
RIGHT NOW
BRIDES PRIVATE ACCESS. We’re opening
our fashion-closet doors and helping
you find your dream dress. For details, go
to bridesprivateaccess.com.OUR FOURTH-ANNUAL BRIDES LIVE
WEDDING. One June 19, YouTube sensa-
tion Elle Fowler and Alex Goot will say “I
do” in a wedding designed by you! Vot-
ing is open now, so go to Brides.com to
weigh in on everything from her dress
to the honeymoon, then tune in starting
June 17 to watch it all come to life!*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. To enter and for full
rules, go to http://www.brides.com/win. Starts at 12:01
a.m. ET on April 27, 2016, and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET
on July 4, 2016. Open to legal residents of the 50
United States/D.C. 18 or older, except employees of
Sponsor, their immediate families, and those living in
the same household. Flights are to/from continental
U.S. Odds of winning depend on the number of
entries received. Void outside the 50 United States/
D.C. and where prohibited. One (1) winner. A.R.V.
of prize: $13,800. Sponsor: Condé Nast.your fourth, or even your first, anni-
versar y, check out “53 Ways to Save,”
a feature dedicated to helping you cut
costs without sacrificing style.
And all that money you save can be
put toward a bucket-list-level trip for
two. The average honeymoon rings in
at more than $3,800, so make it count!
For the most ridiculously romantic
destinations on the planet, check out
“Brides Best Honeymoons 2016.” And
to really save some cash, enter to win
the ultimate St. Lucia honeymoon in
our sweepstakes. (See below for more
on that.) Good luck!THE ULTIMATE ST.
LUCIA HONEYMOON
SWEEPSTAKES!
Brides is giving away a trip for two to Jade
Mountain in St. Lucia, this year’s honeymoon-
awards winner for best resort in the
Caribbean. Win complimentary airfare and
a five-night stay in an open-concept suite
with you-can-almost-touch-them views
of the crystal-blue Caribbean and emerald
Piton peaks. Major selfies required.66 JUNE/JULY 2016 BRIDES.COMCLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: PERRY HAGOPIAN; COURTESY OF JADE MOUNTAIN AND ELLE FOWLER; JENNIFER TRIPUCKA