Weddings By New York Times, 1888 Press Release, & Brides.com

Motherhood without marriage among younger women across the country is both a symbol of the transforming family and a hint of coming generational change.

All "firsts" are big for parents, but the first wedding may be the biggest jolt of all.

More than a hundred readers responded to the Field notes column “Love You! Now, the Difficult Stuff ...” Here’s a sampling.

The U.S. Postal Service, eager to encourage old-fashioned mail invitations, is publishing a series of wedding stamps.

In Boston, a meeting that might sound like an episode of “Cheers.”

Elizabeth Smart married her fiance Saturday at a Mormon temple in Hawaii, several months ahead of scheduled plans for the nuptials after news of her engagement last month drew widespread media attention.

Couples, and not just the tech-loving types, are using Quick Response codes on their wedding invitations for tasks like sending guests to R.S.V.P. Web sites.

The bride is studying for a master’s in secondary education; the bridegroom is the editor of The Washington Free Beacon, a political Web site.

The couple met at law school, when he became her tutor.

The bride, an assistant district attorney, and the bridegroom, a partner in an investment firm, are to be married in Hawaii.

Topperland has launched its new website, www.topperland.co.uk. The easy-to-use website will also feature our collection of glamorous cake toppers and figurines for 2012 featuring the latest fashion from the wedding world as well as other gift and occasion ideas.

The UK can look forward to a 2012 wedding boom as romantic Britons rush to defy the recession by pressing ahead with wedding plans despite problems with the economy.

Mike Staff Productions has been selected to receive the prestigious WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards 2012 for DJ, Photography and Videography.

Cecelia's Best Wishes will be showcasing wedding favors at the upcoming Bridal Open House at the Adventure Aquarium on February 22, 2012.

Partyfabrics.com, a leading online store for wedding and event fabrics, today unveiled its Spring/Summer 2012 Wedding Fabric Collection.

WedNeeds is an online resource to list local wedding businesses which includes function halls, marriage bureau, wedding caterers, boutiques, bridal and groom wear outlets etc in Hyderabad. It is rapidly growing Indian wedding portal that lists all the local wedding-related businesses on their website in a user-friendly manner.

Based in Raleigh NC, A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning, has released a gorgeous new promotional video featuring scenes from weddings past, including the setup, walking down the aisle, vows, reception, and even an incredible helicopter exit. The video was made by Heart Stone Films.

All Bride Glamour announces the new UK wedding dresses site to offer brides-to-be all unique designs, comfortable fabrics and gorgeous appearance. Browse the site for more details.

PlanningThePerfectWedding.net, the leading wedding planning online resource, is proud to announce they have added new wedding shop to their website. Weeding is the most memorable day that the couple could cherished the rest of their lives. It is a special day because your family member, your friends are their to witness. It is one factor to consider how would you plan for it to be very meaningful.

IamEngaged.com to open its patent-pending wedding platform for limited pre-release wedding deals, ahead of an official 2012 launch.

Transport yourself to a breathtaking view full of luxurious décor in this Renaissance-inspired photo shoot. —Alchemy Fine Events

Gorgeous packaging in bright colors make these products perfect bridesmaid gifts or wedding favors. —Design Sponge

A gray-and-purple palette gives these grooms a fresh wedding day look. —Christian Oth

Visit our Real Weddings gallery to see more of Jill and OJ's chic San Francisco wedding.

"Elegant clambake" seems contradictory, sure, until you see how today's featured couple, Amy and David, fused their upscale style with the rustic appeal of a seafood spread. As their reception proves, a marriage of contrasts often yields the most exciting results, seen again here in the shocking yellow soles and plush navy suede of these Mark McNairy loafers.

The shoes offer grooms a snazzy cocktail party look leading up to a wedding or an easy-to-slip-off footwear option while traveling (to a Hamptons honeymoon, perhaps?). Plus, McNairy's design even channels a bit of the dapper New England vibe brought out by David and Amy's "corporate and crunchy, exotic and unpretentious" wedding style.

Suede loafers, $405, Mark McNairy

Find more ideas for dressing your dudes and dads on our Grooms & Guys page.

—Phillip B. Crook

Oh how I love a great bib necklace, like this floral variety from Enchanted Atelier. The necklace flaunts more than 500 handset Swarovski crystals neutralized by soft pearls and a satin ribbon for a look that is so je nais se quois. Not only does this necklace look fabulous for the big day, you can wear it again long after the last slice of wedding cake has been cut.

Vivianna Swarovski floral necklace, $725, Enchanted Atelier

Visit our Wedding Accessories Gallery for more pretty shoes, clutches, and other goodies with a bit of sparkle.

—Stephanie Davila

Knowing that Drew Barrymore wants to wear "something tasteful, something timeless" to marry fiancé Will Kopelman and that the actress was seen leaving a doctor's office last weekend sonogram in-hand, we found three pregnancy-appropriate looks worthy of the star's boho-glam style—just in case that was her sonogram.

Empire-waisted gowns are a no-brainer for pregnant brides, although Pronovias' take on the style (left) feels extra special for Barrymore with the addition of silver-beaded rosettes across the bust that give way to a cascade of flowing tulle (read: baby breathing room). For an option that offers more coverage—pregnant bodies can be unpredictable, after all—we like the bateau neckline, fluttering sleeves, and roomy top tier of Angel Sanchez's design (center), which channels an effortless '70s vibe. But part of what we love most about Barrymore is her spontaneous, bubbly charm—which obviously calls for a shorter hemline, like this Elizabeth Fillmore dress (right) featuring floral appliqués and a burst of tulle beneath the bust, an ideal proportion for soon-to-be-moms.

If Barrymore turns out to indeed be pregnant, that might explain the boxy, boldly printed J.Crew dress she wore to appear on The Tonight Show earlier this month. See our picks for restyling the look three ways, and check out our slideshow of fantasy wedding gowns top designers sketched for Drew—before the big baby news.

—Phillip B. Crook

In keeping with today's succulent theme, this buttercream-frosted wedding cake features asymmetrically stacked tiers studded with a cascade of fresh miniature succulents. The modern confection is topped with a bride and groom topper by Concarta that's handcut and sculpted from paper.

Check out more wedding cakes in our Cakes Gallery, and find a wedding cake designer near you in our local vendor listings.

If you have a wedding cake you'd like to submit for the blog, please email photos and a brief description to Heather Lee at contact@brides.com.

—Heather Lee

This Ivy & Aster short dress, called Daisy, screams Mad Men chic (we can't wait for the TV series to return)! The halter neckline, nipped waist, and tea-length hemline give it a retro vibe, while the airy organza fabric and floral bodice would feel right at home at a rustic or garden wedding. Skip a necklace with this one but pair with slingback pumps in pastel shades like powder blue or mint. Betty Draper would be so proud.

Daisy, $1,012, Ivy & Aster

Browse more knee-length wedding dresses in our Wedding Dresses Gallery .

—Stephanie Davila

For a casual New England wedding, like Amy and David's elegant clambake wedding, I love centerpieces that have an equally relaxed vibe. This centerpiece by Greenery Productions features a cheerful mix of snapdragons, spray roses, ranunculuses, and Queen Anne's lace. Vintage handkerchiefs and flamingo ornaments create a fun, lively aesthetic, while pieces of citrus fruit add a refreshing summery fragrance to the arrangement.

Browse more floral arrangements in our Wedding Centerpieces Gallery in our gallery, and visit our local vendor listings to find a florist in your area.

—Rosie Purdy

Succulents have been a wildly popular wedding trend that's still holding strong—I love how modern and organic-looking they are. Today's featured couple Amy and David incorporated an assortment of succulents into their elegant table decor, and I think this sweet wedding invitation by Minted would be a great complement to a similar succulent-centric celebration.

See more invitation designs in our Wedding Invites & Stationery Gallery, and find a stationer near you in our local vendor listings.

If you have a wedding invitation you'd like to submit for the blog, please email photos and a brief description to Heather Lee at contact@brides.com.

—Heather Lee

When Amy and David were scouting wedding locations, they found themselves standing beneath majestic trees on Thompson Island and knew they'd found the perfect spot. "We love nature and the city, corporate and crunchy, exotic and unpretentious," says David. "Thompson Island perfectly blends all of these things."

Amy wore a Monique Lhuillier gown from Vows Bridal Outlet and David sported a Prada suit with a pocket square made from a swatch of Amy's gown. Amy carried a bouquet of berzelia, lady's mantle, ranunculuses, and fiddleheads.

The ceremony décor incorporated design elements and florals in white and green shades; Winston Flowers all arrangements. Emilie Chang of Pink Orchid Weddings served as the "day of" coordinator. The ceremony included a recessional to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," sung by Amy's cousins.

The couple wanted the reception to feel "inspired by the natural surroundings," says Amy. Inside a tent, custom lantern chandeliers by Ryan Designs hung above picnic tables covered in white linens. Vessels of steamed lobsters, votive candles, and glass vases lined with leaves decorated the tables. Vases were also filled with flowers, scabiosa pods, and succulents to complete the look. Two buffet tables offered clam chowder, barbecued ribs, corn on the cob, and vegetable lasagna. Catering was by Thompson Island Conference Center.

Amy and David performed their first dance to Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World." The band Men in Black provided the entertainment in the "dance tent." Guests who preferred not to dance took to the fire pit to play games on handmade blankets. "My friend Jeanne and I made three fleece blankets with floral and bird motifs," says Amy. "I loved seeing our family and friends enjoying the games and making s'mores around the fire."

Photographer: Michelle Turner || Ceremony and Reception Site: Thompson Island || Bride's Gown: Monique Lhuillier from Vows Bridal Outlet || Groom's Suit: Prada || Floral Design: Winston Flowers || Day Of Coordinator: Emilie Chang of Pink Orchid Weddings || Custom Chandeliers: Ryan Designs || Reception Music: Men in Black Band

Visit our Real Weddings page to find more preppy style inspiration.