Like raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, these are a few of our favorite things. If they’re yours, you won’t want to miss Belle Mariée Bridal's scrumptious Spring Open House, this Friday and Saturday, April 1–2. Treat yourself to sinfully yummy sweets whilst you browse Belle Mariée’s racks, swooning over gowns from exclusive bridal designers including Badgley Mischka, Anne Barge and Ines Di Santo. And don’t miss your chance to check out Belle Mariée’s newest additions, Anne Bowen (think: modern, luminous, sophisticated) and Elizabeth Fillmore (think: glamorous, regal, feminine). Store owner Erika Ferretti knows her stuff, and she’ll be on hand to share her bridal wisdom with you. Buy your dress during the open house, and you’ll get a 10% discount, too.

Sure, it’s fun to try out a few fancy up-do’s in advance of your wedding. But a bride-to-be’s gotta let her hair down a little, too. Well, have we got just the opportunity for you! This month we’re giving away tickets for two plus dinner for two at House of Blues, Houston’s hottest venue for live music and sensational Southern-inspired dining (not to mention a VERY cool place to have your engagement party, bachelor/bachelorette bash or wedding…scroll down for more on that). If you haven’t entered yet, now’s the time. Here’s how:

TO ENTER: Visit House of Blues online and select one show from HOB’s concert calendar that you’d skip your best friend’s wedding to attend (OK, you’d NEVER do that…but a show you’d love to see). Then, send us an email with the show date, performer or band’s name and your favorite song. Make sure to include your full name, fiancé’s name, and date (exact or approximate) of your wedding.

ENTRY DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2011. Winner will be announced in the April 27 Wedding Buzz and on Facebook. Good luck!

LaShambra Randle to Daniel Ewing

LaShambra Randle planned much of her wedding to pro basketball player Daniel Ewing from afar. Very far afar. But with the help of coordinator Jo Ann Schwartz-Woodward, the celebration—from the bride’s Kenneth Pool gown, to the Hotel ZaZa reception, to the stunning Who Made the Cake bride and groom cakes—was perfection.

Yes, a wedding cake is a sweet finish to a celebratory meal. But it’s so much more than a mere sweet treat. A wedding cake can be an architectural wonder, a fondant-draped homage to your wedding gown, a reflection of your passion for color, a cultural icon, a flight of fancy, a buttercream dream. That’s a lot of pressure for a dessert. But it shouldn’t be for you. This week’s feature story taps into the wisdom of top cake creators for their advice on how to choose, design, serve and enjoy a cake worthy of the world’s most important wedding: yours.

Photo: Martha Stewart Weddings
Photo: Delish	Photo: Southern Living

Cocktails by Color

The flowers, the table linens, the cake, the lighting—all of your wedding elements are coordinated to form a perfect palette. So how about a color-coordinated signature cocktail? Crimson, coral, aqua, saffron, violet, lavender, silver. Whatever shades comprise your dream color scheme, carry through one of your prevalent wedding hues in a specialty drink named especially for your big day. Here are some of our favorite colorful cocktail picks. Just sub the drink’s name with an original one of your own, to signify your special occasion, and serve. Cheers!

Photo: Colin Cowie

Photo: Blue Cocktails