No matter what shape or size you are, Houston bride, chances are you could probably use a little extra help fitting perfectly into your perfect wedding gown. Thank goodness for shapewear! Our Houston Wedding Blog post on the best in bridal foundations showcases some of the most attractive, and effective, options in under-the-gown flatteners, slimmers, smoothers and boosters.

Plus: Subscribe to the Houston Wedding Blog and you’ll automatically receive regularly updated tips, trends and happenings in the world of Houston weddings.

Set firmly on a French manicure, but still yearning for something a little special, Houston bride? There’s no reason why you can’t have the best of both worlds. To change up the classic (and somewhat severe) pink-bed, white-tip, squared-off look of the traditional French manicure, try a shorter, rounded tip or a petal-pink polish. For even more flair, add a sheer, shimmering top coat to the tip or the entire nail, or adorn a single nail tip or base with a small, discreet gem detail to complement the bling of your ring.

Galveston native Silky Sharma always knew she wanted to marry fiancé Pratik Patel in her hometown. But when Hurricane Ike threw a Category 2 wrench into her wedding plans, Sharma, along with coordinator Shena Cherian of consulting firm Design, didn’t panic. Instead, they got creative. The result a magnificent three-day affair culminating in a vibrant tropical-theme reception complete with Hawaiian dancers.

Rebekah Graves
Dream Bouquet
"My mother had a close friend who had a flower shop when I was growing up," recalls Dream Bouquet owner Rebekah Graves. "It was just this magical place for me." Lucky for Houston brides, Graves has never quite shaken the spell. Today, the noted floral designer is celebrated for her custom floral arrangements and renowned for her attention to detail. "It’s not about my personal style," she says of her design work, "it’s about the bride." Graves notes that today’s brides are wild for orchids, and are returning to the pure, pristine look of the all-white bouquet—"You’re not going to go wrong with that," she says. It’s all pa rt of a trend toward the new wedding aesthetic, which is "clean—not so fussy."

Click here to learn more about Graves and her coveted floral creations.

Newly engaged? Just starting to put plans in place for the wedding of your dreams? Don’t go it alone. An experienced, creative, professional wedding consultant is worth her weight in gold. The best wedding experts can help you turn your wedding vision into reality, help you select the right vendors for your needs (and get you the best prices, too) and handle everything on your wedding day so you can relax and revel in being a bride. For the best in the business, visit our Wedding Consultant listings and start the search for your planning partner.

Weddings in Houston’s much-anticipated Before You Say..."I do!" annual bridal soiree will take place Sunday, January 24, 2010. If you only attend one wedding show, this is the one, so mark your calendar Houston brides and make it a date. Keep an eye out for your Weddings in Houston weekly Wedding Buzz Newsletter as we announce more details in the weeks ahead.

The July issue of Weddings in Houston magazine is fresh off the presses and available now. Get yours today, and get 368 oversize, glossy, photo-filled pages of wedding advice, ideas and inspiration. On newsstands everywhere!

Let us know. We’d love to hear how you like your Weddings in Houston newsletter. E-mail your feedback and suggestions to info@weddingsinhouston.com. We’re eager to hear from you, Houston bride!