You know what they say: you're the most beautiful you'll ever be on your wedding day. For many brides-to-be, this means being slim and trim. Don't wait until two weeks before your wedding to try and lose 30 pounds. You'll probably go around eating celery sticks and drinking clear broth. You'll be so ravenous at the end of this deprivation diet, you might chew on your bouquet.

Instead, try the slow and steady approach, which is better for long-term weight loss and overall health. If you need a jump start, look into a Bridal Boot Camp.

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 4387155

You can either do this online, or if you prefer a more personal approach, look into local offerings. This can be through your gym or YMCA. The online boot camp stresses a healthy way to lose those pounds and includes just about everything you'll need to stay motivated to reach your goals.

After all, it'll be so satisfying to have that wedding dress taken in at your final fitting, won't it?

Ever since I read that the late Princess Diana was given a (huge) sapphire-and-diamond engagement ring, I've loved the idea of something beyond the typical diamond engagement ring. Don't get me wrong: diamonds are great. But adding some color to the ring can make it even more intriguing and interesting.

One of the 2009 wedding trends you can look forward to is color, lots and lots of color. I love color, so this is exciting news! This isn't to say your bridal party has to look like Circus Circus, but choosing one fabulous color will be so dramatic. Why not start with your engagement ring?

If you could choose one gem besides diamonds, what would you pick? Garnet, topaz, ruby, emerald? Just think of the possibilities. You can wear an engagement ring with a brilliant spark of color and plan your wedding theme around it.

Image via InStyle Weddings
Photographer: Kenji Toma

I forgot I'd seen a post about knitted wedding dresses at NIBS a while back. It caught my eye because I have the Spring/Summer 2008 issue of Vogue Knitting that featured patterns that knitting brides could use to make their own wedding gowns (segment: The White Way). Think this sounds too quaint?

If you knit, like I do (there, I admit it!), you know that there's not too much "quaintness" about today's knitters or their knitting. This artistic and crafty endeavor has flourished due to the Internet, and knitters being able to connect via blogs, message boards, forums and the like. The creativity is simply astounding.

This is just one of several choices the magazine gave knitting brides-to-be who want a dress that involves some real work and dedication. Does DIY appeal to you? Do you knit? If so, this is one way to have a dress that no one will stop talking about.

To tie in with my eco-friendly wedding options this week, you can make this gorgeous dress in any number of organic yarns.

Here's another post I loved about crafting your own wedding gown.

Image via: Vogue Knitting, Spring/Summer 2008

You live your life in an environmentally-friendly way: you recycle, you bike instead of drive a car, you carry your own bags to the grocery...kudos, eco star! Now you're getting married and you want to know if you can find an eco-friendly wedding gown. You most certainly can.

Fortunately for the environmentally-conscious, there are increasing options in every facet of our lives. Wedding gowns are no exception. Take a look at this pretty, floaty confection from Conscious Clothing.

Firenze gown

All the clothing offered by this company is made from hemp blends - including bridesmaid dresses, so your entire bridal party can wear natural fiber dresses. But you don't have to stop at attire. There are many other ways to have an eco-friendly wedding day. Not only will you celebrate a joyous occasion, you can be kind to our planet at the same time. Mother Nature will thank you.

Photo courtesy Conscious Clothing

Beach weddings are very popular this time of year, in locations that are exotic and far flung as well as locales that are close by. For the most part, beach weddings are more casual and carefree. After all, when you can attend your own wedding barefoot, expect things to be more laid back.

Brides and grooms-to-be who want to exchange vows in the sun and sand need to keep one very important part of the day in mind: the time. The reason beach weddings are so popular is because you can often get some gorgeous photos after the event. As any photographer knows, it's all about the lighting. So what's the best time for you and your guests?

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Brian Pamphilon

As I live in Florida (10 minutes away from the Atlantic Ocean), I can attest that a noon wedding at the beach on a summer's day will practically drive your guests mad. It's just way too hot. Sunset is a great time because you get wonderful photographs, but should you get married as the sun is setting or before?

Your pictures will come out better if there's still enough light to capture the moment. If you say "I do" as the sun is hitting the horizon, there may not be sufficient light to get the best photos. So that means you'll have to do a little bit of homework. When does sunset hit during the month you want to get married? Find that out and plan to start your wedding about an hour before. It won't be blazing hot, your guests should be pretty comfortable and you should have some memorable photos of your big day.

Finally, we conclude with the something blue that you'll have on your wedding day. My first thought was a garter, for those of you who plan to wear one. White garters with blue accents are easy to find, so that makes it simple. But what if you want something blue that's not as obvious?

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 2049570

Consider these other something blue's:

* A blue wedding cake
* Handkerchief & sachet set
* A pretty sapphire ring
* Seaside inspired guest book & pen
* Blue bouquet

If you love blue and plan to make it one of your wedding day colors, start it off right with blue and turquoise invitations.