Well, this was one long dating relationship that finally came to a happy end...singer Jewel and rodeo champ Ty Murray got married last week in the Bahamas. Apparently, Jewel and Ty have been together for about a decade. I guess after 10 years, you really know a person and whether or not you can live with them for the rest of your life.

Reportedly, Jewel went the traditional wedding dress route (although I have yet to get any details on how traditional) while Ty was more casual in "his favorite blue jeans, white shirt and cowboy hat."

As has been custom with celeb weddings, it was a private affair at The Cove Atlantis. Fortunately, Jewel is one of those celebrities who's not always plastered all over the tabloids doing something embarrassing, so I hope she and Ty (who both seem down to earth) have a long, happy marriage. Congratulations!

Source and photo via People: Peter Kramer / AP

When I saw a pink hip flask as a bridesmaid gift suggestion, I had to smile. I'm always nervous about giving alcohol-related gifts to people, even when I know they imbibe. Is my gift suggesting that you're a wino?

Still, it's cute! And definitely outside of the usual purse-compact-jewelry bridesmaid gift theme. Would you give it?

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Anatoly Shikhov

More importantly, do you give all of your attendants the same gift or do you personalize for each individual? I like the idea of unique gifts specific to the person. Yes, it takes more time and thought - because you really have to know your bridesmaids' quirks and personalities, but isn't that why you chose them? Other bridesmaid gift ideas outside of the box:

* Crystal paperweights, perfect for the lady who works out of her home office
* Personalized apron for the baker
* A special book for the avid reader
* Eco-friendly sachets for the diehard environmentalist

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