In a continued effort at transparency re: Bostonista’s not-entirely-highbrow tastes, we’re disclosing our favorite summer reads.

Some backstory before the confession: We’re former English majors who somehow never read Anna Karenina (or, um, plenty of other canonical heavyweights.). We feel a fair amount of guilt about this, and therefore keep a bunch of pristine classics on our nightstand. And then we pile other books on top of them, like… (more…)

As wedding season draws to a close, we find ourselves battling a severe case of bridal envy. Before you cringe at our Scary Sadshaw-ish overshare, relax: This isn’t one of those posts. The gowns all look the same to us; we’d prefer a down payment to a diamond; and (luckily) we’re not head-over-heels with any of the grooms. But the brides’ toned arms? An entirely different story…

Longing for that buff-yet-graceful look, we touched base with Dave Pardue, a personal trainer at One2One BodyScapes. He focuses on improving posture to help brides look more statuesque as they walk down the aisle…but we think his tips will help lots of desk-slumpers, too.

Here’s what Pardue recommends:

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For our honeymoon, my hubby and I wanted a trip that offered secluded beaches, luxury accommodations, and plenty of excursions off the resort. After watching a special on the Travel channel, we booked a week to Tulum, Mexico. It ended up being the best vacation we had ever taken (as it should be).

Once we landed in Cancun, a shuttle took us to Dreams Tulum, our four-star all-inclusive resort two hours south of Cancun. Upon entering the resort, our bags were whisked away while we sipped champagne at the front desk and checked in. That’s the way to start it off right! (more…)

The wedding is over, and I have to say, I’m relieved. After putting so much time, effort, and money into our nuptials for the past year and half, I pictured myself as a nervous and touchy bride walking down the aisle. But I wasn’t nervous about marrying my hubby. I was worried that something would go terribly wrong.

And a few things did. But nothing major. In fact, despite my troubles, I still had a perma-grin on my face the entire day. However, a few situations could have easily been prevented if I had been more prepared. Now that all the June weddings are coming up, here’s what I learned about bracing yourself for the big day. (more…)

After a year and a half of wedding planning, my big day is fast approaching. On the very last day of this month, I’ll be getting hitched in York Beach, Maine. I have everything bridal on the brain, so here’s my mini-reflection on events leading up to this day. (more…)

Yesterday, I cheated — on my wedding gown.

Here’s what happened: The editors at Boston Weddings asked me play model for an article in the Fall 2008 issue, which will showcase and compare the work of four local wedding photographers. Each shooter had the same bride (me), and the same venue (The Algonquin Club).

I am getting married on May 31, so I already have my own dress, an ivory, strapless Carolina Herrera. For these purposes, however, the editors suggested I pick out another from designer Liv Harris’s line at Vows.

I selected a gorgeous A-line, head-to-toe lace number that comes in strapless and v-neck versions. The strapless was simply stunning, and the champagne color made my skin glow, despite the fact that I’m still a pasty winter white. When I picked out my own dress, I thought I had found “the one,” but now I think I’ve found “the two!” (more…)

Bostonista braved the snow and cold early this morning to witness the madness at Filene’s Basement Running of the Brides at the Hynes Convention Center. As expected, hundreds of brides and their posses of ‘maids showed up, with t-shirts and team phrases ranging from the encouraging (”We won’t rest till we find Drouin’s dress”) to the downright vicious (”Knock ‘em over, Plow ‘em down, We’re here to find Jules a wedding gown”).

While some early birds made empty promises under a thinly-veiled guise of camaraderie, “We made a pact with the team behind us to keep each others sizes,” says Crystal, 26, of Cambridge, while one honest mother of the groom acknowledged, “Things have been friendly so far because the doors haven’t opened yet.”

Bostonista found that competition was most intense among the middle-of-the-line bridezillas and their crews, who engaged in shameless bad-mouthing, staredowns, and open threats.  “Someone in the bathroom said, ‘I don’t care what happens, I’m pushing all of these b*s out of the way.’ I’m definitely watching out for her,” says Erin, 24, of Boston. (more…)

Filene’s Basement’s Running of the Brides begins Friday, Aug. 22 at 8 a.m. at Hynes Convention Center, and continues until 8 p.m. It’s a new location, but the concept hasn’t changed, and with a bit more room to roam, the ladies aren’t as feisty as they used to be. We rounded up some tips from the bound and determined brides who managed to score the dream dress.
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If you tend to blank on the lesson learned from witch-hunts, Dutch tulip mania, and McCarthyism, don’t worry: The Filene’s Basement Bridal Event—that annual reminder of individually reasonable people’s tendency to go batshit in crowds—is tomorrow at the Hynes Convention Center.

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Choosing a bridal gown is stressful enough, but just wait until you have to find one dress to flatter six women. Six women with six varied skin tones, hair colors, and body shapes, no less. I began the bridesmaid dress search for my late spring beach side wedding months ago. While I wanted the entire bridal party to like the dress I chose, I knew the chances that everyone would be happy were slim to none.

But Aria Bridesmaids at 39 Newbury St. confronts this potential crisis head on. (more…)