Real Brides Ask: How Can I Honor All of My Friends Without Having a Huge Bridal Party?

Jun 21, 2018

So you have a shiny new diamond on your left hand; congrats! Now that the bubbly has been popped and the news spread, it’s time to get to the fun part of planning. Over the next few months you’ll be tasked with everything from picking out the perfect linens to finding a DJ who will bring it on the dance floor. With so many big decisions ahead of you, we’re here (just like a trusty bridesmaid!) to help with Real Brides Ask, a new series that tackles your toughest bridal questions.

“How do I honor all of my friends at my wedding without having the largest bridal party known to mankind?” — Kathleen V., Boston, MA

Popping the questions to your bridesmaids is one of the best parts of wedding planning. After all, if you’re someone who has a collective friend group or a slew of siblings, it can be tough to whittle down your entourage. So rather than worrying about hurt feelings or ruined relationships along the way, we consulted Maddie Eisenhart, the witty, smart, and talented chief revenue officer behind the popular wedding site A Practical Wedding for her advice on how to build a tailored bridal party you love. Take a look below to see her practical take on how to approach this common wedding prob.

Swap bridesmaids for a support team. When it comes down to it, Eisenhart says that picking people to stand by your side is *all* about emotional fulfillment and creating a strong sense of community with your pals. And, lucky for you, you can still provide this *without* asking your entire crew to stand on the altar. So, for those hard-to-include-yet-NOT-include individuals, consider giving them an honorary role by making them part of the day-of production. Tasks like setting up the morning-after brunch, planning the bachelorette party, or even playing DJ for the night will make everyone feel involved and help tackle your to-do list in the process. Pro tip: When deciding what to delegate, Eisenhart suggests that you “have an honest conversation about what [your friend] wants to do.” The last thing you want is someone spinning the tables when they’d rather be doing something less time-heavy (like setting up the dessert spread instead).

Go big, but keep it considerate. If you’re really having a hard time limiting your party, Eisenhart says it’s perfectly fine to proceed with a big group. “There’s nothing inherently shameful or silly about having a bazillion bridesmaids,” she says. But in order to do so in a way that’s stress-free, there are a couple things to keep in mind. “The key is to lower expectations, be flexible, and be mindful of the fact that it’s important to be responsible and respectful [of everyone’s time] on the wedding day,” she suggests. That means considering everyone’s financial situations, schedules, even gender preferences (re: not everyone is cool wearing a dress) will make both you and your crew feel more at ease during the big day — and maybe even limit your roster in the first place.

What are your burning bridal questions? Share them with us @BritandCo using hashtag #WeddingWoes for a chance to have them answered in our next feature.

(Photos via Getty; Illustrations via Rebecca Fong/Brit + Co)

10 Celebrity Wedding Dresses That We'll Never Get Over

Every time I hear about a new celebrity wedding, I immediately scour the internet for photos. Was it a destination wedding? Were there other fun celeb guests? What did they WEAR?! When Sofia Richie-Grainge got married last year, I was glued to my phone checking for updates on what outfit she would stun us with next. Call me crazy, but I just love a celebrity wedding.

Given that the dresses — from chic and lowkey to largely extravagant — are my favorite part of a celebrity wedding, I did some research and found my top 10 favorite celebrity wedding dresses in recent years so we can obsess over them together! Keep reading to see some really stunning bridal looks!

Alex Cooper

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Our most recent bride to date is none other than Call Her Daddypodcaster, Alex Cooper. She stunned us all with multiple wedding dresses paired with a natural hair and makeup look. This one had to be my favorite because of the silhouette — it honestly screams vintage and class and I so absolutely love it! She caused some controversy for not wearing mascara, but I think it's a beautiful, unique choice! She looks like the perfect, blushing bride!

Sofia Richie-Grainge

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Sofia Richie-Grainge had the entire internet in a complete chokehold over her wedding outfits, and she's since deemed herself a fashion icon because of it. She quite literally caused a "quiet-luxury" frenzy with her revamped style of late, and her wedding dress was no different. TBH, this whole wedding is at the top of my list in terms of style, venue, and location. Everything about it looked idyllic and stunning; just like her!

Hailey Bieber

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I'm a huge Hailey Bieber fan, and while I enjoy her style as a whole, one of my most favorite looks of hers is this wedding dress. She looks regal and sexy at the same time, and her veil is also incredibly unique, embroidered with "til death do us part." This was created by the ever-iconic Virgil Abloh before his passing, and he did an incredible job on it. It truly makes us remember what an icon and inspiration he was to the fashion community!

Erin Foster

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This look from Erin Foster was surprising to me because it has such a vintage-feel to it! It's kind of reminiscent of The Princess Bride with the adorable peasant-sleeves and flowing gown — both sweet details to this gorgeous dress. It's one of my favorites for it's simple, bohemian style!

Priyanka Chopra

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This was one of Priyanka Chopra-Jonas's many looks, but it's definitely her most classic bridal gown. It was regal and chic, with a silhouette that was truly made perfectly for her! The intricate detail and buttons on the dress are also a work of art! Put it in the Louvre!

Lily Collins

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Speaking of art, this dress looks like a Victorian vision! I absolutely love Lily Collins's cape, giving her a Grace Kelly-esque style that exudes royalty and class. And TBH, I would expect nothing else from Lily! Truly, one of the most beautiful wedding dresses I've seen in recent years!

Taylor Hill

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This is also a favorite because I've never seen a venue/location and dress tie together so seamlessly! The countryside vibe of the venue with the whimsical feel of her dress make for the perfect pairing. She looks phenomenal (as always), but looks particularly breathtaking in this sweet and charming style of dress wit the off-the-shoulder ruffles and bows. A 10/10 indeed!

Bel Powley

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Bel Powley is someone that surprised me with how absolutely gorgeous her wedding dresses and outfits were. I hadn't kept up with her style too much before, but when I saw these Miu Miu pieces from her wedding, I was truly SHOOK. And while the dresses were amazing, the accessories were an absolute moment. Her ballet slipper heels, hair bows, and draped pearl earrings gave off vintage dream vibes! I love this one!

Jasmine Tookes

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I keep up with model Jasmine Tookes for style inspiration all the time. If you're looking for someone who exudes class and quiet luxury, then look no further! So, naturally, her wedding was no different. It was luxurious, classy, and spectacular. This lace dress really made her look like royalty, and the diamond-encrusted headband was a lovely touch.

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If you haven't seen Alexandra Daddario's wedding pictures yet, you must go scroll for them because it was a pretty huge affair! It took place in New Orleans and she looked like quite the Louisiana beauty. This gown and umbrella combo was such a look, and I can't get over how absolutely stunning she was in every single one of her bridal outfits! Definitely a top dress I've seen in the past couple of years!

Who wore your favorite celebrity wedding dress? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to follow us on Facebook for more!

Header image via Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Brooke Shields & Miranda Cosgrove Spilled On Filming "Mother Of The Bride" With Chad Michael Murray

In Mother of the Bride (which you can watch on Netflix now!), Brooke Shields' Lana is surprised to learn her daughter Emma (Miranda Cosgrove) is getting married in Thailand — but she's even more surprised when she finds out Emma's future father-in-law (Benjamin Bratt) is the man who broke her heart in college. Naturally, I had to ask the cast for their best advice on running into an ex!

"I think being a decent and kind person is the first thing that you should try to do," Sean Teale, who plays Emma's fiancé RJ, says. "Keep it light if it's a stressful situation because that's the best way through anything is just being kind and decent, and then you can go away feeling okay about it."

"Yeah, I would say remain calm, try not to ramble because I've run into an ex before at the movies and yeah, I rambled," Miranda adds.

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Miranda Cosgrove & Sean Teale Hung Out With Elephants During “Mother of the Bride”

Not only does Lana have to navigate her relationship drama, but she also has to deal with the fact Emma's wedding is totally taken over by social media, a concept that was really appealing to Brooke Shields from the beginning.

"It has to unfold, not necessarily in the way that it would have organically unfolded with a mother and her only daughter going to pick out the dress and going to plan the napkins and all those things that you sort of dream about doing for your daughter," Brooke says. "So that was a really interesting thing, for that to be usurped and sort of [replaced with] somebody else's ideas."

"The script I read, [Emma's] vocation was creating this amazing website that all the sponsors were excited about," Benjamin Bratt says. "But over the course of shooting it, I think the filmmakers recognized that it's not about websites anymore, it's actually about TikTok and social media."

Ironically, the cast didn't find themselves online too much during filming! "I used my phone a lot less than I would have," Sean Teale says. "Especially during the shoot, we spent our whole time messing around if we weren't working."

"Especially with the time change too," Miranda Cosgrove adds. "It took a while to get used to that. So it kind of just makes you feel like you're off the grid. Being in Thailand was like a little getaway."

The fact that Emma is basically a social media star means I HAD to ask Miranda about iCarly, and whether Emma and Carly would get along. "I definitely think that they would be super close," she agrees. "But I think that Emma would probably wanna, like, manage Carly or something. Like she'd wanna manage her social media and come up with ideas and stuff for her channel."

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Brooke Shields Spills On Working With Chad Michael Murray For Mother of the Bride

Miranda Cosgrove (and Brooke Shields for that matter) isn't the only member of the cast who's experienced the limelight from a young age. The cast also includes Chad Michael Murray, and as a One Tree Hill and A Cinderella Story STAN, I had to ask what it was like working with the Gilmore Girls actor. "You know what, I'm like 'Those abs have got to be painted on,'" Brooke jokes. "No, you know what was amazing was seeing him with his family and his stunning wife...It's picture perfect."

"[The story is about] that bond between parents and children, and many of us, including Chad, are kind of on board with it from our own personal experiences," Benjamin Bratt says. "A rom-com doesn't really succeed unless it has that very delicate, hard-to-achieve balance of outrageous humor that's gonna make you laugh out loud and real humanity."

"Brooke is...one of the most generous kind, empathetic, inclusive, enthusiastic actors I've ever worked with," he continues. "She loves what she's doing, she's always checking in with everyone, not just with other actors, but with the craft service person, 'Are you okay?' She's so maternal in that way. And it's really not an exaggeration, but it creates an environment where you really feel supported."

"For me, it's like, ok, it's pretty great to have Chad and Benjamin vying for your attention," Brooke adds. "To be this age of an actress and sort of be like, 'Oh my God, not one but two of them get to fight for me?' Like, that's sweet and funny."

"I have worked with men in the past and they're threatened by a female lead or there's a delicate nature to it," she continues more seriously. "It's tricky. And you see these two beautiful men who take their job really seriously bring brilliant nuance to the dramatic scenes, the funny scenes, all of that, who are okay also being a bit more of an object of desire as well. I mean, the slow motion of [Chad] putting spray on his body and [Benjamin] coming out of the shower, it's something that you don't see a lot, you usually see it in the reverse."

"Feel free to objectify any time," Benjamin jokes. "If Brooke is gonna [do it] I have zero issue with that."

Watch Mother of the Bride on Netflix now, and check out the rest of this year's summer movies!

Lead image via Netflix

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Jonathan Scott Included Zooey Deschanel’s Kids In His Proposal And I’m WEEPING

Zooey Deschanel never fails to make us smile, regardless of whether she's starring in a good TV show like New Girl or teaching us her #1 gardening hack. The actress totally deserves the best, and we're so excited that she's engaged! Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott made a joint Instagram post on August 14th confirming they're getting married after four years of dating. We can hear the bells!! Here's everything you need to know about their relationship (plus a photo of the actress' ring!), and how Zooey's iconic holiday movieElf played a role in how they met. Keep reading for the scoop.

Zooey Deschanel And Jonathan Scott's Full Relationship Timeline

Screenshot via Apple TV+/YouTube

Zooey Deschanel And Jonathan Scott Meet During Carpool Karaoke In 2019

Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott first met in 2019 when they filmed an episode of Carpool Karaoke with Jonathan's brother Drew Scott and Zooey's sister Emily Deschanel — the video includes both a rendition of "Baby It's Cold Outside" (which Zooey sings in the 2003 holiday classic Elf), and Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time" — and the couple went on their first date in an escape room.

“I am seeing someone,” Scott told Us in September 2019. “It’s definitely special for me because I am the guy who raises the bar in what I’m looking for in a partner. I was caught a little off guard. It was definitely a pleasant surprise.”

Zooey Deschanel And Jonathan Scott Become Instagram Official In 2019

Zooey and Jonathan posted the same photo of their time at Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights to their Instagram accounts. In People's October 2023 cover story, Zooey and Jonathan talk about the initial reaction to their relationship, after Zooey posted their first picture as a couple.

“I remember I looked at it and I saw the first comment right below was, ‘Why the hell is she with a Property Brother?!’" Jonathan says in the interview. "I was like, ‘Excuse me—rude!'" “Why wouldn’t I be with you?” Zooey adds. “Our personalities are so compatible. It’s just that we’re from different worlds.”

Image via Jonathan Scott/Instagram

Zooey Deschanel And Jonathan Scott Make Their Red Carpet Debut

After attending Jonathan's older brother J.D.'s Halloween-themed wedding as Batman and Catwoman, Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott made their red carpet debut at the Critic's Choice Documentary Awards.

The Couple Quarantines Together In March 2020

After the world shut down in March 2020 because of COVID-19, Jonathan Scott posted photos of the couple hanging out at home.

"Don’t let our smiles fool you, we both play to win!" the post (which includes photos of Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott playing Scrabble) reads. "How are you spending your time as we all stay #hometogether? @zooeydeschanel and I have been playing games, making music, and of course doing puzzles."

Image via HGTV/Discovery

Zooey Deschanel Appears On Jonathan Scott's "Celebrity IOU"

This special episode of Celebrity IOU features Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott surprising Zooey's BFF Sarah with a brand new home renovation. So not only was it the perfect opportunity to see Zooey and Jonathan work together, but it also allowed Zooey to give her friend a really beautiful gift!

Zooey Deschanel And Jonathan Scott Buy A Home Together In 2021

In an essay for Drew & Jonathan, Jonathan Scott talks about buying a home with the actress.

"It sat on a little over an acre, and with its lush lawn and massive California sycamores, it looked like a park. Which is why when we first brought the kids by the property they dubbed it the Park House," he says in the essay. "And you know what happens when you name something, whether it’s a mangy stray dog or a beautiful home of your dreams? You keep it."

The couple ended up revealing photos of their renovated home on Drew & Jonthan in 2022! The balance of pattern, color, and detail is really exciting, and it gives the whole home a very balanced look.

Image via Jonathan Scott/Instagram

Zooey Deschanel And Jonathan Scott Get Engaged In August 2023

"Forever starts now!!! 🥰♾️🥰," they captioned the Instagram post. In the photo, Zooey's holding up her left hand to show off a beautiful purple floral engagement ring. It's unique, colorful, and drop dead gorgeous, which feels like a perfect fit for the actress and singer. Jonathan also revealed he involved Zooey's kids in the process and was a "blubbering mess" when it came time to pop the question.

Zooey's also had a big year with projects like Dreamin' Wild, What Am I Eating? and Trolls Band Together. Meanwhile Jonathan has a variety of Property Brothers home renovation shows with his brother Drew like Brother vs. Brother and Celebrity IOU. Looks like they're adding wedding planning to their to-do list!

After announcing their engagement, the couple made another joint post about a trip to Paris. If you ask us, the city of love is the perfect place to celebrate an engagement! "Amour de ma vie ❤️," they captioned the post. Zooey's bright blue jacket, plus her floral scarf and sunglasses are the perfect dopamine-inducing mix of quirky and feminine (with an extra edge from a black leather jacket).

Jonathan Scott Talks About Zooey's Kids

Property Brother star Jonathan Scott is always talking about how much he loves Zooey Deschanel's kids. Whether it be how sweet Zooey's daughter Elsie is, how much he loves vacationing together, or how much he enjoys the day to day. Jonathan talked to TODAY in 2023 about his role in co-parenting with Zooey and her ex-husband Jacob Pechenik: "You see your life transform, your priorities become your kids, and when they have a performance that they're doing at school, or working on some of their homework, or whatever it might be, it's a joy."

Screenshots via Jonathan Scott/Instagram

Jonathan Scott Teases His Wedding Date In April 2024

In honor of the "once in a lifetime" eclipse on April 8, 2024, Jonathan Scott posted a hilarious video teasing when and where he's marrying Zooey Deschanel with a bunch of cue cards (you know, Love, Actually style). “As the full eclipse is a ‘once in a lifetime’ moment, I wanted to take this opportunity to give you some ‘once in a lifetime’ news," the cards read. “I’ve decided to share when and where Zooey & I are getting married."

But right when he's about to show the date and time, the "eclipse" causes a shadow to fall over both Jonathan and the cue cards. He finished the video with a wink and a card that reads, “Which I know you’ll agree is perfect.”

Congratulations to the happy couple! We wish Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott the best. Check out our email newsletter for more wedding content.

Lead image via Jon Kopaloff / Stringer / Getty Images Entertainment

This post has been updated.

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Netflix’s New Kate Hudson Comedy Is Our Most-Anticipated Show Of 2025

10 Things I Hate About You and The Office fans listen up! There's a new project coming to Netflix from Kate Hudson and Mindy Kaling, and you NEED to know about it. Just like the best female-led TV shows, Running Point promises to be empowering, hilarious, and just a lot of fun. Keep reading for everything you need to know about the new TV show.

What is Running Point about?

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This new TV show follows Isla Gordon (played by Kate Hudson), who becomes President of the Los Angeles Waves basketball team after a scandal means her brother has to retire. In the male-dominated world of sports, Isla will have to prove to everyone around her — her brothers, the board, and the fans — that she can balance work AND play.

When does Running Point come out?

Image via Netflix

Running Point is coming to Netflix in 2025.

Who's in the Running Point cast?

Image via Netflix

Running Point stars Kate Hudson, Brenda Song, Drew Tarver, Scott MacArthur, Fabrizio Guido, Toby Sandeman, Chet Hanks, Max Greenfield, Keyla Monterroso Mejia, Roberto Sanchez, Uche Agada, and Dane DiLiegro.

I am so excited to see another show written by Mindy Kaling, especially one that stars Brenda Song and Kate Hudson! Let us know what you're currently binge watching on Facebook.

Lead image via Netflix

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30 Memorial Day Sales You Need To Shop For Insane Savings

Memorial Day weekend is nigh, and in the midst of planning your epic BBQ spread and a slew of themed cocktails, it's also time to start noting the Memorial Day sales you'll be shopping for a much-needed summer refresh. We've got the scoop on savings in just about every category – from beauty to home decor to fashion – so you know exactly when and where to save big.

Scroll on for the Memorial Day sales we're most excited about for 2024, and make sure to come back here for additional sale info!

Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum

Target

What: Items up to 60% off

When: May 24-27

KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer

Amazon

What: Deals on everything from home goods to decor

When: Now through Memorial Day

Naturepedic

20% Off Sitewide with code MEMORIAL20
May 15-29

Casper

Up to 30% off everything
May 8-June 4

Purple Mattress

Save up to $800 on ALLmattress &bases(except for the PurpleFlex)
- Up to 20% offpillows &bedding
Now-June 3

Mila Mirror

Anthropologie Home

What: Savings on home goods

When: May 21-27

Peony Vase Thank You Card Set

Papier

What: 15% off stationery & photo books

When: May 22-29

Sherpa Deluxe Black Guarenteed On Board Soft Sided Dog & Cat Carrier

Petco

What: BOGO 50% off select summer products and 20% off select sherpa carriersWhen: May 24-27

Dallas IV Hat

Hood

What: 25% off sitewide with code USA25

When: May 23-27

CZ Crescent with Stars Necklace

Sterling Forever

What: 20% off sitewide with code SUMMER20

When: May 24-28

Stemless Wine Chiller Pair

VoChill

What: 20% off sitewide

When: May 17-27

The Coated Pan

Material Kitchen

What: 20% off (*promo excludes bundles and collaborations)

When: May 23-27

EOS Classic Organic Mattress

Naturepedic

What: 20% off sitewide with code MEMORIAL20

When: May 15-29

Pierrette Dress

SAYLOR

What: Extra 15% off sale styles with code MDAY24

When: May 27

Sea Green Pleated Tennis Skirt

Gold Hinge

What: 25% off sitewide with code MDAY25

When: May 23-27

Calista FAUXblo Thermal Blowout Brush

Calista

What: 20% off sitewide

When: May 24

CAROL Bike

What: Take $200 off sitewide on all CAROL bikes

When: May 24-30

Cartolina Louise Cover-Up

Cartolina

What: 30% off sitewide

When: May 22-28

Carve Designs Zella Mesh Pullover

Carve Designs

What: BOGO red, white, and blue swim; buy 1 swimsuit, get one swimsuit 50% off

When: May 23-27

Essentia Stratami Organic Mattress

Essentia

What: 25% off sitewide, plus receive free GOTS Certified Organic Cotton Sheets with qualifying mattress purchases

When: May 13-31

Harper Wilde Bliss Scoop Bralette

Harper Wilde

What: 20% off sitewide

When: May 24-27

MARLOWE. Soap Bar Discovery Gift Set

MARLOWE.

What: 20% off sitewide

When: May 27

Pura 4 Diffuser

Pura

What: 25% off sitewide through code only (subscriber early access: May 23-27), 25% off sitewide, plus subscribe to the Pura V4 and get a free car set

When: May 21-22

Vacation Classic Whip SPF 30