Melissa Colgan

Style Editor, Mpls.St.Paul Weddings
What I Wore: I’ve yet to get hitched, but I loved the easy elegance embodied by Carolyn Bessette in her Narcisco Rodriguez sheath. Her wedding to JFK, Jr. was the first “celebrity” wedding I remember noticing. I thought she looked so glamorous, serene, and blissful.
Favorite Wedding Memory: As the flower girl in my aunt Kathy’s wedding, I wore a long navy blue velvet gown with a pretty pearl necklace. I was only seven, and I remembered feeling so glamorous—my mom even let me wear lip gloss.
Favorite Weddings in Cinema: Father of the Bride, Funny Face, The Princess Bride, and Love Actually.
My Beat: Fashion, beauty, and feathering the nest. I venture out to New York twice a year for bridal market, where I meet the industry’s tastemakers and get a look at the newest and best in bridal couture.
Other Things I Look For: Anything that feels original and rare while maintaining elegance. A wedding is not a time to be costumey or trendy; it is a time to hone in on your own personal style. The same goes for hair and makeup; look like the best version of yourself—not some overly made-up glamazon who your honey won’t even recognize.
Tip: Before you start planning the aesthetics of your wedding—location, colors, invitations, dress, flowers—create a mood board. As an editor, I never tackle a photo shoot without first establishing my design concept and storyline. I rip out photos from magazines, collect typography from matchbooks and old invitations, pull together swatches of wallpapers and paint chips, anything really that will help me put a frame around my story. Show the mood board to your wedding planner, florist, cake designer, calligrapher, etc. Letting these professionals understand your aesthetic concept for your nuptials will aide them in their design process and will result in a harmonious theme.

Rebecca Rowland

Editor, Mpls.St.Paul Weddings
What I Wore: A satin sheath with beaded bodice and long sleeves and a beautiful detachable train that freed me up for dancing. My veil also had a detachable layer.
Favorite Wedding Memory: Entering the church to the flourish of a brass quintet—there’s nothing like brass music to add an immediate sense of celebration.
My Beat: I love it all, of course, and keep my eye on everything, but l take particular interest in invitations, cakes, and flowers—some of the most creative and inventive facets of a wedding. When you’re throwing the party of a lifetime, these things can really set a pitch-perfect tone for the event. Don’t be afraid to follow your instincts even if they lead you down a non-traditional route.
Other Things that Catch My Eye: The little details of an event that make it personal and memorable; imaginative approaches to wedding parties and reception site and themes; and relaxed, playful, and out-of-the-ordinary wedding photos.
Tip: Schedule time in your wedding day, perhaps between ceremony and reception, for just the two of you to catch your breath and focus on each other for a moment.

Olivia Herstein

Associate Editor, Mpls.St.Paul Weddings
What I Wore: My mother’s dress: a flowing, sleeveless, California A-line in ivory silk organza. To update the 1970s look for 2002, we replaced the daisy-chain lace with delicate pearl strands. My veil was “something new,” a custom-made piece in simple ivory.
Favorite Wedding Memory: After the ceremony, during the cocktail hour, a white crane swooped in and perched in the pine trees near where we’d exchanged rings. Our photographer noted that in Japanese culture, the crane is symbolic of good fortune.
My Beat: I focus on nuptial logistics—whether you’re booking a band or registering for kitchen essentials. I particularly enjoy bringing our readers the latest travel trends, such as “mini-moons” to the North Shore and destination weddings.
Other Things I Look For: Love stories packed with tips for brides and grooms. Creative and irreverent favors and gifts. And, ideas for carving out some quality time with your bridal party and other loved ones in the midst of the wedding whirlwind.
Tip: Delegate, delegate. In the last few days before your wedding, don’t try to tackle the last-minute items yourself. Designate a wedding planner or trusted friend to cover the last-minute details so that you can focus on your vows, rehearsal—and pedicure!