The Twin Cities offer myriad wedding hotel choices, from the new and trendy—W Minneapolis-The Foshay, Graves 601, and Hotel Ivy in downtown Minneapolis—to the grand dames—Saint Paul Hotel, Grand Hotel in Minneapolis, and St. James Hotel in Red Wing. One of the newest venues, and well worth a tour, is the Westin Edina Galleria. Here are some smart tips for working with your hotel's catering director, courtesy of Westin catering director Julie Broders:

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If you're considering a hotel reception, consider this: It may be one of the costliest—and smartest—moves of your wedding experience. I say costly in order to be realistic, not to scare you off. This is the Big Ticket Item, ladies. However, if you and your betrothed are expecting a big crowd and want to ensure a smooth celebration, regardless of Minnesota weather and tipsy guests, a hotel may be the way to go.

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Now that you're experts on wedding dress silhouettes and necklines, it is time to talk trains. The length of train you choose for your gown is more dependent of the location and style of your nuptials than any of the other element. While a short dress would look all wrong at the Basilica or the Saint Paul Cathedral, a monarch or cathedral length train has the mass and drama needed to make sure you're still visible to those even in the furthest pews.

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For part two of our guide to dissecting wedding dress lingo, we talk necklines. While strapless is the neckline of choice for many brides, there are a plethora of options that suit a variety of shapes.

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We just finished putting the last pages of our summer issue of Mpls.St.Paul Weddings to press a few days ago, and there were a handful of goodies that landed on the cutting room floor. One of those items, part of an article by writer Sarah Asp Olson, did a fabulous job of breaking down the wedding dress lingo that all brides-to-be can expected to hear when they start the search for their dream gown.

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Since launching her bridal collection in 1996, Monique Lhuillier has been a favorite of fashion-forward brides who crave both originality and elegance. And since her forays into evening and ready-to-wear, as well as a small yet concise and chic collection of un-matronly gowns for mothers-of-the-bride, many have been wondering when Lhuillier would start outfitting the other females in the bridal party. And if she did start doing bridesmaid dresses, how would she translate her aesthetic into a garb that is renowned for being un-chic?

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Last year, Mpls.St.Paul Weddings took on an exciting new look. Backed by years of experience in the Twin Cities bridal market, our redesigned magazine has the approachable, inspirational, real feel that local brides are looking for. It offers a fresh and truly local perspective on everything from fashions and accessories to cakes, flowers, photography, and more.

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