Lavender is pretty without being too sweet — and is also one of the hottest colors in fashion right now!

> See wedding color combos with purple in them

> Browse 250+ purple wedding photos

Gorgeous fashion accessories, flower arrangements, wedding cakes and stationery cross our desks every day here in our New York City office. In “Prettiest Thing in Our Office This Week,” we’ll take you behind the scenes and show you our favorite item each Friday.

These shoes and headpiece somehow toe the line between bohemian and elegant. It probably has something to do with the expertly mixed materials and pretty patterns. All three are from BHLDN, and all three have lifespans way beyond your wedding day. How are you accessorizing your look?

> Browse even more bridal accessories here

> 10 real brides and their fabulous shoes

Whether you met your fiancé in Psych 101 or you’re just a diehard fan of your beloved alma mater, going back to school for your wedding can be as meaningful as it gets. We rounded up twenty-five jaw-dropping campus chapels — some exclusive to alumni of that college and some not, and some that welcome all religions and some that limit ceremonies to one faith — that are as gorgeous as they are significant. Did we miss your university’s amazing chapel? Let us know in the comments!

> Find your own gorgeous venue — search by city

> See 500+ ways to make your ceremony prettier

With an impressively realistic fake movie trailer, elaborate camera equipment and even an on-screen appearance that leads to an in-person wedding proposal. Watch the video — which includes New York Times technology columnist David Pogue with his bride-to-be’s reactions — and cue the tears.

> Watch more of our favorite romantic proposals

> Read about 11 outrageous real proposals

> Top 50 romantic ways to propose

> Our complete guide to planning (or accepting!) a proposal

Their First Dance Song: Lauren and Josh danced to The Tallest Man on Earth’s cover of Bob Dylan’s original “I Want You” — as performed and recorded by Josh! It was totally in-character for this music-oriented groom, who’s actually been singing all the way through his relationship with Lauren…

Why It Was Meaningful: It was only appropriate that Josh’s pipes make an appearance during the couple’s first dance. They first met at a karaoke bar — “he sang ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love” by The Darkness and was great at it!” Lauren says. To top it off, right before Josh proposed to Lauren, he surprised her with a live performance of “Noticed” by Mute Math in front of all their friends and family. “After that, he said he had to ask me something, asked me to come up, knelt down on one knee (with microphone and all) and pulled out a box with our initials engraved on it,” Lauren says. “It was wonderful!”

> See more photos of Lauren and Josh’s modern wedding in Irvine, California

> Get more first dance song ideas

> Find a wedding band or DJ near you

Where did the summer go? Let’s relish the last glorious weeks of the season with some seaside wedding style inspiration. See you on the yacht!

> See 8 stylish ways to pull off a preppy wedding

> Browse 300+ real waterfront wedding photos

The most stylish way to glam up your wedding is with the midas touch.

> See wedding color combos with gold in them

> Browse 250+ gold wedding photos

Gorgeous fashion accessories, flower arrangements, wedding cakes and stationery cross our desks every day here in our New York City office. In “Prettiest Thing in Our Office This Week,” we’ll take you behind the scenes and show you our favorite item each Friday.

It may not be one of your most highly visible accessories, but your garter — if you’re going along with this bridal tradition — is still an important one. We loved this jeweled peach garter sent to us from La Gartier (LaGartier.com) that’s just as pretty as a sash or clutch you’d wear outside your gown. This designer specializes in custom-made garters that are created to each client’s specifications, and they can include anything from the intricate beading on this garter to feathers, vintage brooches, grosgrain ribbon and pearls.

> Find your other wedding day accessories in our gallery

> Not into the old garter toss? Find a tradition that works for you with our guide to wedding customs

Their First Dance Song: Janna and Loyd chose the 90s rock love song “Good Things” by the BoDeans.

Favorite Lyrics: “See I can see good things for you and I / Give I can give love and attention / Give I can give all time away / Only to one heart I can give today”

Their Wedding Music: “We had originally planned to DIY the reception music with an iPod,” Janna says. “Eventually we changed our minds and ended up hiring a DJ — but by that point we had already compiled a list of nearly 200 songs!” The couple asked the DJ to focus on the songs from their playlist. “In the end it was a fabulous compromise. We didn’t have to worry about any technical mishaps with the sound, because there was a professional at the controls. But, since we had picked all the music, every song that came on seemed to prompt the reaction ‘Oh I LOVE this song!!’

> See more photos of Janna and Loyd’s colorful garden wedding

> Get more first dance song ideas

> Find a wedding band or DJ near you

For a romantic take on a classic wedding color, try this gray-blue hue.

> See wedding color combos with blue in them

> Browse 250+ blue wedding photos