So you may not be daring enough to wear a black wedding dress — but designers are creating incredibly stunning, traditional wedding dress designs in more than just white and ivory that appeal to more than just the offbeat bride. Enter the blush wedding gown. It’s dreamy, feminine, delicate and undeniably bridal. The Vera Wang design shown here (and captured by the talented photographer Elizabeth Messina) is one of my favorites. Want more? Shop 25+ blush wedding dresses!

Photo: Elizabeth Messina

> Shop 25+ blush wedding dresses

> See the entire White by Vera Wang collection!

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> Love this shot? See our Elizabeth Messina photo gallery

Garden roses were the perfect romantic addition to the aisle and huppah of this outdoor wedding set in the hills of Santa Barbara. The lush white flowers, simple decor, and all-white palette were stunningly simple and created romantic ambiance without distracting from the gorgeous surroundings. I love that it’s the perfect balance between nature and design and a great example if you’re going to have a stunning setting or backdrop for your ceremony.

Photo: Elizabeth Messina // Design: Sharon Sacks

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> 125+ romantic ceremony photos

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Trust me on this one: A great bridal portrait is a must-have for your wedding album. And this photo, shot by the talented Elizabeth Messina for our Winter 2012 issue of The Knot Magazine captures a dream-like quality any girl would love to have in her album. Need more ideas for your bridal portrait? Check out the rest of the photos from this shoot!

Photo: Elizabeth Messina

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> 5 pretty brooch bouquets (plus how to make your own!)

> 100+ gorgeous bridal bouquets

> See more Elizabeth Messina photos

I can’t wait to see all of the over-the-top Art Deco-inspired fashion from the new Great Gatsby film opening this spring. Ready to channel your inner Daisy Buchanan with accessories inspired by the glamorous 1920s? Try a cloche veil. These delicate lacy veil alternatives add an unexpected feminine touch to even the simplest sheath wedding dress.

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> 1920s style fashion accessories

> Find your veil — shop lace, bird cages and more

> See more Elizabeth Messina photos

Elizabeth Messina never ceases to surprise and delight us with her incredibly romantic wedding photos. And this one so beautifully captures the fresh flower wreath trend we’re seeing all over the wedspiration world. Want to create your own flower crown to pair with your veil? Check out our step-by-step DIY flower crown guide.

Photo: Elizabeth Messina

> Follow Elizabeth @KisstheGroom

> Find your veil — shop lace, bird cages and more

> See more Elizabeth Messina photos

You’ll be photographed from head to toe on your wedding day, literally, and Elizabeth Messina makes sure that no accessory is left unturned with a soft and romantic shoe shot. After meticulously picking the perfect footwear to pair with your gorgeous wedding gown, you’ll want to get a shot of your shoes while their still in mint condition (a night of dancing might be fun, but it may cause a few scuffs and scrapes to your beloved shoes). By hiking up the hem of your floor-length gown, you’ll have a perfect angle to capture your shoes without being totally exposed.

Photo: Elizabeth Messina

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> Would you wear a colored dress for your wedding?

> More inspiration by Elizabeth Messina

A bold red gown takes an equally bold woman to wear it. Elizabeth Messina captures that attitude without losing site of bridal romance through these provocative photos. With simple makeup and accessories, the dress is allowed to shine.

Photo: Elizabeth Messina

Photo: Elizabeth Messina

> Follow Elizabeth @KisstheGroom

> Would you wear a colored dress for your wedding?

> More inspiration by Elizabeth Messina

This Valentine’s Day Elizabeth Messina inspires us to turn up the heat with beautiful boudoir photography. Whether you want to create a treasured wedding day gift for your guy or for a later anniversary, these classic photographs emanate  with inner, as well as outer beauty. Baring skin doesn’t have to be tawdry, instead, Elizabeth Messina has perfected a style of suggesting nudity, which makes these gorgeous photos all the more seductive. As you can see in Elizabeth’s fabulous photos, boudoir photography can be shot alone or your hubby can suit up in his ‘jamies and join in the fun!

Photo: Elizabeth Messina

Photo: Elizabeth Messina

Photo: Elizabeth Messina

Photo: Elizabeth Messina

Photo: Elizabeth Messina

Photo: Elizabeth Messina

Photo: Elizabeth Messina

> Follow Elizabeth @KisstheGroom

> The wedding boudoir photography trend

> More inspiration by Elizabeth Messina

> Find similar lingerie styles here!

You’re going to spend tons of time and energy picking out the perfect hair and make-up combo for your big day, so you’ll want to make sure to capture all your hard work perfectly for your wedding album. Looking great on your day is a combination of both your make-up artist and your photographer. Renowned wedding photographer Elizabeth Messina close-ups capture a soft and still elegance for these bridal make-up shots. Messina frequently works with hair and make-up artist Erin Skipley, and says of their professional combination, “We ebb & flow like the sea, inspiring each other & making pretty pictures together.”

Photo: Elizabeth Messina

Photo: Elizabeth Messina

> 15 beauty tips every bride should know

> Bridal beauty must-haves for women of color

> 6 tips to kissable lips on your wedding day

Elizabeth Messina put a spin on the traditional bridal portraits by having the bride play model in these soft and sultry photographs. We could easily see this bride on the cover any fashion magazine as the photo captures the bride’s gentle and relaxed beauty.

One key tip to looking your best in your bridal portraits? Smile with your eyes…It doesn’t matter if you show your teeth or not. Think about the new memories you’re making and even laugh just for the fun of it. It’s your wedding day!

> Follow Elizabeth @KisstheGroom

> 50 Must-Have Photos For Your Wedding Album

> More Brilliant and Beautiful Ideas from 100 Days of Inspiration