6 Wedding Travel Hacks from a Professional Bridesmaid

Even though summer may be officially over, #weddingszn is still very much in full swing. And when you have to make a long trek for your college BFF, second cousin, or significant other’s coworker’s friend’s big day, it adds a whole other layer to the travel planning. We know the struggle of scrambling to find a wedding outfit for the questionable weather that still goes with the fall color schemeand is made of a material that won’t wrinkle in your suitcase, booking the right hotel accommodations, and finding a flight that won’t cost more than the wedding does. To solve all our major wedding travel probs, we called on a wedding veteran: professional bridesmaid Jen Glantz, CEO of Bridesmaid for Hire and author of the memoir When You Least Expect It. Check out her simple tips to help you make it to your next wedding in one classy piece — without completely depleting your bank account.

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1. Stay on top of flight deals from the start. Glantz recommends that you be on the lookout far enough in advance to set travel alerts on sites like Google Flights or using apps like Hipmunk. (You can also take a look at more of our favorite travel deal sites.) “You’ll be able to find out about prices dropping all over the months before you need to actually book,” she says. And it’s no secret that airline prices spike for weekend flights: Glantz advises flying on a Wednesday or Thursday for significantly lower fares. With a day or two to spare before the wedding, you can make a mini-vacation out of it, doing some sightseeing and getting over your jet lag.

2. Branch out from hotels. Not that you want to stray too far from the pack if you’re in the wedding party, but if you’re strapped for cash, there are other options besides the hotels the couple may have recommended. “Even if the couple has an amazing deal for a hotel room block, always make sure to check on your own travel sites to see if you can find a better deal,” Glantz advises. “Or Airbnb is a great option, as is looking at Facebook groups in the local area to see if people need to sublease their place for just a weekend. It’s a great way to learn more about the local area.”

3. Leave plenty of time for your dress to arrive. The last thing you want is to be throwing your suitcase together at the eleventh hour with no actual wedding wear in sight. When you know you have to travel for the festivities, get your act together extra-early. If you’re searching for a bridesmaid’s dress, Glantz recommends scouting out multiple vendors to see if you can find the same dress for less, or to try renting or buying a secondhand dress. “Look for the bridesmaid’s dress at least three to four months before the wedding, because shipping can be a little bit of a nightmare, especially during a busy holiday season,” she tells us. “Make sure that you have the dress in your arms at least two weeks before the wedding.” For guests, if you want to use a site like Rent the Runway for a dress rental, opt for a longer, eight-day rental option — even if you only need it for a weekend — to leave yourself extra time for it to arrive before you travel and to return it safely without incurring late fees.

4. Always go with a carry-on. Glantz’s cardinal rule of wedding packing is to skip checking your baggage. “I never want to risk having my bag not show up for a wedding!” It’s not worth the hassle of lost luggage and having to fashion an outfit out of whatever you can scrounge together at the airport. Packing a formal dress in a smaller carry-on size bag isn’t easy, but Glantz’s go-to trick is stashing a mini steamer in the bag to lift the wrinkles from the fabric in seconds.

5. Be practical with a gift. “If you decide to get a wedding gift that’s not cash, be sure to have that gift shipped to the couple’s house; that way you don’t have to worry about traveling with it and having it break while in motion, or just forgetting it at your hotel room,” Glantz recommends. Think about it: As much as you don’t want to travel with a giant food processor in your luggage, the couple doesn’t want to travel home with that appliance multiplied by a hundred after the ceremony is over. For a portable gift that’s more personal than just cash, Glantz suggests a gift card for fun activities or restaurants near the couple’s honeymoon destination, or a gift card for home renovations to cover that special project they may not have wanted to splurge on before the wedding.

6. Never arrive without a wedding emergency kit. Inside your carry-on, make sure to save extra room for a kit of useful items to prepare you for any possible crises you might run into throughout the course of the big day. As a pro bridesmaid, Glantz swears by this trick for wedding party members and guests alike: “I can’t recommend enough to bring Band-Aids, tissues, a pair of flat shoes, an extra phone charger, floss, superglue (in case any of your accessories break), and a hair tie to help recreate an evening look after your hair has been sweaty all night from being out on the dance floor.” When someone’s heel snaps in half in the middle of taking photos on a scenic ravine, you’ll be the MVP of the night.

Have you ever lost luggage with a bridesmaid dress? Did you get to the hotel only to realize an important thing you should have packed? Was finding an affordable flight a struggle? Tag us in your wedding battle stories on Twitter @BritandCo.

(Photos via Getty)

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The Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce engagement rumors aren't new, but while the internet discusses whether Taylor's hiding an engagement ring, the celebrity couple rarely talks about it. But in a recent interview ahead of the Super Bowl, when the Kansas City Chiefs tight end (and Eras Tour guest) got yet another engagement question, his answer wasn't no.

Here's what Travis Kelce said about proposing to Taylor Swift.

Will Travis Kelce propose to Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl?

While in New Orleans for the Super Bowl's opening night event on February 3, Travis Kelce was asked whether he plans to propose to popstar girlfriend Taylor Swift during the halftime show. “Wouldn’t you like to know,” Travis responded (via The Kansas City Star).

The last time Travis talked about popping the question, he told friend Jason Sudekis, "you're really pushing it."

And Travis' mom Donna Kelce told Page Six in October that "nobody knows" about a potential engagement: “We will see what happens. You never know.”

And fans are hoping it's not the only time they see Tay during the Big Game.

@callmeadal & then she’ll go on to announce Reputation (Taylor’s Version) 🐍🖤🏈 #swifttok#superbowlhalftimeshow#taylorswift#superbowl#kenndricklamar♬ original sound - therickybarrera

Well, a proposal isn't the only rumor swirling around Taylor Swift and the Super Bowl. The "Cruel Summer" singer will undoubtedly be in attendance to support her boyfriend at his third consecutive Big Game, and Swifties are hoping to see her on the field during Kendrick Lamar's Halftime Performance.

Taylor and Kendrick collaborated on "Bad Blood" (originally in 2015 and again in 2023), and it would be absolutely incredible if they were able to have a moment together! SZA is already confirmed to make a guest appearance and I'm hoping they'll sing "All The Stars" from Black Panther.

Tune into the Super Bowl on February 9 to see if Taylor gives a surprise performance — and if Travis proposes ;).

What do you think about these Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce engagement rumors? Read up on Travis Kelce's Dream Wedding for even more info on your favorite lovebirds.

I always get excited when I think about how many celebrity couples we don't know about yet. Glen Powell & Lily James generated some buzz when they hopped into a car together ahead of the BAFTAs, and Outer Banks star Madelyn Cline & Austin Butler (yes, Elvis himself) were just spotted out and about together. Let's dive in, shall we?

Here's everything we know about those Madelyn Cline & Austin Butler dating rumors.

Madelyn Cline & Austin Butler were allegedly spotted grabbing a meal.

"Seriously just saw Madelyn Cline and Austin Butler" at a celebrity-frequented restaurant in Los Angeles, a DeuxMoi source said at the end of January. One Instagram user commented that since Madelyn and Austin's exes (Pete Davidson and Kaia Gerber) are exes, "dating in Hollywood is 3 degrees of separation."

However, according to another DeuxMoi source, fans have been paying attention to Madelyn's Instagram activity. The actress previously dated her Outer Banks costar Chase Stokes, and has allegedly been liking posts about "the one that got away," and even posted on her Instagram story that she deserves happiness.

"The timing of Chase's relationship doing so great and her having a string of failed relationships, people are just assuming she's crashing out," the second source continues. Yikes, y'all.

I think it's so fascinating how fans allegedly jump to the conclusion that Madelyn is crashing out, and assume Austin (who is also recently single) is totally fine post-breakup. Listen, a girl can go on a few dates without spiraling, dating really doesn't have to be that serious. It's supposed to be fun!

It's also totally in the realm of possibility that they were having a business meeting. For now, we don't really know. But what I do know? Madelyn Cline and Austin Butler would make a cute couple, and even if they don't end up in a relationship, a delicious dinner and maybe a smooch or two never hurt anybody ;).

Stay tuned for more news on these Madelyn Cline & Austin Butler dating rumors, and while we're on all things lovey-dovey, check out the latest news on Madelyn Cline's New Romance The Map That Leads To You.

How many times have you heard someone is a toxic person and — aside from therapy speak — what does it mean? According to Michelle English, LCSW, Co-Founder and Executive Clinical Manager at Healthy Life Recovery, "In a therapeutic setting, toxic behavior usually refers to patterns of behavior that regularly cause emotional, mental, or even physical harm to others."

Wondering why people resort to being toxic behavior? English says, "They are frequently the result of unresolved personal issues such as trauma, insecurity, or a lack of self-awareness." Jamie Bennett, LMFT of Mountainside Treatment Center, adds, "Many toxic people do things with the intent of getting a certain reaction – like a bully. If they want to rile you up and you don’t get riled up this changes the dynamic."

Wanna know what signs to look out for when it comes to toxic people? We've got you covered — and we have the tea on when you should finally cut them out!

P.S. Bennett says assertiveness isn't toxic, even if someone's behavior sometimes comes off as pushy or controlling. This just means they're sure of themselves!

Here are the 6 signs of a toxic person — & when to cut them out!

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1. They're always being dismissive.

Have you ever been really excited or upset about something only to be met with a dismissive tone from someone you confided in? This person is displaying toxicity which "gradually undermines trust in relationships," according to English. Would you want to keep sharing things with a person if they're always downplaying your emotions? Probably not.

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2. Controlling others seems like a sport to them.

English says another way to determine someone is toxic is pay attention to their controlling behavior. It can be something as simple as telling you what to wear or something greater such as forcibly limiting your contact with anyone they think isn't good for you.

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3. They consistently makes excuses for their behavior.

Have you ever let a close friend know certain behavior bothers you only for them to make an excuse for why they keep doing them? Bennett says this counts as "avoiding responsibility for actions." Furthermore, "constantly" doing so or looking to "push the blame onto someone else veers into toxic territory," she adds.

Another way to look at this is if someone is always falling into a pattern of "victimizing themselves," according to Bennett.

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4. They tend to be manipulative.

Manipulation is tricky because it's not always obvious until it's too late. It's kind of like not realizing you were bit by a mosquito until your skin becomes itchy and red. Bennett says this is toxic because there's a knowing that someone can "appeal to a certain person's characteristics or personality traits." This looks like saying or doing something "with the intention of getting a certain reaction," according to her.

Bennett says, "An example may be one partner in sobriety who consistently uses their poor mental health as a reason to not be proactive about finding a job. They do this because they know that the other partner is worried about their loved one relapsing so they use that fear against her."

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5. They never miss an opportunity to gaslight people.

Calling this a "well-known example," English says gaslighting often occurs when someone denies the reality of another person." What would cause someone to do this? Well, a toxic behavior often doesn't want to take accountability for their actions so they'd rather "cause people to doubt their own perceptions," according to English.

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6. They're always looking for reasons to criticize someone.

The catty behavior on The Real Housewives of New York may be entertaining for TV, but that kind of behavior gets old quickly in everyday life. No one wants to hear why "so and so thinks they're all that" even if it's disguised as humor. English says, "Regardless of their motivation," behaviors like this "can lead to stressful and emotionally distressing situations."

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Is it time to cut that toxic person out of my life?

We live in a society that started prioritizing ending relationships with people as soon as we spot red flags, but English and Bennett don't think this should be our immediate reaction. English says, "The decision to disengage with a toxic person in the relationship will depend on how harsh and serious the relationship is" because "it is often personal."

According to her, if you notice a consistent pattern where the behavior is "damaging your emotional health," it's okay to walk away from that person. Still, she believes "completely cutting [someone] off is often a last option when other approaches to changing the behavior have not worked." Bennett says something similar and notes how to approach different scenarios.

"If it someone you need to communicate with because of a job or family, there are things you can do to protect yourself," she says. She suggests reminding "yourself who you are dealing with" if the person is adept at gaslighting others because "it may be easy to become convinced that you are wrong or something did not happen the way you recall." A phrase she encourages you to tell yourself is, "I know that my experiences are my experiences no matter what."

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If you're dealing with an aggressively toxic person, you'll have to "set and reinforce boundaries," Bennett says while English adds that "engaging in therapy to faciliate healthier relationships" may be a next step.

Here's how Bennett suggests navigating communication with someone like this:

  • Set a boundary to end the conversation when you notice toxic behavior such as invalidation of your feelings.
  • Receive support from another person so they can remind you of things you're trying to accomplish

If you're dealing with a friend or spouse, Bennett wants you to remember "you cannot change them" but you're in control of how you respond. English says, "It is important to analyze the whole situation and know when the cost of the relationship is greater than the benefits."

Bennett's last piece of advice is to know when to walk away" by having a "deep awareness for how you are feeling." You can do this by "checking in with your body and thoughts" so you can understand how you "respond to stress," according to her. She says this will give you more "clues on what when it's time to step away!"

Read more of our relationships articles to learn how to navigate tough situations in 2025!

Not only is Blake Lively speaking out about the "sexist" commentary on her legal battle with Justin Baldoni, she's also enlisting the help of...the CIA? Yes, you read that right. The actress just recruited an ex-CIA advisor to help with her case ahead of the March 2026 trial. Wow.

Here's what we know about Blake Lively's latest move in her legal battle with Justin Baldoni.

Blake Lively just involved an ex-CIA advisor in her case.

Blake Lively has enlisted Nick Shapiro, former CIA deputy chief of staff and senior advisor John Brennan (the former director), to help with her case, according to Page Six and Variety.

“The litigation team for Ms. Lively retained Mr. Shapiro to advise on the legal communications strategy for the ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit occurring in the Southern District of New York,” Blake Lively's lawyers said in a statement.

This proves more than anything else that Blake is taking the trial really seriously because this is a major move on her part.

Recently, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni actually agreed on something when they spoke out against the "violent" messages Blake and her loved ones have been receiving.

Blake's legal team requested a stronger protection order (PO), considering Blake, "her family, other members of the cast, various fact witnesses, and individuals that have spoken out publicly in support of Ms. Lively have received violent, profane, sexist, and threatening communications" (as the request states), "good cause exists for the Court to adopt the Proposed PO."

And Justin's legal team went on the record, saying they "do not condone dangerous rhetoric targeted toward anyone no matter the situation. Anyone receiving violent messages by anonymous parties is abhorrent."

“When private parties were wrongfully accused by Lively and her paid team of wrongdoing, they received continuous death threats and visits to private homes where young children reside after their addresses were leaked on her initial complaints," they continue. "No one should have to face that, especially private parties who do not have means for security detail. We do not condone dangerous rhetoric targeted toward anyone no matter the situation.”

Stay tuned for more news on Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's legal battle.

Look out Bridgerton fans — Simone Ashley is giving love another chance in her new rom-com movie Picture This! We'll always love her inspiring take on Kate Sharma, but it's nice to see her spreading her acting wings. Just don't expect the two worlds to collide!

Picture This has a modern feel that explores the life of a single woman who's more concerned about having a lucrative career than putting all of her eggs in one basket. It's an accurate depiction of dating in 2025 and takes outdated relationship rules to task! Let's dig into all the exciting details!

Keep scrolling to learn everything you need to know about Simone Ashley's rom-com, Picture This!

What is 'Picture This' about?

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Picture This is about a photographer Pia's (Simone Ashley) journey to living life on her terms, but she gets the surprise of a lifetime when she's given dating tasks. In order to truly have the life she wants, she has to go on a few dates which is the opposite of what she's trying to focus on.

Adding even more turmoil to the mix is the reappearance of an ex that sends Pia down of path of self-discovery that may or may not end with her falling in love.

Who's starring in 'Picture This'?

Amazon MGM Studios

Picture This will star:

  • Simone Ashley
  • Hero Fiennes Tiffin
  • Sindhu Vee
  • Luke Fetherson
  • Nikesh Patel
  • Adil Ray
  • Anoushka Chadha
  • Eben Figueiredo
  • Kulvinder Ghir
  • Asim Chaudhry
  • Phil Dunster
And the film will be directed by Prarthana Mohan (Christmas Canceled).

When will it premiere?

Amazon MGM Studios

Picture This is set to premiere March 6, 2025 on Amazon Prime.

What The Trailer For 'Picture This' Here!

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Picture This appears to be full of hilarious moments from a best friend who has witty one-liners to a family who's good intentions feel invasive. The only thing we'll have to wait to see is whether Pia and her ex will get a second chance at love or not.

Are you excited to see Picture This? Let us know on Facebook!