One of the many difficult things about having a COVID wedding was that I didn't get to fully enjoy being engaged. Not that I didn't enjoy it by any means, but I didn't get to do the typical "bridal" events that most people got to do since everyone and everything was on lockdown. No extreme Bachelorette trip, no huge showers, and definitely not a big reception with a bunch of friends.
As a fashion lover, this means I didn't get to wear a million all-white outfits and make being engaged my whole personality — like I would at this point in my life. With that being said, I can't help but see how many amazing bridal pieces are out there on the market...and it's making me wanna get married (to my husband) all over again. Since I can't, here are all the bridal outfits pieces that I can't get enough of right now. From bridal shoes to bachelorette looks, these are the pieces I've got my eye on!
Reformation
This dress is sleek, chic, and so perfect for fall and winter wedding vibes. Whether you're going out on a classy dinner with your girlfriends on a bachelorette trip, or you're getting ready for the toast at your rehearsal dinner, I love this satin bridal look! It's honestly the definition of "simplicity is elegance"!
Anthropologie
Maybe I'm biased because BHLDN is where I got my wedding dress, but they truly have some of the most classy and fun options out there that also aren't exorbitant in price. This dress is under $500, and would make for the perfect Bachelorette party dress! It's chic, on-trend, and so fun with the short, tulle skirt and pearl detailing.
Nordstrom
Coworkers throwing you a bridal shower? This demure little number is perfect for those more modest bridal moments. You still get a fun, flirty, off-the-shoulder moment, but the tea length skirt adds a buttoned-up vibe that's perfectly appropriate. While this looks great with a pair of strappy heels, I could also see this knit number looking amazing with some tall brown boots in the fall!
Abercrombie
Having an intimate courthouse elopement? Looking for a lowkey afterparty dress? Whatever the occasion, this Abercrombie option fits the bill! I love the elegant off-the-shoulder sleeves — it gives you a great way to show off your jewelry. Plus, the mini dress will let you dance all night long to celebrate your officiated love!
Dôen
This dress is that is giving vintage bridal in a unique, not-so-typical way. The contrasting black lace juxtaposes the white really well, and makes it less overtly bridal, so you can definitely wear it again! Add a vintage satin drawstring bag to really go with the throwback look!
Dôen
The bridal dress of my dreams! It reaches all of the categories you could want: midi, silk, and has a beautiful bridal bow! Can't you just imagine this with a fur coat overtop for the fall and winter?! It would be truly heavenly. Wear this one for an intimate bridal event, or even a rehearsal dinner.
Nordstrom
Kacey Musgraves just gets it. Her collab with Reformation was absolutely amazing, and when I saw this dress I immediately knew it would be perfect for anything bridal related. From the puff sleeves, to the lace, to the bows on the sides — it's perfection! I could 100% see this one looking incredible as a courthouse wedding option!
Abercrombie
Having a GNO to celebrate your upcoming nuptials? This sequin mini dress is the perfect way to say, "Buy me a shot — I'm getting married." Whether you're having a summer soiree or a winter night on the town, it's versatile enough to match all of your bachelorette party needs!
Nordstrom
If you're wanting a sexier option for a Bachelorette dress then this one is definitely for you! It has a more form-fitting cut with the mesh fabric and corseted bodice. Honestly, this is a 10/10 for me — I just know it's gonna look so good as we head into the fall and winter seasons!
Abercrombie & Fitch
She's chic, she's beauty, and she's grace. I love the elevated and luxurious look of this bridal outfit — AND, it's on sale! To say I'm obsessed would be an understatement. This dress with a dainty clutch and slingback heel would be perfection for a reception dress!
Reformation
Can I get a little commotion for the dress? This Reformation mini will have you ending your reception with a bang! The long, mesh sleeves paired with the feathered bottom makes for SUCH a fun afterparty bridal outfit! Plus, you won't have to worry about sweating too much on the dance floor with the mini skirt and the lighter sleeves. Win-win!
Dynamite
I'm convinced every bride needs a tweed, mini dress for bridal season — they go well for so many different occasions. I even own one right now just because I find them so cute and wearable. For this dress, I would style with ballet flats, and a sweater over the shoulders for very French look! I can totally picture this at your bridal shower brunch where all your mom's BFFs can't stop complimenting you!
Reformation
This is casual piece that makes you want to be a bride for just a bit longer... If I were to get married again, then this would be high up on my list since it's a two piece. You can wear it separately or together to really embrace the whole "white" and "bridal" theme no matter the setting!
Reformation
Another great contender for a rehearsal dinner or reception dress from Reformation! This pairing with the fur coat and mesh, black heels is divine! It' giving the most wonderful White Christmas vibes that would be so ideal with anyone having a winter wedding. Grab this chic, classy bridal outfit ASAP!
Anthropologie
I love, love, love this bag. I haven't seen a purse scream "bridal" more than this! It would make for the most amazing day-of bag, or simply your bag to carry for any bridal occasion. Plus, for $110 that's a fairly good deal for how much wear you'll get out of it.
Cuyana
Looking for something a little less showy as the pearl option? I love this understated option from Cuyana! The bow top and gold chain combo are so gorgeous together! Plus, pebbled Italian leather is gonna last you way longer than you big day!
Reformation
For any bridal events, I would opt for these heels, because they are simple, clean-cute, super bridal, and very easy to wear with almost any outfit option! They are so reminiscent of 90s vintage heels that I'm constantly searching for on Ebay. I might purchase these just for a good date-night heel.
Nordstrom
Looking for some flats to pair with your bridal outfits? These Dolce Vitas are perfection! The square toe and Mary Jane style are so on-trend! Plus, the profile is simple enough to go with just about every look you could throw together!
Anthropologie
These bow mary janes seem very bridal to me, and they get bonus points for also being great for daily wear too! They're super comfortable, and give the bridal touch with the bows. And guess what?! They can count as you're "something blue"!
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Things are heating up betweenSelena Gomez and Benny Blanco since late last year to the surprise of some, but it seems like the couple's romance is just getting started. They're not shy about PDA and posting each other on social media and pretty much telling anyone who doesn't like it to get lost. We love how fiercely supportive they are of each other, giving us so many good green flags! Here's everything we know about the lovely new couple so far.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco first collaborated on the song "I Can't Get Enough" along with Tainy and J. Balvin in 2019. Though they were featured in a cute scene together, there weren't any rumors about them being romantically linked then.
They didn't work together again until late summer 2023 when he produced Selena's single "Single Soon" with Cashmere Cat.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Before 2023 ended, Selena started leaving comments on Instagram that suggested she and Benny Blanco were in fact together. One of the comments she left appear on this Instagram fan page and it reads, "He is my absolute everything in my heart."
Some fans weren't so thrilled to see the two together though and they weren't afraid to express their opinions. But, this only prompted Selena to leave more comments that defended her relationship with Benny.
People grabbed a screenshot of one of the comments Selena responded that revealed the couple had been together for a while. "Not mad. It’s been 6 months bb. I will always defend my friends, family and fans till the day I die," she wrote. They even shared another screenshot from Selena's Instagram Story that showed her wearing a "B" ring on one of her fingers.
Craig Barritt/Getty Images for TIME
Soon after that, Selena shared a photo carousel on Instagram that included some of her favorite moments in New York and Benny Blanco can be seen in BTS moments. The last picture of the carousel features them sharing a kiss in a black and white photo that basically confirms the responses the singer had for fans.
Before the new year began, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco spent some time at a cute art exhibit during a date. From the looks of things, it seemed like they discovered their love language of physical touch early on.
Presley Ann/Getty Images for GQ
Feeling the love of being with Selena, Benny Blanco took to Instagram Stories to officially signal that the two are dating. People grabbed a few more screenshots that Benny shared and all we can see is the happy glint that was in Selena's eyes.
Sarah Stier/Getty Images
The next day the couple were seen court side at one of the Los Angeles Lakers' game. Once again, their love language was on full display in the most intimate way. A source revealed to People that they understood why people had so many opinions about Selena's relationship with Benny. "Everyone was a fan of hers before Only Murders [in the Building], and now everyone is protective of her."
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Later that month, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco showed up to the Emmy Awards together. They were sitting side-by-side and weren't afraid to show affection with each other.
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for AFI
When Benny Blanco's birthday rolled around, Selena Gomez shared a sweet message to him on Instagram. She wrote, "Happy birthday baby! Your emotional endurance, positive disposition, unbelievable talent (that blows me away), undeniable humor and loving, kind heart absolutely kill me. I love you @itsbennyblanco 🎂🥹."
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Although we're only four months into the new year, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco's relationship is still going strong! The Only Murders in the Building star has been seen smiling in every pic she posts which indicates she's genuinely happy in her relationship. A source hinted to People that the two are doing well. "It’s a very serious relationship, and they’re making long distance work while she’s in New York for work commitments," they said.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Spotify
In an interview with WSJ, Benny Blanco gave his POV of how his relationship with Selena Gomez began and it was the cutest revelation. "It’s crazy how your partner could just be sitting there the whole time, right in front of your eyes...And then you have a Clueless moment where you're like, Wait, I'm in love," he says.
A man who compares his relationship to that moment in Clueless where Cher and Josh admit their feelings for each other gets brownie points from us!
It looks like Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco's relationship may be ready for the next step — that's if you ask Mr. Blanco. He appeared on The Howard Stern Show yesterday to chat about everything, including his relationship with Selena. When Howard Stern asked, "You want to have kids with Selena? Have you told her you want to have kids yet," Benny replied, "That’s my next goal, to check the box. I have a ton of godkids. I've got a ton of nephews. I love being around kids."
However, he's not in a rush and wants everything to happen naturally. All that matters is that the two of them are in each other's life. He said, "I just know that when I look at her, I just say, ‘I don’t know a world where it could be better than this.’ That’s what I always say to her.”
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Selena Gomez tells TIME just how much Benny Blanco means to her — no matter what anyone else says. "My own fans, who I adore and feel like have shaped who I am, will say the most hurtful things to me about how I live my life," she says. "But he has the strength in him that none of that noise fazes him. It’s really impressive, and I just cherish every moment with him. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that he’s not going anywhere any time soon.”
Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco looked amazing in their Alice in Wonderland couple's Halloween costume. "Curiouser and curiouser," Selena wrote on the post, which is totally reminding us of Taylor Swift's 1989 (hello "Wonderland"!!!).
Selena wore a corset dress in what looks like slate blue with cap puffed sleeves and a tulle skirt, along with a blonde wig, black bow, and slingback shoes. Benny went all out as the Mad Hatter with face paint, a wig, a top hat, and a waistcoat. We'd follow them down the rabbit hole!
Benny Blanco's been featured in People's'Sexiest Man Alive' issue and we're kind of feeling it! What started off as an unlikely choice for Selena has turned into a deep understanding of why she loves him so much. The man is an excellent host, cook, and gentleman which makes him an off-the-charts lover. And when it comes to date night, he believes in making sure every time is special. "I [still] go all out for every date. It doesn't mean spending your entire bank account. It means being attentive and listening," he said.
His most memorable dates with Selena involve the times she "rented out a whole botanical garden" and he "got her Taco Bell" before proceeding to make her "movie-theater nachos" and deep-frying her "favorite pickles from Texas" for Valentine's Day.
He also gushed about his favorite time of the day. "I'm a real morning person. It's my favorite time to spend with Sel, because we both wake up really early. It's like our moment before the rest of the world wakes up." Not only that, but the music producer is thrilled he has "a true best friend" he gets to spend his life with.
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This post has been updated.
The search for the perfect mother-of-the-bride dress is such an exciting journey. You want your final dress to be elegant, stylish, and sentimental, too! As the proud mother, you deserve to shine just as brightly as the bride herself, and finding a dress that reflects your personality (but also complements the wedding's theme) is key.
Whether you’re aiming for a mother-of-the-bride dress that's more traditional, modern, or a blend of both, we've got you covered with these 10 stunning styles that'll make you feel confident and beautiful on your daughter's special day.
This gorgeous $169 gown is totally wedding appropriate and oh-so elegant. It boasts a skirt that lands at floor length, a unique asymmetrical neckline, and a long leg slit all in a soft, non-stretchy material that feels just as great as it looks. The rich grape purple color will make you feel stunning! This dress zips up conveniently in the back.
You get the best of both worlds with this affordable (just $68!) MOTB dress. While the long sleeves have a good amount of coverage, the flattering v-neck and high leg slit allow you to show more skin. This flowy red number is made from a super soft and stretchy fabric, and has smocked detailing around the waistline to give your body definition.
This dress just screams elegance! It's as sequined and stunning as can be. The long skirt flaunts a slight, sweeping train while the neckline is fairly no-frills. This neutral pick ($598) is fully lined for maximum all-day comfort.
The knotted design on this $261 gown draws visual interest and flatters your figure beyond compare. The trendy one-shoulder look will also make you stand out without overshadowing the bride's get-up. This design includes a long maxi hem that grazes the floor. It's fitted around the bodice and slightly flares out past the waist, but isn't quite a traditional a-line silhouette.
Want to be drenched in shiny sequins? This is the dress for you. It has cap sleeves, an open back, and a sultry leg slit that lets you step and move with ease. Additionally, the fabric has some stretch to it and secures in the back with a discreet zipper. This pick is available on sale for 60 (was $200).
This $328 dress is all about showing some skin – not a bad thing for a wedding, as long as it's done tastefully! This elegant off-the-shoulder design is crafted from a satin-y fabric, so it has some shine to it. It's most fitted around the bust and tummy before falling to a full-length trumpet skirt.
These playful see-through mesh sleeves are everything. The stripes (along with some pretty glamorous sequins) also play a role in shaping your final MOTB look! This long dress ($598) is gathered around an empire waist to elongate your figure further.
This a-line skirt on this $239 dress gives your look much-needed breathing and moving room. It has a more polished look, thanks to the smooth fabric and waist sash. You'd never guess it by looking at it, but this pick also has pockets! The gorgeous green fabric is non-stretchy but looks so flattering when worn.
There is truly no shortage of shininess with this one. It's the ultimate piece to match with other accessories and shoes, depending on the wedding theme. This $438 dress has a boat neck that falls to a v-shaped back as well as modest long sleeves that land right above the wrists. The high leg slit breaks up the look perfectly, too!
This $199 dress has dark navy, drapey sleeves with sequin details, as well as a striking knot detail at the waistline. Since it's naturally flowy, the slightly stretchy material it's made from only amps up the comfort levels.
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Lead image via Nordstrom.
Major Outer Banks season 4 spoilers ahead!
ICYMI, Outer Banks season 4 dropped its second half on November 7, and fans have a lot of very strong feelings about it. Despite the fact JJ's entire character arc is about defiance, hope, and being the ultimate Pogue, Outer Banks season 4 ended with his biological dad, a kook named Chandler Groff, killing him in cold blood.
It's an absolutely devastating ending for everyone's favorite character, and fans are having a hard time coping with the loss. The fact we only got 10 episodes of JJ and Kiara together (a relationship written into the show after viewers picked up on the chemistry between Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey) makes it even worse — and a lot of fans are saying they won't watch the show again.
"I can’t even watch the previous seasons anymore knowing how it all ends," viewer Jordyn Bruder says in an email. "JJ was the literal heart of OBX and he was the glue that held the Pogues together. There is no OBX without JJ."
Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix
JJ dies at the end of Outer Banks season 4 episode 10, "The Blue Crown" after rescuing Kiara from his father Chandler Groff. "I feel mad, betrayed, disappointed and heartbroken to say the least," Bruder adds. "JJ went through a lot of crap through the show and he was the one character who deserved his happy ending the most. When the series first came out, people fell in love with JJ and [Kiara]."
While the cast obviously found out about the ending while filming, fans are frustrated with how they chose to promote the show. "Obviously the cast can’t spoil a character death, but to blatantly lie and mislead fans by saying that Jiara was 'evergrowing' and fans would be happy with how the season plays out?" Bruder says. "Jiara fans deserved so much better than what we got, ESPECIALLY when they knew they were killing JJ off."
Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix
The show is the kind of phenomenon that made instant stars out of its cast, but it also made waves because of how the first season portrayed issues like classism, substance abuse, and domestic abuse. "As someone who has been around domestic abuse, I think the handling of the character JJ was detrimental culturally," another fan (who would like to remain anonymous) says. "The character suffered abuse at the hands of a man who was not even his biological father, and the writers almost framed it as if that was okay because in the beginning, his father loved him. Instead of telling a story to victims of abuse about hope and making it through trials, the writers went the opposite way. I also find it interesting that they stated this was a planned death. I think writing a character who is suffering from anxiety and clear mental health issues as well as abuse who is very young like JJ only to let him fall in love and kill him right when he starts to feel happiness doesn’t necessarily make a lot of sense narratively."
Another viewer adds that ending JJ's story that way felt "disrespectful...especially when in an interview following the episode, one of the creators literally referred to his death as pointless." She even says "it feels almost like the show died along with him."
Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix
Actress Madelyn Cline (Sarah Cameron) called JJ the "heart of Outer Banks"and for a lot of fans, JJ also became a beacon of hope, a reminder that you can endure, persevere, and come out stronger on the other side. Since the first season of the show dropped during April 2020, it's been one consistent, fun thing for TV fans since the COVID-19 pandemic began, which makes the loss feel even greater.
"Seeing him die at the hands of another abusive father was honestly kind of sickening," the viewer adds. "It’s also unfortunate that his death didn’t seem to mean anything. A character death like this would be one thing if it meant something. If he had died protecting his friends or actively protecting Kiara, rather than having already saved her and then getting killed afterward, it might’ve be easier to get past."
"It’s like a connection to something good and steady was just broken," X user @onlykiep4l says. "Killing a character that has literally gone trough so much trauma and was finally happy just doesn’t make sense. It’s not just the character that’s gone — it feels like a part of the show has ended too."
Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix
Rumors have been circulating for years about behind-the-scenes drama between actors Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey, which has fans believing Rudy asked to be written off the show(for the record, Outer Banks creators Josh & Jonas Pate and Shannon Burke have said it was the plan from the beginning). With Rudy's exit, the writers had a difficult choice in front of them. JJ isn't the kind of guy to abandon his friends, meaning the writers obviously felt like killing him was the only option. But according to an additional viewer, "Outer Banks hasn't been that type of show."
"To attempt to turn this fun, summer, boat show into some dark, depressing story where the heart of the show is gone destroys everything that the show started out as," she says.
Another anonymous fan calls the choice "a character assassination," adding other moments from the season that feel like a different character than the one fans have come to love: barely reacting to John B. and Sarah's pregnancy announcement, or to the fact Rafe had come to talk to Kiara — especially after his reaction to Rafe catcalling Kie in the first season is a moment that led fans to ship them in the first place.
The fan continues by calling JJ's treatment a "lack of respect" toward the character. "The fact that the writers tried to make us dislike him, to soften the blow of him dying. It didn’t work. It has everyone distraught because many people’s favorite character ended up dying after 'finding happiness' for about 10 minutes in Episode 10."
Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix
But JJ's death isn't the only moment that has fans reeling. In addition to the fact viewers are saying the Pogues barely reacted to the death of their lifelong best friend, Pope is now a murderer and Kiara makes an absolutely chilling vow to get revenge on Groff — a far cry from the characters we fell in love with in season 1.
"Outside of the JJ of it all, a lot of plot lines/dynamics in part 2 felt off," one of our anonymous fans continues. "Sarah’s pregnancy plot line, especially when coupled with the quote from a creator about ‘giving her a baby specifically because she wasn’t ready’ feels incredibly tone deaf given the current state of things here in the US. The fact that there wasn’t even a conversation of if she wanted to continue with the pregnancy felt very icky. Overall, episodes 1-4 of this season did feel like Outer Banks, but everything after that felt like it was from an entirely different piece of media."
However, some fans are excited to see where the show goes from here. "JJ was such a strong character and his presence will obviously be missed, [but] I am excited to see how the Pogues react and what they do to get revenge on Groff," Virginia McGrew says in an email. "I also think that the scene of JJ dying with Kiara was extremely well done and emotional, making his passing even sadder. I ultimately believe that JJ’s passing serves as a reminder of the themes the show."
"JJ made the group even more aware of friendship, the importance of chosen family, and loyalty, which was seen throughout the season and especially in the finale," she continues. "Now that he is gone, the other Pogues will have to step up even more, creating a shift in their dynamic. While many believe that Outer Banks might not be worth watching after this finale, I truly think that it is only going to get even deeper and more interesting."
Let us know your thoughts on the Outer Banks season 4 ending on TikTok. And check out why This Heartbreaking Outer Banks 5 Theory Makes THAT Death Even More Emotional.
