Reader tip

I had a sweet surprise awaiting me today in my e-mail inbox from Molly, of The Girl's Girl: I found a lovely slideshow on the Easy Living site that I was going to post, but the more I thought about it, the more it reminded me of your aesthetic ... The set (gorgeous older home) & styling reminded me of Classic Bride, so I thought I'd forward it to you.

Molly, thank you so much for the pointer to these oh-so-classically styled photos -- which, btw, I definitely think could set the tone for an emerging bridal trend ...

A pre-rehearsal dinner shoot could easily pass for a modern and casual take on bridal portraits (minus the gown and veil). And these stunning examples offer such a fresh take on the often stale portraits that are typically taken months before the actual event. Imagine the intensified energy and excitement you'd have the day before!

If your photographers are around for the whole weekend, documenting the rehearsal dinner &/or Sunday get-together, why not take advantage of their presence and churn out an extra shoot or two? Slip into your swanky attire and arrive at your rehearsal dinner venue a little early ... and yes, it would help if you were having dinner at a fabulous old home like the one shown -- which, I'd like to emphasize, is not a stretch of the imagination. Just think about it before you make your reservations. Choose a place that not only tantalizes your tastebuds but is also dripping with ambience and charm. There is almost always a beautiful-old-home-turned-restaurant in Everytown, USA, so just look around. I know lots of brides are super busy the day before the wedding but if it's possible to sneak in a few photos, I think it would be a wonderful reminder of all the excitement.

View the entire slideshow for extra inspiration.

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