On Newstands Now: Brides February 2011

After getting engaged, you'll probably run to the newsstand and pick up a stack of wedding magazines, and when you get to the checkout counter, you'll find out that they can be expensive. (That's why you should get a subscription -- it'll save you a lot of money!)

Just like deciding what movie to go see or restaurant to eat at, reading a review of a bridal magazine can help you decide which one to buy. Aisledash.com is now your go-to source for reviews of the latest wedding magazines hitting stands, whether they're local or national. Each review will feature the highlights of the new issue and what you'll find inside.

The February 2011 issue of Brides (bridesmag.com) is "The Color Issue" with a number of stories highlighting wedding details and fashions by colors. There are also some basic planning stories that you're sure to find helpful such as tipping basics, how to create a memorable wedding and of course hundreds of wedding and bridesmaid dresses to flip through. Cost: $5.99. Here are some highlights:

Doilies can be used in a number of ways at your wedding as both decor and details. The "Buzz" section (page 82) includes eight different doily details that you can use. The "Buzz: Entertainment" feature (page 100) highlights what recent celebrity brides have included in their wedding such as Hilary Duff wearing a garter and first dance songs that A-list brides and grooms have danced to.

There are a number of helpful wedding planning stories in the "Planning" pages (page 175). Since this is the "Color Issue" the editors solve five common color-related problems such as, can you use fall colors at a spring wedding and how to avoid using your fiancé's favorite sports team's colors as your wedding palette. These are very important questions that are more common than you may think! Brides are always asking me how much they should tip different vendors and I'm sure the editors of Brides get the question all the time, so on page 178 there's a comprehensive wedding tipping guide that you can tear out and save in your wedding organizer so you'll know how much to tip each wedding vendor. And if you haven't already asked your friends to be your bridesmaids, the "Choosing Bridesmaids" story (page 176) will help you decide who you have to ask to be a bridesmaid and who you don't.

With the royal wedding coming up in April, the tiara has made a huge comeback! While wedding and royal experts go back and forth on which royal tiara Kate Middleton will wear on her wedding day, the non-royal bride can also find a headpiece that will be the perfect bridal accessory for her wedding-day look. "Crowning Glory" (page 122) has a quiz that will help you determine which type of tiara will look best on you. The "Beauty" section (page 157) is a comprehensive 12-month bridal beauty countdown with beauty advice for each month leading up to the big day, including hair-care, makeup and skin-care tips.

Once you've picked your bridesmaids and your wedding colors, you'll have to pick a bridesmaid dress and accessories for them to wear. "Nice Shades" (page 366) features 4 possible color palettes and the bridesmaid dress and accessories for your girls. Some of the looks can be worn by a bride to her engagement party, bridal shower or rehearsal dinner.

"The Ultimate Shopping Guide" (page 374) is a must-read for every bride shopping for her wedding dress. The eight-page story shows the different wedding dress silhouettes, wedding dress necklines, waistlines, eight places you can buy your wedding dress, tips for plus-size brides, what and who to bring with you and tips on saving money on your wedding dress. "Find Your Wedding Style" (page 382) starts out as a quiz to help you find the look and feel for your wedding. There are three different wedding styles that include all the details you'll need to pull off the modern romance, easy exotic or garden vintage settings.

Other highlights include "Extreme Makeover: Bridal Edition" that discusses the plastic surgery procedures brides are signing up for to get that "perfect body" for their wedding. And yes that horrible reality show Bridalplasty is mentioned. This month's Blog Star (page 200) is Amanda from Ruffled. Amanda shares 10 vintage-style tips for bridal beauty to wedding-day decor.