I stayed last week at Lola, a new boutique hotel in New York City (29th and Madison).   With a  sleek and sophisticated ambiance, all 276 rooms and suites have been freshly renovated and feature cool, contemporary decor — the bathrooms include back-lit mirrors and slate tiling, and each room has  plush down duvets,  300 thread-count bedding,  37” HD flat-screen TVs, iPod/iPad docking stations and WIFI.  

You can book individual rooms or a suite, which includes a pullout sofa, sleeping six of you.   But forget sleep — you’ll be hanging out in the plush and intimate hotel lobby, which features seductive lighting and music, comfortable seating and a stylish bar.  

So what does all of this luxury and hip design cost?   If you book soon, you can take advantage of their Grand Opening rates and special packages.  But here’s just one example of this bargain — a room with a Queen bed right now runs on average at $174.00 per night!    So don’t wait to plan your girls-night-away… because now you know where to stay!

We would like to profile a newly-wed couple (OR couple to be).  The piece is on wedding etiquette and how to approach the subject of budgeting.  I’d love to find a couple not too too far from Manhattan (where we are) who would like to share their story– how they budgeted, who foots the bill, and hopefully, a few tips on how to save and where to splurge.  I’d like to shoot this on March 2nd.

Please get in touch with Brian Small by email here or by phone at  o) 212 – 571 – 8282, c)  774 – 266 – 1575

Ms. Franklin told the Associated Press that  she has friends in the Hamptons who’ve offered up their  house and private beach.  “I’m kind of leaning that way because it’s closer to home, and more friends could get there easily,” she said.   As Newsday reported, the ceremony would include about 250 guests.  “I would love to have Smokey [Robinson] sing, my dearest, oldest friend.”  Her wish list also includes Stevie Wonder and gospel singer Karen Clark.  As for the gown, Franklin, who will be on her third marriage, has said she plans on contacting Donna Karan and Vera Wang.

It seems Ms. Franklin’s plans are still very sketchy, so we want to hear from you — wedding vendors, planners, and everyone in the know  — what’s your best advice for Aretha Franklin’s upcoming wedding?     Just leave your comments here…

Sigh.

How can you turn that down?

Just last week, a couple got engaged at one of the most romantic and iconic places in New York — the Rockefeller Center ice skating rink.   But here’s where it got really exciting — as the couple was getting engaged, the cast of Saturday Night Live, including guest host Jimmy Fallon, was on the ice taping the last segment of the show!  See the guy in the bee suit?  That’s Jimmy, congratulating the newly engaged New Yorkers!

For more on some of the best proposals of 2011, read this New York Times article…

And of course, if  you just got engaged, many congrats!!  Let us know here how it happened…!

A wedding needn’t be lavish to be fascinating – but don’t tell that to Katy Perry or to British Heiress Petra Ecclestone. Perry began her married life with an elephant processional in India and Ecclestone walked down the aisle in a $130,000 Vera Wang gown. While most celebs have the cash for an over-the-top affair, some, like Kellie Pickler and Miranda Lambert opt for a down-home feel. Kellie Pickler got married in (yes, in) the ocean and Lambert showed up at her big day in a pick-up truck.

For certain A-list brides, privacy was one of the most important parts of the day. For others, safety was the main concern. When Vanessa Minnillo married Nick Lachey they sprung for a fireworks permit to keep the helicopter paparazzi away. And at certain weddings where government VIP’s are involved, such as Chelsea Clinton’s 2010 affair, Sharon Sachs, wedding producer, explains that food tasters are often on hand and that dignitary meals are swapped as waiters walked into the dining area.

From the invitations to the theme to the dress, “Fascinating Celebrity Weddings” showcases these dream weddings in a level of detail never seen before. A few featured brides include Hilary Duff, Kim Kardashian, Nicole Richie, Molly Sims, Carrie Underwood, and Ivanka Trump. This romantic look at the many ways Hollywood’s elite say, “I do” airs on December 26th at 9:00 PM.

• Sherri Shepherd, host/actress/comedienne
• Rob Shuter, columnist (PopEater.com)
• Kate Coyne, assistant managing editor (People)
• Bonnie Fuller, editor-in-chief (HollywoodLife.com)
• Joe Zee, creative director (Elle)
• Sheryl Lee Ralph, actress/Niecy Nash’s matron of honor
• Sharon Sacks, wedding planner
• Joe Buissnik, celebrity photographer
• Ben Fogel, royal contributor

Are you a sassy and classy bride who is planning a wedding between February 2012 and June 2012?

Are your wedding preparations getting out of control?

Are you struggling with the cooperation of your wedding party, fiance or in-laws?

Are you doing everything in your power to make sure your wedding day is perfect?

Are you ready to share your story with other women who have been or will be in your shoes?

If so, then you are just what we’re looking for!!

If you’d like to be considered for an episode, email the info below to castingbridezillas@gmail.com.

BRIDE’S FULL NAME:
AGE:
CITY & STATE:     
CONTACT #:
EMAIL:
WEDDING DATE:
WEDDING BUDGET:
GROOM’S FULL NAME:

1. TELL US WHY YOU’D BE A GREAT BRIDEZILLA. GIVE EXAMPLES.
2. WHO IS GIVING YOU THE MOST STRESS AND WHY?
3. GIVE US YOUR TOP 3 CONCERNS FOR YOUR WEDDING.

Be sure to include a couple photos of you and your fiance in your email.

All participants will be generously compensated!

CASTING:   BRAVO TV SHOW –  Are you having a New Year’s Eve wedding? Either in NYC or a destination wedding? Or have an amazing wedding planned on another day? Are you an adventurous and fun, successful couple embarking on your first year as Newlyweds? I want to hear from you!!

Requirements:  engaged couples, to be married Dec 31 or first week of January.

Deadline: 7:00 PM EST – 7 December

Email:  christina@vpetalent.com