With the birds chirping, flowers blooming, and a warm breeze in the air, wedding season is in full effect. Of course, between hair appointments, dress fittings, and picking the best gift on the registry, the joyous communion of man and wife can seem like a nagging chore. But as wedding planner extraordinaire and Oprah regular Colin Cowie says, “ I always tell brides, 'something will go wrong. The cake will be dented, the florist will screw up, and I'll do my best to fix it fast, but if disaster strikes, we serve champagne, turn up the music, and roll with it.’”

Because whether you’re the bride, bridesmaid, or just there for the free cake, this season’s weddings are the ultimate in exclusive summer parties. Visit the bridal section for other details, but continue reading.

If you’re the blushing bride…

Most likely your mind is so full of flowers, limos, and seating arrangements that you’ve forgotten the most important thing - you! Years from now you won’t be reminiscing about the appetizer course, but you will remember how special you felt walking down the aisle in that dress. In addition to the perfect bouquet, nothing sets off a romantic wedding dress better than sparkling diamonds like the distinctive Little Princess Heart pendant, featured in Modern Bride.

If you’re a bridesmaid…

Relinquishing control of your appearance is no easy task and when it comes to being a bridesmaid, you might start to feel like bridal property. But when the great honor starts to feel like a test of patience, don’t forget that you get all the perks of looking like a star and walking down the aisle with an enviable spot in the wedding photos to boot. With those matching dresses there’s nothing more essential for the bridal party than a shimmering pair of drop earrings like the delicate Sophies.

If you’re a guest…

Without the pressure of making the perfect toast or booking the best band, you have free reign to enjoy every last drop of the celebration without a designated color palette or style scheme. In picking a dress that won’t rival the bride’s and making sure your shoes are familiar with the dance floor, don’t forget to have fun with your outfit! Add a little personality to the equation by spiking your outfit with mod cocktail rings like the Dolce discussed this month in Allure.

Afterall, regardless of the inevitable misplaced wedding ring and the unavoidable champagne spill, weddings are a rare opportunity to look your most fabulous and party late into the night in the name of love.

Top 5 Best Things about Weddings…

5. The vows! During Jennifer Aniston’s beautiful Malibu wedding to Brad Pitt in July 2000, Brad vowed to find a balance on their temperamental thermostat and a misty-eyed Jen promised to make Brad’s favorite banana milk shake eternally. While traditional vows have their own appeal, personal vows are always extra memorable (and a great way to secure yourself a lifetime of breakfast in bed).

4. The pictures! No place for the camera-shy, weddings are the ultimate opportunity to capture everyone looking their best. Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas cashed in on their big day and sold pictures of their famous 2000 wedding at the Plaza to OK! Magazine for one million pounds. While People Magazine may not be knocking at your door for your wedding photos, make friends with that pesky photographer. You’ll appreciate it later when you see all the frame-worthy shots.

3. The afterparty! In spite of what many deemed an odd pairing, Courteney Cox’s 1999 wedding to David Arquette was traditional from the Grace Cathedral in San Francisco where they held the wedding to the classic suit and dress designed for the couple by Valentino. But once the vows were said and done, the couple got the party started with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz impersonators. Rumor has it the fun loving bride and groom had partied so hard the night before, they were nursing his and hers hangovers on their big day.

2. The surprises! With a pink and white wedding dress custom made by John Galliano, Gwen Stefani was no typical bride in her 2002 wedding to rocker Gavin Rossdale. The groom was no more traditional with his slobbery escort down the aisle, his dog Winston. The great thing about weddings is that there are no rules, it’s the unique touches and unexpected surprises that make it your special day.

1. The fairy tale! Undoubtedly the storybook wedding of the century, an estimated 1,000 million viewers tuned in to watch Lady Diana Spencer wed Prince Charles in 1981. With a marathon three and a half minute walk down the aisle, the world was mesmerized by the first Englishwoman to marry an heir to the throne in 300 years. And if Princess Di’s flowing 25-foot train and dazzling diamond tiara told us anything, it’s that weddings are the chance to make your fairytale come to life.