I Do Take This Magazine

By Belinda Luscombe

The modern bride has much on her mind that her forebears didn't: maintaining her bridal website, dealing with blended families and getting the HIV tests done, for starters. But perhaps nothing is more laborious than sorting through all those heavy bridal magazines. Just in time for spring, two newcomers have entered the crowded wedding party, Elle's Ultimate Weddings and a newly relaunched Elegant Bride. Both promise a more intelligent, stylish take on the nuptial rites than the phone book-size old faithfuls. Almost any approach seems to work, however. Even in an ad recession, the bridal mags are thriving; Conde Nast just bought one, Modern Bride, for $52 million. Below, a guide for the bedazzled bride.

--By Belinda Luscombe

ELEGANT BRIDE Style: Eclectic, expensive and personal Wildest look: A fez with a veil attached Suggested wedding gift: Designer china Genre-busting advance: Illustrations of dresses rather than the usual photos Unique advice: Working out together and just plain being nice to each other are good for your sex life

ELLE'S ULTIMATE WEDDINGS Style: Chic and sleek, hardly any veils Wildest look: A Vera Wang minidress, the sleeves longer than the skirt Suggested wedding gift: A $10,000 badger blanket Genre-busting advance: The bride models don't smile Unique advice: Bridesmaids' dresses don't have to match

BRIDE'S Style: Celebrity heavy and romantic Wildest look: Vera Wang's minidress, again Suggested wedding gift: A recycled cardboard wine rack Genre-busting advance: None. It is the genre Unique advice: You can go on a yoga cruise for your honeymoon (nothing says sex like sweat pants)

BRIDE AGAIN Style: Elegant but forgiving Wildest look: Gowns that are white Suggested wedding gift: The family medallion that the new couple gives to children from previous marriage(s) Genre-busting advance: It's a magazine for "encore brides" Unique advice: Go through five couples-counseling sessions before you get married

MODERN BRIDE Style: Girly, but with attitude Wildest look: That Vera Wang minidress, one more time Suggested wedding gift: A baton with a flashing light for hailing cabs Genre-busting advance: Profiles of weddings immediately after Sept. 11 Unique advice: Try wearing your engagement ring on your toes