Grey's Anatomy Star Offers Wedding Inspiration for Brides Like Us

There are many cues that you can take from Grey's Anatomy star Kate Walsh - first and foremost is that if you love someone, grab on immediately. That's what Kate did, announcing her engagement to movie executive Alex Young a mere three months after they first met in February 2008. Their Labor Day weekend ceremony preceded the upcoming debut of her Grey's spin-off series Private Practice, giving Kate more than just the beginning of her married life to celebrate. As both Kate Walsh and her character Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd embark on new chapters in their lives, here are a few tips gleaned from Kate's weekend wedding that you can use in your own, from location to bridesmaid gifts and week-long weddings.

Kate proved that you don't have to make it a proper destination wedding if you can throw a wedding just as gorgeous in a setting like California's Ojai Valley Inn and Spa Resort. The resort is close to Los Angeles, so Kate and her friends and family didn't have to travel far to attend. If you're considering a destination wedding yourself, take some time to contemplate whether it's the location you're really attached to or simply the amenities of a resort that you're looking for - local research could turn up a similarly-equipped venue for your wedding, and it'll knock down your wedding budget by potentially thousands of dollars. If you've already picked up your bridesmaid gifts of destination wedding passport holders, don't despair - with the travel restrictions these days, even a trip up to Canada requires a passport, so they'll undoubtedly get use out of those bridesmaid gifts anyway.

If you're decked out in a custom-made Monique Lhuiller gown like Kate was, chances are you probably have the funds to go all out with your bridesmaid gifts. This doesn't mean you should feel obligated to spring for a spa weekend in the Hamptons just because you can, but if you can show you care with opulent bridesmaid gifts, why not do it? Package up a bunch of luxury bridesmaid gifts like a Personalized Leather Tote Bag, Personalized Set of 4 Martini Glasses, and a Wine Accessory Gift Set along with a bottle of fine wine in a Personalized Wine Box for a touch that's - of course - personal.

You can even take cues from Kate's post-wedding wishes. As she told Extra, exulting about how much she enjoyed the ceremony, "I see why people have week-long weddings. Let's just keep it going." Even if a week-long wedding isn't in the cards for you, consider spreading the festivities out over a long weekend, extending the wedding activities for three or even four days as Kate did with her Labor Day weekend wedding. You may have to hand out more wedding favors and bridesmaid gifts to make up for the time off work, but who doesn't enjoy a little vacation to celebrate one of the loveliest events of a friend or relative's life?