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How to Pull Off a Mixed Gender Bridal Party

When it comes to your bridal party, the old rules no longer apply. You can have more bridesmaids than groomsmen, and — surprise! — your "maids" can include a few men too. As weddings get less traditional and more personal, having mixed gender bridal parties just makes sense. If you're considering having a mixed-gender bridal party and aren't sure how to make it work for you, read on for our tips.

1. Attire
When it comes to formal wear, we recommend you style each side of the aisle. Traditionally, a couple might put bridesmaids in pink dresses and groomsmen in navy suits and pink ties. In this situation, the guys on the bride's side could wear grey suits with the same pink tie as those on your partner's side, while a woman on your partner's side could wear a navy blue dress that matches the men's suits and a pink scarf or corsage.

Having one color represent each side and choosing slightly different suits or gowns across the aisle will signify which side each person is on, and help your guests identify who's who. In the photo below, bridesmaids are in white dresses and the groomsmaids are wearing chambray.

mixed gender bridal party
Photo Credit: Sasithon Photography via Lover.ly

Watch: Best Man Gives Hysterical Speech to "Let it Go" from Frozen

Just when we thought we couldn't hear Frozen's "Let it Go" for the thousandth time, best man Joey Boyes' version has us feeling all warm and fuzzy about it again! He sang a riveting remake Academy Award-winning song for pal Dominic Clark and his wife Rebecca at their wedding on August 16th.

Could this be the most creative best man's speech ever? Watch it for yourself and decide!

What makes this speech so wonderful is that it hits all the right emotional notes in just three-and-a-half minutes. There are plenty of quips ("After years of dating mingers, he's finally found a queen") but there are some tear-jerkers, too, such as when he alludes to the bride's late father ("I know your dad is smiling up there on his cloud") and toasts "the couple with the brightest spark."

The gutsy British groomsman, 27, spent six months perfecting "Best Man Joe" — he even sang it on his way to pick up the groom. "‘I've known Dom all my life and I wanted to do something special. We both did theatre when we were younger, and Becky loves Disney, so this seemed perfect," he tells The Daily Mail

Couple Shatters World Record After Getting Married 109 Times

Marriage vows don't have an expiration date but don't tell that to Lauren and David Blair. Throughout 30 years of marriage, the Hendersonville, Tennessee couple has continually renewed their "I dos"; 109 times, to be exact! Their most recent ceremony took place on August 15, and they've extended their Guinness World Record for "Most Marriage Vow Renewals by the Same Couple," a title they've held since their 66th vow renewal in 2001.

guinness world record marriage renewals
Photo Credit: Josh Cross, The Tennessean

The 63-year-old eternal bride explains on the Guinness World Records site that "We were both in long term relationships in the past that didn't work out. We knew we were meant for each other and wanted to continually share that vow experience. I love to look into David's eyes as he is repeating his vows. I know that this man will love me until the day I die. Of course, David will tell you that he does it for the honeymoons!" 

What I Learned in Premarital Counseling

Stressed out about getting married? Do you wonder how you'll get along with someone else for the rest of your life? How will you agree on finances when you still can't compromise on cleanliness? What if the alleged blissful engagement has turned into a harsh reality that you two are completely different? These were all issues that my fiancé Chris and I grappled with, and I'm thrilled to report that we were able to resolve them through premarital counseling.

As you may recall, I live in San Diego and my fiancé Chris resides in Sacramento. We had scheduled an appointment with Jennifer Young at the Pacific Trauma Center in Folsom on her day off before I had to fly back to San Diego. During our first session, she observed us hash out the reason we were there. Then she asked a few questions about how we met and what we love about each other. That helped lighten the mood. It was nice to share a moment reminiscing about the good times.

Then, she explained to us why it seems like we've been butting heads so much. She said that I'm a hummingbird and Chris is a rock. That broke the ice and made me laugh. How in the world did a rock and hummingbird fall in love and how would they go through life together?!

Watch: Comedian Kevin Hart's Adorable Proposal Video

It's official — funnyman Kevin Hart is engaged to his girlfriend of five years, Eniko Parrish! The happy couple shared their excitement with fans by posting a video and photos of this special moment on their respective Instagram accounts.

kevin hart proposal

The Ride Along 2 actor proposed to his longtime love while the pair were out celebrating Parrish's 30th birthday. Before the festivities began, he posted a throwback photo on Instagram, gushing, "Happy Birthday to the most amazing woman in the world. Today is your day babe and we are going to party like it's 1999....I love you so much. I'm a better man because of you..."

A party-goer captured the adorable proposal on video; check it out below:

The typically silly comedian shows off his sensitive side in the photo pictured below — but don't let him fool you! The next day, he joked, "Priceless....I hit her with the sexy nervous lip bite move at the end of my proposal."

kevin hart engagement

5 Ways to Save Big on an Engagement Ring

You might not be surprised to hear that "How do I save money on an engagement ring?" is a question we get all the time. It's true — an engagement ring is a huge investment not only for your relationship, but for your finances as well. Our best advice is to plan a budget and STICK TO IT.

Online jewelry store Trumpet and Horn helps you get a little more bang for your buck with the following tips:

engagement ring
Photo Credit: Natalie Franke Photography

​1. Compromise on the 4 C’s

Hilarious! Guy Proposes to All of the Princesses at Disney World

Which Disney princess was always secretly your favorite? Hopeless romantic (and jokester) Blaine Gibson loves them all; so much so, in fact, that he decided to pop the question to every storybook princess he encountered during a recent trip to Disney World with friends!

The 24-year-old Texan's final tally included Cinderella, Ariel, Rapunzel, Tinkerbell, Jasmine...and one very confused-looking Gaston, who briefly broke out of character:





5 Wedding Ideas We're Loving Right Now

kristin alexander
Guest Blogger: Kristin Alexander
Kristin Alexander is the founder of Los Angeles-based event planning studio Esoteric Events. By combining her passion for design and celebrations, years of experience planning and executing events, and desire to turn her clients’ dreams into reality, Kristin has an innate ability to produce discerning personal events that enchant, surprise and delight.


Your summer wedding should echo the romance, vibrancy and elegance of the season. Enchant your guests and leave a lasting impression by incorporating these five trends into your special day. 

1. Welcome Boxes

Shower your guests with appreciation by giving them one-of-a-kind welcome boxes. This fresh take on a traditional gesture is sure to make an impact. Choose a personalized box or basket over a conventional bag; they are easier to fill, arrange and deliver. Fill your box with flowers, wine, snacks, sentimental notes and wedding weekend information for your guests to enjoy. 

welcome box
Photo Credit: Carmen Santorelli Studios

Customize Your Flower Girl's Dress Using This Virtual Dressing Room

Finding a dress for your flower girl has now become a lot more fun and creative thanks to the "Pegeen Dress Dreamer!" This virtual dressing room from the Pegeen Flower Girl Dress Company allows you and your flower girl to "dress up" an online model with a range of different bodices, skirts, sashes and details.

It reminds me of how much I loved playing with paper dolls growing up! Just choose your size and start selecting styles in each category to place onto the onsceen model. See how a tank-style bodice looks, or maybe one with short sleeves. Try a sash with pleats or ruffles. Layer the skirt in tulle or organza and add a rose or two. 

pegeen dress dreamer

You can select from a multitude of different colors to find a shade that matches your wedding colors. Or you can mix and match the bodice, skirt and sash in a variety of hues. The result: an adorable, affordable customized style that you and your flower girl "designed" together. 

Go to pegeen.com/icloset and enjoy creating a dress that you and your littlest attendant will love. 

And for inspiration here are some awww-some flower girls wearing gorgeous Pegeen dresses: 

"19 Kids and Counting" Star Jessa Duggar is Engaged!

There's another Duggar family wedding in the works! 19 Kids and Counting Star Jessa Duggar, 21, is engaged to Ben Seewald, 19.

jessa duggar engaged
Photo Credit: @jessaseewald on Instagram

The newlyweds-to-be released an official statement expressing their joy: "We are so blessed to be engaged! God has written an amazing story through our courtship, and another chapter has just begun! We are thrilled to see what the future holds — especially the wedding bells!"

Jessa, the fifth-oldest child in the Duggar family, and her now-fiancé recently celebrated 11 months of courtship. "It was 11 months ago that this dashing man asked to court me! Darling, I love you now more than ever! These 11 months together have been AMAZING...I'm sure only to be superseded by the next 11!" she writes on Instagram. (She's changed her last name to Seewald on all of her social media accounts.)

jessa duggar engaged
Photo Credit: @jessaseewald on Instagram

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