Blogs

Guest blogger: Elizabeth Dodson
Elizabeth Dodson is the co-founder of HomeZada, an online solution to help you manage everything about your home in one place.

As an engaged or newly married couple, you might be at the point where buying a house is the next logical step to building your family nest egg. If you're a first-time home buyer, then it's critical to understand what your current needs are and anticipate any future needs as well.

Keep in mind not just the number of rooms you'll need, but also what types of rooms are important to you. For instance, are you planning on having children soon after getting married? Do you need both a family room and a living room or will one suffice? What if you'll have to work in a bedroom-turned-office? Do you prefer a multi-story home or a single-level house plan? Of course, the overall size of the home and your total budget are also important factors.

However, there are other key considerations that might not be top of mind but could end up impacting your lifestyle: 

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Iconic wedding gown designer Vera Wang unveiled her Fall 2014 White collection this week exclusively for David's Bridal and the dresses are absolutely stunning! The collection features eight budget-friendly gowns all priced under $2,000.

With a color palette that includes ivory, blush, and champagne in a variety of styles and silhouettes, there is something to fit every bride's personality. When discussing the inspiration behind her new line, Wang said that "My collection was inspired by elegance and glamour, a style that every bride deserves on her special day." 

Take a look at the beautiful gowns:

Style 351219
Laser-cut floral organza topped with a sweet bow makes for an ultra-feminine look.

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Glittering sequins pop underneath layers of organza on this A-line gown. 

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This champagne-hued gown featuring a jeweled vine belt and inverted pleat train exudes style and sophistication.  

I don't think your ready for this... Sean Rajee gave his bride Ariana the ultimate wedding surprise when he and his groomsmen performed a choreographed dance during their reception in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Sean and his seven groomsmen began their routine by shaking what their momma gave them to Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" and Destiny's Child's "Bootylicious." When the good-humored groomsmen each donned a pair of sunglasses and started lip-syncing to "I Want It That Way" by The Backstreet Boys, guests couldn't stop screaming with excitement.

Next with the help of some fake mustaches, the boys performed a hysterical Persian dance number — one of the groomsmen gets so into it that his mustache falls off halfway through! Appropriately, the swoon-worthy routine ends with the groom giving his blushing bride a red rose during Bruno Mars's "Marry You."

Needless to say, we couldn't stop smiling the entire time. Check it out below:

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Tell Us: Would you preform a choreographed dance at your wedding?

— Mary Gillen

Rowden Go Pangcoga and his fiancée Leizel planned to tie the knot on July 8, 2014 — which would have been his 30th birthday — but in May, their dreams were dashed when he was diagnosed with stage IV liver cancer. His last request was to marry his one true love before it was too late.

In just 12 hours, family members and friends of the Philippines couple managed to prepare all of the arrangements. Pangcoga's brother, Hasset, posted a same-day edit by Snap Creatives on YouTube, writing that "Unable to take him outside the hospital, we brought the church to him. It was like a heartbreaking fairy tale."

The groom passed away on June 11, less than 10 hours after saying "I do," and he leaves behind a two-year-old daughter, Zakiah.

Watch the touching wedding video here:

Our prayers go out to the couple's families. Check out more touching real-life wedding stories, here.

—Stefania Sainato

Calling all bachelorettes! You're invited to attend what promises to be the World's Largest Bachelorette Party from July 11 to July 13 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Don't miss this one last chance to have the ultimate VIP Vegas experience while celebrating at the clubs TAO, LAVO and TAO Beach. Hundreds of other brides-to-be and their friends will be there too, so expect a wild weekend filled with girl power.

All access VIP WLBP weekend wristbands include: special bachelorette gift bags, TAO Beach Bachelorette Bash, reception at LAVO, Girl’s Night Out at TAO nightclub, thousands of dollars in prizes from the "Something Blue" Bridal Registry Wheel, a chance to win a honeymoon escape, experiences provided by Benefit Cosmetics, and other sponsors, and so much more! Your final fling before the ring is hosted by special guest and talk show host Wendy Williams.

Move over cake pops, mini-pies and tiny ice cream cones and make way for the hottest new mini-sized treat…the Bantam Bagel!

These bite-size filled bagels are ideal wedding favors. They’re crispy, chewy, perfectly baked and filled instead of topped. Pictured above, The Wedding Cake Bantam (which I sampled and love!) is a vanilla cake bagel filled with a delicious chocolate buttercream cream cheese and it’s a perfect take-home treat for guests to enjoy.

There are a variety of other yummy bagel/filling combos to choose from such as the Everything bagel filled with freshly chopped vegetable cream cheese, the cinnamon raisin bagel filled with sweet walnut cream cheese or the pretzel bagel topped with sea salt crystals and filled with mustard and sharp cheddar cream cheese. And those are only three out of over a dozen delectable combos on offer. Located in New York City, Bantam Bagels delivers to nine states in the northeast so be sure to visit their site for more mouth-watering mini-bagel favor ideas for all your celebrations.

Plus, check out 25+ Edible Wedding Favors Your Guests Won't Leave Behind. 

— Diane Forden

Guest blogger: Bonne Marcus
A fitness industry expert for 27 years, Marcus holds numerous certifications from the Aerobic Fitness Association of America (AFAA), including Step, Spin, Bosu™, Pre/Post Natal, Youth Fitness, Aqua, and Personal Training. She has taught for New York City’s top health clubs, including Crunch, New York Health and Racquet, and Reebok Sports Club. A recognized name on Long Island, Bonne has taught at Dany Holdstein’s Two Worlds, North Shore Health Club, LA Fitness, Sport time, Equinox and currently teaches at the Sid Jacobsen JCC in Roslyn. Learn more at getfitwithbonne.com.

Clients always ask me how they can get flat, sexy abs. Most women think they'll need to do hundreds of sit-ups or crunches but in reality, achieving a toned midsection requires more than just abdominal exercises.

The abdominal muscles, along with your hips, buttocks, and back, are the muscles defined as your core. Developing your core muscles is vital to any long-term fitness program. In fact, a strong core improves your quality of life and supports the strengthening of your entire body. Strength from your core is needed in stabilizing your body during all activities and exercises — so save core-specific exercises for last.

Congratulations are in order for the new Mrs. Molner, aka Katie Couric, who tied the knot with her financier fiancé John on June 21 in East Hampton, New York!

Photo Credit: Katie Couric on Twitter

The couple were married in an intimate backyard ceremony at Couric's home with 50 loved ones in attendance. E! News reports that close friend John Ellis had the honor of officiating. Molner's children (Allie and Henry), as well as Couric's daughters (Ellie and Carrie), performed the readings, and Carrie also sang at the event.

The 57-year-old global anchor of Yahoo News looked resplendent in her ivory beaded Carmen Marc Valvo gown, which featured an elegant high neckline. The groom, 51, helped narrow down her final choice. "I hope this isn't bad luck but I actually tried it on for him," Couric admitted to People. (BG brides, would you/did you show your groom your final dress picks before the big day?)

The reception was decidedly more traditional, with garden-gorgeous floral arrangements that included peonies, garden roses, and dahlias displayed in mirrored containers. On a sweet note, guests dined on a seasonal cake made with lemon thyme and strawberry sorbet.