Blogs

My fiancé Chris and I met through one of my best friends, Amanda. He was a security guard at the nightclub where she worked as a bartender. He would always talk to her about the challenges of dating in his '30s, given the unpredictable and odd hours that he worked (he's a police officer by day). Meanwhile, I would talk to her all the time about the difficulty of being a fitness competitor and TV news reporter, trying to find time to date someone with common interests.

After she learned our inner workings for over two years, it dawned on Amanda that Chris and I would be perfect together. Originally, I was hesitant about dating a bouncer (I told her that "It's not like I'm trying to get into da club!") but I quickly learned that there was so much more to Chris.

He is a compassionate, patient, honest, hardworking and hilarious man with a love (I prefer to use the word "obsession") for Giants baseball. Being a bouncer at "da club" was how he made extra money to buy Giants game tickets. Amanda's hunch led to a love that we had both only ever dreamed of — we quickly realized that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.

Fast-forward one year: Chris was secretly planning to re-enact our first date by taking me to Auburn, California's Hidden Falls, where he was going to propose. However, a week before his big plan, I was scheduled to run in the Triple Tahoe — three marathons in three days at the age of 33 years old. It was my lifelong dream to be proposed to at the finish line of a race but I never told Chris because I would have been happy with any proposal.

American Horror Story: Coven fans, here's one plot twist we didn't see coming — co-stars Emma Roberts and Evan Peters are engaged to be married in real life!

The 22-year-old actress met Peters, 26, while filming the dark comedy Adult World, and they began dating in the spring of 2012. Extra reports that the onscreen-offscreen lovers put a ring on it — a pink gold diamond sparkler, to be exact — during the holidays in London. (We think Madison Montgomery would approve, no? Franken-Kyle couldn't be reached for comment.)

Photo Credit: Emma Roberts / Instagram

In an interview with Nylon magazine, Roberts reveals that she and Peters "didn't get along at first," but their platonic relationship heated up a few months later ("which worked out for the best").

Like her famous aunt, Julia Roberts, she believes in true love: "I come from the school of getting married once. Every relationship should be important. Everyone kind of rolls their eyes at me, but I still believe in the romantic movie outcome."

Congratulations to the happy couple!

—Stefania Sainato

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.

Photo Credit: iStock/Maridav

"This year, I resolve to..." How many of us recite these words as the ball starts to drop, only to feel less-than-motivated by February? Don't despair — lack of motivation strikes even the most disciplined exercisers. Try to remember how good you felt about yourself after completing your workout, and be proud that you've started a program at all. Then, follow these handy tips to keep yourself going.

He may have played an anxious groom who had the most hell-raising bachelor party in history, but offscreen, Justin Bartha's wedding was picture-perfect!

The Hangover actor, 35, got hitched to his longtime girlfriend, Lia Smith, at Kualoa Ranch in O'ahu, Hawaii over the weekend. The ceremony took place at the venue's historic fishing pond, followed by a reception in the same valley where scenes from The Hunger Games were filmed.

Photo Credits: Kualoa Ranch

Their intimate yet star-studded guest list included Reese Witherspoon and husband Jim Toth (Bartha's agent), The Social Network's Jesse Eisenberg and Bartha's Hangover co-star Ken Jeong. (No word yet on whether anyone from "The Wolf Pack" attended.)

An eyewitness tells Us Weekly that "They were sweet together and looked very in love. He was holding her bouquet for her and walked with his arm around her after the vows. She had a big smile on her face and nuzzled her face up to his neck. Their family and friends seemed so happy for them and had an incredible time hanging out in Hawaii leading up to the wedding."

By Taryn Hillin for Huffington Post Weddings

Are you ready rummmmmble? How about forever and ever 'till death do you part?

That's what Leah Goblirsch and Patrick Mahan pledged to do when they got married in November. Photos of their wrestling-themed wedding made the rounds Wednesday after the groom posted them on Reddit.

Photo credit: Bamber Photography

The bride tells the Huffington Post that the theme came about because her now-husband is a "huge" wrestling fan. Not only were the save the dates titled "Wedding Mania", the bride tells us that the DJ acted as the "ring announcer," the groom and his groomsmen rocked championship belts, and the new couple even entered the reception with their own themed music playing in the background — just like a couple of WWE pros.

Check out all the amazing photos below.

Kaley Cuoco rang in 2014 as a Mrs. — bazinga!

The Big Bang Theory star, 28, married 26-year-old tennis player Ryan Sweeting at Hummingbird Nest Ranch in Santa Susana, Calif. last night. They had around 150 guests in attendance, including Cuoco's Big Bang co-star Johnny Galecki and Bachelorette alum Ali Fedotowsky. The blushing bride shared a sweet "just married" snapshot with her fans on Instagram confirming the news. The caption read: "Yep :) #thesweetings"

Photo Credit: Norman Cook / Instagram

Cuoco wore a custom-designed petal pink strapless tulle ball gown by Vera Wang. With its sweetheart neckline, detailed bodice, and hand appliquéd Chantilly lace accents, it's a romantic yet fashion-forward choice for the starlet, in contrast with her television persona, Penny. She accessorized it with a nude tulle veil with pink floating appliqués. People and Us Weekly report that she also wore a short red dress - we can't wait to see more photos!

The couple made headlines when they got engaged after just three months of dating. "You know by day two I was like, 'Oh, my god.' It was so unbelievable," she revealed during an appearance on Ellen. "I said, 'This is it, this is it.'"

Cuoco told Craig Ferguson that her dreams for the big day included having a cake in the shape of her dogs' heads ("I'm obsessed with my dogs") and riding in on one of her horses ("I secretly kinda want to do that").

Stay tuned for more details on her fire-and-ice-themed bash! Congratulations to the happy couple.

This past year, we profiled extraordinary couples who triumphed and overcame all odds to get married, as well as those who opened their hearts and helped those in need. Their kindness, resilience and unwavering courage serves as a reminder of what's truly important on the wedding day.

Related: Download Bridal Guide's Latest Issue on Your iPad!

12. Sailor marries high school sweetheart in Reno Airport
After being stationed overseas in Syria, Navy sailor Dylan Ruffer couldn't stand to waste another moment being apart from Madison Meinhardt — they wanted to get married right away. When he landed at Reno-Tahoe International Airport on Nov. 19th, he was shocked to realize that his wish had been granted.

His fiancée planned a surprise wedding with the help of airport employees, who were so touched by the couple's story that they even decorated the reception area for them (which was held at the baggage claim), complete with catering, a cake and a DJ.

While classic weddings will always have a special place in our hearts, we couldn't stop buzzing about so-weird-they're-awesome nuptials in 2013 (bring on the celeb wedding crashers and Photoshop memes!). Check out the most unusual headlines that crossed our desks this past year.

10. Husband creates corn maze of wedding photo for wife on 50th anniversary
Some couples commemorate their golden anniversary by exchanging gifts, taking a romantic getaway or hosting a party with their family members and friends. Paul Derthick took a more unconventional approach — he constructed a maze through 17 acres of golden corn that resembled his 1963 wedding portrait!

"He did it with the kids. They kept it a secret," his wife Marie told Good Morning America. "It was at the end of June that I finally did find out. I thought they were nuts, but it's actually turned out very well." 
Photo courtesy of Derthick's Corn Maze

Earlier this week, we asked our Facebook followers to take a look back at some of the amazing pictures we've featured as our Photo of the Day over the past year and cast their votes for 2013's Photo of the Year. Here, see the top 25 photos!

25. Because one photo of that first moment in your gown just isn’t enough:

Photo Credit: CINEMATICbyDavidM

24. Sunlight peeking through the trees adds such a magical element:

Photo Credit: Lightedpixels

23. Looking for a creative guest book idea? Set up a photo area, and provide a chalkboard and chalk for guests to leave you photographed messages: