Blogs

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.

It’s no surprise that cardiovascular exercise is the cornerstone of most weight loss programs and the key to shedding excess body fat. Aerobic activity also nourishes a positive mental attitude by increasing the body’s level of serotonin (one of the feel-good hormones that helps reduce stress) and most brides agree stress comes along with wedding planning! The question is what is the best cardiovascular exercise? 

There are arguments on whether the elliptical is better than the treadmill, or the Stairmaster better than the stationary bike, but the reality is that you will reap the most benefits from any cardio that you do consistently.  The secret to success is to find an activity you love. 

Below I've highlighted the benefits of five different types of cardiovascular exercise. Read and decide which one is best for you. 

Hello BG brides. Those of you who are familiar with the "Real Brides Speak Out" blog may recognize me as Chris, Neda's fiancé. Today I'm taking over the blog to share my perspective on how our relationship has changed since getting engaged. 

Some of the most profound changes I've witnessed have been with my fiancée's family. Her relatives were sweet and welcoming towards me as soon as I met them. However, once I was accepted in as family, it took on a whole new level. They've showered me with gifts for Nowruz (the Persian New Year) and my favorite foods. More importantly, they've gone above and beyond to take a genuine interest in my thoughts, feelings, hopes and dreams.

For example, one of Neda's uncles and I had a conversation where he asked, "What would you do if you didn't have a job and you had to work for yourself?" I mulled it over for a minute and replied that I would start my own cafe/craft beer bar, which is an idea that I've always kicked around. After a brief Q&A, he said, "Quit your job and go for it. I will finance it to get you started. You are family now." Wow! That just blew me away. This kind of unconditional love, trust and generosity is rare and uncharted territory for me.

I of course politely declined for the time being — I like my current job as a police officer. Maybe one day as retirement draws closer, but for now, it's a great thought to keep in the back of my mind.

Finding your wedding vendors just got easier! From florists to DJs to photographers and more, you can easily discover vendors in your area with our brand new, hyper-local search tool in partnership with YP — the company behind the largest Yellow Pages directory in the U.S. with listings for more than 20 million local businesses across 4,600 categories.

So, whatever you're looking for, we'll help you find it. Simply type in what you need, along with your location, and you'll receive your local listings, complete with business hours, contact information, and website URLs. PLUS, you can read reviews from other brides in your area. 

Try it out now, and let us know what you think!

Loverly is the heart of weddings: a visual inspiration search engine designed to help brides discover ideas, people to hire, and things to buy. Loverly makes finding beautiful wedding inspiration easier than ever! Their images are powered by the best wedding publishers and wedding shopping partners on the web. Find Bridal Guide on Loverly >>

As the summer wedding season heats up, guests need ways to stay cool! If you’re looking for the perfect signature cocktail for a summer wedding or shower, here are five drinks we’ll be serving all summer long.

1. Meyer Lemon Margaritas

 If you’re craving a margarita, we recommend mixing things up a bit with Meyer lemons! 

Photo Credit: Lover.ly

Wedding bells are ringing for Jessica Simpson — her big day is July 4th — who celebrated her last few weeks of singledom with a co-ed bachelor/bachelorette bash.

Photo Credit: Jessica Simpson on Twitter

The singer-turned-fashion mogul, 33, bucked tradition by throwing a joint party on June 8th with fiancé Eric Johnson, 34, in Los Angeles. People reports that the couple hosted 40 of their nearest and dearest, including their bridal party, Johnson's former football teammates and Simpson's parents.

Stephanie Terblanche, a close pal and bridesmaid, reveals that "They didn’t want a traditional bachelor-bachelorette where they go off and do their own thing, because our group of friends is so close we just wanted to all be together." She added that, "If we are not going to be at someone’s house hanging out playing beer pong, this is the closest thing to it."

They kicked things off at Eveleigh restaurant, where they noshed on appetizers like fried artichokes, truffle fries and salad before digging into a family-style meal. Then, it was off to the Warwick nightclub, where they danced until the wee hours of the morning.

The bride-to-be flaunted her post-baby physique in a Saint Laurent LBD featuring a plunging, dotted illusion neckline.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup Match doesn't start until Thursday but one soccer player already has a victory to celebrate: His engagement!

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, 23, proposed to on-again, off-again girlfriend Fanny Neguesha on her birthday yesterday with a gorgeous round-cut ring.

Photo Credit: Fanny Neguesha's official Instagram account

He commemorated the momentous occasion on Instagram by posting a photo of her sparkler and the Rio de Janeiro beach where he popped the question. "She said yes," he wrote. "The most important yes in my life. That was the place of my question! I Love you and happy birthday too ! Je t'aime my WIFE ❤"

The Belgian model also took to the social media app to express her happiness, posting that "Tonight, I said the most important yes of my Life. That was the best present for my birthday! I love you first and unique husband."

Balotelli arrived in Brazil on June 5th for training. Italy will face England on Saturday in its first game of the tournament, so we'll have to wait until then to see if he is a winner on the playing field as well. The forward has a daughter, Pia, from a previous relationship with Raffaella Fico.

Congratulations to the happy couple! 

—Stefania Sainato

When Michael Wolber and April Hartley planned to get married at Oregon's Rock Springs Ranch they never imagined a wildfire would threaten their perfect outdoor wedding. 

On Saturday June 7th, just as the couple's ceremony was about to begin, fire trucks arrived at the scene and told guests that they would need to evacuate due to a rapidly approaching wildfire. "It was like a movie. We saw a fire truck roll up with sirens blaring," Wolber told The Oregonian.

Luckily, the firefighters had a change of heart and told the couple that the ceremony could go on —  as long as it was brief. The couple quickly said their vows and minister Lisa Leavitt pronounced them husband and wife. Guests cheered the newlyweds and then hurriedly headed toward their cars to relocate to the backup reception space. The couple chose the backup venue in case of inclement weather, little did they know a fire thousands of acres long would force them to evacuate the space. 

While the entire reception was being packed up and taken downtown to the new location at Drake Park, the bride and groom snuck off with their photographer, Josh Newton, to take photos with the fire raging in the background.

The wildfire that set the verdant area ablaze — and nearly ruined their wedding — allowed them to take truly incredible photos.

Check out the spectacular images below:

Every bride wants to look (and feel) flawless in her wedding gown, myself included. We're all guilty of following certain trends or searching for the next diet secret. However, wouldn't it be great to feel like a more fit, gorgeous version of yourself without having to deprive yourself of anything or change everything about your current lifestyle?

As the daughter of a fitness professional who has been in the industry for over three decades, I have seen my fair share of "quick tricks" or "the next best diet." However, my mom taught me that it's about functional fitness and creating a personalized routine that sets you up for success. I've used this advice throughout every major fitness goal and I can truthfully say that it has never failed me. That's not to say that I haven't strayed from it from time to time, but when I get back to the basics, I feel that much stronger, healthier and happier. 

Here are a few myths I've encountered in my shape-up journey for the wedding:

Photo Credit: iStock

John Meis, the hero who disarmed a gunman during a deadly campus shooting at Seattle Pacific University on June 5, has had his honeymoon and wedding registry completely paid for by strangers.

Once it spread on Twitter that the 22-year-old electrical engineering student was planning a wedding with his fiancé Kaylie, the reaction was extraordinary. Dozens of strangers expressed their gratitude for his heroic actions by purchasing items on the couple's registry lists at Target and Crate and Barrel...but that's not all. Jessamyn MacIntyre, a producer at ESPN Seattle, created a crowdfunding campaign for their big day after logging on to purchase a gift and realizing that everything had already been bought. As of press time, over $50,000 has been raised for Meis and his future wife.

Meis, pictured above with his fiancé Kaylie, had been working as a building monitor in the lobby when the shots were fired. He tackled the shooter after spraying him with pepper spray. Onlookers helped him pin down the gunman until police arrived. According to The Seattle Times, friends of Meis describe him as a "quiet, brilliant man and devout Christian."