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Photo Credit: Hoffer Photography

When the words “holiday” and “wedding” come together in the same sentence, what comes to mind? A goth Halloween ball? An ugly Christmas sweater party? If you’re European, perhaps you think simply of a honeymoon. While New Year’s Eve weddings are nothing new, there is a consistent trend of couples striving for an event to remember, aiming to differentiate their nuptials from the rest.

One advantage to planning a holiday wedding is an instant theme. The season lends itself to a distinct color palette and design direction — but how do you create an elegantly themed atmosphere without going too kitsch or campy? The answer lies in delicate balance and unexpected details. Consulting with a professional planner can help keep you on track and ensure your event comes across as you.

Here are four different holiday wedding themes and tips on how to incorporate subtle yet impactful décor details into your big day.

Christmas

After the cake is cut and your gorgeous flowers have wilted, there are just a few things that will last long after your reception and well into your marriage. That's why so many of us brides splurge on a professional photographer, and maybe even a videographer, since film is the best way to preserve our memories from that special day.

However, your guest book can also serve as a fun memento of your wedding day. Skip the standard notebook and let your creativity shine with these fabulous finds!

1. Have your guests sign wine bottles, each of which represents a marriage milestone (your 1st, 5th, 10th and 25th wedding anniversaries). Read their heartfelt messages and toast to how far you've come together.

Photo by: EVC Creations

2. If you or your future spouse loves music, then consider asking guests to sign your favorite musical instrument. This alternative guest book idea will hit just the right note! 

Bonus: You could also name various tables at your reception after meaningful love songs.

During my Sunday weigh-in, I was down another two pounds! That leaves me with just two more pounds to lose in order to reach my 10 pound goal for November. I think with one week left, it’s absolutely possible and I will do it.

Last Sunday’s workout with Bonne Marcus was excellent! She said she knows that during the week when we do the routine ourselves we are not doing it two times through (she’s right…), so she had us do a three-segment workout two times through. The workout consisted of a leg exercise, arm exercises, and then an ab exercise. The first segment was lunges on the Frisbee, where you squat down and put your hands on the floor, kick your leg back, pull your leg back in the original squat position, stand up, and do it again, 20 times total. This was so hard! Arm exercises were a mix of bicep curls, rowing with the band, tricep extensions, and pushups. And for the abs, we did pull-over crunches with a 10-pound dumbbell and mountain climbs in a plank position. If you want a quick and easy workout, I highly suggest trying the lunges I mention. You can use a small towel or anything to help slide your leg, but it really burns and will give you an excellent quick workout!

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 >>

“But rain is good luck on your wedding day!” Try telling that to the bride who spent a year planning the perfect outdoor ceremony and reception, with a backup plan that’s just not quite as good as the original. If rain is in your wedding-day forecast, no need to add to the downpour with tears of your own. Rainy-day weddings definitely aren’t full of bad luck when you have adorable rain boots, whimsical umbrellas, and a set of enchanting, romantic photos.

1. You know what they say about kissing in the rain...

This article originally appeared on Yahoo Shine

High school sweethearts Leslie Rivera and Daniel Mendez tied the knot last week in California, but the ceremony was bittersweet. The 18-year-old high school seniors began dating last October after meeting at an anti-racism event at school, but six months later, Leslie was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia.

While Leslie was able to attend her graduation with the rest of her class, she spent much of the final months of her senior year in the hospital — with Daniel by her side. Last week, with the help of the Make A Wish Foundation, Leslie's wish to marry her best friend, Daniel, came true. Here, our favorite pics from their special day.

Upon hearing that Leslie was a fan of David Tutera, celebrity wedding planner and the star of WE tv's "David Tutera: Unveiled," Make A Wish contacted him directly. Tutera immediately signed on to help plan the bride's big day and even surprised her at the dress fitting.

When picking a wedding dress, most brides feel limited to choose from the three basic silhouettes — A-line, ballgown or fit-and-flare — yet there are so many amazing options that often go overlooked. Michelle Della Giovanna, New York-based designer behind the Della Giovanna line of fashion-forward edgy bridal gowns, shares five alternative silhouettes worth considering (especially if you’re looking to stand out from other brides!).

Empire

Dress by Della Giovanna

The empire gown's high waist elongates the body, making it the perfect option for petite brides or anyone who wants to add a little height for the big day. It's also extremely flattering on most figures, since it hides a large amount of problem areas.

Tiered

Dress by Austin Scarlett

"Engagement season" is almost here — the most popular time to pop the question is between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day. To get in the spirit, we decided to take a look back at the big-screen proposals that tugged at our heartstrings.

When Harry Met Sally

Who could forget when Harry (Billy Crystal) finally admits he's in love with Sally (Meg Ryan)? In the movie that made everyone question whether men and women can ever really just be friends, Harry realized he was in love with Sally while spending New Year's Eve alone and raced to meet her before midnight because "when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." Swoon!

The Wedding Singer

Robbie (Adam Sandler) confesses his love for Julia (Drew Barrymore) by serenading her with a personalized song... as she's aboard a flight to Las Vegas to marry her current (awful) fiancé. Sandler's sweet "Grow Old With You" song has become a popular wedding song ever since the movie hit, and it's no surprise why.

Sweet Home Alabama

It's every girl's dream come true: Melanie (Reese Witherspoon) is whisked away to Tiffany's after hours (by Patrick Dempsey, no less) and told to "pick one." Just one complication... she's still secretly married to her childhood sweetheart.

The delectable macaron (French, of course, for macaroon) has taken the wedding world by storm. These small, round baked confections not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also come in a variety of fabulous flavors and colors. I love their delicate, crispy crust and the soft, meringue-like center and have probably eaten far too many to count! Now, from confectioners ‘Lette Macarons, comes the macaron wedding cake. Choose a rainbow-hued tower graced with colorful flowers:

Or go boho-chic with this flower-child daisy cake:

Each tower contains 60 macarons of your choice, and the prices range from $119 to $135. You can personalize each tower with macarons in your wedding colors, along with an elegant floral bottom that matches your bridal blooms. I think they’re perfect for any pre-wedding party, a bridal shower and rehearsal dinner or for displaying on your dessert table.

You can also give your guests macarons as wedding favors ($4.00 per box):

And make it even more fun and personal by selecting “his ‘n her” favorites:

Photo Credit: David Lazarus

Q: I'm 51 and marrying for the first time. I'd like to set up a registry but a friend told me it's "tacky" to do so as my fiancé and I should have everything we need. Is she right?

A: No, she's wrong. It's perfectly fine to set up a bridal registry. A friend of mine married for the first time at age 49, created a registry and had a bridal shower. We were all so happy for her, and no one even thought to quesiton it. I'm pretty sure other friends and family members will feel the same way and will appreciate knowing what items you'd like to receive. Plus, you'll now have an opportunity to freshen up your home: There are plenty of applicances that have updated, innovative features, beautiful new tableware designs and myriad bed and bath items to choose from. You and your fiancé will have fun creating an environment that is uniquely yours. And, if you feel you already have plenty of household items then opt for luggage, gardening or sports equipment or maybe that espresso machine you always wanted. Set up a registry, have a bridal shower and enjoy being a first-time bride!

—Diane Forden