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As more and more couples plan destination weddings, weekend weddings, or celebrations that require some of their guests to travel (and plan ahead), save-the-dates have become an essential part of the planning process — as well as a fantastic way to express your creativity. You can go vintage, modern, or boho, incorporate bold colors and fonts, or keep your save-the-dates simple and understated. I love when brides and grooms insert their unique sense of style and personalities into a save-the-date with humor, fun, and romance, like these super-cool ideas from Pear Tree Greetings.

The “Get to Know Him & Her” is an accordion style five-panel save-the-date that unfolds to show photos and wedding details. In back, there’s one large photo and separate panels about “Him” and “Her.” This particular card describes how the couple first met and what they thought of one another. Sweet!

For couples planning a destination wedding, this “Around the World Spinner” is ideal. Four different photos of the two of you appear in the cut-out circle in front as guests spin the side wheel. In back, your wedding location, date, and website are listed.

Ballroom weddings can be so beautiful — but how can you make yours stand out among the rest? We asked experts in the industry what their brides have done to make their reception truly special. Check out this amazing inspiration and give your ballroom wedding your own personal touch!

1. Unlike outdoor spaces, ballrooms come with a lot of pre-set décor that can’t be changed. Pull elements from the walls, trim, ceiling, etc. to create a color palette that complements the room. That way, your reception style flows cohesively with the rest of the space.

Photo Credit: Jen + Ashley Photography

2. Is there a chandelier in the ballroom that doesn’t quite go with your ambiance? Have your florist create an arrangement to hang from it! These florals will soften the room and give your guests something amazing to look at.

Photo Credit: Cami Jane Photography

The thrill of trying on a wedding dress is a cherished experience for many brides. Take it from Ruth Sullivan, who at the age of 92, finally got that princess moment she had been longing for her entire life.

"I like something with a full skirt and I like glamour," Sullivan told The Today Show.
Photo Credit: April Cole/Kathy Woodhouse with Digital Expressions

The Frankfort, Kentucky native married her husband, Norman Sullivan, in Columbus, Ohio in the year 1946. World War II had ended, and there weren't too many big weddings at that time, so she didn't get to wear a grand white wedding dress, although they did spring for a hotel stay to celebrate her nuptials.

Sadly, Norman passed away in 2004, but throughout their 58-year marriage, Ruth always wondered, “What if?”

"I really wanted to know if I would look pretty. It was something that I never got to do and I just wanted the experience of trying them [wedding gowns] on," Sullivan tells us.

Thanks to the help of Second Wind Dreams — a foundation whose goal is to change the perception of aging — and David's Bridal, she enjoyed a fun-filled day trying on beautiful wedding gowns with her loved ones in attendance.

The Harry Potter series has provided an endless supply of wedding inspiration, from proposals to engagement photos to themed weddings. And when Harry Potter fanatic Marissa married Kyle Pick in September, the groom and their photographers, Patrick Meyers and Joe Mowczko of Heroic Photography, secretly planned some Harry Potter-inspired photos for the big day! They gathered a Gryffindor scarf, a magic wand, and the entire book series for the portraits, culminating the photo session with an epic battle against Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Check out the amazing photos:

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