Top Websites for Tech-Savvy Brides-to-Be

neda azarfarGuest Blogger: Neda Azarfar, Vice President of Communications at Myspace
A recent bride and core member of the team responsible for shaping the new Myspace, Neda knows only too well what it’s like to juggle a busy work schedule with wedding planning. While Neda spearheaded Myspace’s 2013 launch campaign, which garnered industry recognition as one of the year’s best corporate branding campaigns (according to PRWeek), she doubled as a wedding planner by night, creating a romantic, vintage-inspired wedding full of unique DIY and bespoke elements to suit her style.

neda and josh

With a background in the consumer technology industry and having decided to undertake the wedding planning process without a coordinator, I found myself relying heavily on digital tools to help plan my perfect wedding. Here are some of my favorite websites.

Wearing a Sweetheart Gown? Here's Your Must-Do Workout Move

bonne marcusGuest 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.

Are you are a bride wearing a sweetheart neckline? Here is an exercise from my upcoming book, Fit To Be Bride: The Wedding Workout, that will have your bust rise to the occasion.

Push-Up for Perkier Pecs

A Good Reason to Avoid Margaritas at Your Bachelorette Party

margaritaGetting burned — literally — by some limes probably doesn't top your list of concerns for your bachelorette party. But one Florida bride-to-be learned that it's a very real possibility.

After her bachelorette party, where she and her friends enjoyed a boat ride with some margaritas, Erika Lotterhos noticed red marks on her legs that she attributed to sunburn. But two days later, those seemingly-harmless red marks had turned into serious blisters.

Since the marks were in a drip pattern, she traced it back to the margaritas — she knew some lime juice had dripped on her knees while they were blending the beverages. After doing some research online, she found out she'd developed Phytophotodermatitis, also known as ‘margarita burn.’

Dermatologist J. Matthew Knight explained, "It basically is like a sunburn, and when you have some sort of photosensitizer — in this case limes — followed by ultra violet A, it activates the substance, and you end up with a really bad sunburn-like reaction... We've see it a million times before. It has this particular pattern to it and we say, “Ah ha! You've been drinking limes.’ Or, ‘You’ve been drinking Coronas haven’t you?’"

Other photosensitizers to be careful about: Lemons, oranges, celery, fig, parsnips, parsley, carrots, dill, and perfumes.

The hyper-pigmentation can stick around for a few weeks. Luckily, this bride's burns will be covered by her gown! "I'm getting married in a month. I'm really thankful I'm wearing a long dress," said Lotterhos.

Adorable Proposal in the 49ers' New Stadium

Construction isn't even complete yet on the new home of the San Francisco 49ers, but Levi's Stadium has already hosted its first marriage proposal!

Scott Onick and Sarah Cookson are both huge 49ers fans, and they were lucky enough to score a tour of the new stadium before its completion. Onick decided it'd be the perfect place to propose to his girlfriend of three years. "Just like the 49ers are going to the next chapter, this is the perfect place for us to start the next chapter," he said while proposing. Watch the video: 


49ers Fans Get Engaged at Levi's® Stadium from Channel 1 Media on Vimeo.

—Kristen Klein

Wedding Weight-Loss: Sweating for the Wedding

Last weekend, I had another amazing workout with Bonne Marcus — and my fiancé Rene joined us this time. We were able to work out outside again, which was so nice, and Rene got to play with all of the new toys I had the pleasure of working with the week before. Bonne incorporated a few new moves, including an exercise where we went across the tennis court doing walkouts into planks the whole way down (it hurts!). We threw medicine balls down, which is a great workout for the triceps, and did tons of moves on the Bosu ball and Equalizer bars. We also did a lot of lunges and rows with resistance bands, which really work both the legs and back.

outdoor workout

I’m also obsessed with this new shirt my mom got me — “Sweating for the Wedding.” So fitting, right?! She ordered it from a shop on Etsy, and they have it in all different colors.

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25+ of the Most Unique Wedding Themes We've Ever Seen

From pop culture themes to nostalgia-filled affairs, we've covered a ton of creatively-themed weddings over the years. Here, check out some of our favorites.

By: Kristen Klein

Enter Slideshow
  • Harry Potter

    Harry Potter

    After a ride on the Hogwarts Express, guests visited the Sorting Hat, where they found their table assignments (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, or muggles) attached to magic wands. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Geoff White Photographers

  • The Wizard of Oz

    The Wizard of Oz

    Follow the yellow brick road to this couple’s wedding, held at Land of Oz, a mostly-defunct Wizard of Oz theme park in North Carolina. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Brett & Jessica

  • Up

    Up

    Fill your wedding with whimsical details and colorful balloons to reflect this tale of endless love.

    Photo Credit: Ty Boyce of Disney Fine Art Photography & Video

  • Alice in Wonderland

    Alice in Wonderland

    Go down the rabbit hole for a tea party with the Mad Hatter and friends. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Sarah Kathleen Photography

  • Cinderella

    Cinderella

    Celebrate your own happily ever after with this classic princess theme. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Sarah Kathleen Photography

  • Baseball

    Baseball

    Play ball! This couple found a way to include their love of the game and both of their hometown teams  — the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles — in their wedding. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Rachael Foster Photography

  • The Beatles

    The Beatles

    "All you need is love" at this Beatles-themed bash, filled with fun musical touches like cassette tape escort cards, a songwriting guest book, and tables named after Beatles albums.See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Ashley Rose Photography

  • Honeybees

    Honeybees

    Honeybees are a symbol of spring, and they're popping up everywhere in weddings, from using beeswax candles as décor to giving out jars of raw honey as wedding favors. See more photos ►

    Photo courtesy of beeculinary.net

  • Beauty and the Beast

    Beauty and the Beast

    Surround yourself with your favorite books  — and a candelabra, a clock, a teapot, and a teacup to represent the castle's servants. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Sarah Kathleen Photography

  • Old-Time Carnival

    Old-Time Carnival

    Create a playful atmosphere with cotton candy, ticket centerpieces, a kissing booth, balloons, and more. See more photos ►

    Photo courtesy of Chronicle Books

  • Eco-Friendly

    Eco-Friendly

    Let's face it — a wedding can generate a ton of waste. But the good news is that there are plenty of ways to reduce your wedding's carbon footprint, like using solar-powered lighting. See more photos ►

    Photo courtesy of Ashley's Bride Guide

  • Apples

    Apples

    Nothing says fall quite like a trip to the apple orchard. Celebrate the season with an apple bouquet, themed food and drinks, apple escort cards, and more. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Meg Smith Photography on Snippet and Ink via Lover.ly

  • Game of Thrones

    Game of Thrones

    Pay tribute to this fantasy epic with a medieval theme. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Mollie Tobias Photography

  • The Great Gatsby

    The Great Gatsby

    Gatsby is all about glitz, glamour, and opulence — making it the perfect inspiration for a luxurious wedding theme. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Misty Miotto Photography

  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas

    How the Grinch Stole Christmas

    Getting married around the holidays? Add some fun Grinch touches for the kids to enjoy. See more photos ►

    Photo courtesy of ForYourParty.com

  • Books

    Books

    Incorporate your love of reading in your big day through literary centerpieces, card catalog escort displays, or custom-wrapped books. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Two Birds Photography on Style Unveiled via Lover.ly

  • The Hunger Games

    The Hunger Games

    Katniss and Peeta's relationship may not be a classic love story, and Panem is far from a romantic wedding setting, but these Hunger Games wedding ideas are proof that you truly can pull inspiration from anywhere. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Meghan Christine Photography

  • Legos

    Legos

    These couples came up with plenty of fun and quirky ways to include the interlocking bricks and minifigures in their big-day celebrations. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Infused Studios

  • Lovebirds

    Lovebirds

    A pair of birds make for super sweet wedding décor, and they can fit in with any theme, from vintage to rustic to modern. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: DeFiore Photography on Bridal Musings via Lover.ly

  • Peter Pan

    Peter Pan

    Escape to Neverland for a fantasy celebration. Have your bridesmaids — dressed in Tinker Bell green — toss pixie dust after you say "I do." See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Andy Sams Photography

  • School

    School

    Are you high school sweethearts? Pay tribute to where you first met with these cute school-themed wedding ideas — we promise the homework will be much more fun this time around. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Wilton Photography

  • Sports

    Sports

    Athletes will love these sporty touches, from trophy centerpieces to stadium-inspired late-night snacks to a grand exit with pom poms. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Mike Larson Inc. on Panacea Event Floral Design via Lover.ly

  • Sleeping Beauty

    Sleeping Beauty

    Include Maleficent’s horns in your centerpieces, surrounded by pink (or blue!) flowers to represent Princess Aurora's ever-changing gown during the final dance scene. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Sarah Kathleen Photography

  • Snow White

    Snow White

    You’ll definitely be the fairest one of all on your wedding day. Incorporate Snow White with plenty of mirrors, and transform your reception into a forest filled with apples. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Alex M. Photography

  • Superheroes

    Superheroes

    Every bride feels a sense of power and responsibility on her wedding day; maybe that’s why so many couples are incorporating superheroes in their weddings! From themed attire to creative décor elements, channel your favorite comic book character. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Dianne Personett Photography

  • Twilight

    Twilight

    Bella and Edward’s swoon-worthy celebration in Breaking Dawn has been inspiring weddings ever since. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Segerius-Bruce Photography

  • Travel

    Travel

    This couple met by chance after being seated next to each other on a flight, so they decided to fill their wedding with travel-themed wedding details. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: Lars Wanberg Withers of Wanberg Pictures

  • Video Games

    Video Games

    From nostalgic favorites, like the Super Mario Bros. and Zelda, to modern classics, like Halo and Rock Band, couples are embracing their favorite hobby in their weddings. See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: S6 Photography

  • Wrestling

    Wrestling

    Are you ready to rumble? This couple hosted their own spin on WrestleMania — Wedding Mania! See more photos ►

    Photo courtesy of Patreeeek on Reddit

  • The Walking Dead

    The Walking Dead

    Yes, couples are even including zombies in their weddings — giving new meaning to the phrase “until death do us part.” See more photos ►

    Photo courtesy of Josiahx on Reddit

  • Football

    Football

    This couple wasn’t afraid to get a little down-and-dirty with a pre-reception game of football at their wedding! See more photos ►

    Photo Credit: KPL Photography on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly

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25+ of the Most Unique Wedding Themes We've Ever Seen

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15 Sweet Date Ideas for Spring

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 >>

With the days getting longer and warmer weather on its way (maybe?), it's the perfect time of year to let love bloom! Grow your budding romance with these spring date ideas.

1. Research the prettiest public gardens in your area, and plan an outing.

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