Girl with Cancer Gifted Dream Wedding

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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.

5 Overlooked Wedding Gown Silhouettes

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

empire waist gown by della giovanna
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

tiered gown by austin scarlett
Dress by Austin Scarlett

November 26th

Photo by: Scott Clark Photo on Oh Lovely Day

Tip of the Day: Ask your caterer to create a food station devoted to your favorite meal! For example, we love this gorgeous, gourmet cheese bar featuring artisanal options. With a cute "Say Cheese!" sign, it would be fun to situate the cheese bar close to your photo booth so that guests in line can grab some cheese slices and cheese puffs while they're waiting.

Plus, check out 50 Ways to Cut Wedding Catering Costs. Visit sharonnaylor.net for more great tips and advice.

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30 Ideas for Winter Wedding Favors

Getting married during the cold-weather months? We guarantee guests won't leave behind these seasonally-appropriate favors.

By: Kristen O'Gorman Klein

Enter Slideshow
  • Prepare for the Holidays

    Prepare for the Holidays

    Let your guests decide if they’ve been good or bad this year – or have some fun of your own playing Santa and assigning everyone a role. Fill the naughty bags with chocolate “coal” candy and the nice bags with your favorite treat.

    Photo Credit: Auntie's Jammies/Etsy

  • Snowy Treats

    Snowy Treats

    Cake pops are popular DIY favors. Winterize them by using white chocolate and rolling each ball in sugar crystals before the chocolate dries – they’ll look like mini snowballs! Get the tutorial here.

    Photo Credit: Pamela Susan

  • Winter Warmth

    Winter Warmth

    Not only is this adorable, but it’s practical, too. These pinecones are dipped in beeswax, which helps get the flames rolling in the fireplace on a cold winter night. Get the tutorial here.

    Bonus: Add a colorful surprise with the right kind of salt (Epsom = white flame; table salt = yellow flame; salt substitute = violet flame).

    Photo Credit: Evermore Blog

  • Winter Warmth for Adults

    Winter Warmth for Adults

    Keep guests warm the old-fashioned way — with a bit of brandy. Opt for a crowd-pleasing assortment of mini bottles for your 21+ guests.

    Photo Credit: Deb Lindsey Photography

  • Winter Delights

    Winter Delights

    Sugar scrubs are perfect for softening dry winter skin. This peppermint version smells like Christmas in a jar. Get the tutorial here.

    Photo Credit: The Idea Room

  • Hot Chocolate

    Hot Chocolate

    ...or in a test tube (get the tutorial here).

    Photo Credit: Something Turquoise

  • Prepare for the Holidays

    Prepare for the Holidays

    These tea cones resemble Santa hats — too cute!

    Photo Credit: Tea Forté

  • Winter Delights

    Winter Delights

    Your guests will combat chapped lips in style this year with personalized lip balm.

    Photo Credit: Beau-coup

  • Winter Delights

    Winter Delights

    Mason jar snow globes are a cinch to make. Create a wintry scene, or fill them with meaningful trinkets. Get the tutorial here.

    Design and styling by Cyd Converse for The Sweetest Occasion/Photo by Alice G. Patterson

  • Winter Delights

    Winter Delights

    Guests will love this personal touch — gather an initial mug for each guest, and fill them with seasonal candy (like peppermint bark).

    Photo Credit: Jan Michele Photography

  • Winter Warmth for Adults

    Winter Warmth for Adults

    For a festive twist, infuse vodka with flavors of the season (like cranberry). Get instructions here.

    Photo Credit: Fancy Napkin

  • Winter Warmth for Adults

    Winter Warmth for Adults

    Getting married on New Year’s Eve? Mini champagne bottles are a must-have. Add a glamorous touch by coating the bottles in glitter.

    Photo Credit: Shewanders

  • Seasonal Flavors

    Seasonal Flavors

    Try a new take on a classic holiday flavor, like these eggnog lollipops.

    Photo Credit: The Groovy Baker/Etsy

  • Winter Warmth

    Winter Warmth

    Want a favor that your guests will definitely use? Provide something that'll keep them warm through these frigid months, like gloves.

    Photo Credit: Live View Studios

  • Hot Chocolate

    Hot Chocolate

    ...in an ornament (get the tutorial here).

    Photo Credit: Bubbly Nature Creations

  • Hot Chocolate

    Hot Chocolate

    Hot chocolate is a classic pick for winter. But there are so many more creative ways to serve it than in a packet — like on a stick (get the tutorial here).

    Photo Credit: Evermine Blog

  • Snowy Treats

    Snowy Treats

    Winterize the ever-trendy macaron by topping off each with a cute edible snowman. Get the tutorial here.

    Photo Credit: Mensaje en una Galleta

  • Prepare for the Holidays

    Prepare for the Holidays

    Help guests get ready for Christmas morning or a New Year's Day brunch with maple syrup.

    Photo Credit: Steve Holmes Photography

  • Winter Warmth

    Winter Warmth

    ...mittens.

    Photo Credit: Orange Girl Photographs

  • Winter Delights

    Winter Delights

    This eco-friendly favor is so cute — guests just sprinkle the seed-embedded snowflakes outside, and flowers will grow!

    Photo Credit: Nature Favors/Etsy

  • Seasonal Flavors

    Seasonal Flavors

    S’mores are perfect any time of year, of course, but this fun winter twist requires no toasting – and we love the snowflake marshmallow! (Get the recipe here).

    Photo Credit: Skinnytaste

  • Prepare for the Holidays

    Prepare for the Holidays

    These beautiful place card holders will look equally gorgeous dressing up your guests’ Christmas trees.

    Photo Credit: Wedding Favors Unlimited

  • Winter Delights

    Winter Delights

    This snowflake soap is almost too pretty to use.

    Photo Credit: Calise Soapworks & Such/Etsy

  • Snowy Treats

    Snowy Treats

    Guests of all ages will love these chocolate-covered pretzels.

    Photo Credit: Beau-coup

  • Winter Warmth

    Winter Warmth

    ...a cozy blanket.

    Photo Credit: Shoreshotz Photography

  • Seasonal Flavors

    Seasonal Flavors

    Wrap up a gingerbread cookie for each guest.

    Photo Credit: Debra Gulbas Photography

  • Winter Warmth

    Winter Warmth

    There’s no better way to warm up on a cold winter night than with a hot bowl of hearty soup. Have a famous family recipe? Package up the dry ingredients and attach the cooking instructions.

    Photo Credit: Zuzu's Joy/Etsy

  • Winter Warmth

    Winter Warmth

    ...or comfy slippers.

    Photo Credit: Blink of an Eye Photography

  • Winter Delights

    Winter Delights

    You can't go wrong with a pretty snowflake candle.

    Photo Credit: Turner Creative Photography

  • Hot Chocolate

    Hot Chocolate

    ...in a jar (get the tutorial here).

    Photo Credit: Jack Deutsch, © 2012 The Stonesong Press, LLC.

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30 Ideas for Winter Wedding Favors

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10 Most Romantic Movie Proposals

"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.

Marvelous Macarons

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:

multicolored macaron wedding cake

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

macaron wedding 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):

macaron wedding favor

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

November 25th

Photo by: Elizabeth Messina on Snippet & Ink via Lover.ly

Tip of the Day: Is there anything more adorable than the sounds of a children’s choir? If you’ll marry in a church, talk to your house of worship officiant to see if you can arrange for their kids’ choir to sing at your wedding. If your faith is a big part of your ceremony plans, their performance can be a beautiful and unique musical interlude, or they can play as guests arrive at your wedding.

Plus, check out The Complete Guide to Wedding Music. Visit sharonnaylor.net for more great wedding tips and advice.

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