On October 3, Michelle and President Barack Obama will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. But this election season's first Presidential debate has thrown a major wrench in any celebratory plans — it'll take place that very night in Denver, CO.
"I learned yesterday — just yesterday [of the date]. I was like really, really? The first presidential debate is on my 20th anniversary?" the First Lady told Access Hollywood. But she's taking it in stride: "All I said was, 'At least we'll be together.'"
The couple, currently campaigning separately, will meet up in Denver for the debate and celebrate in their own way.
"I'll see him right before and I'll watch him on stage," she said. "I'll give him a kiss after the debates and [say], 'Happy Anniversary.'
"I'm going to make him write it on his hand. 'Love you, honey' so that when he waves, it makes 'I love you honey,'" she added.
Tip of the Day: A tip for the Maid of Honor: Don’t forget to send quick emailed thank-you’s to bridesmaids when they pay on time for their dress orders, bridal shower or bachelorette party plans and gifts. They’ll love your thoughtfulness, and working with them throughout the process may go much more smoothly.
My husband and I are throwing our wedding reception at the Soledad Club, a former women’s club perched high above Pacific Beach, with incredible views. We're having an evening celebration and we want to light up the interior in a special way. I’ve listed fifteen ideas here that will serve as inspiration.
1. Cluster candles into groups. After the sun sets, we’d love to have the tables glow, too. These centerpieces are compromised almost entirely out of candlelight.
In a quest to learn English, Jessica, 18, of Brazil, joined a language-learning website called SharedTalk. What she didn't expect was to fall in love with someone who lives nearly 5,600 miles away. After Kenny, 23, of Belgium contacted Jessica to help her learn the language, the two quickly became friends, spending hours "laughing and talking about everything and nothing."
"It all started so natural," wrote Jessica on her website. "We had so much in common. He liked me the way I am, and I had the same feeling for him."
Soon, the couple found themselves talking for 12 hours straight and sleeping with the webcam on to spend more time together. After about a year of dating long-distance, Kenny proposed in a sweet video. Jessica, appropriately, responded with a video of her own, below. And on October 31, Kenny will fly to Brazil to meet Jessica and her family for the first time.
"Two countries, two cultures, two languages, many obstacles and only one heart."
Tell us: Would you agree to marry someone you've never met in person?
One couple received a truly memorable gift from our Commander-in-Chief after he nearly became an unintentional wedding crasher at their September 1 nuptials.
President Obama planned a last-minute rally at the Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa on September 1, attracting about 10,000 supporters — but he and his team made sure to wrap it up an hour before the couple's wedding ceremony was scheduled to start so that the two events wouldn't conflict.
"The staff and Secret Service were very gracious about it, and when it was over, they received this gift and note," a friend of the couple posted on Reddit.
How long do you have from the moment he puts the ring on your finger to the moment you walk down the aisle? A standard engagement used to be (hold your breath on this one) two years.
We love the look of champagne, nude and ivory laces fashioned in a sheath silhouette. The look is ultra-romantic with a relaxed easy allure. This look would be perfect on the beach or at a vineyard, and we love how this style can either look bohemian or vintage lovely.
Blusher? Corkage fee? Processional vs. recessional? Here's how to talk the bridal talk.
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Invitations: Thermography -134530
A machine-printing process that uses heated powder to give print a raised look. It looks almost identical to engraved print, but costs far less.
Photo Credit: Cherish Paperie
Invitations: Engraving
A formal printing style, distinguished by slightly raised lettering and indentations that can be felt on the back of the invitation. It’s a labor-intensive, and therefore expensive, process.
Photo Credit: Memoire Studio
Flowers: Pomander
A round “ball” of flowers suspended from a ribbon handle. Use it as a bouquet or have your flower girl carry one, in lieu of a basketful of petals.
Photo Credit: Wilton Photography
Flowers: Cascade
A bouquet style in which the blossoms are woven into a waterfall effect; when held, the bouquet flows to just below your waist.
Photo Credit: Casey Fatchett
Flowers: Filler
Inexpensive flowers and foliage (like baby’s breath or ferns) used to fill out bouquets and other floral arrangements.
Photo Credit: Honey Heart Photography
Fashion: Buying Off-The-Rack
A term that refers to purchasing the actual wedding dress you try on in the store (rather than custom-ordering your exact size from a sample). Doing so can often save you up to 50 percent of the price.
Fashion: Basque Waist
A continuation of the bodice that dips below the natural waist in front, ending in a point or rounded detail.
Photo courtesy of Forever Yours Bridal
Fashion: Flyaway
A veil with multiple tiers, the longest of which is shoulder-length.
Photo courtesy of Oleg Cassini
Fashion: Fingertip
The length of this veil extends to the fingertips when a bride holds her arms straight at her sides.
Photo courtesy of DB Woman
Fashion: Blusher
A short, thin layer of veiling worn over the face; it’s flipped back once the bride reaches the altar.
Photo Credit: Muriel Silva Photography
Ceremony Music: Prelude
Quiet, gentle background music played at the beginning of the ceremony, as guests arrive and are seated.
Photo Credit: Caset Fatchett Photography
Ceremony Music: Processional
Music played as the bridal party walks down the aisle, with the bride and her escort at the very end.
Photo Credit: Brendon Pinola Photography
Ceremony Music: Recessional
Upbeat, triumphant music played at the end of the service, as the bride and groom make their way back up the aisle and exit the ceremony.
Photo Credit: Holli B. Photography
Catering: Canapé
Any bite-size appetizer served on a small round of bread, cracker or vegetable, such as blinis with crème fraiche and caviar.
Photo Credit: Belle Momenti Photography
Catering: Crudités
An appetizer of raw vegetables (like carrots, celery, cucumbers and peppers), sliced up and served with dip.
Photo Credit: Larsen's Photography
Catering: Corkage Fee
Many caterers charge a fee per bottle of alcohol just to open it during your reception. The charge applies only if you have provided the alcohol yourselves instead of getting it through your caterer. The price ranges from $5 to $10 per bottle.
Photo Credit: Jen Philips Photography
Reception: Escort Cards
These direct guests to their designated tables. They’re usually placed on a table near the entrance to the reception room.
Photo Credit: Joy Marie Photography
Reception: Place Cards
These can be used at very formal weddings to designate each person’s specific seat at a particular table.
Photo Credit: D. Park Photography
Reception: Table Cards
Prominently displayed sign at the center of each reception table bearing a number or name so guests can find their place.
Photo Credit: Two One Photography
Cake: Fondant
Icing made of sugar, gelatin, corn syrup and glycerin that has a firm yet tender texture and a smooth, porcelain-like finish. It’s more expensive than buttercream because decorating with it is more complicated and labor intensive.
Photo Credit: Infiniti Foto
Cake: Buttercream
The most common type of icing. It’s soft, creamy and sweet, and made of butter, sugar and milk. Your baker can use it to cover the outside of your cake and/or as a filling in between the layers.
Photo Credit: Nikki Cole Photography
Cake: Royal Icing
A hard, brittle and not-very-tasty type of icing made of sugar and egg whites. It’s used mostly for sculptural decorations, like roses, swirls and dots.