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The past few weeks have been difficult for me both physically and mentally. There are only 100 days until my wedding and I am still finding it hard to lose the last 20-30 pounds needed to reach my goal weight. I also have many important wedding plans to finalize, including ordering my invitations and booking transportation. I know feeling overwhelmed is normal while planning a wedding (especially for brides trying to lose weight), but I would prefer to not be so stressed. Working out has been my stress reliever these past few weeks and I thank God for it.

I didn't realize how stressed I was until I was arguing with my mother about the dress she would wear to my wedding. Fortunately, I was on my way to my trainer Bonne’s house for a kickboxing class. She was there to listen to my problems, and the kickboxing class was the answer to my prayers! I was able to sweat, kick and punch out all of my frustration and I felt a million times better once finished. That morning, I learned that trainers not only push you to be strong physically, but they will listen to you and offer emotional support as well. 

I’ve also increased my workouts, to help take more weight off and to keep my stress level down. I’ve been seeing Bonne at least once a week and she has been giving me routines to do on my own — which really helps me stay on track. We have been trying to "heavy up" on certain body parts in order to maximize the results in specific problem areas. Here’s an example of a routine Bonne gave me that concentrates on triceps and shoulders that you could try at home: 

One of the best things about being engaged is all the wonderful parties and festivities in the months leading up to your wedding day. In between the formal affairs, you and your fiancé will be celebrating with a slew of co-workers, friends and family members. So, lots of eating and drinking, right? All while you’re trying to stay in shape or get fit so you’ll look your absolute best on the wedding day. Which is why you must try a fantastic new wine I recently came across — Bon Affair.

This amazing wine spritzer boasts purified sparkling water, electrolytes, zero sugar and grape seed extract and is half the calories of regular wine. It’s available in both a Sauvignon Blanc and a Syrah. I’ve tried both and love the refreshing taste.

I also love the back story of founder Jayla Sicilian who, in her former life, traveled the globe for business where happy hour (and lots of toasting) was essential. Her drink of choice was a wine spritzer to avoid any dreaded morning-after hangovers. But bar-made wine spritzers didn’t quite pass the taste test for Jayla so she decided to improve upon them and voilà, Bon Affair was born. Some of you may have seen Jayla on ABC’s Shark Tank where Mark Cuban liked her pitch and decided to invest in the company.

So, beautiful brides-to-be treat yourselves and your friends to Bon Affair and I guarantee you will not only love its sparkling flavor but also appreciate the lower caloric intake (and no hangovers!). Visit their website to order or check with a retailer near you. Cheers!

Neon
The '80s and early '90s were a time when eye-popping designs and fluorescent neon shades reigned supreme. Electrify your special day by adding a few pops of color to your wedding décor — the brighter the better! From vibrant invitations to multicolor floral arrangements and even a Lisa Frank-inspired wedding dress, these ideas pack a punch. 

Attention! This unique military proposal will make you laugh. Retired officer Thomas Walker helped his daughter Courtney's boyfriend propose drill sergeant-style and the video has gone viral.

Normally, yelling demands at the bride-to-be wouldn't be considered a romantic way to pop the question, but it's clear that this dad only wants the best for his little girl. He makes his future son-in-law promise him that he will love, honor, protect and support his daughter. After he responds with a "yes sir," he commands Courtney to stand front and center. Just when you think "G.I. Dad" is going to ask the couple to drop and give him 20, he allows the groom-to-be to finally utter those four little words.

Check out the proposal here:

Walker posted the video on the video-sharing site Rumble with the following caption, "This amazing young airman proposed to my daughter, Courtney immediately after his graduation ceremony for Air Force Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB on May 23rd, 2014. To say she was surprised would be an understatement. It was a fantastic moment! This was a special time for me since I also officially retired from 24 years in the armed services 3 days later on Memorial Day. What a blessed time for both families!"

It is clear that this military dad can't wait to march down the aisle with his daughter. Best wishes to the happy couple!

— Mary Gillen

According to a recent Bridal Guide online survey, about 92 percent of you plan to register for gifts. And with good reason: Whether you’ve been living on your own, with your parents or with your fiancé, now is the perfect time to think about updating what you have and taking stock of what you don’t have — but could definitely use. Here are some ideas to help get you started.

I’m a huge fan of the cordless stick vacuum. It’s lightweight, stores easily and does a terrific job on both rugs and hardwood floors. One of my favorites is the Electrolux Ultrapower Studio. It comes equipped with an illuminating headlight and Brush Roll Clean Technology that helps keep the brush roll free from hair and fibers. It has three power settings, one of which significantly reduces the noise factor (nice!) and it operates anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes on a full battery charge. The Ultrapower Studio is not only perfect for apartments but also for larger homes, if you already have a full-size vacuum, keep the Electrolux on another floor to help make clean ups faster and easier.

For little messes (spilled those coffee grinds again!) and quick clean-ups try the Electrolux Rapido Handheld Vacuum. Its lightweight, sleek design makes it easy to maneuver and it has an attachable dusting brush and extended crevice tool for those hard-to-reach places. 

If you're a fan of the 1993 hit  Jurassic Park, then you're going to love this wedding story. Actor Jeff Goldbloom (aka Dr. Ian Malcolm in the hit film) escapes the clutches of a T-Rex in this real-life wedding photo!

Photo Credit: Adam Biesenthal Photography

According to the Huffington Post, the 61-year-old actor attended the wedding of Pamela and Jesse Sargent last weekend with fiancé Emilie Livingston, 31, who is a friend of the bride. 

Pamela and Jesse wanted a Tyrannosaurus rex photoshopped into their wedding photos and asked Goldbloom if he would be a part of it. The couple's photographer, Adam Biesenthal, posted the photo on his website, where it quickly went viral. He revealed that Goldbloom "was a very cool guy" for agreeing to participate in the funny shoot.

After her nuptials, the bride posted the photo on her Facebook page with the caption, "T-Rex chases bridal party... thank God Dr. Ian Malcolm was there to save the day!!" She went on to say, "What an amazing, unbelievable weekend! Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us, and thanks Jeff for being a good sport!"

Is it fate or just coincidence? In the days leading up to their wedding, British newlyweds Aimee Maiden and Nick Wheeler unearthed a shocking childhood photo that proves their paths crossed 11 years before they officially met in college.

The 1994 snapshot shows the teacher and her soldier husband playing in the sand at Mousehole beach, Cornwall. They didn't speak but they did spend the entire day building sand castles together.

What makes the photo even more baffling is that they lived hundreds of miles apart when they were kids. "I was brought up in Mousehole, Nick and his family didn't even live in Cornwall at the time. "He and his family were down on holiday from Kent and didn't move down permanently to Newlyn until a year later," the bride tells The Telegraph.

In an eerie twist, they ended up getting married at Gulval Church in Mousehole, which is located just a minute's walk away from where the photo was taken.

This insanely cute video proves that everything is better with penguins — even a proposal!

When they first started dating, Casey asked her boyfriend Mitch to pick up some costumes for a Halloween party. He surprised her with head-to-toe penguin outfits and these cuddly critters have had special significance for them ever since. So, when the time came to take their relationship to the next level, Mitch knew he wanted to incorporate the pair's favorite animal.

He reached out to the Pittsburgh Zoo, who helped him set up an elaborate scheme so that Casey thought she had won a behind-the-scenes encounter at the penguin exhibit. ShoFilms set up hidden cameras and pretended to be extras in order to capture the moment without ruining the surprise.

Skip to the 3:24 mark to watch the magic unfold:

How sweet and thoughtful was that? Fun fact: Adelie and Gentoo Penguins "propose" by searching for the perfect pebble and placing it at their lover's feet. If she accepts it, she places the pebble in her nest and takes him as her mate.

Plus, check out 48 Swoon-Worthy Proposal Stories.

—Stefania Sainato

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade are set to walk down the aisle in just a few weeks, and based on their save-the-date video, the wedding is going to be a heartwarming family affair.

TMZ Sports obtained footage of the mini-movie that was sent to their star-studded guest list, which confirms that their big day will take place on August 30th in Miami. In the video, the 32-year-old Miami Heat basketball star enlists the help of his two sons, Zaire and Zion, as well as his nephew, Dahveon, to pop the question. The 41-year-old Being Mary Jane actress' reaction is priceless!

Watch it here:

Dwyane and Union also mailed out traditional paper save-the-dates with a heart motif back in May. According to etiquette maven Amber Harrison of Wedding Paper Divas, other couples thinking of incorporating multimedia elements into their wedding correspondence should follow their lead.

"A couple may be ahead of the tech curve, but not all guests will be receptive to digital invites," she says. "Use a combination of paper elements and digital components (like an optional online RSVP service or corresponding wedding website) so your smartphone-free Grandma won't miss this exciting moment," she adds.

Tell us: Would you send out a video save-the-date?