Blogs

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

"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.

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:

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

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

Photo Credit: David Lazarus

Q: I'm 51 and marrying for the first time. I'd like to set up a registry but a friend told me it's "tacky" to do so as my fiancé and I should have everything we need. Is she right?

A: No, she's wrong. It's perfectly fine to set up a bridal registry. A friend of mine married for the first time at age 49, created a registry and had a bridal shower. We were all so happy for her, and no one even thought to quesiton it. I'm pretty sure other friends and family members will feel the same way and will appreciate knowing what items you'd like to receive. Plus, you'll now have an opportunity to freshen up your home: There are plenty of applicances that have updated, innovative features, beautiful new tableware designs and myriad bed and bath items to choose from. You and your fiancé will have fun creating an environment that is uniquely yours. And, if you feel you already have plenty of household items then opt for luggage, gardening or sports equipment or maybe that espresso machine you always wanted. Set up a registry, have a bridal shower and enjoy being a first-time bride!

—Diane Forden

This article originally appeared on The Huffington Post

Marriage may have its ups and downs, but one Reddit user has reminded us of the real meaning of companionship.

After catching a virus from a bad lunch at the office, Ryan Robson was sent to the emergency room. Robson, 30, suffers from Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome, a condition that weakens his immune system.

"It should have just been a 24-hour kind of bug, but my system doesn't handle these things like a normal person's does," he told The Huffington Post. Because of his condition, the trip quickly turned into a scary, week-long hospital stay.

"At one point I lost it. I tore off the monitoring cables and started panicking, then went to the bathroom and completely broke down," he said. "It feels silly, knowing that some people spend months in the hospital, but at the time I felt the closest to losing my sanity that I've ever been."

But frequent visits from his wife, Elizabeth, and a "mini date" in the hospital cafeteria brought him back from the brink.

"Her positivity throughout the entire situation was what helped me get through it, and knowing that I wasn't completely disconnected from my normal life was huge," he said. "Getting to disconnect my IVs for an evening and have a date with my wife in the hospital cafeteria was the greatest thing ever, and made me come to my senses about the situation."

This Week's #1 Goal: Don’t Slack on Workouts

Last Saturday, we trained with Bonne Marcus again, and I was down another 3 pounds! Only four left to go until I hit my goal of 10 pounds for this month!

Our workout on Sunday consisted of many of the same exercises we’ve been doing and focused on total body conditioning. Each segment had a leg exercise (step-ups, squats, front and side-kicks), an arm exercise (bicep curls, tricep pull downs, rowing with the band, etc.) and an ab exercise (planks, side to side crunches, leg raises). It wasn’t easy, but it felt great to get through it. I am noticing each week how it gets a little easier to finish the routine and not feel like I got hit by a train.

For the rest of the week, I kept up with my workouts, which definitely helped with the weight loss. Monday morning, I took a spin class, and I swear it helped set me up for the whole week. In recent weeks, I've been skipping my Monday workouts, but I realized that starting the work week off at the gym helps keep me motivated for the days to follow. It’s easier to make bad decisions if you don’t start your week out right, so I'm hoping to keep this trend going. Tuesday morning, I woke up and did the workout from Bonne at home. I rested on Wednesday, then on Thursday I took a spin class. Friday evening, Rene and I went to the gym and ran on the elliptical together.

Every bride wants the best wedding-planning advice, so along with all the great info you get from Bridal Guide, you should also check out this fab new book from author and wedding expert Diane Warner, the Complete Guide to a Traditional Wedding: Everything You Need To Create Your Perfect Day: Time-Tested Toasts, Vows, Ceremonies and Etiquette (New Page Books, $16.99).

This step-by-step guide covers every aspect of wedding planning — from engagement to the honeymoon. Each chapter not only spells out just what you need to do throughout the planning process but also offers money-saving tips and invaluable etiquette advice. I especially love Chapter 12, “Sticky Situations,” in which Diane addresses very real concerns about money problems, gift problems and people problems. (Who takes charge if a guest gets drunk during the reception? answer: Commission the best man and groomsmen ahead of time to discretely take care of the situation.)

There’s also advice for grooms (hey, guys, we know you’re a part of this wedding planning, too, so listen up!). As Diane says, “Although your bride and her mom may carry the biggest load, you will be drawn in by default.” Here, Diane’s top tips for grooms:

1. When you and your bride are establishing gift registries, don’t hesitate to register for your honeymoon with a travel agency or honeymoon website. Even if only a few friends and family members contribute, that’s money in your pocket.