Would You Have a Secret Civil Ceremony Before Your Big Day?

I wonder if all brides have thought about it. The temptation has been dangling in front of me like some sort of sinister little treat. It's saying, "Come and get it! Your shot at happiness is waaaiting." I'm talking about legally getting hitched months before the big hooplah of the reception.

Every couple gets overwhelmed at some point or another during wedding planning but how many brides have caught themselves daydreaming about buying a cute dress from the mall and showing up to a secret spot where their future husband awaits to tie the knot? Guilty as charged! I fantasize about my fiancé Chris and I finding a pretty location by the water that doesn't require a permit, thousands of dollars, or even shoes, for that matter. One of my best friends or Chris's relatives would be the officiant and — voilà — we'd become husband and wife without any drama.

beach wedding
Photo Credit: Panama City Beach Weddings on Grey Likes Weddings via Lover.ly

Budget-Friendly Summer Date Ideas

Who says marriage is a romance buster? According to a survey done by LivingSocial, married couples are 26% more likely to go out on dates than those that are not married.

Marriage undoubtedly influences your finances, and with the added bills and responsibilities many newlyweds and engaged couples think they need to sacrifice their weekly date nights to keep their spending in check. Time to re-think those date-night ideas and consider these fun and affordable ways to carve out some special time with your significant other!

couple on the beach
Photo Credit: Ryan Hunter Photography on Glamour and Grace via Lover.ly

LivingSocial is happy to report that 46% of Americans believe it is perfectly acceptable to use a coupon on a first date! “There’s no shame in getting a good deal on a good time," said LivingSocial's Elizabeth Hebda. 

Sites like LivingSocial have great dating options no matter your budget, Hebda told us, "Most of the dating events and activities we offer, such as wine tasting, skating, and water sports, are between $10 and $50. If you’re looking to go all out for the one you love, we have luxe options that cost a little extra."

July 17th

Photo Credit: Tie That Binds Weddings on Etsy

Tip of the Day: After dealing with the hustle and bustle of traveling, your guests will usually arrive at their hotels a little tired, and very often, hungry. "There’s no better way to say 'thank you for coming all this way to celebrate with us' than to have a custom welcome bag when they check in. And your guests will be thrilled when they are greeted by your beautiful bag, personalized note, and yummy treats!" says Andrea of Andrea Freeman Events.

Plus, check out The Most Unique Edible Wedding Favors.

Watch: Awesome Mickey Mouse Proposal Dance

If you love all things Disney this adorable proposal story will make your day. Jehan a Sri Lankan videographer popped the question to his girlfriend, Vish, with a choreographed performance incorporating all of her favorite things — Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, Will Smith, Rajinikanth (an Indian actor) and Mickey Mouse!

The elaborate rouse begins with one of Vish's friends showing her a music video of Mickey and Minnie dancing to her favorite song while a camera on the front of the phone captures her excited reaction. All of a sudden, the dancing stops and a message saying, "Vish… you should probably answer the door" pops up on the screen. When Vish opens the door she is shocked as a man dressed in a Mickey Mouse costume leads her to a chair in front of her house.

There, with the help of six friends dressed as Mickey, Jehan dances in the street to "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson, "Jump on It" by Will Smith and "Crazy in Love" and "Love on Top" by Beyoncé as Vish looks on hysterically laughing.

Skip ahead to the 2:00 minute mark to see the Mickey's bust a move:

At the end of the routine, Jehan revealed himself as one of the dancing Mickey's and in front of all their friends and neighbors takes out a ring and asks Vish to be his wife. He barely gets down on one knee before the bride-to-be excitedly says yes and pulls him in for a hug. 

Congratulations to the lovebirds!

— Mary Gillen 

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50 Mermaid Dresses That'll Make You Weak in the Knees

Play up a curvy figure in all the right places with this striking silhouette. Mermaid gowns are available in many different variations — the width and height of the flare are important considerations when deciding how subtle or bold you want your look to be.

From belted beauties to lovely lace and everything in between, we've gathered some of the most glamorous options for your big day.

By: Stefania Sainato

Enter Slideshow

50 Mermaid Dresses That'll Make You Weak in the Knees

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These Stunning Elopement Photos Will Make You Want to Visit Iceland

Iceland is renowned for its awe-inspiring landscape — think lunar-looking lava fields, expansive glaciers and geothermal pools. As if we needed one more reason to visit this tiny Scandinavian country, one couple's Icelandic elopement photos have gone viral, and they're nothing short of magical.

Sarah and John Walk were supposed to get married in their Ohio hometown but they scrapped their original plans after it became "too much about the presentation," opting to elope on June 16th in Reykjavík, Iceland (their honeymoon location), instead. "Eloping simply felt right for us and our relationship. It better exemplified what we believe marriage should look like — the celebration of the covenant between two hearts," the bride tells BG.

The experience was indescribable: "Everywhere we turned, we were surrounded by an exhausting sense of beauty. Our wedding day was the definition of perfection...we remember every moment, every thought, every feeling. Not many couples get to say that about their wedding day!" she adds. The couple's wedding photographer, Gabe McClintock, tagged along for the journey. 

Check out their gorgeous wedding album below by Gabe McClintock Photography:

The Surprising Way You Might Be Sabotaging Your Own Wedding

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 >>

We've all heard the "bridezilla" horror stories; the bride whose crazy-high expectations stress out everyone around her. (Mandatory bridesmaid diet, anyone?) But in the past year, we've seen another type of bride emerge, out of a fear of being labeled the "b" word; she's the cool, laid-back, just-wants-you-to-be-happy bride who doesn't have any demands. She's so chill, she's actually too chill...she's a bridechilla.

While the bridechilla thinks she's doing her bridesmaids a favor, she's actually making life harder for them. By refusing to take a strong stance or "burden" anyone, she avoids making the tough decisions at all...which then becomes a major issue.

July 16th

Photo Credit: Camilla Carrington

Tip of the Day: Before browsing for wedding headwear, prepare the styling of your hair and makeup exactly as you would as if for your wedding day. "This will make it much easier for you to immediately see which headpieces will suit your style and visage the best," explains Camilla Carrington, a bridal headpiece designer.

If you can't decide which headpieces to wear after trying several on, she recommends taking pictures from several angles and reviewing them with someone whose opinion you trust. Also, don't be afraid to ask if pieces can be altered or adapted to suit you. "There will probably be a small fee for the service depending on the changes but most designers will be open to your suggestions," Carrington adds.

Plus, check out The Best Bridal Accessories Under $100.

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