How To Get a Flat Stomach Before Your Honeymoon

bonne marcusGuest blogger: Bonne Marcus
A fitness industry expert for 27 years, Marcus holds numerous certifications from the Aerobic Fitness Association of America (AFAA), including Step, Spin, Bosu™, Pre/Post Natal, Youth Fitness, Aqua, and Personal Training. She has taught for New York City’s top health clubs, including Crunch, New York Health and Racquet, and Reebok Sports Club. A recognized name on Long Island, Bonne has taught at Dany Holdstein’s Two Worlds, North Shore Health Club, LA Fitness, Sport time, Equinox and currently teaches at the Sid Jacobsen JCC in Roslyn. Learn more at getfitwithbonne.com.

Clients always ask me how they can get flat, sexy abs. Most women think they'll need to do hundreds of sit-ups or crunches but in reality, achieving a toned midsection requires more than just abdominal exercises.

The abdominal muscles, along with your hips, buttocks, and back, are the muscles defined as your core. Developing your core muscles is vital to any long-term fitness program. In fact, a strong core improves your quality of life and supports the strengthening of your entire body. Strength from your core is needed in stabilizing your body during all activities and exercises — so save core-specific exercises for last.

June 23rd

Photo Credit: Blue Horizon Studios via Lover.ly

Tip of the Day: Remember that whatever mood you're showing your guests, they're going to follow it. "That means the bride and groom need to keep smiling through anything that happens. An unhappy bride quickly results in a room full of miserable guests," says Sandy Malone, the owner of Weddings in Vieques, as well as the star of TLC's Wedding Island reality show.

Plus, check out the Top 12 Ways to Impress Your Guests.

Katie Couric Ties the Knot!

Congratulations are in order for the new Mrs. Molner, aka Katie Couric, who tied the knot with her financier fiancé John on June 21 in East Hampton, New York!

katie couric wedding
Photo Credit: Katie Couric on Twitter

The couple were married in an intimate backyard ceremony at Couric's home with 50 loved ones in attendance. E! News reports that close friend John Ellis had the honor of officiating. Molner's children (Allie and Henry), as well as Couric's daughters (Ellie and Carrie), performed the readings, and Carrie also sang at the event.

The 57-year-old global anchor of Yahoo News looked resplendent in her ivory beaded Carmen Marc Valvo gown, which featured an elegant high neckline. The groom, 51, helped narrow down her final choice. "I hope this isn't bad luck but I actually tried it on for him," Couric admitted to People. (BG brides, would you/did you show your groom your final dress picks before the big day?)

The reception was decidedly more traditional, with garden-gorgeous floral arrangements that included peonies, garden roses, and dahlias displayed in mirrored containers. On a sweet note, guests dined on a seasonal cake made with lemon thyme and strawberry sorbet.

July 22nd

Photo Credit: Set Free Photography on Smitten Magazine via Lover.ly

Tip of the Day: Be mindful of the weather conditions during the date of your wedding, especially if you will be outdoors. "In the heat of mid-summer, some flowers will not hold up well in a bouquet and/or boutonniere as they won’t have a water source," says Tara Grand, the floral designer and owner of By The Bloom. Work together with your florist to choose blooms that will fare better in those conditions.

Plus, find out Which Flowers Are in Season.

Watch: Hilarious Father-Son Wedding Dance-Off

Anthony Hanaee, an audacious 11-year-old from Michigan, challenged his father Shawn to a dance-off at his aunt's wedding in Farmington Hills, Michigan last month. Now the laugh-out-loud video has gone viral!

Shawn tells WXYZ Detroit that the spur-of-the-moment battle broke out after the bride asked him to do something to get the crowd going at the reception. His son grabbed the microphone and said, "Listen old man, I heard you used to be a good dancer back in the day...Can everyone please get off the dance floor?" As you can imagine, guests were more than happy to oblige.

Dad busted a move to classic songs including "The Twist," "U Can't Touch This," "Everybody Dance Now," "Tootsee Roll" and "The YMCA." His son took a more modern approach, breaking it down to top hits like "Turn Down For What," "Whip My Hair," "Teach Me How To Dougie," "Gangnam Style," "Single Ladies" and "Soulja Boy." 

So who won? You'll have to watch the hysterical video below to find out!

"I held back a little so Anthony could be in the spotlight, because what kind of dad would I be if I didn't," Shawn joked to WXYZ Detroit.

June 19th

Photo Credit: Stephanie Mballo on Bridal Musings via Lover.ly

Tip of the Day: Ask each of your potential vendors what their policies and attitudes are toward eco-friendliness in their work. "Eco-friendly vendors will be able to demonstrate to you that they are eliminating waste wherever possible, and using local, sustainable materials," says entertaining expert and author Karen Bussen.

Look for venues that incorporate more natural elements in lieu of manmade features or ones that use green energy. "Choices you make during the wedding planning process can have an impact that will be felt long after you say your 'I Do's,'" says Kristan Allen with Armstrong Farms, a Century Farm and wedding venue located just outside of Pittsburgh, PA.

Plus, check out Our Guide to Planning an Eco-Friendly Wedding.

Wedding Weight-Loss: Big Decisions and New Goals

After my amazing shopping experience at Kleinfeld, I still needed be sure the dress I had found was the one, so I made an appointment to try on more dresses at Bridal Reflections in Carle Place, NY. It was a wonderful shopping trip, the staff was extremely helpful, and they had some great gowns — just nothing that was right for me.

My consultant Lisa was really great, if you go there I recommend asking for her. I tried on about 7 dresses and there were a few that I liked, but none made me feel how I felt when I put on the Mark Zunino gown that I fell in love with at Kleinfeld.

Here are a few of the gowns that didn't make the cut: 

bridal reflections shopping trip

I am beyond thrilled to announce that after leaving Bridal Reflections, I finally made my decision and went back to Kleinfeld to order my dress! I'm so happy that I confirmed that the dress I love is what I'm meant to wear when I marry Renne. 

Check out our complete guide to finding your dream dress here! 

Now that I've finally found my wedding gown, I need to step up my game in order to be 100% happy with the way I look in the dress. I have been keeping up with my workouts, eating healthy, and losing more weight (not as quickly as I’d like), but I decided to try some new things to spice it up.

Surprise! Couple Ties the Knot 30,000 Feet in the Air

When the time was right, Alexander Serruys planned to propose to his longtime love Marieke on a beach somewhere during vacation. However, a Facebook post would forever change the course of this Belgian couple's "I do's," leading them to get married in a surprise wedding on an airplane! The craziest part: They weren't even engaged when they boarded the flight, so the proposal took place the same day, too.

Watch their incredible journey here (skip to the 3:12 mark to watch the proposal):

It all started on Valentine's Day, when Thomas Cook Airlines posted, "If you could marry your love on a plane, would you do it?" Serruys, a 24-year-old bus driver, commented, "Immediately!" Thus, preparations for the #FlightYes14 conspiracy began. The groom hid his phone when he was home and became tight-lipped in an effort not to slip up: "Yes, she did become suspicious of me. Bad start for a marriage!" he jokes.

With the help of the airline, he convinced Marieke, 20, that she and her sister won a free girls trip to Rhodes, and a camera crew would film their getaway. Forty of their closest friends and relatives boarded the plane and hid in the back until the bride-to-be arrived and took her seat in the front of the aircraft.

June 18th

Photo Credit: Petronella Photography on Munaluchi Bridal via Lover.ly

Tip of the Day: Schedule your hair and makeup trial on the same day as your gown fitting. "Your look should have balance and flow. This will help you ensure that one thing doesn't overpower the other," says makeup artist Donna Kelly of Donna Kelly Makeup.

Also, you don't want to schedule your beauty trials too far in advance — three months prior to the wedding date should give you plenty of time. "You want it to be a fresh look and something you and your beauty team will remember," says Kelly.

Plus, check out the 25 Biggest Makeup Mistakes Brides Make.

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