Ever since becoming a bride, I've learned that many people see an engagement ring as an open invitation to share their opinions on weddings — regardless of whether or not you ask them. Shortly after I got engaged, my fiancé Michael and I were featured in a popular column on a well-known wedding website. We were still in that phase where we were bubbling over with joy, unable to keep all of the thoughts about our upcoming wedding from pouring out of our mouths. So when we found out that our love story had been chosen to be featured, we were beyond excited to have it documented and share it with friends and family. 

When the story was published, I pulled up the website with anticipation, read through the article and clicked through our slideshow of photos, smiling the entire time...until I scrolled down to the comments section. I was shocked by the number of cruel and spiteful messages that strangers had posted, wishing divorce on us and making bets on how long our marriage would last. I promptly closed my laptop, walked away and never breathed a word of its existence to anyone.

Looking back, I can see how outsiders would love to hate us: Michael and I were college sweethearts, and our wedding will take place on Valentine's Day in the same venue where I had my dance recitals growing up. Okay, easy targets for cynics who instinctively roll their eyes at cheesy love stories. I chalked it up to a learning experience that taught me to grow thicker skin, a lesson that has continued to help me throughout my wedding planning process.

Photo Credit: Turn Loose the Art on Scratch Weddings via Loverl.y

Each new wedding season brings a fresh list of must-play songs. Some become wedding classics; others fade into obscurity almost as quickly as they broke onto the scene. We checked in with Scratch Weddings, the nation's leader with the best wedding DJs at affordable prices, to find out which songs are topping their couples' request lists this season.

Processional
► "I Choose You" – Sara Bareilles
► "XO" – Beyoncé
Get more ideas for your processional ►

Recessional
► "Best Day of My Life" – American Authors
► "On Top of the World" – Imagine Dragons
Get more ideas for your recessional ►

Guest 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.

If you’re a bride wearing a form-fitted mermaid or sheath dress that clings to the body, you’ll want to have a great view from the front and back. And let’s not forget about short wedding dresses that show off your legs! Along with cardio, you can tone up those muscles with some of my favorite body-shaping exercises.
 But first, I’d like to clear up some myths and common misconceptions about exercising your legs and butt.

True or false: Leg and butt exercises will get rid of cellulite, saddlebags, and hip flab.
False! Leg and butt exercises can tone and firm the muscles of your lower body but won’t work magic on their own. To get the best results, you have to combine your leg and butt workout with overall strength training, aerobic exercise, and healthy eating habits.

According to a new survey by coupon site vouchercloud, it costs $734 to perform the honor of being a bridesmaid or groomsman — and that figure doesn't even include the cost of gifts! Even worse: 17% of respondents went into debt in order to pay for it all.

There were 2,948 participants in total, all of whom are 18 or older and have participated in a wedding during the past year. They were asked to take into account the costs of attending the bachelor/bachelorette party, getting an outfit and accessories, hair/beauty/grooming, hotel and travel costs, and paying for drinks on the big day (no, that's not a typo). 

In certain cases, the costs associated with being a bridesmaid or groomsmen took a toll on their friendships: 34% of survey-takers confirmed that they resented the amount of money they were required to spend and 21% admitted this caused conflicts within the bridal party. Therefore, it's not surprising that 54% said they'd have to consider the costs before being a bridesmaid or groomsman ever again and 15% regretted ever having said "I do" to the duty in the first place.

Photo Credit: Vicki Bartel Photography on Bridal Musings via Lover.ly

I love my blue topaz engagement ring for so many reasons: it's beautiful, the stone is associated with true love, and it's the same color as my fiancé Chris' eyes. However, it wasn't until things got serious with Chris that I even considered getting a colored stone as opposed to a diamond.

Growing up, I had always assumed that I wanted a three-stone engagement ring with emerald-cut diamonds. When I was 16 years old, I remember reading about J-Lo getting a four-carat ring and daydreaming that it would be nice if I got a hefty diamond ring, too, someday. (I can't remember which husband she was with at the time.) Fast-forward 16 more years, and I can say with certainty that I've matured considerably since then! I no longer compare myself to celebrities — or anyone else, for that matter.

It’s officially bridal shower season, and if you’re a female in your mid 20s or 30s, you can almost guarantee that there will be at least one shower invitation (if not more) in your mailbox this spring. The challenge becomes finding the perfect gift for the bride-to-be based on her personality, interests, and needs. Below are seven of the top shower gifts this season to help you in your hunt!

1. Something From Her Registry
Brides spend hours/days/weeks (and occasionally months) agonizing over their wedding registries. Honor her wishes, and purchase something she really wants and asked for. If you don’t, she’ll end up purchasing those things post wedding and wonder in frustration why no one looked at her registry (I speak from experience).

2. Wine Club Membership
What could be more fun than receiving a nice bottle of wine every month for three, six, or 12 months after your wedding? It’s the perfect gift for the couple that has everything (and registered for very little), as they can toast their monthly milestones and married firsts. Wine of the Month Club and Forbes Wine Club both have excellent gift options.

Photo courtesy of Wine of the Month Club

Photo Credit: Paperfinger via Lover.ly

Q. Do we need to send out a save-the-date notice to everyone on our guest list?

A. It depends. I recommend that you send all your guests save-the-date cards (six to eight months in advance) if you are planning a destination wedding, marrying on a holiday weekend or even if your celebration will take place at a location that gets booked up early, like a beachfront resort or a hotel near a ski resort. However, if you’re marrying locally but inviting anyone who will need to travel, send save-the-dates only to the out-of-towners, so they can make their arrangements for transportation and accommodations well in advance.

—Diane Forden