Trying to figure out what to wear to the rehearsal dinner or the reception? You want to look dressy, feel like you can move around, and yet still feel wedding-day special. The simple answer: "The LWD" — the little white dress. The little white dress is wedding world's must-have basic. Here a few of our faves from Watters Encore, DB Studio for David's Bridal, and Monique Lhuillier.

—Naima DiFranco

I still have yet to get over my plateau, but I can’t blame anyone but myself. These past two weeks have been a little hard for me, and I definitely made some mistakes along the way. In every situation, there’s usually a good and bad side, which is exactly how I feel these past two weeks have gone for me. It’s time for me to cut out the bad and stick to the good!

The Negatives:
Two weekends ago, Rene and I made a last-minute decision to take a night trip to Atlantic City because his dad was going to be in town from North Carolina. We had a blast, but I did not think once about what I was eating, and it was a disaster. On Saturday night, I drank champagne and vodka, and I ate sushi, shrimp cocktail, and ended the night at 2 a.m. with potato chips. Gross, I know! Sunday morning, we ordered room service for breakfast, which consisted of pancakes, potatoes, eggs, and bagels — all stuff that I really did not need, and I felt so guilty after eating it that I literally did crunches on the bed because I was so mad.

When Mira and Bob Graves tied the knot back in 1942, they did what many young couples of their generation did — they had a quick no-frills ceremony before Bob was shipped off to war. They'd only been dating for a few months, but they decided to elope right after witnessing their friends exchange vows in Reno. 

72 years later, the happy couple lives at Antioch's Quail Lodge Retirement Home, where they were named king and queen of the home's Valentine's Day celebration. The only problem: When asked to provide a picture of their wedding, they couldn't — because none were ever taken. 

Though the couple has never regretted their low-key wedding ceremony, they jumped at the chance for a wedding do-over when the home's director, Jennifer Noble, made the suggestion. Noble sprang into action, working with the local community to secure a gown, tux, cake, flowers, music and, most importantly, a photographer. 

Watch the sweet video:

—Kristen Klein

When Karley was diagnosed with cancer, it immediately put everything into perspective and made her focus on what was most important: Her relationship with her boyfriend, Ian.

"What am I waiting for...He made me feel special, he made me feel like what I had to say was important, that he cared and he was really listening. I was blown away that there was this depth of emotion that he was showing me," Karley says.

With the epiphany that she wanted nothing more than to get married, she decided to plan a surprise proposal (and wedding!) under the guise of Ian's 50th birthday party at The Imperial in downtown Vancouver. We love that she included their children and all of their family members and friends in the secret.

Watch all of the action unfold, courtesy of this video from Fill in the Blank Studios:

Vancouver Wedding Videographer | Happy Birthday...Marry Me? from Fill in The Blank Studios on Vimeo.

Plus, check out this story of a groom who surprised his bride with a wedding based on her Pinterest board.

Tell us: Would you want to get married in a surprise wedding?

— Stefania Sainato