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.

After being stationed overseas in Syria, Navy sailor Dylan Ruffer couldn't stand to waste another moment being apart from Madison Meinhardt — they wanted to get married right away. When he landed at Reno-Tahoe International Airport on Nov. 19th, he was amazed to realize that his wish had been granted. His fiancée was waiting for him at the arrival escalator wearing a wedding gown, and she was accompanied by an officiant and all of their loved ones.

"You waited 11 months for this, you may now kiss your wife," the officiant proclaimed.

Photo Credit: CBS News

The 19-year-old high school sweethearts planned to marry last year, but Ruffer's deployment unexpectedly got extended, forcing them to postpone. When the groom was granted a six-day vacation, he excitedly booked a ticket back to the U.S. 

"Dylan asked me what I was going to be wearing at the airport [at the reunion] and my dad joked around, saying that I should wear my dress. Then it wasn't a joke anymore when it actually happened," Meinhardt told CBS News.

Photo courtesy of Reno-Tahoe International Airport

The bride contacted the airport three weeks before the big reunion date, asking if it would be possible to get married right then and there.

A match made in teen TV heaven — Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, who both starred in Josh Schwartz-created shows (Gossip Girl and The O.C., respectively) are getting married!

According to Wonderwall, the couple of about a year celebrated their happy news with friends and family at an engagement party on November 10. A source told Star, "Leighton and Adam are crazy about each other and have talked about getting married eventually. But she had no idea he would propose so soon! It was the surprise of her life and she’s ecstatic!"

The happy couple became close friends while filming The Oranges in 2011 but didn't start dating until earlier this year. They're also working together on the upcoming movie Life Partners. Early reports say they're planning a summer wedding and are deciding between a destination wedding and marrying in Southern California. 

—Kristen O'Gorman Klein
 

Photo Credit: WireImage

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