On New Year's Eve, 2006, Amanda and I took a really long walk. Plagued by months of the exact same, half-assed, kinda sorta, Maybe-We-Should-Think-About-Getting-Married conversation over, and over, and over, we finally set aside some time to talk about commitment, the future, and the reason we'd been avoiding matrimony for the past year and half.

I was 23-years-old at the time, and the two of us met when I was in high school -- meaning that, if we got married, we'd be like one of those couples from 1957 that met in Mrs. Sweeney's junior year math class and never saw another person naked ever again. From there it'd inevitably be one, long, downward spiral into home ownership, dog ownership, block parties and minivans -- with Amanda telling our kids the story of how we met ad nauseam like Marty McFly's loser parents at the beginning of Back to the Future.

Continue reading And then I was a fiance. Creepy.

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Alright guys. Normally your casual (read: XL NFL logo t-shirt, gym shorts and running shoes) sense of style is no problem, and your fiance probably isn't lying when she tells you it's "endearing." But this is your wedding we're talking about -- an event during which you will be stared at by hundreds of people, and photographed thousands of times. Plus, your wife-to-be will remember this day for the rest of her life, so you better look damn good.

I'll be honest, I didn't know what a boutonniere was until some close friends got married, and I heard the bride say it about 8,000 times when she was yelling at her brother (a groomsman) to shape up and buy one. At the time it seemed like a pointless detail, but now that I'm on the road to married-hood-dom, it's become yet another one of those weird little details I should be considering.

If you're also unfamiliar with this highly-specialized fashion accessory, you might not know where to start. For inspiration, check out this post on Brooklyn Bride, that, at the very least, can serve as inspiration.

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If you're an angsty, anti-tradition, punk rock kinda bride, this is right up your street -- introducing the "F--- Taffeta" t-shirt.

Created by Ariel Meadow Stallings to promote her book, Offbeat Bride: Taffeta-free Alternatives for Independent Brides, these shirts are a non-nonsense, no-holds-barred way to let the world know what you really think about the wedding your parents probably wish you were having.

Sure, it's a little juvenile, and yeah, it's a little offensive -- but you're getting married for crying out loud. In my opinion, that kind of grown-up behavior warrants dropping the f-bomb as often as possible. So f--- taffeta! Get married! Buy the t-shirt! Rock on!

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I'm just reaching the age where all my friends are getting married off -- in fact, it seems like every other week some couple I know if announcing their engagement. If you're a 20-something, and aren't married, you've probably only been to a handful of family weddings that you begrudgingly attended as a child. So how are you supposed to know what to do when a friend asks you to be in their wedding party? What are your responsibilities? How much will it cost?

For helpful,concise answers to these pressing questions, check out this article in The Seattle Times. They give you the heads up about your bridesmaids duties, and the costs associated with buying your dress, getting your hair done, traveling, planning and attending the bridal shower, etc.

When it's all said and done, they estimate you'll spend between $1,105 and $1,355. Ouch. I know it's an honor to be asked, but that's some serious cash. Could you afford it?

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A friend with a DV cam could probably make a wedding video that will get the job done, and a professionally-edited one might actually be interested to friends who couldn't make it, or your future children. But it could look timeless, artsy fartsy, and ever-so-slightly epic if you shot the whole thing on Super 8 film.

Yes, film -- like they used in olden days.

Renaissance Studios, a company that creates made-to-order films about your wedding day, big family events, or important moments in your baby's life, will shoot a Wedding Mini Movie -- a package they bill as "luxury film cinematography at a non-luxury price" -- for only $2,000. You get a cinematographer for the day, five rolls of Super 8 film (you can see examples of what Super 8 looks like on their website), and a 12-15 minute film on DVD.

If your dreams about your wedding look like romantic indie movies -- complete with slow motion shots in fuzzy soft-focus -- this is worth looking into.

[via Bridal Bar Blog]

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Li Tangyong and his new wife, Chen Guilan, don't look like most couples. He's 3ft 7ins, and she's 2ft 4ins -- a fact that bothered their families so much, that the pair were engaged for three years before they were finally able to tie the knot.

Fortunately their love prevailed, and Li and Chen were finally married in a ceremony with 30 other couples in a city park.

Now that they're finally together, the newlyweds have applied to the Guinness Book of Records -- hoping that this now officially makes them the world's shortest couple. They're awaiting confirmation, but something tells me they won't have much competition.

Just proof that love really does come in all shapes and sizes.

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Need your something blue, but can't find a way to fit it in? Here's a novel idea for the superstitious among you that just might do the trick.

The Something Blue Bridal Tattoo isn't like a real ink job -- it's more like the fake tattoos you stuck on when you were a kid. So just in case you're not enamored with it, you don't have to worry -- it'll wash off in the shower. Plus, you get two designs to choose from -- an angel and devil, depending on what kind of bride you intend to be.

Best of all, is that these are only $6, so even if you find something blue that holds a little more sentimental value than your temporary tattoo, you won't be out tons of cash. Check them out for yourself at the Wedding Stand.

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Just yesterday on our partner site, That's Fit, I wrote about the problems many women have sleeping next to the men their lives -- mostly due to the fact that guys snore like crazy. But before you go sleeping in separate bedrooms or filing for divorce, check out this new invention from German scientist Daryoush Bazargani -- it's a pillow that stops snoring.

Apparently the pillow is attached to a computer that sits beside your bed, and can analyze the sounds you make during sleep. Then, based on the sound of your snore, the pillow can reduce or enlarge air compartments to "facilitate nasal airflow" which, as you might suspect, softens the obnoxiously loud sawing noise that would otherwise be coming from his side of the bed.

The pillow isn't available yet, but a bunch of US companies are interested in manufacturing it -- so, rest assured, if you sleep next to a lawnmower engine, there's hope in sight.

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I'm sure a normal wedding videographer will put together something nice, that maybe you'll watch every now and again when you're feeling sentimental, or want to show your ceremony to the kids. But wouldn't it be awesome if the whole thing was immortalized forever as a professionally-edited, action-packed half-hour TV show?

If you're getting married in October or November, this is your chance! A company called Asylum Entertainment is producing a reality show, in which they'll take viewers through the wedding process, documentary-style. Apparently it's more along the lines of A Wedding Story on TLC and not like the now infamous Bridezilla -- so don't worry, they won't cut the show together to make like you look like a insufferable raving lunatic.

The only drawback is that the wedding has to take place in Southern California, so if that's not you (or you're not willing to try a last-minute destination wedding), you're out of luck on this one.

However, if you are tying the not in SoCal, contact producers Grant Stuppel or Ben Darin to find out how you can apply.

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When you buy a designer wedding gown, you can expect quality, sophistication...and pirate hats?

Apparently that's how Jean-Paul Gualtier would like to see brides dressing this season, as his new line was very overtly inspired by the bandits of the sea.

As you can see, some of the looks are still fairly straightforward (like the gown on the far right), while others are decidedly less traditional. The woman on the left is actually wearing skinny trousers, a tunic, and what looks like some kind of train/cape combo instead of the traditional gown, and the woman in the middle looks like she stole her hat from Captain Ahab to go with that antique lace corset.

Chances are you won't be wearing runway fashion on your wedding day, but take note of the belts and sashes. If you're looking for something current and contemporary for your dress, these are totally in.

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Finding a the right date for your wedding is tough. Not only do you have to account for the schedules of all your most important guests, but then you have to book a venue -- sometimes over a year in advance.

So, when you find a date everybody can live with, you keep it.

Just ask Alina Modoran, a 25-year-old Romanian bride who, after learning that her firefighters' exam was scheduled on the same day as her ceremony, decided she'd just have to do both. You can imagine how surprised exam officials were to see Modoran arrive to take her test straight from her reception, all decked-out in her gown.

After checking the rule books and deciding that a wedding dress met the "decent outfit" required of any candidate taking the exam, the bride was allowed to continue while her groom waited patiently for her to finish.

Unfortunately, after all that hoopla, Modoran failed the exam, so she won't be a firefighter any time soon. At least, by the end of the day, she got a husband out of the ordeal.

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When you started brainstorming about possible locations for your wedding, did you ever think it might be cool to get married in prison?

That's the offer on the table for a young Bonnie and Clyde. The pair of fugitives ripped off a bank in their home town last month, and used the $5,000 they stole to pay overdue rent, cover legal fees in the woman's child custody case -- and also pick up a couple wedding rings.

Now county sheriff Ron Kalaquin is doing whatever he can to get the lovebirds off the streets -- including offering to marry them. Worried that the bride and groom bandits might strike again, Kalaquin has even said he'd perform the service himself if it meant the couple would be behind bars.

Seems like tying the knot in handcuffs surrounded by dozens of convicts might dampen the mood a little.

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For the high-powered, deeply serious, urban movers and shakers among you -- who think moving to Brooklyn means buying a house in the country, and routinely use the term "fly-over states" -- here's the magazine for you!

OK, joking aside, while BOND looks just as pretentious as every other high-fashion magazine, it's content is great -- especially if your wedding is going to break the mold. The magazine caters to "gay, straight, metrosexual, black brown, white, yellow, 25-45+ year-old urban dwellers" who are looking to get hitched, and that's exactly who they have on staff. It's encouraging to see an entire publication dedicated to offering "a different light" on how marriage ceremonies can work for the more modern couple.

Issue Zero (the current issue) also has a green (as in eco-friendly) theme, which is also supremely cool.

You might have trouble finding this if you don't live in New York or San Francisco, as the new magazine is currently only publishing about 5,000 copies an issue. So, if you're interested, check out their website, where you can subscribe.

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So you're getting married, meaning you'll have to make the transition from fiance to wife. Think you can hack it? Just in case you're worried that you won't be able to live up to your new role, here's some completely outdated advice that you probably shouldn't follow, but might, at the very least, give you a chuckle. It's from The Good Wife's Guide that Housekeeping Monthly published back in 1955.

Thank goodness times have changed. A few of my favorite excerpts:

"Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking."

"During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction."

"Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice."

"Let him talk first -- remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours."

I think if my fiance suddenly started acting like that after we got married, I would run from the house screaming.

[via Wedding Bee]

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Somehow watching a bunch of oh-so-sassy single women talk about their anxiety and sleeping with hot dudes never caught my attention -- so I was never much of a Sex in the City fan. However, once they started getting married, having kids, and moving out to Brooklyn, I suddenly started paying attention (for whatever reason), so I'm mildly interested in seeing the new movie (male readers: don't judge me).

OK. So the big news is that someone is getting married. Photographers have managed to grab shots of a certain cast member, all decked out in a Vivian Westwood gown, in the ultimately glamorous wedding. But who is it?

(Seriously, this is a big spoiler, stop reading now if you don't want to know.)

Continue reading Sex in the City wedding? (Warning: spoilers)

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Sure, your wedding was expensive, but, in the event that things don't work out, your divorce won't be cheap either. Ending a marriage is so costly, in fact, that one Japanese bank has created a loan specifically to help their customers afford the process of untying the knot.

Normally people put the costs associated with compensation (in Japan, whoever causes the split has to financially compensate their former partner) and legal payments on their personal credit cards -- which have relatively high interest rates. The new divorce loans, called "Re" (because people use them to re-start their lives) offer lower rates, so customers can break up without breaking the bank.

Not that the bank is encouraging people to get divorced -- they just want to make sure that those who are already ending their marriages can feel comfortable talking about it with a loan officer.

And, I imagine, they don't mind making a little money while helping customers get through hard times.

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Here's a unique gift for your bridal party or wedding guests: lip balm. It might seem random, but think about all the kissing you do at weddings. Friends, family -- everyone wants a little peck on the cheek from the bride (and groom, in some cases). Plus, don't forget the all the making out your single bridesmaids will be doing by the end of the reception.

All that smooching makes for some chapped lips, so check out these personalized wedding lip balms. They come with both the bride and groom's first names, plus the date of your big day.

Not only do they look cute, but at only $2.99, you could buy dozens of these tins, and use them as to add a little decoration -- with the added benefit that your guests can take them away as memory of your wedding. Just don't forget to keep one for yourself!

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Did anything happen right before or after your wedding that made you think your marriage was meant to be? You may not believe in fate, but this story about two Michigan couples might change your mind.

On August 18th, Melody Kloska and Matt Behrs got married on a Lake Michigan beach, and, as part of the ceremony, released a bottle filled with their wedding vows into the water. Then, in September -- just a few weeks later -- that bottle was found by another couple, Fred and Lynette Dubendorf. That pair had also tied the knot on a Lake Michigan beach, 28 years earlier -- on the exact same date.

Lynette contacted the newlyweds after she discovered the bottle, giving Melody and Matt hope that their marriage might just stand the test of time.

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Far be it from me to judge anyone else's relationship, but this is certainly...unorthodox. Reinaldo Waveqche, a 24-year-old man, has married Adelfa Volpes, an 82-year-old woman.

Insert your favorite Anna Nicole Smith joke here.

The couple -- who are 58 years apart in age -- started seeing each other when Waveqche moved into the house after his mother died. He needed Mrs. Volpes to look after him -- because he was 15.

And look after him she did. Over the past nine years the octogenarian has provided for her young beau, helping him grow froma boy into a man (if you know what I mean). Now she doesn't care what other people think, and is off to Rio de Janerio for her honeymoon, determined to live out her years in matrimonial bliss.

Waveqche, who has "always liked mature ladies," appears to be just as happy.

So, I guess congratulations are in order.

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All you eco-concious couples out there who are thinking going green for your wedding day will undoubtedly be rewarded for your efforts with a cleaner planet -- and maybe free photography.

The exceptionally-talented Beth Beljon, a wedding photographer who's been shooting ceremonies around the world for nearly a decade, has just announced that she'll donate 6 hours of coverage to one eco-friendly couple who is planning a green wedding during 2008.

This is awesome. Beljon's packages usually go for $4800 to $8200, and her stuff is gorgeous. In fact, even if you're not planning on a green wedding, you might want to consider it just on the off chance that you could have this uber-talented woman shoot your big day.

Here's the scoop: you have to enter by December 15, 2007 with "the most creative, authentic, green and organic wedding." Winners will announced on Beljon's website in January. You can apply here.

Good luck!

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