One of the biggest complaints couples express when they come to my office is that one or both partners feel they are doing more than their fair share of work. They say their spouse isn’t helping out, simply expects things to get done, and often gives them orders about what to do. All of that ultimately leads to their feeling taken for granted, burdened, and resentful. Left unchecked, these negative undertones can take a huge toll on a relationship. So what is the antidote? How can you avoid falling into this common rut? If you follow these three super simple steps, you can keep your marriage humming along.

1. Remember to express your appreciation in the things you do.
Research has shown that one of the most important elements in a happy, successful marriage is feeling valued, basically the opposite of feeling taken for granted. With this in mind, always remember to express your appreciation on a regular basis. Your wife pays the monthly bills; tell her you’re grateful that she takes the time to do it. Your husband walks the dog first thing every morning; let him know how much you appreciate that because it gives you a few extra minutes to sleep.

A lot of times people think there has to be a special occasion, something out of the ordinary, or a surprise to warrant acknowledgement. That is not the case. All the routine chores that you are each managing and assuming the other will do — picking up the dry cleaning, making sure there is always enough toilet paper, scooping the kitty litter, food shopping and cooking — deserve to be and should be mentioned. A simple “Hey, I really appreciate you keeping our lives running” can go a long way, and make you or your partner want to continue to do those tasks to keep each other happy.

See More: Here’s What a Couple Married for 83 Years Can Teach You About Love and Marriage

2. Remember to say thank you.
Along the same lines, just like a picture is worth a thousand words, so is a simple “thank you.” It is so easy, and yet often gets lost in the craziness of daily life. In the same way that you might think only something like a gift or a favor deserves official acknowledgment, you might think the fact that your spouse makes the coffee for the two of you every morning doesn’t warrant a thank you because it is just a simple part of your routine, but it does.

Too often it goes unsaid because people expect their partner to do these things and figure why do I have to thank them for it? But you can never underestimate the power of those two words, which also go a long way in assuaging feeling burdened. They can be used like salt and pepper, sprinkled generously throughout your week for the helpful and thoughtful things your partner does. Typically people are quick to voice what they don’t like, and point out what their partner did wrong or could have done better. Saying thank you is a way to let your partner know they pleased you and got something right.

3. Remember to always ask instead of tell your partner what you would like from them.
Many times people don’t even realize that they tell their partner what to do instead of asking them to do something. In other words, they make a demand instead of a request, which leads further down that path of feeling controlled and resentful. Try to turn that around so your partner feels they have a choice in the matter. Instead of making them feel jumped on and barking, “Don’t forget to do the dishes!” or “Close the windows!” rephrase it instead to, “Can you remember to do the dishes tonight?” or “Can you please shut those windows before the storm hits?” This allows you to express your needs in a way that will foster working as a team, and offers the opportunity to have a give and take about it. It also eliminates the possibility of putting one of you in the parental role of dictating a task, and gets you back into an equal partnership, which is where every healthy and happy relationship should be.

Dr. Jane Greer is a New York-based relationship expert, radio host, and the author of What About Me? Stop Selfishness From Ruining Your Relationship. Connect with Dr. Jane Greer on Facebook and follow @DrJaneGreer on Twitter for her latest insights on love, relationships, sex, and intimacy.

There’s nothing worse than arriving at your stunning beach honeymoon destination and realizing that you forgot to pack sunscreen or a wide-brim hat—or worse, that you brought the entirely wrong wardrobe. When you’re headed to a glitzy Caribbean island like St. Barts you’ll want some fabulous outfits on lock before leaving home. To help you stand out on a St. Barts holiday, we’ve narrowed down a few packing essentials.

1. Celebs like Jessica Alba, Chrissy Tiegen, and Bella Hadid have been spotted swimming in the crystal-blue waters of St. Jean Bay, home to Eden Rock hotel and Nikki Beach. For your picture-perfect beach moment, try this eye-catching one-piece by Eres, appropriately called Seaside ($425). The French swimwear label is known for making suits that withstand the test of time, so trust us when we say the price tag is worth it, plus bold color blocking never goes out of style! (Seaside bandeau swimsuit, $425, Eres available at Net-a-Porter)

2. St. Barts is home to many a stunning beach, but some of the best ones (Colombier, Flamands, Gouverneur) have little to no trees or natural shade — so be sure to pack a great hat. We love Eugenia Kim‘s Emmanuelle straw fedora. The hemp material is naturally ventilating, while the wide-brim shields you from any scorching rays. The colorfully embroidered quetzal bird and silver box chain at the band provide just the right amount of flair to make your look pop among other beach-goers. (Emmanuelle straw fedora, $237, Eugenia Kim)

3. Equally important for the sun and sand—a fabulous pair of sunnies. Italian sunglass maker Carrera has tons of unisex styles that toe the line between sporty and chic, meaning you and your new hubs can share. We love the combination of sophisticated tortoise shell and cool metal-rimmed lenses on these 5035/S frames, in Havana. (Havana, $119, Carrera available at Bloomingdales)

4. The quickest way to glowing, sun-kissed skin? AmorePacific‘s perfectly packable Resort Collection Sun Protection Cushion SPF 30+. Products by this Japanese skincare brand are chockfull of multi-tasking anti-aging ingredients, and this cushion compact is no exception. The weightless formula protects against damaging UV rays, nourishes and combats heat with Asian botanical extracts, and provides barely detectable, flawless coverage—ideal for those who prefer to hit the beach with a little bit of makeup. (Resort Collection Sun Protections Cushion SPF 30+, $40, Amore Pacific available at Sephora)

5. Even if you’re flying into St. Barts on one of Tradewind Aviation’s luxe, semi-private planes—for which check-in, customs, and baggage are all taken care of by a designated airline agent without you ever having to lift a finger—we still recommend packing light. This durable yet ultra-lightweight Victorinox Spectra Global Carry-On is perfect for both weekend getaways and two-week vacays (you’ll be surprised how much fits inside!). It also comes in chic limited edition colors like Alloy Grey and Stone White, which are easy to spot on the baggage carousel. (Spectra Global Carry-On, $299.99, Victorinox Swiss Army)

6. After a few days in the sun, chances are your skin could use a little T.L.C. For an extra boost of hydration, book a facial at the super luxe Guerlain Spa at Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France, a stunning hotel on Flamands Beach. Or, give yourself a 10-minute in-room treatment by bringing along Guerlain’s Super Aqua-Mask, a lightweight, anti-aging complex derived from soothing desert rose flower that comes in both a bottle and sheet mask. (Super Aqua Mask, $130 for a pack of six, Guerlain)

7. Tempting as it is to pack your sexiest stilettos, most people on St. Barts wear flats, since restaurants and bars are often on or next to the beach. Pick a pair with a fun accent in an eye-catching color—like these Italian-made Casadei jelly sandals.(Jelly sandal, $165, Casadei)

8. Whether you’re hanging by the pool at Le Sereno or having an Italian dinner at Bonito, in Gustavia, a little lip gloss goes a long way. Our favorite? Gucci Lip Vibrant Demi-Glaze Lip Lacquer in Exposure—the light-pink color is both delicate and sweet, and the nourishing formula stays put all day. (Gucci Lip Vibrant Demi-Glaze, $33, Gucci available at Saks Fifth Avenue)

9. Another day-to-night essential: lightweight statement jewelry, like Eddie Borgo’s Sunburst Pendant. The gold-plated chain link necklace with rock crystal cabochon is delicate enough to wear on the beach with a bikini, but still an eye-catching accessory when paired with a sexy mini-dress for a night out at Bagatelle nightclub. (Sunburst Pendant, $105, Eddie Borgo)

10. One thing you can’t forget about on any beach vacay—your precious locks. Davines‘s all-natural, botanical products are cult-favorites among newly married beauty entrepreneurs like Emily Weiss. One of their latest launches includes a line of sun-specific hair care products, including the SU Milk, a light, creamy treatment with UV-A and UV-B filters that protects hair color from damaging sun exposure. Quickly spritz before hitting the beach, leave in, and forget about it—you’re on vacay, after all! (SU Milk, $15, Davines)

See More: Guest Blogger Carolyn Hsu’s Dream Honeymoon: St. Barths and Anguilla

Congratulations are in order for former Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky and her fiancé Kevin Manno! The bride-to-be gave birth to a baby girl earlier this week — and she’s as cute as can be.

The couple’s daughter, Molly Sullivan Manno, was born at 8:22 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6. She weighed in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces, and measured 22 inches, according to an Instagram posted by Fedotowsky.

“You are absolutely beautiful and perfect in every way,” the 31-year-old new mom captioned the adorable black-and-white photo, which shows her newborn girl lying on Fedotowsky’s chest. “@KevinManno & I love you more than we will ever be able to put in words. Thank you for making me a mommy.”

“This little angel is not even a day old and is already our entire world,” Fedotowsky told Us Weekly in a statement. “Molly Sullivan is named after two very important women in our lives. My late grandmother, Molly Fedotowsky, and Kevin’s late grandmother, Eva Sullivan, will both live on in our little girl.”

The former reality television star has been engaged to her TV host beau since September of last year, when he presented Fedotowsky with a standout engagement ring featuring an emerald-cut center stone and a pavé diamond halo. The couple then revealed in January that they were expecting their first little one, saying, “You see, last year, when we started planning our wedding, we couldn’t find any good ring-bearers or flower girls, so we decided to make our own. Ha!”

Just a few weeks ago Fedotowsky and Manno revealed that they actually had to put off their “I dos” and cancel their Mexico destination wedding because of the Zika virus.

“We were planning on Mexico, that was our dream,” the bride-to-be shared with Us Weekly. “But now this Zika thing is really messing things up!” Yes, darn that Zika for causing a pandemic, severe brain malformations, and canceling weddings!

“Obviously I can’t go because I’m pregnant,” Fedotowsky explained at the time. “But now there are all these reports and it’s not fair to all my guests.” Well we can definitely agree that the Zika virus would be, like, the worst wedding favor, ever. “So anyway, now we’re starting from square one!” said Fedotowsky. “We had a venue and it was all ready to go. It’s such a bummer!”

Honestly, we’re really disappointed at having to wait to see Fedotowsky walk down the aisle. But, hey, at least we know she and Manno will eventually get to that altar. And we can totally see Molly serving as the sweetest flower girl!

See more: Our Favorite Celebrity Engagement Rings

Yesterday was really special to us. Last Fourth of July, @kevinmanno and I decided we wanted to have a baby and grow our little family. Here we are one year later, just days away from meeting our daughter. I feel so lucky. More family photos on www.AliLuvs.com #AliLuvs #9monthspregnant #DueIn9days #babymanno

A photo posted by Ali Fedotowsky (@alifedotowsky) on Jul 5, 2016 at 5:57am PDT

Dreamy nursery closet by @laclosetdesign ?????????????????? More details on the blog! ???? by @christinefarahphotography

A photo posted by Ali Fedotowsky (@alifedotowsky) on Jul 1, 2016 at 8:17pm PDT

Caitlin Moran, director of content and partnerships at the lifestyle website Glitter Guide, and her now-husband Austin Kruse had been a couple since their freshman year of college at East Carolina University in 2001. So when Austin popped the question on December 2, 2013, the idea of marriage didn’t come as a surprise to the bride-to-be, but she was still blown away by the thoughtful proposal. “Christmas is my favorite holiday and I look forward to getting our tree every year. We got the tree up in our living room and he handed me an ornament he made with the date on it and said I should hang the first ornament of the holiday,” she says. “When I turned around he got down on one knee. It was perfect and I loved that we were at home, just the two of us.”

The couple initially set their sites on a wedding in Napa at the bride’s grandmother’s home. “It was the only place I’d ever pictured for my wedding,” Caitlin says. But she quickly realized that planning a West Coast wedding from her home in Maryland would be difficult for a type-A-doer like herself, the couple chose instead to bring wine country out East. Once they found the Evergreen Museum in Baltimore, the details of their September 26, 2014, wedding started falling into place — in just nine months, the future Mr. and Mrs. planned a romantic and organic celebration with a vineyard-inspired aesthetic. One of Caitlin’s few must have elements: Her photographer, Abby Jiu, who captured every beautiful detail of this swoon-worthy day to perfection.

In addition to her role at Glitter Guide, Caitlin is co-founder of Kruse & Vieira Events, so she’s no stranger to coming up with inspired wedding ideas. For her big day, it was all about the little details that make a big impact for guests. The bride and groom enlisted the help of La Happy Calligraphy to design their invitation suite, which featured modern gold calligraphy and a punchy floral envelope liner designed by Striped Cat Studio.

The bride spent her wedding morning relaxing and sipping bubbly with her four bridesmaids. To thank her longtime friends for standing by her side on the big day, she gifted each woman a box filled with some seriously sweet goodies. A floral eye mask, ALBEIT lip gloss, scented hand cream, and a Kate Spade initial necklace ensure each ‘maid felt loved.

The hospitality didn’t end there, though. Guests traveling for the wedding were welcomed to Balitmore with a chic wire basket filled with snacks, sparkling water, and wine.

Caitlin first found her Watters wedding dress while she was browsing gowns online. “I set my eyes on this dress online and knew it had to be mine,” the bride says. “It was so romantic, full of tulle and lace, and had an illusion neckline. It was everything that I wanted.” As a planner, she loves to work with tulle and knew she wanted the fabric in her gown, but was blown away when she found this silhouette with delicate lace detailing.

She put a great deal of thought into her accessories, making sure everything she wore on the big day felt significant. In addition to wearing her mother’s wedding shoes — “They were a little tight but I suffered though the pain because they were so special!” — Caitlin carried her husband’s grandmother’s purse, wore her late grandmother’s pearl pendant in her hair, and donned a pair of earrings a friend found for her at a New York City sample sale. “They were exactly what I was looking for,” the bride says of the ornate baubles.

The ultra-talented Holly Heider Chapple is responsible for all the knockout flowers used throughout Caitlin and Austin’s day, including the bride’s bouquet. “I completely trusted her and really let her have creative freedom,” Caitlin says. “I didn’t want it to feel tight or modern at all, instead loose, organic, and overflowing with flowers.” Holly totally delivered with this vibrant mix of dahlias, olive branches (a nod to Napa!), O’Hara roses, Queen Anne’s lace, and astilbe.

Austin paired his light blue suit with a few special accents, too: A burgundy velvet bowtie and rose and dusty miller boutonniere.

In addition to her four bridesmaids, Caitlin’s bridal party included one flower girl, her seven-year-old niece Hadley. The bride wanted to pass savings along to her attendants, so she asked her ‘maids to rent Joanna August dresses from Vow to Be Chic in shades of blush and nude rather than buying them. Hadley’s dress, on the other hand, was found on a sample rack at a little dress shop in Charleston, South Carolina. “I always thought I’d want my flower girl in white but I loved the taupe color on her and the fullness of the dress,” the bride says. She accessorized with a bright posy of blooms and a dainty flower crown.

Caitlin’s ‘maids all toted a smaller version of her bouquet, but with the addition of more greens to play up the organic look the couple was going for.

The ceremony was held on the lawn at the Evergreen Museum at 5 p.m., just as the sun had started to set. Caitlin parents escorted her down the aisle while a string quartet performed. “Since the setting was so beautiful, we didn’t do too much to the space,” the bride says. Chairs were arranged in a half circle surrounding the couple and urns filled with planted flowers decorated the aisle.

There, the couple exchanged vows they’d written themselves in a ceremony officiated by the groom’s friend.

Immediately following the “I do’s,” the couple and their guests walked to the museum’s patio, which overlooked the vast lawn and ceremony site. To kick the party off, servers were waiting with trays full of cocktails as soon as everyone got up from their seats.

The bride and groom say cocktail hour was their favorite part of the day. “I wish it had been longer,” Caitlin says now. In addition to a seasonal signature cocktail named for the couple’s dog, the couple also offered a sparkling rosé cart, stocked with bubbly from Caitlin’s favorite California winery.

Guests received a glass of chilled rosé in vintage coupes that the bride collected throughout her engagement. “I now have 75 unique, vintage glasses that I own,” Caitlin says. “I can’t wait to entertain with them for years to come.”

Calligraphed strips of velvet ribbon were used as escort cards and hung from a linen-covered board, all directing guests to their table inside the property’s Carriage House.

Long tables were decorated with loose greens, including olive branches and eucalyptus, and an array of candles. For height, gold compotes full of dahlias and roses were set at intervals along the length of the table. Each place setting was arranged over top a linen runner handmade by the mother of the groom and included a special thank you note from Caitlin and Austin that was decorated with olive branch flown in from the bride’s grandmother’s home. “Since my grandmother couldn’t attend the wedding, it was nice to have represented in some way,” she says.

While the three-course seated dinner of mixed green salad, autumn roasted salmon, and grilled chicken breast was met with approval from guests, dessert was the real hit of the night. A three-tier naked vanilla cake was filled with alternating layers of rose raspberry buttercream and salted caramel filling.

But that wasn’t the last sweet treat of the night: Caitlin and her sister spent the days before the wedding in the kitchen, baking over 200 of the bride’s late grandmother’s coconut macaroons to give guests as a favor. “We included the recipe and received so many compliments about how good they were,” the bride says. “It was so fun to work on it with my sister and relieved a little pre-wedding stress.”

Three weeks after the wedding, the bride and groom set out on a European cruise, where Caitlin admits they had the time of their life. “California was the dream,” says the bride of their big day, “but we embraced our venue and tied pieces of my favorite place, and people, into our day instead.”

Cereminy & Reception Venue: Evergreen Museum || Wedding Planner: Kruse & Vieira Events || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Watters || Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Vow to Be Chic || Invitations: La Happy Calligraphy || Envelope Liner Design: Kate Wong of Striped Cat Studio || Calligraphy: Laura Hooper Calligraphy || Floral Design: Holly Heider Chapple || Rentals: La Tavola Linens; XOXO Vintage || Catering: Rouge Fine Catering || Cake: Sweet Hearts Patisserie || Music: Kiss Kiss Players; Mixing Maryland || Photographer: Abby Jiu Photography

Can’t get enough of the Napa-inspired details at this couple’s gorgeous wedding? Then check out a winery wedding out West with a similar vibe in the video below!

While the bridal shower is usually planned by bridesmaids or the bride’s family instead of by the bride herself, that doesn’t mean you can’t brush up on the dos and don’ts surrounding this pre-wedding bash! We talked to our experts to get the low-down on official bridal shower etiquette — read on!

What It Is?
A bridal shower is a pre-wedding celebration in honor of the bride that traditionally is an opportunity for guests to give her gifts to help set up her new home. While the types of gifts and themes have become much more varied in recent years, the general format remains the same: a daytime women-only event in celebration of the bride’s upcoming marriage.

Who Hosts It?
The bridal shower is usually hosted by the bridesmaids, the bride or groom’s mother, or other close female relatives. If family members aren’t available to help plan, the bridesmaids should step in to help take care of some of the arrangements. No matter who is hosting, be sure to communicate clearly to make sure you aren’t planning two separate showers!

Who Is Invited?
As with other pre-wedding events, the guest list should be limited to people who are also invited to the wedding. For the bridal shower, this usually includes the bridal party, the bride and groom’s mothers and sisters, aunts, close female cousins, and grandmothers. Often other female friends are included, though the number invited depends on how large the event is intended to be. If the shower is going to be a surprise, the maid of honor and the bride’s mother should work together to come up with a guest list they think the bride will be happy with. Otherwise, they can have the bride assist them with the guest list, then keep her out of the rest of the planning.

When Should It Be?
Usually the bridal shower is held between three months and two weeks before the wedding. Choose a date that is convenient for both the bride and her guests of choice, whether that means hosting something a little farther in advance or planning it to coincide with a trip home or another get-together, such as a bachelorette party in the evening after an afternoon shower. No matter the selected date, make sure that the bride has put together a wedding registry before the invitations are sent out so guests can purchase gifts.

Where Should It Be Held?
If the bride still lives relatively close to home, the shower can be held in her hometown. Does she live in another state? It may still be more convenient for the bride to travel to her shower if most of the guests live locally, instead of asking the entire guest list to hop on an airplane. The specific location depends on the type of shower and the host’s budget. It could be in a friend or family member’s home or backyard, at a local restaurant, or somewhere more specific if the shower has a theme (such as a cooking school or a wine tasting room).

What Is Included?
Whether or not you opt to have a themed shower, the general outline is usually the same: Food, drinks, a few games, and an opportunity for the bride to open gifts surrounded by her guests. Of course, the traditional inclusions aren’t required! You could play games like Gift Bingo or designing wedding dresses using rolls of toilet paper, or you could instead plan an activity-oriented shower like a spa day or a calligraphy lesson. Don’t love the idea of opening gifts in front of everyone? Speak up! Those gifts could be set aside so you can open them at home along with your fiancé. Speaking of your fiancé, they often arrive toward the end of the shower (with flowers in tow) as a surprise for the bride. It’s a sweet way to include him in your celebration, as well as help you get those gifts home!

See More: 22 Festive 4th of July Wedding Ideas

It’s not really “news” that Americans go overboard when it comes to throwing a wedding. From lavish flower walls to champagne towers, it’s pretty easy to drop some major dough on “the wedding of your dreams,” as we’re so accustomed to saying in the age of Say Yes to the Dress and Four Weddings. But are the rather, ahem, pricey nuptials as prevalent across the pond in our neighboring countries? Well, according to recent surveys from MarketWatch and The Knot, our European companions couldn’t be more different when it comes to how much they spend on their wedding celebrations.

In fact, Americans tend to spend SIX TIMES as much money on their ceremony and reception as Europeans do. Can you guess what the average U.S. citizen spends on their big day celebration? Spoiler: it ain’t cheap.

According to an ATTN video posted on Facebook (which also happens to have a whopping 12.8 million views after being promoted on May 14), Americans spend an average of $32,641 on their I do’s, whereas budget-conscious Europeans tend to spend a much more reasonable amount of cash — about $5,495 to be exact. It seems that to Europeans, their wedding day isn’t their big ticket item to splurge on. Nope, they’d rather save up their money and spend big on a nice house.

Meanwhile, in the land of the U-S of A, engaged couples are finding that planning a wedding can take quite a toll on their well-being. The ATTN video highlighted that 42% of women and 32% of men feel overwhelmed by the wedding planning process, which, as you can imagine, puts a damper on the whole “we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together!” idea.

Now, we’re not suggesting you settle for a $5,000 wedding just to appease the makers of this video, but at the end of the day it’s not about the money you spend on your wedding, but rather who it is you’re getting married to. Food for thought!

See More: Follow These 6 Facebook Pages to Relieve Wedding Planning Stress STAT

Blac Chyna may be planning a wedding, but, unlike many brides-to-be, the expectant mama isn’t worried about slimming down for her nuptials to Rob Kardashian — at least, not yet. In fact, the future Mrs. Angela Kardashian isn’t afraid to put on a little, or a lot, of weight during her pregnancy.

The 28-year-old fiancé of Kardashian, who has been documenting her pregnancy on social media, shared a photo on Instagram of her growing baby bump clad in a body-conscious pink dress with the caption: “Why should I watch my weight when I’m pregnant” with heart emojis.

Earlier this week, Chyna shared a video on her Snapchat account that shows Kardashian and herself taking viewers through their entire process of cooking a meal, People reports, then opening up about gaining weight during her pregnancy.

“Like no lie, my goal is to gain 100 lbs. this pregnancy,” Chyna, who announced her pregnancy with Kardashian in May, admitted while eating a chip. “I’mma tear it up, and then I’mma snap back.”

Chyna goes even further by actually getting on a scale in another video to show how much weight she has gained so far during her pregnancy. “Before I got pregnant, I was about 139,” she said before stepping on the scale to reveal her current weight of 165.6 — and letting out a scream.

In an update earlier this week, Chyna revealed that her weight had increased to 170.8 lbs.

This isn’t the first time Chyna, already mom to 3 1/2-year-old King Cairo with Tyga, has shared details about how her body is reacting to her second pregnancy.

“I’m actually having a really good pregnancy,” the future Rob & Chyna star said in another Snapchat video Wednesday. “No morning sickness, no cravings, just baby!”

Chyna’s openness in her pregnancy weight gain creates a bit of an interesting juxtaposition for fans and followers of the Kardashian family, as Kim Kardashian, who gave birth to her second child with husband Kanye West in December, has been incredibly revealing in her journey to lose baby weight. The reality star, who gained 70 lbs. during her pregnancy with son Saint West, according to People, also posted frequent updates with her exact weight on social media, openly celebrating her weight loss progress with the Atkins diet.

“I gained a lot of weight and I have a lot to lose,” Kardashian West said at the time. “This time I think weight has come off quicker than last time because I kind of learned how to eat better. Last time I worked out a little bit harder. This time I’m eating differently.”

See more: Our Favorite Celebrity Engagement Rings

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A photo posted by Blac Chyna (@blacchyna) on Jul 2, 2016 at 6:51pm PDT

Ohhhhhh Roberttttttt ?????????????? @robkardashian

A photo posted by Blac Chyna (@blacchyna) on Jun 28, 2016 at 12:37am PDT

You may know a lot when it comes to wedding planning and marriage. But there may be a few things that still take you by surprise, as these four women can attest. Here, they share what they wished they’d known before they said “yes.”

I wish I’d known: Marriage doesn’t fix your problems.
Says Jennie, “I wish I had known that getting married will not fix the problems in your relationship. If you’re having problems before the wedding, don’t assume that they are caused by wedding planning or will go away after you say ‘I do.’ If anything, it will only exacerbate them.”

I wish I’d known: How much work wedding planning really is
Says Audrey, “The one thing I wish I had known when I got engaged was just how much of my life planning a wedding was going to take up. Before you get engaged, your wedding is all conceptual in your mind and doesn’t seem like such a big undertaking. But once it was really happening, it basically became a part-time job. Every weekend was filled with a wedding activity, my weekdays were filled with e-mailing vendors, making phone calls, meeting with vendors, and more. Looking back I can certainly think of a few ways I would have organized a bit differently, or started on certain projects earlier.”

See More: 3 Wedding Planning Moments You Should Celebrate

I wish I’d known: Marriage is ups and downs
Says Chantay, “Before I got engaged, I wish I knew the roller coaster life would take us on. You start out on one ride, and all of a sudden there’s this sudden rush into the air and you drop way down while holding your breath and going through a tunnel. I didn’t see it coming. I wish I had been more prepared for the adjustments, the highs and the lows, because the element of surprise sometimes can be frightening.”

I wish I’d known: Even when you live together first, it still feels different
Says Tiffany, “Because my husband and I lived together for nearly two years before we got married, I expected that not much would change after we did finally get married. Oh, how wrong I was. While we didn’t have any big revelations with our living situation like other couples might, how we felt for one another definitely changed. Our love and bond felt stronger, and the idea of being someone’s partner took on a whole different meaning. If I had known our love would grow like that, I would have reveled in it and been more excited for it before the big day!”

While budgets and finances may not be the sexiest part of your wedding, planning a wedding budget and sticking to it is one of the most crucial parts of putting together any bride’s big day. Even the savviest, most budget-minded brides might overlook some small details that can seriously throw off the most well-planned wedding budget. So to avoid any and all bridal budget woes, keep these key details in mind when planning your wedding finances.

Taxes
Depending on the state you’re in, sales and use tax applies to purchases in all different ways. You don’t have to go and break out a law book to properly plan for taxation, a quick Google search should tell you all you need to know. When calling around for price quotes, always be sure to factor in the correct tax percentage for final cost.

Keep in mind, too, that brides getting married out-of-state may benefit from tax breaks or benefits. For example, a New Jersey bride who purchased a wedding dress in NYC can, potentially, sign an affidavit that they will not be wearing or using their gown in NYC and save on sales tax. It “pays” to be informed.

Gratuity
It’s customary to tip vendors, servers, maître-ds and more as a way to say thank you for making your day so special. While sometimes service charges that incorporate gratuity are factored into estimate, at times they are not — and it’s implied you will be tipping out of pocket. Be certain to properly plan for the appropriate gratuity when crunching numbers.

From your glam squad to your bartenders, everyone deserves a tip, and you deserve to have properly planned for it. Having to spend money you didn’t plan for on your big day should be avoided wherever possible.

Shipping & Postage
While shipping fees are generally small, they do tend to add up to quite a chunk of change. Shipping (with insurance, of course) of a wedding gown can cost upwards of $35 in some states, and that’s only the beginning. When you factor the items you’ll be sending and receiving — from save-the-dates, invitations, thank-you cards, etc. (aside from all the online shopping you’re likely to partake in) — you’ll be paying a pretty penny in postage, and it’s best to anticipate all potential spending for proper budgeting. Tip? Always weigh your invites before slapping pre-paid stamps on them to ensure proper postage for the weight!

Timelines
It’s the stuff bridal nightmares are made of… Just when you think you have it all figured out, you have a (cash or check only) deposit due, and no funds to support it. While you have painstakingly budgeted your finances down to every last penny, it’s not that you can’t afford it — you just cant afford it right now. Be sure to budget according to deposit dates and when payments are due to avoid any hiccups in timely payments.

See More: 8 Tricks to Establishing Your Wedding Budget Without Bickering

Wedding bells are ringing for Belle! ABC’s Once Up a Time star Emilie de Ravin is engaged to her boyfriend, director Eric Bilitch. The couple announced the happy news on Instagram on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old Australian actress, who plays Belle in the hit ABC series, posted about her proposal on Instagram with an epic ring selfie (below), saying, “So excited!!! I love you @ericbilitch” all while showing off her sparkler for the snap. Her new fiancé shared the same photo, captioning it, “And the best big hand,” with a heart eyes emoji.

The ring is a stunner in itself — with a beautiful cushion-cut center stone and pave band — fit for a princess, that’s for sure!

See More: Our Favorite Celebrity Engagement Rings

De Ravin gave birth to the couple’s first child in March, Vera Audrey, who is now several months old, according to the Daily Mail. When she found out she was pregnant in October, she tweeted, “I wanted to share some exciting news—me & @ericbilitch are expecting a baby!! “Tis truly a dream come true and we could not be happier.” That post was just the beginning of their journey to parenthood — and lucky for us, the actress has been posting adorable snaps and tweets of her little girl during her road to parenthood.

The Lost star and her now husband-to-be were recently seen doting over their little girl while traveling in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During their sightseeing, Bilitch snapped some shots of his two leading ladies, as any proud dad would — with de Ravin leaning in and smiling while holding Vera towards the camera. When their daughter was first born, she posted on Twitter, “Welcome to the big wide world! Vera Audrey de Ravin-Bilitch born March 12th 2016. Couldn’t be happier!”

A baby and an engagement in one year? It’s safe to say the couple has had a pretty eventful 2016 thus far.

So excited!!! I love you @ericbilitch

A photo posted by Emilie de Ravin (@emiliede_ravin) on Jul 6, 2016 at 1:44pm PDT

Happy Father's Day to all the awesome Dads out there! But especially to my favorite-Vera is one very lucky little girl. I love you @ericbilitch #BestDadEver #happyfathersday “

A photo posted by Emilie de Ravin (@emiliede_ravin) on Jun 19, 2016 at 8:54pm PDT

Hello world! Thank you for a wonderful first month. Everything is amazing here! Love, Vera

A photo posted by Eric Bilitch (@ericbilitch) on Apr 12, 2016 at 11:13pm PDT

Hehe ;)- Can't wait to go visit London again soon! #Repost @ericbilitch” London Calling

A photo posted by Emilie de Ravin (@emiliede_ravin) on Apr 5, 2016 at 7:27pm PDT