How Bad Weather Can Seriously Impact Your Destination Wedding

I want you to imagine you’ve spent months, or years, planning your wedding day. Everybody you love most in the world is going to be there. You might be excited, and nervous, as you pack for the trip to your wedding destination, the romantic spot you researched and saved up for. The big day is just around the bend. And so is a hurricane. Or a blizzard. Ultimately, the consequences may be the same.

Natural disasters are an unfortunate fact of life. And you don’t have to be planning a destination wedding someplace exotic for Mother Nature to seriously mess up your wedding plans. Plenty of hometown floods, storms, and other natural emergencies can create serious problems for brides, grooms, and all of their guests.

Sometimes, the disaster that is impacting your wedding weekend might not even be happening where you’re actually getting married. But it can still wreak havoc on your big day.

Unfortunately, I’ve got real life examples for you.

When Hurricane Matthew Threw Off a Vow Renewal
Just recently, Mother Nature was unkind to my clients who planned for years to renew their vows on their 10th wedding anniversary in Puerto Rico. Their anniversary was on Friday, October 7, 2016, the exact same day that Hurricane Matthew whomped Florida and Georgia.

The brides and their children arrived on Tuesday, before the storm’s path had been confirmed. And they never worried a bit about their big day, because the storm was already north of Puerto Rico, and there was nothing else threatening the Caribbean.

On Wednesday, as their guests prepared for bed, luggage packed for the destination wedding, and ready for their early morning flights out of the mid-Atlantic region, all hell broke loose. One after the other, they began receiving notifications that their flights to Puerto Rico had been cancelled. On a variety of different airlines.

The problem was that the vast majority of flights to the Caribbean had to go through Atlanta, Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Anybody who didn’t have a direct flight was really stuck. And most of them spent all night long on the telephone, pleading for mercy, trying to be re-routed through anyplace that would get them safely to Vieques Island before the wedding ceremony on Friday afternoon. About half were not successful.

Fortunately, their out-of-town photographer was able to rebook on a direct flight, saving them from losing a ton of money they’d spent to get her to their destination, and the cost of paying another photographer to step in. But as a wedding professional, she’d been watching things carefully, and she was one step ahead of the rest of the guests.

Ultimately, they had a beautiful ceremony and fun wedding reception, but some of their favorite people in the world weren’t there to celebrate with them. And quite a bit of money was lost in the process.

See More: How to Create a Travel Contingency Plan for Wedding Guests

When Two Different Storms Grounded the Guests
A similar situation occurred for my own Caribbean destination wedding, on Labor Day weekend of 2004. The weather in Puerto Rico was beautiful, and there were no storms threatening the wedding destination. Everybody arrived without incident. However, our wedding date fell smack dab in the middle of Hurricanes Ivan and Jack. And Hurricane Ivan was one of those weird storms that did loopty-loops, and made landfall in several places, devastating numerous cities and their associated airports.

My guests had a worry-free vacation for the week of my wedding, but when those guests who were tech-savvy enough to have registered for email alerts (remember, this was 2004) started getting flight cancellations for their trips home — in the middle of my wedding reception — it would be safe to say the mood was shot.

At least half of my wedding guests got stuck in San Juan for at least a night. A few who could not miss work bit the bullet and rebooked on other airlines that could get them home sooner, at considerable additional expense. Everybody had to pay for hotels for which they had not budgeted. My bridesmaids all bunked in together, due to a room shortage caused by all the cancelled flights off the island.

I try not to focus on the return trip disaster when I remember my wedding, but my client’s experience with Hurricane Matthew’s flight cancellations brought it all back. My hope is that they’ll concentrate on the celebration they had, and not the number of people who missed it. Because it really was a beautiful day in paradise for their 10th wedding anniversary.

Sandy Malone is the owner of Sandy Malone Weddings & Events and author of How to Plan Your Own Destination Wedding: Do-It-Yourself Tips from an Experienced Professional. Sandy is the star of TLC’s reality show Wedding Island, about her destination wedding planning company, Weddings in Vieques.

Wedding Gift Ideas for the Travel Obsessed Couple

Travel-Themed Wedding Gifts

Photo: Getty Images

When it comes to shopping for a wedding gift, four words will help ensure a gift the bride and groom will love. The four words: Stick to the registry. However, if the couple hasn’t registered or if you want to get them an additional gift that’s a bit more personal than bathroom towels or nonstick pans, it’s wise to pick something that reflects the couple’s personality and passions. If one of those passions is travel, you’re in luck because options are as varied as the countries and cultures that span the globe. Here, the perfect gifts for travel-loving couples.

Travel Wedding Gifts for Home

Photo: Courtesy of Retailers

For Their Home
A love of travel and a fascination with maps often go hand in hand, and most travel lovers will appreciate items that represent their wanderlust in cartographic form, such as a globe, a scratch-off map to mark their travels, an artfully framed map of their favorite place, or this print, with two hearts that show the maps of two different places. Airport code coffee mugs and posters are another fun way to bring some international flair to their home decor. (Scratch-off world map, $22.99, available on Maps International Amazon; Heart map print, $88.54, BOMBUS available at Not on the High Street; Airport mugs and posters, starting at $19.90, Airportag)

Travel Wedding Gifts for Memories

Photo: Courtesy of GoPro

For Creating Memories
Give a travel-loving couple the tools they need to document their future trips. A high quality leather journal is always useful for jotting down experiences and memories while traveling. If you know the couple’s been relying on their phone for photos, they might appreciate a better quality travel-friendly camera or a GoPro, if they’re more active. And a gift card to a photo printing service like Shutterfly will ensure that their photos make it off the digital screen and into a frame or coffee table book. (“HERO Session” waterproof camera, $199.99, GoPro)

Travel Tech Gifts

Photo: Getty Images

For All Their Travel Tech Needs
Where travelers go, so go their devices, so kit your couple out with portable technology that will enhance their trip: a universal plug converter to stay powered up, a waterproof phone case so spills don’t ruin their trip, noise-canceling headphones to ensure a quiet night’s sleep on the plane, and a selfie stick for the perfect photos of the happy couple on all their adventures.

Stylish Travel Wedding Gifts

Photo: Courtesy of Mark and Graham

For Traveling in Style
Long gone are the days when traveling was a glamorous — or even comfortable — affair. Help make the couple’s travel a little less unpleasant with comforts like an ultra-luxe travel blanket and pillow or a soft sleep mask. Or bring a little style to their travel with monogrammed leather luggage tags or passport holders. (Leather luggage tags, $65, Mark and Graham)

See More: Do We Have to Get a Gift for a Couple Having an (Expensive) Destination Wedding?

Monetary Travel Wedding Gifts

Photo: Getty Images

For the Honeymoon or Other Future Travel
The gift that travelers can always put to use is the gift of more travel. Chip in on the cost of future flights with an airline gift card (most major airlines offer them) or go for a hotel gift card for a particular chain or for a booking site like Hotels.com so they can splurge on a luxurious room. Or contribute cash towards experiences with a gift card to a site like Viator.com, which sells tours and activities around the world. If the bride and groom love cruising, you can even opt for a gift card to their favorite cruise line.

Duck Dynasty Star Reed Robertson and Brighton Thompson's Wedding Album Is Absolutely Stunning

duck dynasty reed robertson wedding photos

Photo: Courtesy of Carolynn Amy Seibert via Instagram

Congratulations are in order for Duck Dynasty star Reed Robertson! The reality TV star married his longtime girlfriend Brighton Thompson in a rustic outdoor wedding in Monroe, Louisiana this weekend that was full of gorgeous, Pinterest-worthy details. Seriously, their wedding photos are stunning!

The 21-year-old groom said “I do” to his bride on Saturday beneath a floral arch before celebrating their big day with an outdoor wedding reception, People reports. Thompson looked beautiful in her wedding dress — a V-neck, lace ball gown complete with lace cap sleeves and a long train — with her low chignon adorned with similar shades of the colorful blooms in her bright, organic bouquet. Robertson made a handsome groom in a classic navy suit and blue bow-tie.

The pair got engaged in December 2015; Robertson proposed to his love with a Christmas Eve bended knee moment during a family trip to New York City.

After officially tying the knot, the newlyweds jetted off for their honeymoon… well, sort of. According to Robertson’s Instagram post on Sunday, their romantic travel plans got derailed due to a series of unfortunate post-wedding events.

“I married my best friend yesterday,” he captioned a shot of him holding and kissing his beautiful bride. “Brighton and I’s first day of marriage has been, well, interesting. Got kicked off our flight at 5am, ate Popeyes for lunch, saw a terrible movie, and missing 2 days of our honeymoon because of it and I couldn’t be more thrilled to adventure with you Brighton. Today and for the rest of my life.”

Thompson also shared a wedding photo, a gorgeous shot of what looks to be their epic confetti-filled wedding exit. “Wow did this really just happen,” she wrote alongside an image of them kissing as wedding guests threw confetti to see them off on their honeymoon excursion. “Our wedding was the most fun party OF MY LIFE. So excited to start this new adventure with my new husband. (LOTS more pictures to come).”

See more: All The Details On Duck Dynasty Star Rebecca Lo Robertson’s Engagement

Stunning photos aren’t our only glimpse into the reality star’s big day! Lucky for us, the mother of the bride captured one of our all-time favorite moments of any wedding. According to Instagram video, Thompson’s mother captured Robertson’s face at the exact when he saw his bride walking down the aisle — and his reaction is SO sweet, it legit made us tear up.

The Robertson family publicly wished the newlyweds well on social media. “Congratulations to the newest Robertson couple!!!” John Luke’s wife, Mary Kate Robertson, captioned an Instagram pic of herself standing next to the bride. “I love you both so much and am so proud of you and excited for you! Brighton it was quite the honor to stand by you $ so thankful to have you as one of my best friends and now cousins!!”

The groom’s mother, Missy, also took to Instagram to share a sentimental congratulations to the couple. “Impossible to put into one post all of the wonderful moments of last night, but here are a few,” she wrote. “I’ll post more later as I am a very proud and blessed mama! #ReedLovesBrighton #BlessedBlessedBlessed.” The collage Missy shared included photos of the bride and groom exchanging vows, walking up the aisle hand-in-hand, cutting their 4-tier wedding cake, and even one of Robertson singing for his bride.

See below for more photos from their stunningly romantic wedding day!

Congrats to #reedandbrighton Here's to many great years!

A photo posted by Rhett Walker (@rhett_walker) on Oct 30, 2016 at 7:33am PDT

Romance at its finest. Congrats y'all! Love you both! || @officialreedrob @bright1thompson – #reedandbrighton

A video posted by Ben Bauer (@officialbenbauer) on Oct 30, 2016 at 1:49pm PDT

My wedding date #forever ????#reedandbrighton

A photo posted by Korie Robertson (@bosshogswife) on Oct 30, 2016 at 1:42pm PDT

I couldn't be more excited to marry this amazing woman. My fianc?? is a babe in every way.

A photo posted by Reed Robertson (@officialreedrob) on Dec 22, 2015 at 2:18pm PST

This Alabama Couple Put a Formal Spin on Their Rustic Wedding

Given that they both grew up in the same small town in Alabama, it’s pretty surprising that Paige Bone and Hunter Hayes didn’t meet until August of 2008. “He was a football player and I was a cheerleader — but for rival schools,” Paige says. “We spotted one another in the crowd at a football game, and were introduced by mutual friends the next night. The rest is history!” And even though she went to college at the University of Alabama and he’s from an Auburn University family, the longstanding rivalry couldn’t keep them apart. After four years of long-distance dating and two years back together in Gadsden, Hunter proposed to Paige at his family’s vacation house on Lake Neely Henry, and the couple got started planning their September 19, 2015, wedding at a family friend’s farm in Ashville, Alabama.

The groom is an outdoorsman who loves hunting and fishing, but the bride wanted to put a dressier spin on a rustic Southern wedding. She skipped the burlap in favor English garden-style arrangements and hundreds of brass candlesticks. “It was the perfect mix of both of our personalities and our Southern heritage,” Paige explains. The whimsical yet traditional celebration was full of homey touches, and Rob & Wynter Photography captured every sweet detail.

The elegant invitation suite was dressed up with rose gold calligraphy and the pair’s wedding logo, a crest decorated with antlers and soft florals around an H in the middle. “We used it on everything from the invitations and programs to koozies and pillows used in the reception décor,” says Paige. She and her bridesmaids wore matching Natalie Deayala pajamas (the bride in white, her girls in navy) as they got ready for the big day.

Paige had always dreamed of wearing a delicate lace gown for her wedding, and loved the combination of Chantilly and tulle in this gorgeous Martina Liana. She added a modern spin to the strapless silhouette by topping it with a lace crop top by Girl and a Serious Dream. And every Southern bride needs some sparkle! Paige’s came in the form of her gold glitter Kate Spade pumps.

The bride carried a flowing, oversized bouquet of Italian ruscus, David Austin roses, seeded eucalyptus, wax flower, green hydrangeas, and pheasant feather — a nod to her hunting-obsessed groom.

Hunter donned a modern shawl-collar tuxedo with a black cummerbund. His organic boutonniere mixed strands of wheat and white wax flower. “The farm was covered in bistro lights, garlands of greenery, and soft candle light,” says Piage.

The bridesmaids all wore powder pink Natalie Deayala dresses. “I loved the combination of a formal and elegant silhouette with a soft feel,” says Paige. The ‘maids carried smaller versions of the bride’s bouquet, all tied with flowing silk ribbons. The groomsmen matched Hunter in shawl-collar tuxedos.

The couple wed in a traditional Presbyterian ceremony, with urns of lilies and roses on either side of the altar.

Immediately after the ceremony, the caterers treated the couple to an intimate dinner for two in the farmhouse. The menu included mushroom grits, apple-bacon canapés, and bacon-wrapped venison tenderloin tips. “Hunter actually provided the venison for our caterers himself!” says Paige.

Long tables were arranged in the barn, which was strung with café lights. Paige spent the couple’s nine-month engagement collecting brass candlesticks to use as décor. Along the barn stalls, hay bales were framed with greenery and posts were hung with deer mounts dressed with lilies and hydrangeas. The couple’s wedding coordinator, Courtney Bell, did all of the calligraphy for the menus.

“Having dinner privately inside meant we could head around the farm at sunset to take pictures and still have a chance to eat,” says Paige.

For dessert, the pair offered both a chocolate groom’s cake (decorated by the groom with shotgun shells, antlers, and feathers) and a five-tiered wedding cake with layers of white cake with buttercream and strawberry cake with cream cheese icing.

The couple and both of their parents took dance lessons in advance of the wedding. Paige and Hunter performed a swing dance to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder.

Then, Paige and her father danced the foxtrot to “You Are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker, and surprised guests by breaking into a fun dance to “You Never Can Tell” by Chuck Berry.

At the end of the evening, a sparkler exit led the bride and groom to their getaway car, a friend’s 1961 Lincoln. “We did our best to enjoy every moment,” says Paige. “Remember, you’re only engaged for a small amount of time. There is something so wonderful about planning a this celebration, but don’t let the hiccups get in the way of how amazing an engagement can be!”

Ceremony Venue: Rainbow Presbyterian Church || Reception Venue: Dawson’s Honeysuckle Farm || Wedding Coordinator: La Belle Vie Weddings || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Martina Liana; Girl and a Serious Dream || Shoes: Kate Spade || Jewelry: Ex Voto Vintage || Hair & Makeup: Melissa Moore Bogardus || Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Natalie Deayala || Groom & Groomsmen’s Attire: Tuxedo Inn || Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: Levy’s Fine Jewelry || Florist: Attalla Florist || Invitations & Paper Goods: Sincerely Me || Music: 2nd Groove Showband || Catering: Garfrerick’s Café || Cake: Edible Memories by Lorraine || Rentals: Top Notch Events & Rentals; Prophouse Rentals & Styling; Ultrapom || Videographer: Crooked Tree Productions || Photographer: Rob & Wynter Photography

Find Local Vendors Wedding Wire

Feeling inspired by this pretty wedding? Then you’ll get even more ideas from another couple’s rustic celebration in the video below.

How to Help Your Friend's BF Pick Out an Engagement Ring (Without Ruining the Surprise!)

Hate the Engagement Ring

Photo: Getty Images

There’s nothing more exciting than getting a call or text from your best friend’s boyfriend saying he’s ready to pop the question and needs your help. Now it’s time to help him find her the perfect engagement ring. What’s the best way to make sure he gets something she’ll love, without ruining the surprise? Our experts have a few tips.

Your best friend is about to get engaged! Heading to the jewelry store with your friend’s boyfriend is definitely an adventure. You’re in a unique position to help him find something she’ll really love and be excited to wear every day, but you also need to keep a secret so you don’t spoil the proposal when the time comes.

If your friend’s boyfriend came to you for help, there’s a good chance she’s already told him that you’re the person to ask, so let your knowledge of her style, likes, and dislikes guide you. Of course, if the two of you have gone “browsing” together before, you might know exactly what she likes (and may even have pictures of rings to back it up!). Start by reviewing any information she’s given you, whether it’s sharing a post on Instagram or an entire secret Pinterest board, with her boyfriend so that he’ll have the same information and inspiration. Then, with his budget and his own tastes in mind, head to the store. Work with a salesperson to find the perfect intersection of what your friend loves, what her boyfriend loves, and what fits within his budget. That might mean a slightly smaller center stone to leave room for a pavé band, or helping him customize something if she’s fond of unique and less-common shapes or cuts.

See more: The 3 Engagement Ring Etiquette Questions You Need to Know

Even if the two of you have never really discussed rings, use what you know about her style and personality to help guide his shopping. If most of her jewelry is delicate, she probably won’t love a more ornate setting. Does she exclusively wear gold? He’ll probably want to stay away from platinum settings. While her boyfriend may have picked up on some of these things, there are a lot of details that girls notice more explicitly, so share your insights!

And of course, if he doesn’t know her ring size, you’re the best person to ask. It would be MUCH less suspicious if you encouraged her to try on your own engagement ring and then gauged whether it was too big or too small than if he simply asked her ring size.

Last but not least, be subtle! Keep your excitement about the impending engagement on the down-low until after he’s popped the question — then feel free to squeal in delight the first chance you get!

This Flower Grandpa Totally Stole the Show at His Granddaughter's Wedding

Move over nieces and baby cousins, there’s a new flower girl in town — and he’s officially the cutest thing we’ve ever seen! When Georgia bride Jennifer wanted an extra special way to incorporate her grandfather into her recent wedding day, she dubbed him her “Flower Grandpa” and had him take over the petal-throwing duties. Have you ever heard of anything more adorable than that?!

“I always knew that I wanted him to play a special part in my wedding,” Jennifer told Buzzfeed of her 85-year-old grandfather, Stanley.

“In thinking about the typical roles of a wedding, I couldn’t shake the idea of him walking down the aisle throwing flowers like a flower girl. I joked with him that I wanted him to be my ‘Flower Grandpa,’ and the idea stuck!”

So Jennifer gifted her gramps a personalized handkerchief, embroidered with the words “Papa, will you be my Flower Grandpa?” and Stanley of course accepted her popped question!

Flower Grandpa Handkerchief

Photo: Courtesy of Bride

“He was worried that he wasn’t up for the task,” said Jennifer. “But I assured him that if two-year-olds can do it, he could figure it out.” But not without a dress rehearsal first!

“He insisted on practicing before the big day so my sister Allison, my maid of honor, bought a pumpkin bucket and fake leaves from the dollar store and they practiced on his driveway.” Too cute. Can’t function.

When Jennifer’s October 1 wedding rolled around, Stanley totally slayed the flower girl game — although he did end up throwing a few handfuls of petals at guests instead of along the aisle! But that only made the moment all the more adorbs. “From the second he stepped out of the doors, I heard constant laughter,” remembers the bride. “Papa was like a celebrity at the reception. Everyone wanted a moment with the man of the hour, and he could not have been more proud of himself.”

See More: 4 Things Grandparents Love at Weddings

“I am so lucky to have a grandfather who was able to walk down the aisle at my wedding,” said Jennifer. “I am even luckier that he loves me so much that he would go along with my crazy ideas!”

Now we need Stanley’s embroidered handkerchief for all the tears we’re currently crying…

11 Pieces of Stylish Workout Wear You Need for Your Pre-Wedding Fitness Routine

Stylish Workout Wear for Pre-Wedding Fitness

Photo: Getty Images

Your wedding date is locked down, the venue is booked and now it’s time to focus on getting yourself wedding-ready. For many brides that means a pre-wedding workout routine. Aside from the obvious benefit of toning up, exercise can help you reduce stress and improve sleep — it can even make you better in bed!

Even though there are a million reasons to make pre-wedding exercise a priority — let’s be honest — hitting the gym on the reg can sometimes feel like a chore. Binge-watching the latest Netflix series often seems like a more appealing way to spend Wednesday night. And while feeling confident on your big day makes all the hard work worth it, even the most disciplined brides need a little extra motivation every now and again. Luckily, this season’s latest activewear is better than ever! Whether you’re in New York, Los Angeles or San Francisco, taking yoga or cardio kickboxing, these stylish workout essentials are sure to motivate you to get moving. As fashionable as they are functional, these sporty pieces are perfect to wear to CrossFit, pilates and even brunch.

Scroll down for 11 stylish staples that you definitely need in your workout wardrobe.

JCrew Wedding Workout Wear

Photo: Courtesy of J.Crew

J.Crew’s first-ever workout collection is everything we hoped for…and more! We’re obsessed with this long sleeve crop top. It’s the perfect length to wear with leggings. Even better, the elastic hem won’t ride up while you’re in SoulCycle or en route to Juice Press. (Long-sleeve Colorblock crop top, $55, New Balance for J.Crew)

HPE Workout Wear

Photo: Courtesy of HPE

For brides who like to relieve stress with an AM run, this four-way stretch top is for you. The ribbed cuff with thumb holes is designed to keep your hands warm during those early morning winter workouts. (“Cross X Seamless” 1/4 zip top in plum, $110, HPE)

Koral Wedding Workout Wear

Photo: Courtesy of Koral

We can’t get enough of this curve-hugging tank. The monochromatic camo print delivers mega style, while the internal shelf bra keeps you supported. All that’s left to do is crank up your fave workout playlist. (“Triad” sports tank, $135, Koral)

Beyond Yoga Wedding Workout Wear

Photo: Courtesy of Shopbop

This painterly floral pattern tank, with built-in bra, provides all the style and support you need for poses from downward dog to dolphin. And it doesn’t get much cuter than the cutout and bow in the back. (Cinched bow tank, $115, (Kate Spade New York for Beyond Yoga available at Shopbop)

Show Me Your Mumu Workout Wear

Photo: Courtesy of Show Me Your Mumu

The scoop neck with a criss cross back offers support and style — making it perfect for an afternoon hike with friends or your favorite spin class. The best part, it’s basically wrinkle free. Meaning you can throw it in your purse in the AM and pull it out for 7PM Pure Barre — and you’ll look fab! (“Cleopatra” bra, $72, Show Me Your Mumu)

Alo Wedding Workout Wear

Photo: Courtesy of Alo

Headstands and handstands are no problem — well at least when it comes to support — with this inversion-friendly silhouette. This high-necked wonder features a playful pattern, crisscross straps in the back and mesh details for breathability. And we love the tropical print — perfect for squeezing in a quick vinyasa flow while on your destination bachelorette. (“Starlet” bra, $58, Alo)

DYI Wedding Workout Wear

Photo: Courtesy of DYI

The high compression, moisture wicking fabric smooths you out, sucks you in and keeps you dry throughout your workout. What more can you ask? Oh right, the cutest floral print ever. (“Midnight Orchid Signature Tight” workout pants, $92, DYI)

Mara Hoffman Wedding Workout Wear

Photo: Courtesy of Mara Hoffman

Yoga-loving brides: these mid-rise, cropped leggings are for you. The herbarium black print is super fun. And they even feature a hidden pocket at the inner-waistband, so you can throw a $10 in there and grab a well-deserved smoothie or coconut water after class. (Cropped legging, $128, Mara Hoffman)

See More: Why These 6 Trendy Fitness Classes Are the Best for Pre-Wedding Workouts

Bodyism Wedding Workout Wear

Photo: Courtesy of Bodyism

If you’re looking for a fashion forward print, this is it! This denim-inspired design proves that you can still make a stylish statement with your workout wardrobe. Calling these comfortable is the understatement of the year — the fit is so fab you’ll want to wear them 24/7. And with your busy schedule of planning your wedding and honeymoon, you might have to. (“I am Comfortable” leggings, $180, Bodyism)

APL Wedding Workout Wear

Photo: Courtesy of APL

Don’t worry, we didn’t forget your feet. Innovation meets style with these neon kicks — a fave of fit celebs everywhere. The techloom keeps your feet ultra-comfy, while the 3D grid pattern delivers support where you need it most. So whether you’re heading to the gym or hiking to wedding venue walk-throughs, these sneaks will keep your feet looking and feeling good. (“TechLoom Phantom” sneakers, $185, APL)

Nike Wedding Workout Wear

Photo: Courtesy of Nike

These kicks are like a ray of sunshine — which incidentally is what you may need to get your butt out of bed and to 6AM Barry’s Bootcamp. Signature Flyknit technology and a flexible sole deliver mega comfort. You can even get them personalized — with your soon-to-be initials or wedding date. (“Free RN Flyknit” sneakers, $130, Nike)

Prince Harry's New Girlfriend Is Giving Us Serious Hopes for Another Royal Wedding

meghan markle prince harry

Photo: Getty Images

When news broke this weekend that Prince Harry has a rumored new girlfriend, we couldn’t help but get a little ahead of ourselves and think — Royal Wedding! We’ve been anxiously awaiting the day that the world’s most eligible bachelor would finally settle down and find himself a bride — could our dreams finally be coming true? Before we get too ahead of ourselves, maybe we should get to know the prince’s potential bride-to-be, Suits star Meghan Markle.

Rumors that Prince Harry is dating Canadian actress, and Suits star, Meghan Markle began swirling this weekend and we couldn’t be more excited. The couple reportedly met in Toronto over the summer while Prince Harry was in town for the Invictus Games. But who is Meghan Markle? We did a little digging and here’s what you need to know about Prince Harry’s new lady.

meghan markle wimbledon

Photo: Getty Images

She Spent the Summer in London
If you take a glance at Markle’s Instagram feed, you can see the actress spent much of her summer in Prince Harry’s native London. She even attended Wimbledon — in the Royal Box.

She Follows Prince Harry on Instagram
According to Vanity Fair, Markle began following Prince Harry’s private Instagram account in June, and he reportedly follows her right back.

meghan-markle-humanitarian.jpg

Photo: Meghan Markle via Instagram

She Is a Humanitarian
Like Prince Harry, Markle is committed to philanthropy. The 32-year-old stunner is a Global Ambassador for World Vision Canada, has worked with the United Nations for the HeforShe Gender Equality Campaign, has traveled to Rwanda for the Clean Water Campaign and to Afghanistan as part of a USO tour. She’s also a counsellor for One Young World.

meghan-markle-wedding-dress.gif

Photo: Giphy

She Looks Good in a Wedding Dress
On the last season of Suits, Markle’s character Rachel Zane was set to wed long-time love Mike Ross. At the last hour, Mike was taken to jail and Rachel was left at the altar wearing her absolutely gorgeous Anne Barge wedding dress.

See more: Prince Harry Is Ready to Get Married

prince harry meghan markle

Photo: Getty Images

She Loves Dogs
Markle lives in Toronto, where Suits is filmed, with her two rescue dogs — Bogart and Guy. Prince Harry has made many of us swoon when he’s been spotted cuddling with dogs.

So is a royal wedding in our future? It’s a bit too early to tell for the new couple, but we can dream can’t we?

prince-harry-boom.gif

Photo: Giphy

5 Types of Groomsmen You'll Find at Every Wedding

Groom and Groomsmen Class Black Tuxes

Photo: Getty Images

No two weddings are alike, but it seems like the same type of peeps are always standing by the groom’s side. On the one hand you’ve got the trusty married man who keeps everyone else in line (or at least tries) and on the other, you’ve got the single and super ready-to-mingle friend who can’t take his eyes off all the bridesmaids. Here are the five most common types of groomsmen you’ll find at every wedding.

1. The Party Starter
This guy can barely contain his excitement throughout the ceremony, as he’s just itching to get out there on the dance floor and get the party started. He’s fun loving, loud at times but definitely the dude you want around because he keeps all the other guests moving and grooving to the music. He can also make small talk like it’s his job, which is a wonderful skill to have at a wedding. The only time you’ll actually see him leave the dance floor is to refill his drink, duh.

2. The Single-and-Ready-to-Mingle Groomsman
You know that one groomsmen you warn all your single bridesmaids about? Well, this is that guy. He’s on a mission to make out (more if can find someone willing, of course) with any gal who will give him the time of day at the wedding. He relies on a lot of liquid courage, and watch out, because chances are he can be quite the charmer. Either that, or he turns into a total hot mess after too many adult beverages.

3. The Married, Responsible One
Chances are, he’s also the best man. He likely organized the entire bachelor party, is set to give a speech the day of and has been besties with the groom since they were on the same soccer team in middle school. You definitely don’t have to worry about him getting wasted on Jack Daniels the day of. He’s clean cut, his wife and the bride-to-be are also close, and he all around has his you-know-what together.

See More: 20 Unique Groomsmen Gift Ideas

4. The Serial Groomsman
He’s been in at least 27 weddings (okay maybe we’re exaggerating a little here) already! Thank goodness he doesn’t have to buy a new tux every time though or this dude would literally be broke. He’s friends with everyone, and it’s easy to see why; he’s such a nice, outgoing and generally great guy. You can count on him to show up on time, deliver a solid speech if need be and entertain a room of total strangers. Plus, he looks pretty darn good in a suit too. By now, he has the whole groomsman duties thing down pat, which is just an added bonus.

5. The Overachiever
Oh yes, there’s always one in every wedding. He takes his job as a groomsman very seriously and always want to give a speech or toast, which he’s probably practiced every day for the past month leading up to the wedding. No way this guy’s just winging it! You can bet your ass his gift to the bride and groom will outshine everyone else’s too because that’s just how this groomsman rolls. Let him plan the bachelor party and it’s sure to be something epic with a billion activities to boot.

All the Details on Nicole Phelps' Non-Traditional Wedding Dress

Nicole Johnson Wedding Dress Details

Photo: Getty Images

Her new hubby may slay when it comes to the butterfly stroke, but Nicole Johnson is the one who kills it when it comes to wedding day style. Less than a week after surprising us with the news that they had secretly tied the knot back in June, Michael Phelps and Nicole Johnson wed for the second time in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico over the weekend. And in the just-released photos of the epic event, we can’t take our eyes off of the jaw-dropping Johnson in her truly stunning wedding dress. We’ve oohed and aahed over the gorgeous gown all weekend long, but now we have all the deets on Johnson’s dazzling dress from the designer herself.

For the sunny seaside (second!) ceremony, Johnson donned a Julie Vino custom wedding dress to wed Phelps. Featuring a deep V-neck bodice with lace detailing and a sleek chiffon skirt with a sultry high silt, the form-fitting gown was perfect for the beachy “I do” localeand this unconventional bride.

“She did not want the traditional bridal gown,” Julie Vino, the designer behind frock, told People magazine. “She wanted something that was a little more easygoing and flowing, and a slit up the side. She always wanted something with a slit. It was something that she had in her head from the beginning.” Gotta love a bride who knows what she wants!

“Nicole was fond of me for a few years, apparently, and contacted me and asked me to make a dress,” Vino said, explaining that she and Johnson shared several emails and Skype calls in order to design the bride the dress of her dreams. “I got the basic idea of what she was looking for and sketched a couple of dresses for her. She decided what kind of style she liked and that’s how we landed on the final dress.”

Truly the happiest day of my life @m_phelps00 thank you @boonestudios for capturing this day ????

A photo posted by Nicole Michele Johnson (@mrs.nicolephelps) on Oct 30, 2016 at 1:11am PDT

But get this — Johnson only managed to have one fitting before the big day! (We’re sweating just thinking about it…) Thankfully, it was a near perfect fit, according to Vino.

“Nicole came with a couple of her friends and Facetimed with her mother. She didn’t want to take the dress off. She was crying and everyone was happy.” But by the time the big day came rolling around, the dress needed some tweaking. “She had lost a some weight, I suppose like every bride does,” Vino explained. (It’s a stressful time, okay?!) “So we did a few more alterations on her. Then we sent the dress back to Israel to do the final alterations, and sent it back to her about a week and a half ago before the wedding.” Phew!

See More: Michael Phelps Finally Opened Up About His Secret Wedding to Nicole Johnson

So does the final product have Vino’s stamp of approval? “It fit her perfectly. She looks amazing.” That’s for sure!

“I had a great connection with Nicole,” said Vino. “She’s fun to work with, and we’re definitely going to be working with her in the future for other things. We already started working on something. It’s coming soon.”

Is Vino teasing that she and Johnson might collaborate on a collection? Could it be true? Is this real life? We’re officially freaking out!

My best friend…. I love you!!

A photo posted by Michael Phelps (@m_phelps00) on Oct 30, 2016 at 3:07am PDT