Brides, we get it — weddings are expensive AF. From the jaw dropping costs of a live band to those pricey peonies you just have, have, haaave to have, that wedding bill can rack up real quick. And with more and more brides and grooms taking on the financial burden themselves, it’s getting harder for couples to pay for that “dream wedding” they’ve always envisioned. Luckily for you, we’ve created a Pinterest-worthy guideline on how to throw a wedding for 15K or less! But we digress. What this article is really about is how NOT to cut costs for your big day.

Reddit user bootsmegamix was taken aback when he received a legitimate bill for one of his friend’s weddings. He asked the social media community, “How many of you have paid for your meal at a wedding? My girlfriend and I are expected to pay $80-100 each for our meals at an upcoming wedding, [and] the bride says it’s an ‘unspoken tradition.’ I’ve been to a few weddings and never heard of such nonsense. I asked my uncle and he said that that was ridiculous, but the bride’s family insists that it’s a tradition and that’s how it’s supposed to go. I’ve never paid to go to a wedding reception and I’m definitely not about to start.”

Needless to say, Reddit users were equally as appalled. ProbablyNotWorking wrote, “Hell no. You feed me, I give you a bread maker. That’s the tradition.” Another user, jgmerek said, “I am actually a caterer. I have catered weddings for almost 20 years, literally hundreds if not thousands of weddings. I have never heard of this being done even once.”

Id_rather_boating even offered a solution for couples struggling to pay for such an expensive soireé by saying, “I used to film weddings for a living. I have been to several hundred events. If they can’t afford dinner for everyone they have a late evening wedding with finger foods at the reception. Then they have a cash bar as well. Don’t pay for your dinner at 80-100 per plate. If they did want to charge for dinner and didn’t want to make a profit they would do something more affordable like ask you to bring a casserole, dessert, or salad. People are more than happy to pitch in to make the day special, but not if you ask like that. Come on!”

See More: 5 Ways to Cut Wedding Reception Food Costs Way Down

With a general consensus of “aw heck no,” bootsmegamix decided to stick with his tradition — giving a present and leaving it at that. He wrote, “If we have to pay for a meal, I’m sure there’s a McDonald’s nearby.” Sure beats the $100 price tag!

What would you do in this situation? Other than gasp in horror, of course… Sound off on Facebook!

Lisa and Matt’s story is one you’ve probably never heard the likes of before. “We first met in middle school on Long Island in 1994, then became friends in Mr. Lynch’s physics class in high school,” says Lisa. “We lost touch after graduation, and were reconnected a few years ago through an ongoing battle on ‘Draw Something.'” You read that right: An iPhone game brought them back together! From drawings to texts to a date, the couple eventually ended up in Salzburg, Austria on a Sound of Music sing-along bicycle tour. “The Sound of Music is my all-time favorite movie, so Matt incorporated my dream of going on a Sound of Music tour into his proposal plans. He popped the question in the hills above Salzburg!” she remembers.

With a guest list of over 300 people and an elegant vision in mind, the couple chose the Terrace Room and the Grand Ballroom at New York City’s iconicThe Plaza Hotel. “We loved being able to have our ceremony and reception in two unique spaces,” says Lisa. “We also wanted the evening to be formal but not overdone, so beyond the grandiosity of the venue, we kept everything very personal and customized to who we are.”

With a black-and-white color scheme, playful and unique details that harkened back to the couple’s childhoods in the 1980s and ’90s, and a fabulous planner, Tracy Taylor Ward Design, Matt and Lisa’s March 21, 2015, wedding was totally classic and a true reflection of their relationship. See how they brought all of these pieces together, photographed by Nathan Smith for Ira Lippke Studios.

During her second appointment at Gabriella Bridal, Lisa saw this Lihi Hod two-piece wedding dress on another bride. “I knew I had to try it!” she says. The gown combined an embroidered and beaded lace bodice with an ivory silk satin skirt, a modern silhouette perfect for a New York City wedding.

“Lihi Hod was in town from Israel for a trunk show, and was at the salon during one of my fittings,” says Lisa. “It really reassured me that the dress was meant for me when I got to meet her while wearing her creation.”

Lisa paired her wedding dress with a blush and white bouquet of roses, peonies, and ranunculus, accented with silver brunia and dusty miller. Matt wore a navy peak lapel tuxedo from Victor Talbots, which he complemented with a ranunculus boutonniere, Jimmy Choo velvet and black glitter dress shoes, and a watch borrowed from his grandfather. “Matt’s grandparents couldn’t come to the wedding, so they watched the ceremony via FaceTime!” says the bride.

The couple’s sleek invitation suite has New York City written all over it. White ink on black paper, with a playful polka dot envelope liner, is contemporary and fun.

The wedding party looked equally modern, with Lisa’s bridesmaids in black silk dresses with varying necklines and Matt’s groomsmen in black tuxedos. The flower girl looked like a princess in a cloud of ivory tulle.

Matt and Lisa’s altar was a semicircle of flickering candles, set in front of a curtain of white orchids. More candles lined the aisle and were arranged around the perimeter of the room.

While the couple kept their vows traditional, they did incorporate two unique readings. The first was “All I Ever Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” by Robert Fulgham. The second is one we’ve never seen before: Babe Ruth’s monologue from The Sandlot!

“I was so anxious about standing up in front of over 300 people during the ceremony,” says Lisa. “Our officiant took an air sickness bag off of the plane and tucked it into his jacket pocket. When I made it down the aisle without getting sick, he looked at me and patted his pocket to remind me that it was there just in case. It totally put me at ease!”

As a nod to Lisa’s love of Lisa Frank unicorns as a kid, each escort card was accompanied by a black and white Unicorn Horn lollipop. Cocktail hour took place beneath a ceiling of black and white balloons — talk about an ultra-cool throwback to childhood!

In the ballroom, a mix of long and round tables mean the couple could easily fit their 333 guests in the space. “It made the room feel much more intimate,” says Lisa. Centerpieces combined white taper candles, pillar candles, hydrangeas, roses, and anemones against black and white linens. Each table was given both a number and a name that corresponded to a location in the town where the bride and groom grew up together.

Tall vases held cascading white orchids, while bud vases mixed anemones, roses, and sweet peas.

After a cocktail hour featuring Moscow Mules, seven tasty food stations, passed hors d’oeuvres, and oyster shuckers from Oysters XO, guests sat down to a meal of black mission fig and chevre tart, grilled red snapper with preserved lemon couscous, filet of beef with Brussels sprouts and pancetta, elevated s’mores (read: Italian meringue with dark chocolate gelato), and dulce de leche molten cheesecake with prickly pear gel.

The black and white striped cake, topped with white sugar anemones, featured layers of vanilla and chocolate cake with blackberry and cookies ‘n’ cream filling.

“We hired a live event painter to capture our first dance,” says Lisa. “She painted throughout the evening, and we had replicas of the painting made for our parents as gifts.”

Matt is a producer for SportsNet New York, the Mets TV station, so naturally Mr. and Mrs. Met made an appearance during the reception. “They danced with us, then posed for pictures with our guests,” says Lisa.

While on the dance floor, guests were treated to miniature cones of mint chip ice cream and bags of cotton candy were awaiting guests by the exit. “My father owns a carnival company on Long Island, and we knew we wanted to incorporate a part of it into the wedding,” Lisa explains.

The newlyweds love karaoke, and they found a way to bring it into their wedding! “Late in the evening, we sang a duet to ‘Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now’ by Starship with the band,” says Lisa. “We had so much fun!” Back on the dance floor, Matt surprised his bride with a black and white confetti cannon as the reception came to an end. “The whole night was very us, and we couldn’t have asked for anything more!”

Venue & Catering: The Plaza Hotel || Wedding Planner & Floral Design: Tracy Taylor Ward Design || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Lihi Hod || Shoes: BHLDN || Jewelry: Sara Gabriel || Hair: Christopher Marrero || Makeup: Rebecca Robles || Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Joanna August || Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Attire: Victor Talbots || Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: Greenwich Jewelers || Invitations & Paper Goods: Paper With Benefits || Music: Marianne Bennett Orchestra || Cake: Ron Ben-Israel || Rentals: Party Rental Ltd.; J&M Special Effects; Portadecor || Favors: Newton Shows || Live Event Painter: Event Painting by Katherine || Photo Booth: Oh Snap Smile || Photo Booth Props: Lady J Creative || Videographer: Adrian Toto for Ira Lippke Studios || Photographer: Nathan Smith for Ira Lippke Studios

Want more ideas from couple’s who tied the knot at the Plaza? Then check out the seriously gorgeous wedding below.

While your guests are really at your wedding to celebrate your marriage with you, there’s a chance more than a few of them will joke that they’re only coming for the open bar. Throwing a great party is every couple’s goal, but springing for a full open bar can often be expensive, or just might not be the vibe you’re going for. What are your options if you don’t want to have an open bar? Here are a few from our experts.

The great news is, there are so many options beyond having an open bar or skipping the booze entirely. The most common is to limit the bar selections by offering a few types of wine and beer, and possibly adding on a signature cocktail if there’s one or two drinks you’d really love to serve. This gives your guests a few choices, while also letting you know exactly what you’ll need your catering staff to order and giving you a better idea of what you’re going to spend. Think about options that will span a variety of tastes, aiming for a lighter and heavier version of each type of beverage you offer. That might mean serving a lager and a stout, a pinot noir and a cabernet, and a sauvignon blanc and a chardonnay.

If skipping the open bar entirely doesn’t sound like a good option for your crowd, talk to your venue or caterer about your choices. The first is to offer an open bar up to a certain dollar amount, then switch over to a cash bar for those who still want liquor after that point (with, say, a couple beers and a red and white wine available all night). The second is to serve an open bar only during cocktail hour, then to switch to beer and wine during and after dinner. Both of these options will allow your guests to have a mixed drink or two, while limiting the number of bottles of liquor you’ll need to order and pay for later in the evening.

See more: How to Pick Your Signature Wedding Cocktail

When Adrienne Bailon’s sweetheart, Grammy-winning Christian musician Israel Houghton slayed the romance game by proposing to The Real star during a European getaway, we had to wonder how this bride and groom were possibly going to top that picture-perfect Parisian proposal. (Seriously! Her engagement ring selfie was taken in front of the Eiffel Tower for goodness sake!) But it looks like we had not a thing to worry about, considering that Balion’s recent bridal shower was just as tr&eagrave;s belle as the City of Lights itself — it was inspired by Paris, after all!

“Just had the most incredible day ever. It was our Mr. and Mrs. Wedding shower,” Bailon said on Snapchat on Saturday, October 8, revealing that she and her hubby-to-be decided to buck tradition, opting for a co-ed pre-wedding party. The engaged duo were seen headed into West Hollywood’s Fig & Olive (with Bailon in an on-point bridal white dress, we might add!), where the couple took inspiration from the place of Houghton’s popped question for the festivities, decorating the venue with miniature Eiffel Tower centerpieces and beautiful blooms in pastel pink and white hues.

There, Houghton and Bailon celebrated their to-be-wedded status with friends, Snapchat filters, and yummy sweets! Guests (including Bailon’s The Real co-host Jeannie Mai) could show off the shower with a customized Parisian Snapchat filter that was totally on-theme. And meanwhile, Bailon couldn’t help showing off her epic engagement ring. No worries, Bailon. We wouldn’t be able to help ourselves, either!

See More: How to Plan a Pre-Wedding Paris Getaway

Later, the couple cut into a tiered Eiffel Tower cake, so darn cute that our mouths are already watering just thinking about their future wedding cake! And about that wedding… It seems like Bailon is all set on the big day details!

“The whole flight home [from Paris], we dreamed out loud what we would want,” the bride previously shared with Entertainment Tonight. “By the time I landed, my whole wedding was planned. Fourteen hours, that’ll do it!”

A photo posted by Adrienne Bailon (@adriennebfan) on Oct 9, 2016 at 6:02pm PDT

MR. & MRS. ???? What a whirlwind it has been celebrating our love with the ones we love… #WeddingShower #HappilyEverHoughton #LaVieEnRoseGold ???? Warning ?????? Prepare for photo overload. ???? @jerrittclark

A photo posted by Adrienne Bailon (@adriennebailon) on Oct 9, 2016 at 5:22pm PDT

A photo posted by Adrienne Bailon (@adriennebfan) on Oct 9, 2016 at 5:51pm PDT

A photo posted by Adrienne Bailon (@adriennebfan) on Oct 9, 2016 at 5:45pm PDT

Completely obsessed!!! My Amiga is getting married and we can't wait! So fun celebrating @adriennebailon and @ihoughton ?????????????????????????????????????????????? #HappilyEverHoughton #LaVieEnRoseGold ???? @jerrittclark

A photo posted by Julissa Bermudez (@officialjulissab) on Oct 9, 2016 at 12:21pm PDT

With the hottest bride to be!!????????…tanto amor y emociones!! ???? blessings on blessings to the future Mrs. Houghton ???? #HappilyEverHoughton #LaVieEnRoseGold #Blessed ???? @jerrittclark

A photo posted by Julissa Bermudez (@officialjulissab) on Oct 9, 2016 at 1:47pm PDT

A photo posted by Adrienne Bailon (@adriennebfan) on Oct 9, 2016 at 6:29pm PDT

With the new season underway, we’re getting all of our fall wedding guest looks in order. Trends are always fun to embrace, especially when you’re having trouble figuring out what to wear. And though you may not want to choose the boldest fad of the season for a ceremony as a wedding guest, you can find ways to slip in one or even two if you do it in moderation.

Few women know how to blend vintage, of-the-moment accents, and elegance like Pia Arrobio. Her buzzy new brand, LPA, is a favorite of BFF Emily Ratajkowski, Gigi Hadid, and Kendall Jenner—in case you were wondering about its star power. Dressing for a wedding is all about blending personal signatures with some fun trends for Arrobio. “I hate feeling like I have to sacrifice personal style at weddings,” she told Brides. “Obviously you want to remain classy and respectful, but feel like yourself and have good content of your sick outfit for Instagram.” We tapped the designer for five ways to incorporate fall’s trends into your wedding guest attire.

1. Take flight with elegant feathers.
“Feathers are a fun trend I like to pair with classic Manolo Blahnik heels,” advises Arrobio. Though they can be a bold embellishment, we love them on the hem of a timeless LBD—for example, the way they’re accenting the bottom of this Maia sheath. This will definitely let your Manolos get some shine. And you can wear your hair down or in an updo as the focal point is all about your curves and legs.

Feather Accent Techno Sheath Dress, $128, Maia available at Nordstrom

2. Throw a fur chubby over your shoulders.
With the Fall comes plummeting temperatures and thus, the need to stay warm. But what do you do when you want your look to get some shine without freezing as a result? That’s where a cute, cropped jacket comes into play. Few do the cozy texture better than Adrienne Landau and this blue fox and rabbit piece from the brand is just the thing to keep the autumnal chill at bay, while letting your ensemble play centerstage.

Fox & Rabbit Fur Chubby Coat, $350, Adrienne Landau available at Saks Off 5th

A photo posted by Alessandra Rich (@alessandrarich) on Apr 27, 2016 at 9:56am PDT

3. Go for the drama with statement-making earrings.
Even the simplest ensemble can be uplifted with a pair of conversation-starting earrings. Though Alessandra Rich is known for her gorgeous, bridal-worthy gowns, she actually makes some pretty stunning accessories as well—Arrobio called the brand one of her absolute favorites. These pearl beauties fall to your shoulders and work best when your hair is pulled back. Throw these on with a simple shift dress and let your accoutrements do all the work.

Pearl Ring Earrings, $106, Alessandra Rich available at Forward by Elyse Walker

See More: Best Red Carpet Bridal Looks of the Week: Sara Sampaio, Julianne Hough, Camila Alves

4. Toughen up a soft look with a black leather jacket.
We love the balance between soft and tough elements and nothing aids in that mix better than a tried-and-true black leather jacket. LPA actually makes a fun, rose-embroidered and studded design that we are going to pair for the season with a blush pink dress, studs, a head-turning necklace, and black pumps.

58 Jacket, $1,300, LPA available at Forward by Elyse Walker

5. Opt for glitz and glamour with a metallic bag.
Fall and holiday are all about metallics, aren’t they? A silver or gold dress might be a bit too much if you’re not a daredevil, so Arrobio suggests a bag in a glittering shade. Her choice? A Monogram Clutch from Saint Laurent because you can wear it forever.

Monogram Clutch, $1,150, Saint Laurent available at FarFetch

Nikki Ferrell is married! The former Bachelor contestant tied the knot this weekend to fiancé Tyler VanLoo this Saturday in a stunning Kansas City wedding.

“We gon git mawwied y’all,” she wrote on Instagram shortly before the big day, which took place at St. John’s UMC in Kansas City.

After the wedding, she posted a beautiful photo of the ‘just married’ duo walking down the aisle which was captioned, “This gives me all the feels. I cannot begin to describe how amazing this weekend was. I wish I could go back and relive every single moment a thousand times over. Thank you to everyone who was a part of the best day of our lives, from our wedding party, down to the very last guest. Tyler and I appreciate every single one of you.”

And those appreciated include former Bachelorette bestie Andi Dorfman, who was on bridesmaid duty during the wedding weekend (and slayed with a smoldering look in her pink-hued dress) as well as other fellow contestants Kelly Travis and Christy Hansen on the guest list. See all the gorgeous photos from their wedding day below.

The pair got engaged last January on New Year’s Eve in Colorado — with the reality star announcing the news on Instagram, according to E! Online. “And on the last day of vacation this happened! I can’t wait to marry my best friend. Over the moon happy right now!” she had captioned the photo of VanLoo on one knee.

Since then, the Midwestern bride-to-be has been enjoying #engagedlife (and sharing it with the rest of the world) on her Instagram — including some fun ring selfies of her gorgeous pear-shaped sparkler with a white gold pave band. Over Labor Day weekend, Ferrell celebrated with all of her girls at a beachy bachelorette, sharing some adorable selfies and photos of the booze and babes-filled weekend.

See More: The Most Memorable The Bachelor and The Bachelorette Couples of All Time

We’re happy that Ferrell is in a better place, as in the not-too-distant past, the reality star was sitting on a couch next to infamous Bachelor Juan Pablo — who proceeded to refuse to tell her he loved her and didn’t propose at the end of the season. But as luck would have it, alls well that ends well for this nurse — and now she’s happily married and most likely jetting off to her honeymoon in style.

See below for a throwback to her year of wedding planning and some snaps from her big day, via Instagram.

Behind the scenes of me shooting @nikki_ferrell and @tyler_vanloo wedding. Thanks @adamhanly** for the snap! Spoiler alert, the photos are GORGEOUS!!! I can't wait to share them with the bride and groom and all of you!! #behindthescenes #nikkiferrell #vanloopartyof2 #bachelor #bachelornation

A photo posted by Alea Lovely * (@alealovely) on Oct 9, 2016 at 11:39am PDT

This gives me all the feels. I cannot begin to describe how amazing this weekend was. I wish I could go back and relive every single moment a thousand times over. Thank you to everyone who was a part of the best day of our lives, from our wedding party, down to the very last guest. Tyler and I appreciate every single one of you. And a big thank you to @alealovely for the best sneak peek of what can only be the most beautiful wedding photos I could ever have imagined. #weddingday #imreallymarried #weddingphotographer #thebestdayever #allthefeels #myhusbandisababe #literallycantsmileharder

A photo posted by Nikki Ferrell (@nikki_ferrell) on Oct 9, 2016 at 7:30pm PDT

When your squad goes 100 for you. ****** **: @alealovely

A photo posted by Nikki Ferrell (@nikki_ferrell) on Oct 8, 2016 at 8:18pm PDT

The class in all of those little @shinewedding details. I remember when I picked these beauties out months ago and thought how far away it still seemed. But now you've all received them, RSVPd, and I can't wait to see each and every one of you this weekend! #shinewedding #2days #weddinginvitations #kansascitywedding

A photo posted by Nikki Ferrell (@nikki_ferrell) on Oct 6, 2016 at 1:34pm PDT

We gon git mawwied y'all. ********** #finalcountdown #theoldballandchain #stuckwithmeforever #illfindyou #lastminutedetails

A photo posted by Nikki Ferrell (@nikki_ferrell) on Oct 6, 2016 at 9:21am PDT

Hey um I don't know if I've told anyone this or not, but I'm getting married in 25 days!!!!! 25 days until @tyler_vanloo is stuck with me for for-ev-er. #illfindyou #soexcited #cantstop #weddingcountdown **: @alealovelyphoto **: @marlofordgowns

A photo posted by Nikki Ferrell (@nikki_ferrell) on Sep 13, 2016 at 8:34am PDT

Being the captain is a hard job but someone's gotta do it…..Lets be honest no one let me drive anything. #partytime #overserved #labordayweekend #bachelorettingundertheinfluence

A photo posted by Nikki Ferrell (@nikki_ferrell) on Sep 4, 2016 at 8:34am PDT

It's only natural to have the bakery we visit every weekend do our wedding cake right?! Thank you @mclainsbakerykc for providing us with the most difficult and delicious decision! **** #caketasting #mclainsbakery #weddingplanning

A photo posted by Nikki Ferrell (@nikki_ferrell) on Jul 11, 2016 at 9:30am PDT

Exactly 6 months from the day we got engaged we wound up back in the exact same place. #lovethisplace #lovethisguy #pagosasprings #happyfourthofjuly****

A photo posted by Nikki Ferrell (@nikki_ferrell) on Jul 4, 2016 at 7:14pm PDT

When you're all mani and no pedi. **** #basic #freshpaint #whiteout

A photo posted by Nikki Ferrell (@nikki_ferrell) on Aug 19, 2016 at 4:28pm PDT

There's nothing worse than being stressed while planning your wedding. Thank you @weddingwire for relieving the stress! I am taking the pledge to stay stress-free during my wedding planning, are you? In partnership with @weddingwire #wedosomethingblue

A photo posted by Nikki Ferrell (@nikki_ferrell) on Jun 28, 2016 at 6:02pm PDT

No matter how comprehensive your registry may be, every bride has received a present that is less than ideal or unnecessary. So what’s a girl to do when you have three Fruit Ninjas and a box full of knick knacks collecting dust in your garage? You may be tempted to repurpose them by “regifting” to someone else, but there are some key things you need to know before handing a present off without getting caught. Read on for the cardinal rules of the gifts that keep on giving.

Is it OK to regift?
“Yes, you can regift,” says etiquette and lifestyle expert Elaine Swann. That said, you should always make an attempt to return the gift to the store before passing it along. Which gifts are absolute no-nos to repurpose? According to Swann, handmade ones should never be regifted because the gift giver “put time and effort into it.” Additionally, don’t try repurposing personalized or monogrammed gifts, or heirlooms, experts say.

How to do it successfully…
Jacqueline Whitmore, etiquette expert and author of Poised for Success, has a few guidelines for passing a present along. “Be careful that you don’t regift in the same social circle,” Whitmore says. If you’re forgetful, make sure to document who gave you a present and when, so you don’t give it to someone who may come into contact with the gift giver. Whitmore also says to ensure that the tags of the item are still intact, that it wasn’t used, and that there’s no evidence that it is secondhand. (Make sure to check for any hidden cards from the gift giver that may blow your cover, and rewrap with fresh wrapping paper, experts say.) Most importantly, Whitmore says, “put some thought into it.” She adds, “An old tacky sweater that you don’t like, [there’s a good chance] someone else won’t like it either.”

See More: How to Send Unique Thank-You Notes for All Your Wedding Gifts

Uh-Oh! You got caught.
Despite your best intentions, you may have to deal with an awkward situation if it turns out your coworker does actually know your second cousin — and she noticed that you handed over the glass figurine she bought you. If you’re caught regifting, Swann says, the person who gave you the gift “may be hurt or offended, and there’s nothing you can do about that process.” She recommends acknowledging the person’s feelings, apologizing, and putting forth an effort to move forward. Don’t try to come up with a lie to cover up what happened, she says. Instead, after apologizing for the person’s hurt feelings, say something like “[the gift was] not really my taste or style, but I really thought that [X person] would enjoy it.” Whitmore says, “Honesty is always the best policy.”

There are plenty of fish in the sea, but Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte is officially no longer one of them! The Olympian is engaged to his girlfriend Kayla Rae Reid, after popping the question over the weekend. So did Lochte choose an engagement ring for his sweetheart that could reveal the shine of his six gold medals? Definitely! And it’s scoring straight tens from these judges!

Like he does through an Olympic-sized swimming pool, Lochte definitely picked up the pace in this relationship. Lochte and Reid, a Playboy model, only started dating a mere nine months ago after meeting in January. But after Lochte’s sweetheart stood by his side during his much-publicized Rio scandal, the girl won the gold when it came to the Olympian’s heart. “My family says, ‘Don’t you think it’s a little too soon?’ I’m like, ‘Can you put a time on love? Can you?'” Lochte told USA Today just less than a week before popping the question. “When I realized this was ‘the one’ was when she stuck behind me through this. She still loves me and she’s still right there with me.”

“From the very first time I met her, everything has like clicked,'” Lochte continued. “That’s why I know I can propose to her because everything that’s happened and she’s been keeping me so positive. She doesn’t care about my fame. She doesn’t care about anything. All she cares about is me being happy.” And propose he did!

Lochte and his new fiancé took to Instagram to tell the world that they’re tying the knot, posting photos overlooking Los Angeles’ Malibu Canyon — the most picture-perfect proposal spot!

See More: Everything We Know About Michael Phelps and Nicole Johnson’s Wedding

In the just-too-sweet snapshots, Lochte and Reid are seen embracing in that post- popped question bliss. “Memories forever!!! #thelochtes #LA,” Lochte captioned his photo. “Speechless. Absolutely beautiful. So in love with YOU,” Reid wrote beside hers. Meanwhile, we’re struck speechless by Reid’s new bridal bling!

From the looks of it, it seems that her engagement ring totes a princess-cut or cushion-cut diamond on a sleek silver band. While we can’t wait to get a closer look, we’re already shielding our eyes from the sparkle from all the way over here. In our humble opinion, this bling is even better than any old gold medal!

Memories forever!!! #thelochtes #LA

A photo posted by Ryanlochte (@ryanlochte) on Oct 9, 2016 at 7:17pm PDT

Speechless. Absolutely beautiful. So in love with YOU. ??????

A photo posted by KAYLA RAE REID (@kaylaraereid) on Oct 9, 2016 at 7:17pm PDT

Whether you and your spouse-to-be are hopeless romantics à la Romeo and Juliet, hard-partying sophisticates like Gatsby and Daisy, or witty banterers like Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, what better way to show off your brainy side than with a museum or library wedding? With unique artwork displayed throughout, spaces that lend themselves to personalization, these literary venues in Philadelphia will make sure your bash is the perfect start to this next chapter in your lives. (Sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves!)

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (Above)
It’s rare to find a place that can cater to a number of different aesthetics all under one (sorta!) roof. In its multiple-building campus, the museum houses unique spaces that can nod to a number of different time periods. The museum’s Tuttleman Sculpture Gallery, with its stark white walls, light wood floor and iron sculptures dotting the space is the perfect space for a modern and minimalist bride. Meanwhile, the Washington Foyer, with its vaulted archways, warm-toned walls, gold accents and globe lighting nod to a style closer to — you guessed it — the Revolutionary War period. Read real brides’ reviews here!

Philadelphia Museum of Art
Color outside the lines with a wedding at one of the city’s cultural mainstays — and home of the Rocky steps. Because of the museum’s vast and varied collection of artwork, couples can choose among a number of eras as a backdrop for your nuptials. Host a garden party right outside the Rodin Museum, where a reflecting pool, botany of all sorts and a large collection of Rodin’s sculptures will make you feel like you’re in the French countryside. The museum’s Main Building, marked by its stately outdoor columns and known for its awe-inspiring Great Stair Hall, is the ideal locale for an upscale and elegant affair that a city-dwelling bride would love.

American Swedish Historical Museum
Looking to infuse a bit of old school charm into your big day? The American Swedish Historical Museum, built in the style of a 17th century manor, is the perfect fit to infuse style of a bygone era into your event. In addition to honoring Swedish heritage with an impressive collection of artwork, textiles, music, and architectural artifacts, the venue is nestled in FDR Park — its nearly 350-acre expanse of greenery and an ideal nearby backdrop for wedding party photos. Read real brides’ reviews here!

See More: Walk Down the Aisle to Ceremony Music Played by These Local Musicians

Parkway Central Library
This historic venue with its imposing staircases, stone walls, and columns is a gorgeous setting for a posh party that has some Old World charm. A cocktail party on the venue’s second floor landing will allow you to live out your childhood dream of having a massive library all to yourself — yes, we know you imagined yourself in that scene in Beauty and the Beast — except the grown-up version. In addition to its indoor spaces, the locale’s terrace provides clear views of the city skyline and adjacent Shakespeare Park. The man practically invented romance writing, so haven’t his name nearby surely can’t hurt the romantic mood of the day!

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