Grieving 4-Year-Old Wears Her Late Mother's Wedding Dress in Emotional Photo Shoot

Losing your mom is difficult at any age, but little Nora Davis recently lost her mother at only 3 years old. She won’t get to snuggle, hug or even go through the toughest parts of her life with her mom, Amber Davis, by her side. Which is why this photo shoot of her donning her late mother’s gown is so, so heartbreaking.

According to Good Morning America, Nora lost her mom, who was only 28 years old, one year ago after she battled an aggressive cervical cancer for a year.

In order to honor Amber’s life, Nora stepped into her mother’s wedding gown and had the most beautiful photo shoot in her remembrance. A friend of Amber’s, Heidi Spillane of My Three Arrows Photography, captured all of the sweet, tender moments below. It was actually her idea to take these emotional pictures after Nora’s mom was diagnosed, but because of Amber’s worsening conditions, it sadly didn’t happen until after her passing.

“I said, ‘Let’s plan a date to get it done,'” Spillane told ABC News. “But after that, she kind of took a turn for the worse. She was all about spending time with family, so we never got around to scheduling everything. I think she just had that vision of Nora having that special moment to be connected to her mom, by wearing her dress.”

Amber was a mom to not only Nora, but Noah, 8 and Reid, 3, according to GMA.

On the day of the photo shoot, “Nora was on Cloud 9,” Davis’ sister, Adrianne Blackwelder from North Carolina, said. “I think that’s something [Amber] wanted. Something Nora could enjoy, but a memory that she’ll have forever.” And as for the kind of person Amber was, her sister is her biggest advocate. “She was the first one to stand up and protect you. That was the type of person she was, the type of mother she was. She had the most beautiful laugh, very happy and very funny. She was like the mother to model after. She was calm and even when things were crazy, Amber kept it together.”

The little girl had her hair professionally done by her mother’s stylist and even carried a fall-inspired bouquet to complete the look. Her father, Derek Davis, joined in on the footage by carrying his little girl like he did his wife years ago.

See More: This Couple Took Wedding Photos by an Active Volcano ACTUALLY Spewing Lava in Hawaii

“I thought it was going to be emotional, but it was just a happy time,” Blackwelder said. “We talked about Amber…the day of their wedding.” And the mom had one simple request before she passed: “Make sure my kids remember me.”

We know they will, Amber.

6 Brides on the Unique Bridesmaid Gifts They Gave Their Bridal Party

Special Gift I Gave My Bridesmaids

Photo: Kate Headley

Your bridal party is the crew that sticks by your side through the thick and thin of wedding planning — from the moment your partner pops the question to the last song of your wedding night. And because of that, they deserve some love and recognition and most likely a pretty sweet bridesmaid gift. But don’t take it from us; take it from the real brides that gave their bridesmaids the most unique gifts for being a party of their big day.

“My friend Rachel is in the cannabis industry (we live in Colorado where it is legal) so we co-created artisan hand-made goodie bags with that theme. We came up with the name ‘budmaid’ for bridesmaids because in legal cannabis dispensaries the people who host the ‘bars’ are called ‘budtenders’. Each budmaid got an assortment of gifts ranging from a cannabis-infused bath bomb to a hand-blown glass chakra stash jar.” —Zoe (Cosmic Sister)

“My bridesmaids were the most supportive, kick-ass, amazing group, so I gave each a ‘Princess Diana’ engagement ring as a thank you. The concept of rings was an important part of the whole experience as I’d gifted them with Ring Pops when asking them to be my bridesmaids! So it seemed fitting to thank them with a more permanent ring symbol.” —Melody

“I’m into the power of crystal so I gave each of my bridesmaids healing crystal bra clips. A bra is a great place to have a crystal because it’s a personal reminder that you tread your own path.” —Laura

“All my bridesmaids were married so I purchased each of them a Stella & Dot necklace with their anniversary date engraved. I thought no better way to celebrate my special day then to honor their commitment to love and marriage. Each of them absolutely loved it and it was a nice way to cater to each bridesmaid, despite their style differences. I also gave each bridesmaid matching earrings and a robe to wear while getting ready.” —Melody

“Three words: ‘personalized bridesmaid sweatpants!'” —Anna

Adele was coming to town shortly after the wedding and the concert was sold out months in advance. I worked some connections, spent big bucks and — voila — got everyone tickets!” —Toni

See More: 7 Ways to Pump Up Your Bridesmaids Before the Wedding

“I bought everyone a two year subscription to the Wine of the Month Club because I knew there was many a night during the lead-up to the wedding I’d caused them to go home and uncork a bottle to release stress!” —Rebecca

“Having been a bridesmaid umpteenth times before I became a bride, I felt the best present to give my gals was to help them out financially with the cost of being there for me on this special day. So I chipped in on their dresses, shoes and many other expenses along the way.” —Lynda

“I made donations to everyone’s favorite charities—and funded a spa day for my bridal party!” —Kim

“My bridesmaids and I love our Godiva so I got everyone a certificate for a chocolate-making course. We took the class together and made fabulous treats. Yum.” —Harriet

“I put a lot of thought into doing something special for everyone and I came up with personalized Song Lyric Necklaces. Several of the bridesmaids liked ‘Put a Ring on It’.” —Susan

Sherry Amatenstein, LCSW is a New York City-based marriage therapist and author.

How to Not Get Ripped Off While Wedding Planning

how to not get ripped off wedding planning

Photo: Getty Images

“Weddings are such a rip off!” How many times have you heard this one before? While it’s true you’ll probably pay more for your wedding than you would hosting a family reunion at the same venue, it’s never okay for a wedding vendor to totally take advantage of you. From really doing your research to checking those contracts twice, here’s not to not get completely “ripped off” during the wedding planning process.

Hire an experienced wedding planner.
According to Florida-based wedding planner Aviva Samuels of Kiss The Planner, your wedding planner is going to be your best resource for keeping you within budget. “We have access to venues and vendors galore and know exactly what the price ranges are for each category,” she says. “We immediately know if you’re overpaying or if you’re getting good value for your money.” A great planner can help you negotiate a great deal as well, and thanks to their long-term relationships with vendors and venues you’ll likely get added value for the same exact dollar amount others would pay.

Be wary of all-inclusive packages.
While they’re definitely appealing in terms of simplifying the decision process, all-inclusive packages leave little to no room for pricing negotiations and the fine print of actual expected cost is not always clear, often leading to spending more than you budgeted for, warns wedding planner Marilisa Schachinger of Martel Event. “They also often require use of an exclusive caterer or floral designer which may not be your preferred aesthetic.” Bottom line: do your research and get a pro (like your planner) to review that contract.

See More: 4 Wedding Guest Outfit Faux Pas to Avoid

Always get a contract (and fully understand it before signing).
Make sure you get a contract that details exactly what you’re getting, as well as the amount for the service and any payment plans, advises Samantha Gieseke, owner of Plan Our Day Houston. “Then read and review the entire contract to ensure you and the vendor are on the same page when it comes to payment, expectations, start and end times, delivery times (for photos) and the cancelation policy.”

Do your homework.
Yes, it’s typically true that you get what you pay for, however sometimes a vendor may charge more than the going rate, which doesn’t automatically mean that they’re better, cautions Samuels. “Research the vendor, through online reviews and/or verbal recommendations, looking at both the quality of their product or service while also taking into account the experience other brides and grooms have had in working with them.” Does their brand match their price tag or is it a mismatch? Have they been doing this a long time or are they still wet behind the ears? If their experience level and the quality of what they offer seems inferior to their price tag, continue your comparison search to see if indeed they are charging a fair price, she recommends. “If, on the other hand, the price tag is commensurate with their experience and level of talent, you can rest assured that you’re not getting ripped off.”

These New Baby Photos of Dream Kardashian Are Actually The Sweetest

Blac Chyna and Rob Kardashian Reveal Baby Photos

Photo: Getty Images

The world’s newest Kardashian is already winning the selfie game! Blac Chyna and Rob Kardashian welcomed their little one — a daughter named Dream Renee Kardashian — into the world just one day ago, and (thankfully) we didn’t have to wait long to catch a glimpse at her adorable face. Dream’s newly-released baby photos are officially killing us with cuteness. (And have earned more Instagram likes than you’ll probably ever see…)

Chyna delivered her daughter via C-section on Thursday, November 10, at 9:18 a.m. PT and less than 24 hours later both she and her fiancé introduced the world — and Instagram — to their beautiful baby. “Today was amazing,” the new dad wrote on social media. “I am so lucky!! Thank you @blacchyna for having our baby and being so strong! I love you so much and can’t wait to see her get older day by day with you Chy! I love you and Dream so much and appreciate both of you.” And with that sweet sentiment, Kardashian posted the first baby photo of his little one, wrapped in a baby blanket and clutching her dad’s finger. Later, Dream also snapped her first Snapchat ever — complete with her very first flower crown, of course — cuddled up to mom Chyna. Those dark, piercing eyes! Those itty bitty fingers! Her name officially makes sense because this little girl is a total dream.

See More: Blac Chyna Reveals If the Kardashian Sisters Will Be Bridesmaids in Her Wedding

So which of her famous parents does Dream resemble most? Well, in Kardashian’s opinion, she’s a total replica of her grandparents! In a video mama Chyna posted to her Instagram, Kardashian notes that his little one totes stole grandma Kris Jenner’s haircut! And Kardashian later posted side-by-side photos of Dream and his late father, Robert Kardashian. “She’s an exact copy,” he captioned the sweet snapshots. “Pops sent us an angel. It’s truly a blessing. He’s happier than anyone on this day. I’m so happy and thankful.” And we couldn’t be more thankful for these too-cute pics!

Dream Renee Kardashian ????

A video posted by Blac Chyna (@blacchyna) on Nov 10, 2016 at 7:33pm PST

Oh Heel No! 6 Reasons to Consider Wearing Flats for Your Wedding

Wedding Flats for Brides

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If you’re like us, you love a sexy stiletto as much as the next girl. But when it comes to your wedding day shoes, rocking a super high heel may not be in the cards. For both practical purposes and personal preferences, here are 6 reasons you may want to fall back on flats for your wedding after all.

1. Your feet will do a little happy dance
And you’ll actually be able to dance without having to kick your heels off just to get some relief. A lot of brides don’t realize exactly how long they’ll be on their feet (um, all day!) because it’s not simply for the ceremony and reception but the entire time beforehand too. Our suggestion? If you care about comfort, do your feet a favor and stick to fancy flats so you’re not that bride who complains about how bad her feet are killing her the whole night. Annoying!

2. You’re less likely to trip
As every girl knows, heels can be hard to walk in, especially when you’re rocking a long gown and strutting down an aisle in front of a huge audience. Just think about how many actresses trip (ahem, Jennifer Lawrence) on the red carpet! The last thing you need on your wedding day is an ankle sprain. So avoid the embarrassment (and scars) of falling flat on your face by sporting flats.

3. Your hubby will look taller
If you and your fianc&#233 are similar heights and you don’t want to totally tower over him in wedding pics or he’s self-conscious about it, then flats may be the perfect fit for you. It’ll give your boo a little ego boost to look all tall and manly standing next to you. Definitely talk it over with him first and see if it’s even an issue. Believe it or not, some guys are really weird about height so it’s important to be sensitive to this.

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4. The terrain isn’t exactly heel-friendly
If you’re getting hitched on the beach or anywhere outdoors really, heels may not be the most practical choice for the terrain. For instance, stilettos will quickly sink into sand and trip you up stat, whereas heel protectors are a must if you’re saying, “I do” in the grass. And sadly they’re not exactly attractive, nor are they 100% guaranteed to work as advertised.

5. You’d really want to wear your wedding shoes again
Those fancy high heels you bought specifically for the wedding? Chances are, you’ll never actually wear them again. Blinged out flats, on the other hand, are a great way to dress up even the most casual outfit without sacrificing comfort for style. Pick a pair that you’d wear for the wedding and beyond.

6. You never wear heels in real life
If you’re not sporting high heels on the reg in real life, there’s no reason to try out a foreign style on your big day just to be “fashionable”. Stay true to your style instead and stick to what works best for you and what you’re most comfortable in. Otherwise you’re going to look super awkward trying to figure out how to walk in heels for the first time.

BRIDES Southern California: Best Korean Spas in Los Angeles for an Affordable Pre-Wedding Spa Day

Los Angeles Spa

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Koreatown has some of the best spas in L.A. and luckily, for the bride to be in need of some serious pampering, most of the spas have super affordable prices for their services as well as numerable saunas, steam baths, mineral pools, and everything else you need to have a perfectly relaxing day of pampering.

Beverly Hot Springs (Above)
Utilizing an alkaline well that’s buried deep beneath the spa grounds, Beverly Hot Springs’ claim to fame is that it’s L.A.’s only hot spring spa. That means healing thermal mineral water baths or refreshing eucalyptus steam sessions to go alongside some of their signature exfoliation treatments, massages. They also even have spray on tanning services and hair removal so it’s really a one stop shop in terms of pampering.

Olympic Spa
If you’re new to the K-spa experience and are looking for some helpful staff to guide you through, look no further than Olympic Spa. From the jade laden steam room to the detoxifying hot mugwort tea and mineral pools, Olympic Spa has all of the classic steams, soaks, and pools to make a perfect day at the spa following a relaxing treatment of their signature Darphin body treatment, milky scrub, or reflexology treatment.

Wi Spa
One of the largest spas in Los Angeles, Wi Spa is open 24 hours a day and comes complete with a gym, library, restaurant, nap room, and five signature sauna rooms ranging from a salt sauna comprised of thousand year old minerals to an ice sauna designed to close pores and tighten skin. All rooms are available to you before and after your treatments, of which there are well over 30 to choose from, ranging from facials to massages and acupressure. And for those not wanting to spend the money on a specific treatment, you can gain access to all the spas saunas and amenities for a $15 fee.

See More: Still haven’t found the perfect way to tell the world you’re getting hitched? See even more Los Angeles wedding stationers here!

Crystal Spa
Crystal spa’s claim to fame comes from combining traditional Korean spa treatments, pools, and saunas with something more unexpected: Aveda products. Each visit Starts with an Aveda tea to help you relax then it’s straight to the co-ed charcoal, ice or room or mud room, which boasts 100% Korean mud from the Chungchoong Jincheon region. Follow it up with signature facial or Korean body buff and you’ll be a new you in no time.

Natura Spa
This no-frills Korean spa may not be the fanciest of the bunch but they do provide a facial that rivals some of the best facials of the city and allow for each of your treatments to be customized to your preferred level of intensity, which is definitely helpful when it comes to some of the more intense scrubs. Plus, their in-house restaurant, perfect for a post treatment bite cooks up some of the most delicious authentic Korean food like bibimbap and spicy noodle soup.

Check out our Los Angeles Beauty Vendors page and find more ways to look and feel your best on the Big Day!

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The 10 Best Bedding Registry Items for Your Newlywed Nest

Best Bedding Registry Items

Photo: Courtesy of Parachute Home

When it comes to registering for your wedding, there are certain categories you should probably be covering, across the board. The bathroom (towels), the kitchen (pots and pans, dishes), and of course the bedroom — namely focusing on your bed. And to help narrow down your search, we’ve collected 10 of our favorite bed linens and accessories to streamline your registering process!

1. Thread Experiment Sheets
Even though these sheets are marketed as being designed for men, all of their patterns are gender-neutral, and they have plenty of solid colored options. We especially love the washed solids — they’re like the linen equivalent of that perfect pair of worn-in jeans.

2. Savvy Sleeper pillowcases
Wrinkles — who needs ’em? Not you. We love these pillowcases because they not only prevent facial creases and protect your blowout, they’re also a matte finish —not overly shiny like low-quality satin.

3. Brentwood Pillows
These all-natural pillows are a unique combo of being both firm (the keep their shape and don’t do that sad, flat pillow thing) and soft. The latex ribbons in the pillows help them mold to your head and neck, too — like memory foam, but better!

4. Eskayel Throw Pillow
Sure, throw pillows can seem a dime a dozen, but this Eskayel pillow is special, in our opinion. The pattern is modern, but subtle enough of that you can mix it in with lots of different colors and styles.

5. Constellation Quilt
Speaking of special, this is one of our all time favorite quilts, ever. We’re admittedly still all into this celestial trend that still seems to be going strong, but aside from that, this quilt is just so darn well made and beautiful! We’d love to curl up with it at the end of a long day.

See More: 4 Things You HAVE to Remember When Registering for Bedding

6. Linen Duvet
When you’re shopping for a duvet, it’s best to look for something that will stand the test of time, quality and style-wise since it’s usually an investment. Linen feels not only of-the-moment but also checks the classic box, and Coyuchi makes this duvet in the most delicious muted shades of gray!

7. Faribault Woolen Mill Co Throw
This throw is the equivalent of your grandmother’s cherished copper pots that you’ll inherit, according to Food52. It’s a true heritage piece, and something worth investing in (and maybe even passing down to your kids one day!).

8. Sferra Duvet Insert
Sferra has some of the most lux and cozy down comforters on the market — we love their Buxton Duvet, it comes in three different weights and is super plush. You’ll thank us come winter!

9. Frette Hotel Classic Shams
For proper shams, there’s no better place than Frette, the time-honored Italian linen company. These classics come in colors that are amenable to any palette, and wont clash with your throw pillows!

10. Hedgehouse Throwbed
This isn’t FOR your bed, per se, but this is one of our favorite bed-related products. It’s a the chicest little stowaway bed roll for when you have unexpected guests, or maybe just for lounging around with your girlfriends and drinking wine. Much cooler than that ragged blow-up mattress that never seems to stay inflated all the way through the night.

The 7 Phrases That Are Ruining Your Relationship

Common First Year Fights

Photo: Getty Images

“Words have huge power in relationships,” so much so that even the smallest words and phrases aren’t to be underestimated, says Jill Whitney, LMFT. Each little syllable has the power to inspire us, encourage us, help us, or much worse, hurt us. And their power, Whitney says, is especially poignant when coming from our partners.

“The ironic thing is we tend to be less careful about the words we use with our partners,” she adds. “We may take for granted all the good things they bring to our relationship and focus on what’s lacking. And because we may feel hurt or angry about what’s lacking, we may speak from an impulsive, attacking place. That creates distance rather than the connection we’re likely hungering for.”

Of course, if you don’t know what words are hurting the most, you can’t stop saying them. So our experts are here with seven phrases you didn’t realize could ruin your relationship.

1. “I’m sorry, but …”
Even the most heartfelt apology can be completely negated if it’s followed by the word “but,” warns Cathryn Mora, relationship advisor. “It implies a lack of integrity, invalidates the apology, and turns a positive statement into a negative one,” she explains. “Saying ‘but’ doesn’t help build trust, credibility, or intimacy,” which, of course, are the foundations of any healthy relationship.

2. “Yeah? Well, you …”
Turning the tables on your partner shuts down meaningful conversation, says Whitney. “‘The best defense is a good offense’ may work in sports, but it’s destructive to relationships,” she says. “Rather than feeling heard and valued, your partner feels attacked. This feels like a threat to your connection, so he or she is likely respond from a distressed, emotional place, and the situation spirals downward. Both of you end up unhappy, and the concern doesn’t get addressed.”

3. “You always …”
According to relationship expert Lori Bizzoco, the surest way to exacerbate an argument is by making blanket (and often untrue) statements about what your partner always does. “This phrase opens up to further arguments,” she warns, “and will make your partner feel like you are attacking his or her character on top of whatever it is you’re arguing about.”

See More: Happy Marriage Habits to Start Before You Tie the Knot

4. “I’m fine.”
No, you’re not. And your partner knows you’re not. With that in mind, “if you need a little space to cool down after a heated exchange, that’s OK,” says Mora, “as long as you eventually communicate and resolve.” But if you use this phrase to stonewall and shut down a conversation, “it [can be] a big red flag for a failed relationship,” she says.

5. “I told you …”
Let’s face facts: “The ‘I told you so’ game isn’t fun for anyone,” says Bizzoco, including your partner. And heard enough times, he or she could harbor resentment toward you. “Using ‘I told you …’ sounds like you are against your partner,” Bizzoco explains. “It’s much healthier for the both of you if you remind each other that you are on one another’s sides.”

6. “You’re just like …”
Pointing out the similarities between your partner and someone he or she doesn’t want to be is a cruel kind of criticism. “This is pretty much guaranteed to get your partner’s back up,” says Whitney. “The immediate reaction is likely to be, ‘no, I’m not,’ and suddenly, you sound like kindergartners bickering on the playground.”

7. “You’re overreacting.
Trying to diffuse a situation with this phrase will only hurt your partner. “This phrase, along with others like, ‘you’re being too sensitive,’ make the receiver feel his or her feelings are unjustified, and he or she feels unheard and belittled,” says Mora. “It also creates a power imbalance that is never conducive to long-term happiness.”