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Would You Ever Get Married on TV?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:30:51 PDT

This year, for the ninth time, NBC's Today is offering one couple a chance to get married in a lavish ceremony, all expenses paid, with only one catch: everything, from the dress to the cake design, is up to Today viewers. After planning a Martha Stewart wedding, a destination wedding, and several regular ol' weddings, this year's challenge is taking a page from reality shows and putting potential couples through a series of challenges to prove they're the ones who should be married on TV.

The Today wedding isn't the only way couples can get their nuptials on TV (though it may be the only one that pays for it). From A Wedding Story on TLC to Bridezillas on WE, there are a wealth of opportunities for couples to have their wedding filmed for all to see. Would you consider having your wedding televised?

For more wedding coverage, be sure to check out IDoSugar.com.

Photo courtesy of NBC

Top 5 TV Moments That Always Make Me Cry

BuzzSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 11:29:34 PDT

I've said before that I'm a bit of a sap, and it's never more evident than when I break into tears while watching TV. There are a bunch of moments that always make me lose it - no matter how predictable or silly they are, no matter how many times I've seen them - and so, just in case you're feeling mopey today, I'm counting down a few of the scenes most consistently guaranteed to leave me drowning in a pile of soggy tissues.

No. 5: The final moments of "A Wedding Story"
There was a period in my life when I worked nights and had days free, and so my morning routine went a little like this: Wake up late, make lunch, turn on TLC, cry. The whole "A [Something] Story" block of programming could make me weepy - yes, even "A Makeover Story," in my weaker moments - but "A Wedding Story" was by far the worst. No matter what squabbles the couples had on their way to the ceremony, no matter how many disasters with the caterers or the parents, the couples always made it down the aisle just fine, looking beautiful and ready to say "I do."

No. 4: The crowning of the "American Idol"
It's one of the most predictable events in television, at this point. Most of the time, it's not even surprising to learn which of the final two "Idol" contestants is going home with the crown, and we've already heard the cheesy coronation song at least twice. But there's still something about an overwhelmed teen or 20-something getting showered with confetti and balloons, singing in front of an audience of millions and somehow holding it together despite the overwhelming emotions, that gives me chills - regardless of whether I even like the winner.

Three more, including my No. 1 scene guaranteed to bring the tears, so

read more No. 3: The big reveal on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" My gym used to show ABC's programming block on Sunday nights, and I'd go early to make sure I snagged a treadmill in time for "Desperate Housewives." But I had to stop, because getting there early meant catching the part of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" where the family in need gets their first view of their new house. I don't even like the show, but as soon as the kids of the family began screaming at the sight of their new racecar- or dolphin-themed bedrooms, I became mayor of Waterworks City - while simultaneously stumbling through a jog. No. 2: The end of the "Grey's Anatomy" pilot I was hooked on "Grey's" the moment the very first episode revealed that Meredith's narration had actually been a speech to her mother, who is so ravaged by Alzheimer's Disease that she no longer knows who Meredith is. There's this one perfect shot when Ellis looks up at Meredith blankly and asks "Are you a doctor?" that just makes me feel like I've been socked in the stomach - no matter how many times I watch it, even now that I know it's coming. No. 1: The final moments of "Six Feet Under" I always say that the ending of "Six Feet Under" is my favorite series finale ever, but to be honest, I didn't really even see it until the day after it aired - simply because I was too busy sobbing the first time through to see much more than a blur of shapes and colors. I don't want to say too much about it so as not to spoil it for anyone who might still be catching up on DVD, but it's the perfect mixture of satisfying moments and heartbreaking revelations. Because I'm a glutton for punishment, I dug up the YouTube video, but I seriously advise against watching it in public. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and "Grey's Anatomy" photos copyright 2007 ABC, Inc. "Six Feet Under" photo Source "A Wedding Story" photo Source "American Idol" photo courtesy of Fox

Fat-Proof Your Life

Health — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:06:06 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

By Maridel Reyes

It's true that there are certain times in your life when extra poundage seems to appear out of nowhere . . . and settle on you. In fact, experts have honed in on the exact moments when you're most vulnerable to weight gain.

"Life transitions, having a baby, and going through menopause cause many women to pile on pounds," says Susan Albers, PsyD, author of But I Deserve This Chocolate!: The 50 Most Common Diet-Derailing Excuses and How to Outwit Them. "But with planning and prep, you can stay thin."

We asked top experts for their strategies to help you ward off weight creep - and even shed pounds - at these tricky stages. Solutions ahead.

Getting married

Heavier ever after? It can be the flip side of wedded bliss: "Six out of 10 of my clients come back heavier after the honeymoon," says celebrity fitness and wellness guru David Kirsch.

Health.com: 25 Diet-Busting Foods You Should Never Eat

Young newlyweds pack on an extra six to nine pounds in the five years after getting hitched compared to singletons, according to research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. And most of that gain happens in the first year of marriage.

"Couples start to mirror each other's eating habits," explains Albers. "You might be matching him calorie for calorie without realizing it."

Learn how to keep the pounds down postmarriage and in the mommy years, after the break.

"We Had Drunk Sex and I Feel Awful"

Tres Community — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:05:00 PST

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

I had been "seeing" this guy for about three months, when it appeared to me that he really wasn't that interested in me anymore. He would always say that I worry too much but eventually admitted that "He didn't want to be in a serious relationship, but enjoyed my company and still wanted to be friends." I stupidly agreed b/c I really liked him.

Through the time we had been seeing each other, we fooled around but never actually slept together. I had told him that I didn't want to have sex unless we were committed and since he couldn't commit, we didn't let it get that far. Well...being the idiot that I am, I decided to hang out with him one weekend and go out to have drinks. He invited me to stay the night since he didn't want me driving home intoxicated, and I agreed. The deal was we'd sleep in different rooms.

Long story short . . . I drank wayyyy too much. I didn't even realize I was so drunk until the morning. I had blacked out, and woke up to find that we had sex. I apparently came on to him, very aggressively and wouldn't take no for an answer. He told me he resisted a couple of times and told me things weren't like that anymore, but I kept pushing. He also said that I was acting completely out of character and that I usually freak out about things like that, but that I was all for it. So he agreed to it.

I don't remember any of it.

Needless to say, he says he had a great time and doesn't regret it and asked that I don't regret it either. I agreed, but told him afterward that being just friends sucks for me. He says he knows, but it's all he can give me.

I feel sooooo embarrassed and ashamed for doing this. I tried so hard not to sleep with him and I suddenly get drunk one night and am all for it!? He tried contacting me a couple of days ago, but I didn't respond. Idk if I should speak to him again. I'm hurt that I let myself get into this situation and also that he agreed to sex when he knew I was acting differently. I know it takes two to tango, but I never wanted it to be this way. Now I just feel hurt, and awkward. He says everything is cool and he's not upset about it, but I feel terrible. I don't like casual sex like that . . . especially with him. I feel cheap.

What do I do? Just move on, ignore him, and forget about the whole thing or talk to him about it? Being just friends is too hard, especially when this just happened. I really like the guy, I just can't believe I let it get that far, especially when I knew he didn't want anything more than friends.

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

Geeky Proposals Caught on Film

Kelly Schwarze — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:05:05 PST

With Valentine's Day creeping around the corner, we're caught up in the season of love. If it's marriage we're talking, these days, to make a serious statement of your heart's intentions it's all about adding some geeky personality for an unforgettable proposal. We've seen dozens of these proposals memorialized on the web to send our hearts aflutter. The latest: the below video combines binary coding aptitude and Futurama fanaticism. Yes, that is a proposal spoken exclusively in binary.

Follow the break to watch our favorite geek-tinted proposals.

6 Unforgettable Wedding Day Stories

Colleen Barrett — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:09:50 PDT

Y'all go to some crazy weddings! Last week I asked for wedding day stories that are memorable for all the wrong reasons. Funny, embarrassing, dramatic - you've seen it all. Here are six stories that every guest surely remembers - much to the families' chagrin - and now we can, too.

"I went to a wedding where the mother-of-the-groom was medicated for anxiety. She stood up at the reception to make a speech and told everyone that when she first met the bride, she thought she was a lesbian." - Dragonflye
"My poppie found the groom in the closet at the reception with another guy, doing it." - Anonymous
"The man who performed the ceremony at my half-sister's wedding talked just like Elmer Fudd (no joke). She couldn't contain herself and spent the entire ceremony uncontrollably giggling. It was pretty funny, but took all seriousness out of it!" - postmodernsleaze
"I was at a wedding where the bride got up and basically told everybody that she was too good for the groom." - snarkypants

Read the rest below.

5 Surprising Health Benefits of Being a Sports Fan

Prevention — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:19:15 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

By Cristina Goyanes, Prevention

It’s no wonder your friends aren’t available to hang out on Sundays in the Fall and Winter - according to a 2005 Gallup Poll, 64 percent of Americans claim to be professional football fans, and as of 2010, women make up 44 percent of the NFL fan base.

Being a sports fan doesn’t mean you’re expected to know all the players and stats of your hometown teams and destined for a beer gut - it’s about coming together in the name of good times as part of a community.

“Bonding over sports - the highs and lows of the game - strengthens ties, helps us feel supported, and makes it easier for you to open up about personal things,” says Renee Clauselle, PsyD, who runs a private psychology practice in Long Island, NY.

Seventeen Unexpected Side Effects of Exercise

Rooting for the same team creates an immediate sense of family, says Daniel Wann, PhD, a Murray State University professor who has been studying the psychology of sports fans for over 20 years. “If you identify with a local team, you build an instant connection to others around you,” he says.

Beyond the bonding aspects, watching sports can motivate you to pump up your own workouts - and even burn a few extra calories when you jump, cheer, and clap during the highlights of the game. Find out more ways being a sports fan is a winning situation for your health.

Keep reading to learn how being a sports fan benefits your health.

Are You Ready For Marriage, Or Are You Rushing Into It?

YourTango — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:00:04 PST

We're happy to present this excerpt from one of our favorite sites, YourTango.

When I was a little girl I remember watching all the Disney Princess movies (You know the ones: Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Snow White, Aladdin… there seemed to be an endless supply), and I loved everything about those fairy tale stories-the handsome prince, the white dress, the cake, the pumpkin stagecoach, and the big castle to live happily ever after in-I always pictured my future playing out just like my favorite princesses. Doesn't every girl?

We all know the saying "first comes love, then comes marriage," and when you feel you've found your perfect match, you start to picture yourself eventually settling down. You see the future, you see building a strong and wonderful married life together, and even creating a family. You start imagining fairy tales and castles and Cinderella dresses . . .

But you know what? It's not that simple. I wish it were. There's a lot more to marriage than just the love you feel for one another. The Beatles' might have said, "All you need is love," but real life doesn't work that way. Ever. Marriage requires effort.

Before you start calling up wedding coordinators and venues, before you start looking for a dress and picking out a cake, put away your emotions long enough to ask yourself a few questions.

What makes this person The One?

Out of all the relationships you've been in, what makes this person the one for you? Answering this question is crucial to prevent yourself from entering a marriage for all the wrong reasons. Never pressure yourself with the idea that you may never have another opportunity to get married. There's always time. Your wedding is just one day while your marriage is for a lifetime.

When I met my husband's family for the first time I saw first hand how he treated his sisters. His sisters are 13 and 20 years younger than he is, and when I saw them together, I knew he'd be a great father. Among his other great qualities, that's what sealed the deal for me.

Do you share the same values?

Issues about careers, finances, raising children, discipline, sex, spending, religion, and values are the most important subjects that need to be addressed before you even think about engagement rings. If you can't plan for and effectively discuss these topics with your partner, you won't be able to merge your two lives together with any amount of success. If you don't feel comfortable bringing them up, then you're not ready to say, "I do."

When my husband and I started dating we talked about our personal values and beliefs. We found we shared more in common than either one of us thought. Coming from similar family backgrounds, we found it easy to envision a future together, and another way that made merging our lives together almost effortless.

Get more questions to ask yourself when you finish reading the rest of the story on YourTango: Are You Ready For Marriage, Or Are You Rushing Into It?

Written by Alisha Cornett for YourTango.

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How to Make Money Off Your Breakup

LearnVest — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:15:30 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

When you break up with someone, should you return any gifts?

Not according to Never Liked It Anyway, where those unlucky in love can sell mementos of failed relationships and divulge the dirt behind the gift.

And it’s not just teddy bears and uneaten chocolates - disenchanted lovers are selling wedding dresses, rings, weekend wedding packages, and anything else adding to their baggage (including the baggage itself). All for a substantial discount.

Someone Loved It Once

Part store and part advice column, the site calls itself “the place where once-loved gifts from once-loved partners get a second chance.” Instead of just facilitating a sale, it also provides a space for the seller’s story.

Never Liked It Anyway was founded by a woman who made it through a major breakup herself and recognized the benefit of cleaning out her closet . . . and profiting in the process.

For us (admittedly not in the throes of a violent parting of ways), the site raises two questions:

Is It Hilarious or Sad?

We’re happy to see the sellers get revenge (or at least revenue) after their heartbreak. But so many of the confessions in the Tell It section (in which users spill but don’t sell) are stories of men doing horrible things and women in horrible situations. The headline “NICE BOOTS BAD GUY” made us laugh . . . but the person who got dumped while her mother was dying broke our hearts.

Is It Cost-Effective or Cursed?

From a consumer's view, it’s a great deal! Over $1,000 off a Tiffany wedding band? It sounds too good to be true. And maybe it is. If you believe in karma, acquiring trinkets from failed relationships just might doom you to the same fate. Then again, wedding dresses for 40 percent off!

Just in case you’re gearing up for your own nuptials and aren’t concerned about the whole karma thing, we’ve put together a wedding plan, using only items from the site.

The Keys

The seller puts the problem with this ring pretty clearly in the title: "Key Ring, Not an Engagement Ring."

Real World Price: $125
Breakup Price: $60

Read on for more items.