12 Months ’til I Do: Kicking Off Our Wedding Countdown

Rodan Luo
May 13, 2015

We’re a sucker for a good wedding story here at Brit + Co and know that so many brides (+ grooms!) face a lot of the same challenges, headaches and laughs during the planning process. Today, meet Rodan. She’s getting married in a year (congrats, girl!) and taking us all along for the crazy ride.

I first met Billy casually through friends when I was in and out of New York during grad school in 2009. By the time we reconnected again in January 2010, I was a goner. Pretty much in love from the start. I never waited the appropriate days to contact him, I kissed him first and I made myself too available to hang out. But, when it’s the one (and it was for me), it’s the one — even ignoring dating rules can’t change fate.

Dating in New York is weird. I have plenty of stories about that from friends but — don’t hate me, women of NY who have put in your time in our fair city — my relationship with Billy was (wait for it) easy and uncomplicated from the start. Really! We were foodies (as every big-city person claims to be) but also get down with chips and salsa at Chili’s. Sometimes when we got tired of Manhattan, we’d take a day trip to go hiking or a midnight escape to the casinos in Jersey. He’d gamble away all our money — and I would win it back ;) Over time, common interests, spontaneous kisses and long nights of drinking blossomed into something truly spectacular. In a city of millions of people, I had found my person.

We got engaged hiking through the Alps on the Tour du Mont Blanc. Everyone always asks if I saw it coming. These days, as a modern couple, it’s hard not to see it coming (side note/golden rule: please don’t get married without talking about it first — even you, hopeless romantics), BUT I didn’t expect it to be on that trip. As we hiked up and down 15,000 feet and endured blistering heat, hail and snowstorms, getting engaged was far from my mind. When he finally popped the question as we summited Le Brévent, I was totally surprised and, of course, said yes.

That was nearly a year ago.

In the past year, I have gone from being excited about the wedding to dreading it. And having occasional nightmares in my sleep about it. It has moved from Vermont to Italy and back again. I have asked girls to be my bridesmaids, only to un-ask. I’ve been through a lot, have been faced with endless decisions and have dragged my loved ones with me for the whole ride. (Sorry, guys… Love you!!)

The more I talked to friends about wedding planning, the more I realized my experiences are not unique to me, but something that everyone has to go through and figure out. The road leading up to “I do” is filled with a thousand decisions; big and small ones that require you to prioritize, delegate and, most importantly, listen to your heart(s). With one year of my engagement down and still one more to go until the big day (April 23, 2016!), I’ll be sharing my wedding countdown and all the planning ups and downs with you guys here at Brit + Co. I’m hoping you can learn through my experiences and maybe help ME figure out some things. Who knows?! Perhaps we’ll reach a greater sense of peace together.

Stay tuned. Later this month, I’ll share a little bit more with you guys about what to do when you’ve seen 30+ venues and still, nothing feels right :-X

Are you getting married or helping someone plan their wedding? Share where you’re at in your own wedding countdown below!

The Best Reality Dating Shows To Stream RN For Equal Parts Love And Chaos

Let’s be honest, while happily ever afters are great in fairytales, we all love a little drama (or a lot of drama) when it comes to what we watch on TV. Reality dating shows have gotten more and more popular for that very reason — and that means there’s plenty for audiences to choose from when it comes to their next guilty pleasure. Here are our picks for the best dating shows to stream right now for that perfect mix of love and pure chaos!

Love Island USA — 6 seasons

Jocelyn Prescod/Peacock

Not only does Love Island USA have everything you want from a dating show, it’s also a reality competition series! Viewers can even vote for their favorite couples to determine which of the island’s singles continue to stay in the villa and who will leave heartbroken.

Where to watch: Peacock, Netflix, and Hulu.

​Love Is Blind — 7 seasons

Netflix

If you’re looking for love, do looks play a factor in who you decide to connect with? Well, for these single men and women, love is completely blind, and an engagement comes before their first face-to-face meeting.

Where to watch: Netflix.

The Bachelorette — 21 seasons

Disney/Richard Middlesworth

This series serves as a spin-off to The Bachelor, which is one of the most iconic and well known dating shows in TV history. It follows the journey of a woman looking for love. Eliminations and roses are (hopefully) the key to each season's bachelorette finding one perfect match and a lifetime of happiness.

Where to watch: Tubi and Hulu.

​Married at First Sight — 17 seasons

Lifetime

Love at first sight might sound like the ultimate dream but what about marriage at first sight? That’s right, six singles agree to get married the moment they meet with the goal of finding their partner for life. Watch season 18 on Lifetime now!

Where to watch: Sling TV, Prime Video, Lifetime, Freevee, Netflix, Hulu, Discovery Plus, and Philo.

​The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On — 2 seasons

Netflix

Ultimatum can make or break any relationship, so if you’re faced with the decision to marry or move on, what will you do? With love on the line and other potential matches entering the picture to make things even more complicated, it’s time to make your choice once and for all.

What to watch: Netflix.

​Perfect Match — 2 seasons

Netflix

Comparability is everything in a relationship, and it’s also everything in this series. Those couples who can prove that they work well together are able to get the ultimate power of controlling the fate of other pairs. Juicy!!

Where to watch: Netflix

​Are You the One? — 9 seasons

Gerardo Valido/MTV Entertainment

10 single men and 10 single women are assessed by a team of professional matchmakers and psychologists in order to discover their perfect match. The matchmakers choose their pairings based on those results at the beginning of the season and then the contestants must figure out who their match is based on dates and competitions.

Where to watch: Pluto TV, Hulu, and Paramount+.

Check out the The Best Reality TV Shows To Watch Next for more weekend binge inspiration!

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Blake Lively Stuns In First Outfits After Controversial ‘It Ends With Us’ Press Tour

No matter whether you're a dedicated BookTok fan or you only read the classics, one thing's for sure: the summer of 2024 — and the It Ends With Us press junket — will be something we remember for a very long time. And amid rumors that the It Ends With Us cast was split over beef between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, it seemed like the internet couldn't stop talking about Blake's outfit choices. The actress (who famously doesn't use a stylist) was mixing patterns and colors for a bright, floral fashion experience that I, personally, loved. Fashion is all about expression and I had a good time seeing Blake have such a good time!

Well, this fall officially ushers us into a new fashion era because florals are out and Blake's classic art-deco style is so back.

What is Blake Lively's fashion style?

Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Blake Lively usually opts for a balance of sophisticated and fun in her outfits, like wearing structured suits with feminine details during press for A Simple Favor, or the art deco copper Met Gala dress that transformed into the ceiling of Grand Central Station.

Most recently, Blake looked AMAZING at the 2024 LACMA Art+Film Gala on November 2. The actress wore a chainmail mini dress from Tamara Ralph with rose gold, pink, and topaz crystals along with a topaz silk taffeta cape like the princess she is. She accessorized with Lorraine Scwartz jewelry and strappy Louboutins.

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A post shared by Blake Lively (@blakelively)

This year's gala honored Simone Leigh and Baz Luhrmann, and Blake took to Instagram to express just how much Baz's art has impacted her life.

"@bazluhrmann was the first & only signed poster I was ever lucky enough to have on my wall when I was a teenager. It’s still on my wall today," she says in the post. "To know him will always be surreal. He’s even more mischievous and magical in real life. He’ll grab your hand and run away from the gala with you to do an impromptu photoshoot because he’s inspired by everything, your cape and a palm tree is all he needs to see thrill. He’ll enthusiastically play along when you ask to put your cape on him so you can take pictures of him in a pose that he has subliminally trademarked in every girl who grew up in the 90s mind."

"Baz™️ serves as not only your inspiration, your creativity, your possibility, and your unfiltered joy, but he’s the match & the lighter fluid to it," she continues. "He’s happiest when you’re happiest. That applies to strangers, friends, colleagues. You can see it in his work, because it’s WHO HE IS."

But Blake didn't stop there, and praised Simone too! "An artist who moves with more intention than anyone I’ve ever witnessed," she says. "Her work is striking, varied, grand, contained, unrestrained, full of both discipline and abandon. It’s deeply emotional and carries momentous meaning and gravity. She is stunning in every way a person can be. What a night to be in the room with such talent, grace and art. 🙏♥️🙏 I will truly never forget it."

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Meanwhile, at the CFDA Awards on October 28, Blake Lively wiped the slate clean with an all-white look comprised of a sculptural white dress featuring a slit in the skirt, a white blazer, and glittery silver heels Cinderella would totally approve of. She also swapped her iconic beachy waves for a sleek blowout that I'm obsessed with.

Has Blake Lively ever had a stylist?

No, Blake Lively doesn't use a stylist. (Although, an assistant helps her source pieces, and she has plenty of relationships with amazing brands.)

In 2018, the actress told WWD she took on the stylist role "because I have control issues and a big ego – that’s probably the honest answer."

“I love design and I love fashion and it’s a way to be creative. In my job I get to be creative, but it’s over a period of time and so many other people are involved, whereas this is a beginning, middle and end, and I get to be creative and there’s an end date in the near future," she continues. "It’s the same reason why I like doing my friends’ hair and makeup or cooking – you get to be creative and finish it. Whereas with my job you do it and then two years later it’s finished. It probably goes back to the control issues; it’s like, ‘Ok I did it, I completed it, it’s done!’”

What do you think of Blake Lively being her own stylist? Scroll through her It Ends With Us press looks and tell us your favorite! Mine will always be the Tamara Ralph Couture gown she wore to the London premiere.

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The 15 Most Iconic "Bridgerton" Quotes Of All Time

The writer's room — and queen Shonda Rhimes herself — didn't hold back when it came to giving us every memorable Bridgerton quote after quote. But before Netflix, author Julia Quinn crafted the regency era books to tell these beautiful, romantic stories we know and love. Without them, we wouldn't even have the Ton in all their well-spoken (and sometimes petty) glory!

And while I've been a fan of the show since day one, it wasn't until I watched Bridgerton season 2 that I realized just how special the characters are. Their individual, unique styles not only translate to their own whimsical, cottagecorelooks — they trickle down into the words they use, too. I mean, admit it: you definitely say, "Daphne, you must make haste," in Eloise Bridgerton's voice on a regular basis, too.

As much as that quote sticks out to me, there are oh-so many more that deserve the spotlight. Don't believe me? Keep scrolling to see which romantic musings and quippy moments made to our Bridgerton quotes list!

"I have loved. I have lost. I have earned the right to do whatever I please, whenever I please, and however I please to do it." —Lady Danbury

"To meet a beautiful woman is one thing, but to meet your best friend in the most beautiful of women is something entirely apart." —Simon Basset

"The lady is quite the treasure. Do try not to bungle it up." —Lady Danbury

"I happen to believe a lady's business is her own." —Madame Delacroix

"There are perhaps darker turns in these woods than we've been taught to expect. There is light to be found at their end." —Daphne Bridgerton

"You are the bane of my existence and the object of all my desires." —Lady Anthony Bridgerton

"True love is something else entirely. It is when the rest of the world goes quiet. It is not eyes that meet, but souls that dance." —Kate Sharma

"However difficult forgiving someone may be, it is necessary to move forward." —Lady Violet Bridgerton

"Pen, living for the estimation of others is a trap. Once you break free, the world opens up." —Colin Bridgerton

"I am certain you will find your purpose one day. Everyone must eventually." —Penelope Featherington

"You are wise or perhaps unusually lucky to understand friendship to be the best possible foundation a marriage can have." —Queen Charlotte

"All Is Fair In Love And War But Some Battles Leave No Victor, Only A Trail Of Broken Hearts That Makes Us Wonder If The Price We Pay Is Ever Worth The Fight." —Lady Whistledown

"If you desire the sun and the moon all you have to do is go out and shoot at the sky. Some of us cannot." —Eloise Bridgerton

"Why must our only options be to squawk and settle or to never leave the nest? What if I want to fly?" —Eloise Bridgerton

"And when one chooses the heart over the head, often all reason goes out of the window. But the body has a way, indeed, of knowing most what it needs." —Lady Whistledown

Looking to stay in-the-know on all things Bridgerton? Follow the conversation on Facebook!

Lead image via Liam Daniel/Netflix

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Love Wordle? Then You'll Be Obsessed With These 10 Free Word Games

I used to watch my family play crossword puzzles growing up, so it's no surprise I'm always on the hunt for a free word game to fill my time. There's just something incredible satisfying about finding the exact right word, or unscrambling letters to make meaning out of nothing. Feel the same way? I rounded up 10 addicting — and FREE — word games you can play right now! Check 'em out.

Brit + Co

Daily Cryptic Crossword

Put down your phone during your lunch break to play this Daily Cryptic Crossword. Designed to be accessible, it'll test your knowledge with bonuses that refresh everyday.

Brit + Co

Arkadium's Codeword

Before Arkadium's Codeword beings, a pop-up screen asks if you'd like to play a practice game which should tell you the challenges you could potentially face. Unlike the other games we've shared, you don't get many clues. A set of highlighted letters will be on the right for you to type into the missing spaces to complete a word.

The more letters you type into the blank cells, the more words begin to flesh out so it's easier for you to solve each code.

Brit + Co

Word Wipe

This isn't your average crossword puzzle! You'll be racing against the clock to make as many words as you can. The more you find, the more rows you'll complete. Be careful though — this game is trickier than it seems.

Brit + Co

PennyDell Fab FILL-INS

This seems like an easy game because you'll receive all the words you need, but the twist is that you have to make sure you place them in the proper place! You'll need to use a ton of critical thinking skills to make sure the words coincide with each other. Good luck!

Brit + Co

Syllacrostic

If you guessed this game has something to do with syllables, you're right! You'll put them together to solve each short phrase on the right, so give it a spin. It may remind you of the worksheets your high school English teacher used to make you complete.

Brit + Co

Outspell

Can you beat AI in this Scrabble-inspired game? If you're apprehensive, you can always choose the easy level so you can build your wordplay confidence!

Brit + Co

Today's Hurdle

Today's Hurdle amplifies the pressure with it's twists and turns. You'll be faced with a new puzzle everyday that requires you to not only find words, but place letters in their correct spot. We've yet to truly beat all five Hurdles so don't be upset if you don't get it on your first try. If you do, teach us your ways!

Brit + Co

Word Scramble

Think you've got what it takes to unscramble a set of chosen letters to make multiple words? Word Scramble will test your smarts to see if you're up for the challenge or not.

Brit + Co

Word Hunt

Love solving word puzzles as long as they have a pretty background? Word Hunt is the free online game you need because you'll see new scenery as you level up and you'll receive bonuses that help reveal hidden letters if you need extra help.

Brit + Co

Wander Words

Instead of trying to find a word or phrase before the timer ends, you get to take your time while playing Wander Words. But, this doesn't mean things will be easier. You'll have to find the name of an item, TV show, profession, and more in this game using all the letters.

Visit Brit + Co's Game Center for more exciting puzzles and arcade favorites!

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Sarah Michelle Gellar & Freddie Prinze Jr. Are "Good At Avoiding" This Controversial Celeb Experience

If you grew up during the 90s, chances are you're very familiar with Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze, Jr. Besides David and Victoria Beckham, this couple is the reason most millennials believe that love really can last 'forever.' They're both well-respected actors who've starred in cult favorites like I Know What You Did Last Summer and She's All That, plus Sarah starred in the cult-classic show Buffy, The Vampire Slayer. Knowing they've cracked the relationship longevity code brings a smile to this millennial's face.

Can't help but fangirl over Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze, Jr. either? Let's take a trip down memory lane to revisit their relationship timeline!

Kevin Winters/Getty Images

1997: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze, Jr.'s First Introduction

Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze, Jr. officially met while they were working on the set of I Know What You Did Last Summer, as reported by People. That's something I never really considered back then so this news makes my heart sing! I can't even begin to tell you how much I love watching it even though it's a killer flick.

1999: Sarah Makes a Quick Appearance in She's All That

It's not 100% clear if they were romantically interested in each other a couple of years later, but Sarah did make an appearance in She's All That. The film's director, Robert Iscove, opened up to Cosmopolitan about how her cameo happened in 2015. "She was there visiting Freddie and we asked her if she would come and do it, and she said she would come and do it, but she wouldn't speak. She wouldn't say any lines."

Claire Greeneway/Getty Images

January 2000: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze, Jr.'s First Date

The funny thing about their first date is that they weren't actually planning on going on one. They were just friends at the time and a last-minute cancellation turned into something more. Sarah told People Now, " "We were friends for a very long time. We'd had many dinners before. And we were supposed to go with someone else, and the third person didn't make it out and we decided to still go," she recalled.

April 2001: Their Accidental First Date Leads to an Engagement

Fate must've known something Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze, Jr. didn't because they ended up getting engaged during the spring of 2001. ABC News shared that they announced the news during Gellar's birthday party.

Kevin Winters/Getty Images

September 2002: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze, Jr. Make It Official

The beautiful couple said "I Do" during a lovely ceremony in Mexico, according to People. Their friend Cathy Waterman — designer of their wedding bands — said, "They're on the same channel" and "This is one in which you go, 'This is going to last.'"

I'm sure she's glad to know her prediction has been proven many times over!

Kevin Winters/Getty Images

April 2009 — September 2009: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. Enter Parenthood

In 2009 Sarah Michelle and Freddie Prinze Jr. not only announced they were preparing to welcome their first child, but they later did just that. Their daughter Charlotte Grace Prinze was born right before summer ended and we can only imagine how overjoyed the couple was.

Evan Agostini/Getty Images

April 2012: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. Announce Their Second Pregnancy

Three years after announcing they were expecting their first child, People found out the couple were ready to expand with the announcement of their second pregnancy. A source reportedly said, "They love their little girl more than anything in the world and know that love will only multiply."

September 2012: Sarah Michelle Gellar Gives Birth To a Son

Similar to their daughter's arrival, the couple's son — Rocky James Prinze — was born in September 2012. To celebrate his bday a few years ago, Sarah shared two adorable pics of him on Instagram when he was just a baby. "Rocky, on the day you were born, I swear my heart tripled in size," she partially wrote in the caption.

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September 2017: The Couple Celebrates 15 Years of Marriage

Time flies when you're having fun love each other which brings a smile to my face when thinking about Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze, Jr.

Sarah actually shared a touching video on Instagram that perfectly captured the happy couple throughout the years. Each photo in the video includes the year it was taken which really puts their relationship into perspective.

Michael Kovac/Getty Images for GILT

November 2019: Freddie Prinze, Jr. Opens Up About His Love For Cooking

It's long been rumored that women are the only ones who enjoy cooking, but that's not the case for Sarah Michelle Gellar. Freddie Prinze, Jr. told People in 2019 that he's the one who throws down in the kitchen. "It's never a hassle for me to cook dinner because I like it," he freely admitted.

This is so similar to my household because I know how to cook enough to survive, but I prefer to let my S.O. plan our meals. Sorry, not sorry!

Paul Hiffmeyer/Getty Images for Disney Enterprises, Inc.

October 2022: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze, Jr. Are All About Their Kids Enjoying Their Youth

If you think this couple wants their children actively on social media, think again. She opened up about one of the rules she and Freddie have in place that seem worlds away from what's considered the 'norm.' "Our rules are probably stricter than most. Our kids don't have social media," she told So Mini Ways, Yahoo's Parenting series.

I know some people feel that kids should have access to things, but I'm on the fence about it now that I have a toddler. I remember what it's like having unlimited and unchecked access to the internet so I'm not sure if I'd want my kids to come across some of the things I did.

It may be controversial, but I applaud Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze, Jr. for making this decision.

Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Paramount+

January 2023: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. Hit the Red Carpet for Wolf Pack

Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze, Jr. looked amazing while posing for pictures on Wolf Pack's red carpet. Her floral mini dress by Oscar de la Renta made me want to buy something similar even if I knew I probably wouldn't find it.

Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Knott's Scary Farm

September 2023: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze, Jr. Celebrate 21 Years of Married Life

I can't believe I'm typing this, but Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze, Jr. celebrated 21 years of marriage last year. That means this couple has been going strong for two decades!

Sarah took to Instagram again to celebrate their love with a throwback picture from their wedding day on Instagram and my jaw is still on the floor.

If you need more proof that the couple are still very much in love, here's a more recent pic that Sarah shared on Instagram from earlier in the year. She's "Still celebrating and spoiling" Freddie years later, and I think it goes without saying that he loves it there.

Sigh the bar has been set HIGH, and I can't wait to see how they continue to grow with time.

November 2024: Freddie Prinze, Jr. Reveals The One Celebrity Experience They're "Good At Avoiding"

Despite the fact that paparazzi love to see (and often follow) celebrity couples, Freddie just revealed how he and Sarah have been able to keep things low-key. When Oldish's podcast co-host Randy Spelling asked how they stay out of the public — and how intentional they have to be to keep a low profile — Freddie said it's "by choice," and that "you can control it to a certain degree."

"I don't know how deliberate [others] are in trying to avoid that BS," he said on the podcast. "I know how easy it's been for us because I don't go anywhere. I don't go to parties. People don't see Sarah and I out and about at the popular places. We have our restaurants that we like, and they're not super trendy in places where paparazzi hang out. So we're good at avoiding it."

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Lead image via Claire Greeneway/Getty Images

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