Samantha K Schmidt

Honolulu, Hawaii - Honolulu is a great destination for any couple. The beaches are perfect for the newlyweds who want a calming scene or for those that want a little more adventure. Hotels in the area boast amazing spas as well as thrill-seeking activities. Enjoy a massage or a hike up an active volcano. It also offers all the amenities of a big city without the price tag of going overseas. Trinidad, California  - For the couple looking to spend some time in the quiet outdoors, this small town is the perfect setting. It's nestled in the heart of the Redwood National Forest with hundreds of hiking trails for the amateur and the advanced. The cozy inns are perfect for getting some alone time and the views will blow you away. Santorini  - It may be one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, and that's because this Greek island has a little bit of everything. The beautiful beaches and elegant wineries make it the perfect location for relaxation. On the ...

As a woman, it is likely that your wedding dress will be one of the most important purchases of your life. We can talk about how crazy that is another day. Today we are going to focus on how to narrow down such a difficult decision. There are 5 things you have to decide on when picking the perfect dress. Shape There are 5 basic wedding dress shapes. You'll want to pick one that accentuates your best features and hides the ones you don't want to display. The best stylists will have you try on 1 of each shape to figure out what you like before you narrow down any other details. Style The style of your dress should flow thematically with the rest of your wedding. Is your wedding in a church or in a barn? Is the event more rustic or more elegant? I had a dream dress in mind when I first thought about getting married, but that changed after my husband and I picked our venue. My vintage 1920's dream dress just did not fit with the rustic outdoor setting of our weddin...

My new husband and I are definitely still in the honeymoon phase. People seem to know we're newlyweds by the ridiculous grins we wear. We've been married now for just over a month, and I'm still reminiscing on all the excitement leading up to that special day. For the next few weeks I'll be sharing with you some of things I learned during the planning process as well as give you a glimpse into our wedding day. I'll be posting every Monday from now until August 1st. Each week I'll also ask you to share some of your experiences in the comments. Today's question: How long have you been married or engaged?