The OurWeddingDay Blog

Check out the best and worst places to find a mate in America’s 104 largest cities, according to The Daily Beast.

Here's their criteria:

We entered every U.S. city with more than 200,000 people into our computers, then dumped in data surrounding five criteria:

• Singles ratio: The larger the percentage of singles, 18-and-over, according to U.S. Census data, the bigger the relative pool for finding the perfect mate.
• Social life: Using Citysearch, we determined a social life quotient—how many restaurants and bars there are per over-21 adult, as a proxy for meeting opportunities.
• Emotional Health: Studies show that happy people are more open to love. So we ranked cities based on the the Gallup-Healthways Emotional Health Index, based on thousands of questionnaires where respondents described how much they smile and laugh, whether they are treated with respect, whether they find enjoyment, get stressed, feel happy, etc. Cities in milder climes tended to fare better here, skewing those cities higher on rankings.
• Marriage ratio: Is a given city marriage-minded? To determine, we measured the percentage of people who got married in 2008, as a percentage of overall marriage-aged population. Greensboro, North Carolina, for instance, ranked in the top quintile for the percentage of singles, but it ranked toward the bottom for marriages, earning a D.
• Divorce ratio: It’s one thing to get married. True love means you stay married. So we measured 2008 divorces as a percentage of marriage-aged population. Stockton, California, which received an A grade for marriages, finishing in the top quintile, also received an F for divorces, ranking third from last on our list. Riverside, California, meanwhile, notched an A in both categories, placing it seventh overall.

These rankings are universal, designed to be neutral in relation to gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or age.

In spite of it's romantic bridges, New York City only ranks #58, while cities like Omaha and Newark rank much higher.  How does your home town rank?

New Yorkers have voted the Bow Bridge as the most romantic spot in Manhattan's Central Park.

The story behind Bow Bridge…

• Named for its resemblance to a violinist’s or archer’s - or Cupid’s - bow, Bow Bridge’s dreamy setting over the sprawling Lake has inspired many a lovers’ stroll.
• Designed by Central Park co-designer Calvert Vaux and his assistant Jacob Wrey Mould and built in 1862, Bow Bridge is the second-oldest cast-iron bridge in the United States. The Bridge spans sixty feet across the Lake, linking the cultivated and flowering landscape of Cherry Hill with the rustic and sprawling woods of the Ramble.
• Bow Bridge is one of the most photographed spots in the Park and is provides the romantic backdrop for many wedding proposals and classic film shots.

Looking for the perfect spot for your wedding photos?  Look no farther!  And if you're planing a New York City wedding, look no farther!

Wedding gift etiquette isn’t just about what your guests should give you and when they should give it to you. The bride and groom also have the responsibility to thank those who have helped them make their special day happen. Take a break from making choices that are all about you and go shopping for gifts to thank and delight your bridesmaids and groomsmen.

If your fiancé needs a helping hand or some ideas when it comes to wedding etiquette, join him as he shops for his groomsmen. Try to make a date of it by reminiscing about the reasons your bridesmaids and groomsmen are special to you.

Gifts Etiquette 101

1. Traditionally, you should get the same gift for each of your bridesmaids and the same gift for each of your groomsmen. If you’d like to break the mold, get them each something different, but be sure to say in the same price range and general gift category.

2. Look into having gifts personalized. However, avoid the typical keepsake gifts you see in personalization stores. Instead, really think about gifts your attendants will appreciate and treasure or think outside the box. For example, having a beach wedding? Get flip flops personalized and include some sun screen in a beach gift basket.

3. Let the theme and tone of your wedding guide you as you choose gifts. If your wedding will be formal, you may want to give formal keepsakes. If your wedding is casual and funky, be more creative.

4. Set your budget according to the amount of money and effort your attendants are spending to be part of your wedding. You shouldn’t match the amount, but you should let it guide you. For example, if a bridesmaid is spending $500 to be part of your wedding, you should be looking for gifts with monetary and sentimental value.

5. Consider getting something extra special for the maid or matron of honor and the best man. You may choose additional gifts or gifts in a higher price range for these special members of your wedding party.

6. Attendant gifts are traditionally distributed during the rehearsal dinner. While this gives you plenty of time to shop, you may want to start shopping early so you have plenty of time to choose the perfect items or have them personalized.

Check out more gift etiquette and ideas here!

Gawker's wedding expert, Phyllis Nefler, is on vacation this week, so someone else took over for her reviewing The New York Times' Weddings & Celebrations section.  That in itself isn't unusual, but their choice for a guest writer is: Hunter Walker, a man!  Can a male writer do justice to all the bride-centric goings on?  Let's find out!

The answer is sadly, 'no.'  Hunter starts off by declaring that weddings are a "bigger deal" for women, and refers to a recent study showing how men benefit financially from getting married.  Hardly a romantic place to start an Altarcations column!  The Gawker editor seemed to think so too, as three separate comments (playfully) admonished Hunter!

When he finally gets around to this week's couples he's pretty rude about it, calling couples names and everything!  Check out this week's Altarcations here.

All in all, it was an especially sour Altarcations.  We're not fans of this Hunter character.  We miss Phyllis.

There are many Jewish wedding traditions that you and your groom should prepare for if the faith is a part of either -- or both -- of your families.

As you plan your Jewish wedding, share basic Jewish wedding traditions with your friends so they know what to expect. Understanding the symbolism and meaning behind wedding traditions helps guests share the love and excitement you feel on your wedding day. Make your guests’ experience more poignant by explaining the specifics of Jewish wedding traditions.

Give friends the opportunity to ask questions about your faith and share specifics, such as whether or not male guests should wear a yarmulke for the wedding. While it may take extra time, helping your friends understand your faith and traditions will help eliminate awkwardness at your wedding. For instance, many non-Jewish guests may be unaware that men and women sit separately at orthodox Jewish weddings or that traditional Jewish weddings are generally formal occasions...

For the ceremony, reception and more, check out Jewish wedding traditions here so you don't forget a thing!

As much fun as it is to receive gifts, there’s a very good chance they all won’t be exactly what you wanted. No one wants to exchange or return presents, let alone go through the agony of having to tell a loved one you didn’t care for their gift. Online registries help to avoid these issues, since guests can immediately see when a gift has already been purchased, but there are no 100% guarantees. Here are the rules on gift returning and exchanging, and what you should write in thank-you notes.

Among the other pre-wedding parties to look forward to, your co-workers might be excited about throwing you a shower. Although office parties are by no means a necessity or inevitable, should someone at work tell you she’d like to have one, by all means go for it.

Office showers are not much different from other showers, except that they usually take place either at the office (if there’s room for it, and your supervisor approves), or after work at a local bar or restaurant. They can be a surprise or not, and, yes, your co-workers will bring gifts. Anyone can host, be it your boss or one of your best work friends.

As far as proper etiquette, whoever throws the party needs to make sure that everyone from your department or floor is invited.  “Otherwise,” says Danielle Bobish of Curtain Up Events in New York City, “use common sense. Just like a regular shower, if you start singling out people, you’re going to run into problems.”

Always make sure the boss is invited, even if you’re not particularly close. (The same rule applies to regular showers and the wedding; if you invite people from work, make sure the boss is included.)

It’s also important to remember that an office shower is an extra gift from your work friends, not a requirement. They are spending money on you, and there’s a very good chance that some or all of them are not invited to the wedding.

Says Bobish, “Be grateful for what is being done for you, even if it’s not the perfect dream shower.” In other words, if a guy hosts the party (which is fine) and takes you and the gals to a sports bar, suck it up and go with the flow.

Check out more advice on wedding traditions and etiquette here.

Some guys in your wedding party might need a little help looking their handsomest for your big day.

With new groomsmen attire designers, new cuts and new fashions, your groomsmen can look classy, unique and very "GQ" on your wedding day. Pump up the testosterone and give them some style advice for finding a finely tailored tuxedo or suit, shoes and accessories that make them look as good as your bridesmaids strutting their stuff down the aisle.

From proper fittings, to degrees of formality, to studly accessories, check out our groomsmen style guide here.

Bridesmaid gifts should be personal, fun and make them feel appreciated. Give your maids stylish gifts that they’ll love. Don’t feel overwhelmed by all the options; instead, have fun narrowing them down and making your decision!

Check out beauty treatments, clothing and jewelry, homemade treats and more that would make great bridesmaid gifts, right here.