Lauren Wellbank

Prince Harry spoke out against the popular video game Fortnite ahead of the BAFTA Games Awards earlier this month. The soon-to-be father explained his concerns. “It’s created to addict, an addiction to keep you in front of a computer for as long as possible. It’s so irresponsible.” He compared their addictive properties to that of drugs and alcohol.
The version of Fortnite that is popular today is a newer rendition of a game that was initially released for PC players. Over the years there hav...

Photo Courtesy Of Lauren Wellbank
The first time he hit me, we were in the car. There was no warning before his hand flew out and smacked me in the face. We both sat there in shocked silence for a moment. I felt my lips to see if I was bleeding, and my fingers came away red. We both looked at them in horror.
“Shit!” His voice was higher than normal, panicked. “I was just joking around. I swear.” He laughed. “I never actually meant to hit you.”
My breath was caught in my throat.
“I swear to Go...

Photography by: Westend61/Getty
There are a lot of things you probably already know going into this tax season—like how you will need to use whatever name is on file with the Social Security Administration at the time you file, which may not necessarily be your married name yet—but there may be some changes that took place that will affect how you file your first income tax return as a newlywed. To understand the ins and outs, we talked to accountant Clarissa Makhoul of Makhoul Financial Serv...

Photography by: Zosia Zacharia
There are so many reasons why a bride and groom might want to do something different than the classic exchange of wedding bands that commonly takes place during the ceremony. Fortunately, there are plenty of ideas that are a little outside of the ring box—but not so much that they cannot be added beautifully, and seamlessly, to most wedding ceremonies. Whether you're looking for an idea that supplements a traditional exchange or something entirely different, the...

Photography by: Burke/Triolo Productions
We've all heard at least one horror story about brides who was a little extra when it came to her wedding day. Although no one sets out to be a bridezilla, we can all agree that it's pretty fun to read about that bride—at least for the shock factor. Here, four former bridesmaids dish on the exact moments they realized their friends had turned into bridezillas.
When she explained the reason behind her child-free wedding.
Plenty of couples enforce a no-k...

Photography by: Hero Images / Getty Images
Getting your period on your wedding day can bring about a host of unexpected issues. Will the hormonal changes cause your face to break out? Will you be too bloated to fit into your form-fitting wedding dress? Where will you stash any feminine products you need if you weren't planning on carrying a purse? While there are some things that will be beyond your control (there's really no fighting those period-related pimples), worrying about how to deal ...

Photography by: Sara Lynn
Many couples are trading in traditional wedding details for more modern options, and this practice is one that's been extended to big-day registries, too. But how is a guest supposed to know what a couple needs or wants when they haven't indicated any preference? Instead of trying to guess, we asked wedding planners to share some great ideas to help you gift with ease.
No matter what, don't arrive empty-handed.
"As a wedding planner I have noticed more and more coupl...

Photography by: Ivy and Gold
Most women ask family members and friends to serve as their bridesmaids because they simply can't imagine not being surrounded by those who matter most on such a special day. But we've all heard those horror stories about friendships that break down following the wedding, causing women to worry about asking anyone to be a bridesmaid. That begs the question: How many brides are still close with the same women a year after the wedding? What about five years? Or a de...

Photography by: Jamie Mercurio
There are 365 days in a year, so it would seem like choosing your wedding date would be a breeze. However, there are questions you may want to ask yourself before you get your heart set on a specific date. Are you open to getting married on your parent's anniversary? What about your sister's birthday? Would you ever plan a holiday wedding? Once you answer those, you might be wondering if there are any really bad days to get married. According to four wedding pla...

Photography by: Laura Gordon Photography
If you've been waiting for the stars to align before you start planning your 2019 wedding, then you're in luck: That time is now. We spoke to astrologer Nadiya Shah about the luckiest days to get married in the new year, and based on her reading, there's good news on the horizon for anyone trying to tie the knot on an auspicious date. "2019 is a much better year to get married than 2018 was," she says, adding that tying the knot when Venus (the Roman g...

Photography by: Johnny Cirillo
Whether you recently tied the knot or are getting married next summer, if you've already celebrated your bridal shower, there's a good chance you unwrapped a number of beautiful gifts that are worth breaking out this holiday season. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to put your bridal shower haul—some of which you may not have had a chance to use just yet—to good use during this time of year. Here, how to use those bridal shower gifts while entertaining...

Photography by: The Edges Wedding Photography
If your child has recently gotten engaged, you may be a little surprised by just how different weddings are now than they were when you planned your own celebration. Most couples strive to make their weddings as unique as their relationship, which means today's ceremonies and receptions are full of personal touches and small, meaningful details. As a parent, you may be wondering where you can step in (and, perhaps more importantly, where you shoul...

Photography by: Zosia Zacharia
There's something about planning a big event that seems to magnify the emotions of those involved. Normally, that may not be that big of a deal, but when you're the bride—and the event is your wedding day—any already strained relationships feel that much worse. When you have a tough history with someone who's a key player in the big day (say, a relative or future in-law), it's hard to avoid confrontation. Fortunately, there are ways to deal with these types of r...

Photography by: Dave Robbins Photography
Planning a wedding when you're not a first-time bride can feel a little daunting. In addition to looking for direction on what's considered appropriate, worrying about your ability to come up with fresh, new ideas, and managing your own complicated feelings, you're probably wondering how you can make this event feel different than your first wedding. Here's the thing: There aren't really many hard and fast rules about second weddings, so you should do ...

Like many people, I watched in horror as the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border unfolded in April 2018. According to the Department of Homeland Security, almost 2,000 children were forcibly removed from their parents and placed into group housing during those first six weeks of the “zero-tolerance policy.” I cried while listening to ProPublica’s audio of children sobbing and calling out for their parents while holding my own babies. I felt for those babies, and I felt for their mothers. Many ot...