By Brea Gunn

Not every woman is cut out for a big Kim Kardashian-style bash for her big day.  Many would prefer a quick and discrete elopement, much like Tara Reid’s wedding.  So, what’s a girl to do?  And how do you decide what’s the right choice for you?

Let’s take a look at things objectively for a minute.  If you have a large family (and, wow, Kim K. does), then you have to examine how many people you’re comfortable inviting to your celebration.  If you have dreams of being a princess, a big traditional ceremony is just the thing for you.

Kim Kardashian’s ceremony was just about as close to a fairy tale wedding as you can get…without actually being a royal.  Between the three costume changes, black and white color scheme, and nearly 400 guests, she wowed the guests with glitz and glam.

…For some things to consider about traditional weddings and elopements, click here.

It looks like there’s a possibility of adding a James Bond, Jr. to Hollywood’s children in the future. According to UsMagazine.com, Daniel Craig and his new wife Rachel Weisz are considering having kids at some point … or at least they aren’t ruling it out. “Oh, I wouldn’t make [a baby] just for the sake of giving my son a sibling,” the actress said. “But… You never know.”  The pair married in June after a courtship mainly out of the public eye.

How do you avoid the pressure from family and friends to have kids?

…the story continues here.

By Erika Mionis

Celebrity. For some, the word implies arrogance, narcissism, and superficiality. For others, it implies kindness, charisma, and power. While it’s true that both definitions have their part in celebrity culture, more and more celebrity couples are trying to change those stereotypes by turning their focus towards charity and humanitarian efforts. Here are some of the main culprits:

1. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie: It’s no secret that longtime partners Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt like to give back, especially when it comes to adopting children from impoverished countries.   Jolie, a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN since 2001, has traveled to over 20 countries in attempts to raise refugee awareness. Brad Pitt, though relatively new to charity work, impressed many by starting The Make It Right Foundation after seeing the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. The Foundation has built over 50 “green” houses, and has brought more than 200 people back to the Lower Ninth Ward, a devastated neighborhood in New Orleans.  More recently, the Jolie-Pitts made headline news when they donated $500,000 dollars to the Joplin Tornado Relief Services in Missouri. Also newsworthy are the Jolie-Pitts tax returns, which according to Britain’s The Independent, show that Jolie and Pitt donated almost 5 million dollars to various charities in 2009.

…want the rest? Click here for more.

LeAnn Rimes isn’t the only happily remarried half of her broken marriage to Dean Sheremet.  Now, Sheremet has tied the knot with photographer Sarah Silver, according to People.  The pair became engaged in November of last year.  After being married by a City Clerk, the proud husband posted a video of he and his bride stepping out of the office.  He was wearing a gray suit with no tie and his new wife was wearing a short one-shoulder red dress while holding a bouquet of flowers. Congratulations to the newlyweds!

How do you know when you’re ready to move on after a breakup?

…have we piqued your interest? Click here to read more.

Are they back on?  Justin Timberlake was spotted biking with ex-girlfriend Jessica Biel on Sunday post-brunch.  “They were in good spirits,” an eyewitness at the diner claimed.  “They seemed happy … They had a nice time.”  A close source to Timberlake tells People that it wasn’t shocking to see the former couple hang out together.  “They always remained friendly after the split and spent time together,” the source says.

After a split, can you remain friends with your ex?

…we’re just getting started. Click here for more.

By Jennifer Harrington

The drama is never-ending on Bachelor Pad 2!  This week’s episode started with Jake’s dramatic farewell, a kissing competition and more emotional breakdowns from Melissa.  Two more contenders — William and Melissa — were eliminated in their quest for love and money.  After this crazy episode, we chatted with our Bachelor Pad 2 experts, David Good and Natalie Getz, to see what they thought about the action.

We learned tonight that Blake and Ella are the best kissers in the house — were you surprised they were crowned the King and Queen of Kissing in the Pad?  When you first learned of the competition tonight, who did you predict would be the winners?

He Said: I was not surprised actually.  Ella is pretty quiet and they say “it’s always the quiet ones” and she has nice lips.  I thought Michelle might win when I first heard of it, but she vowed out so it was wide open.
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Jennifer Aniston and her new beau Justin Theroux took a big step in their relationship by deciding to become roommates.  People reports that the couple is currently renting a two-bedroom house in the Hollywood Hills while searching for a more permanent settlement.  “Jen and Justin are very excited about living together in their new home,” a source said.  Aside from some privacy, the home, which Aniston rented Aug. 1, offers hardwood floors, a new ozone pool, spa and viewing deck.  Aniston’s old home in Beverly Hills sold for $38 million.

How does your relationship change when you live with your partner?

…we’re not finished! Click here to read more.

By Bari Lyman, author of Meet to Marry

With so many options for meeting a potential partner these days, like dating sites, speed dating or singles events, we often forget that one of the most successful ways to find that special someone can be through an introduction.  It’s a time-tested and successful model for creating a good match and since the person introducing you is usually a close friend, family member or mentor, they typically have your best interest in mind.

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American Idol alum Jason Castro and his wife Mandy welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world this past Sunday, according to People.  The baby girl, named Madeline Emilia Castro, is the first child for the Castros and they are ecstatic.  On his website back in April when he first announced they were expecting, Jason’s quoted as saying, “We just found out yesterday that it is going to be a girl!  That makes me laugh … what am I going to do with a sweet little girl?!  Probably just smile a lot … I cannot wait!!!”  Congratulations to these two love birds and their growing family.

What are some ways to prepare your lifestyle for a child?

…there’s more after the jump. Click here.

Although Kim Kardashian tied the knot with Kris Humphries earlier this month, she’s already thinking of babies, according to family friend Lisa Gastineau. “She wants babies. Let’s cross the fingers. And her mom wants her to have babies quick!” Gastineau told UsMagazine.com on Saturday in Hollywood. Gastineau believes Kardashian will be a great mom, and she’s confident that Humphries will be a great family man. “He adores [Kim]. I wish that every girl that I know had someone that adores her. Just the way that he looks at her. He’s so cool, he stands up to her. Kim is a little dynamo. It is amazing; it is a fun, fun relationship watching them!”

Is there such thing as bad timing when it comes to having a baby post-marriage?

…Want to read more? Click here.

Beyoncé stunned the world Sunday night when she announced that she and husband Jay-Z are expecting their first child.  If it wasn’t already obvious, the diva showed up to the VMA’s in an orange wrap dress and kept rubbing her belly, according to People.  After confirming the rumors from the red carpet, she went on to show off her baby bump while on stage performing ‘Love On Top’ and started off the performance by screaming, “I want you to stand up on your feet.  I want you to feel the love that’s growing inside me.”  Jay-Z was in the crowd, as excited as ever about the news, and the couple seemed happy to share it with the world.

How do you know at what age to have a baby?

…we’re not done! Click here to read more.

By Diamon Hall

To outsiders looking in, marriage is a sign that your life is complete, and both people are still “head-over-heels” in love.  Privately, however, the husband may be thinking, ‘my has she changed,’ while the wife is often silently wondering, ‘is this really what I signed up for? ’  Andrea Syrtash is a dating and relationship expert, on-air personality and author.  With her new book, Cheat on Your Husband (with Your Husband) ready to hit the stands in September, she gives women solutions and advice that will help their marriage prosper for years to come.

Although she is married herself, Syrtash says the book isn’t only from personal experience (although there are some personal lessons shared), but also from interviews she conducted with other women and by citing the latest research on marriage, giving her readers a wide variety of opinions.  Syrtash didn’t want the book to come off as a desperate attempt to save your relationship, but rather as a source of tips and advice to rekindle the romance.  This book is ideal for anyone who feels they’ve lost track of why they’re married and don’t know where to go from here.

Recently, Cupid had a chance to chat with Ms. Syrtash, and here’s what she had to say:

How did you come up with the title of your new book?

The original title was How to Date Your Husband and that became the subtitle to Cheat On Your Husband (With Your Husband). I chose the word ‘cheat’ because too often we feel guilty when we focus on ourselves and our marriage when we have so many other competing demands; but cheating in this case is a good thing!  I wanted a title that was fun, playful, and a little provocative.  I didn’t want it to be a relationship rescue book, but rather a relationship renewal book.

…For more questions and answers, click here.

By Molly Borter

You’ve heard it before: “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”  While men all over the world ”eat up” this saying, what they forget is that food is a major way into a woman’s heart, too.  More to the point, couples who share a mutual love of food form stronger bonds with each other.  Statistics show that 75% of Americans eat out at least once a week, so why not spend that meal with your special someone?

Here’s a list of restaurant genres that should be on every couple’s food forecast:

1. The Quiet Café

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why not find a café that both of you love that’s calm and cozy.   It will make waking up every Saturday morning even better, and there’s nothing more comforting than a place that knows exactly how you like your eggs and coffee, without even asking.  The best cafés are less crowded and more secluded, so find a low-key spot that not a lot of people know about.  For extra intimacy points, opt for al fresco seating!

2. The Favorite Pizza Joint

On nights when neither of you really want to cook, pizza makes a great fail-safe plan.  Better yet, pizza can be taken to go, when a Friday night spent cuddling in front of the DVR is in order, or eaten right at the “joint” itself, when a laidback, Italian atmosphere is just what you need to relax and wind down.   Having a favorite pizza joint to turn to, where you can enjoy some quality, casual conversation, is the perfect pair pleaser.. Bon appétit!

…For more restaurants to frequent, click here.

For actor Jim Carrey, age is only a number.  The Mr. Popper’s Penguins star posted a video on his official website declaring his love for Emma Stone, reports People.  The 49-year-old told Stone, “Emma, I think you’re all the way beautiful.  Not just pretty, but smart and kind-hearted.  And if I were a lot younger, I would marry you.”  Carrey went on to say how he wished he was “the appropriate age”  for Stone so that they could have “chubby little freckle-faced kids.”  Carrey ended his video by stating, ” I think you’re very special and I wish you continued success and artistic fulfillment.  But most of all, I wish you love and contentment.”

How do you tell your partner you love him or her?

…don’t miss the rest. Click here for more.

Miami born Celebrity DJ Jessica Who has been getting all the buzz lately. She recently began filming in Miami for the MTV Dove Fresh Spin project and she attended her first VMAS on Sunday. Now in the spotlight, Jessica’s career is booming and she admits that it’s tough to find a guy who can handle it. How do you balance a relationship when you’re career is on fire? Cupid’s Pulse caught up with Jessica after the VMAs to find out.

For more videos from CupidsPulse.com, check out our YouTube channel.

One of Hollywood’s most sought after actors, Sean Penn, is officially dating producer Shannon Costello, who has worked on high-profile projects such as Davis Guggenheim’s documentary Waiting for Superman and ABC’s 20/20.  Penn’s newest flame is also the former Communications Director of the actor’s J/P Haitian Relief Organization.  The couple met in the fall of 2009 and took their relationship public in early July of this year.  According to People, Costello was mistakenly identified at first by the media for Stacey Koplin.  In spite of this short-lived case of mistaken identity, both Penn and Costello were seen looking very much like a couple on the sandy beaches of Malibu, at Nobu and dining out in Miami.

What’s the best way to introduce your partner to your family?

…we’re just getting started. Click here for more.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills may be dealing with the death of Taylor Armstrong’s estranged husband’s suicide, but one Housewife of Orange County was happy and relaxing poolside.  Gretchen Rossi and her beau Slade Smiley headed down to Mexico for a little romantic five-day getaway, according to RadarOnline.  The duo stayed in the Presidential Suite at the recently opened resort called Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto.  They snorkeled, kayaked and paddle boarded the days away.  In fact, Rossi had nothing but good things to say about the mini-vacation.  “It’s heavenly to be off-the-grid in such a romantic, gorgeous place!”

What are the benefits to your relationship when you go on vacation with your partner?

…we’re not finished! Click here to read more.

By McLean Robbins, GalTime.com

A woman dreams of the day when that special someone sinks to one knee, looks them lovingly in the eyes and utters those four magical words, “Will you marry me?”

But in today’s glass-ceiling breaking, two-income household holding, Mr. Moms-are-totally-cool day and age, is this notion a bit antiquated?  Has the women’s liberation movement come so far that we can now propose our own version of happily ever after?

Our initial reaction after being presented with this topic was a resounding “heck no,” but naturally, more exploration was necessary.  So we queried leading relationship experts, lawyers, dating coaches and wedding professionals to get their opinions.
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Two days after Kim Kardashian’s wedding, Eva Longoria met up with the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star Khloe for a double-date on Monday. They were joined by their beaus, Lamar Odom and Eduardo Cruz, at the Madeo restaurant in Hollywood. UsMagazine reports that once their meal was over, the couples headed to the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills. Although there hasn’t been any word on what they did at the hotel, it’s safe to assume they had a great time. Khloe tweeted that she had a “magical night!”

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Another reality star has decided to tie the knot. People reports that Big Brother season 2 winner, Will Kirby proposed on Tuesday to his longtime girlfriend, For Love or Money champ Erin Brodie.  Kirby popped the question at Brodie’s favorite restaurant, a romantic venue by the sea. “I’m so fortunate to be in a relationship with Erin,” Kirby said. “I’m thrilled to now open the next chapter of our lives together.” What are some romantic proposal ideas? Continue reading →

As most of us know by now, the rumors about Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith splitting are false.  The happy pair set the record straight Tuesday according to People, claiming that the buzz in the tabloid’s about their 13 year marriage coming to an end are not true. The couple made a joint statement saying, ‘Although we are reluctant to respond to these types of press reports, the rumors circulating about our relationship are completely false.  We are still together, and our marriage is intact.’ While talk of the split was swirling around, the Smith’s were shopping at Michaels Crafts acting cutesy and giddy according to onlookers. The couple’s son Trey tried to squash the headlines too by tweeting ‘Did #WillandJada split? No they did NOT split!  False information … it’s not true RETWEET!!!’

How do you prevent rumors from ruining your relationship?

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Looks like there will soon be a third addition to the Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck clan.  According to People, Jennifer Garner is now pregnant with the couple’s third child.  The pair, who already has a 5 1/2-year-old daughter named Violet and a 2 1/2-year-old daughter named Seraphina, are “thrilled” to be expecting a third child.  Garner also told the Associated Press that she believes she’s gotten somewhat of a “split personality” from motherhood.  One minute her brain is mush and she is a total ditz with all the thoughts of motherhood, and then somehow she pulls it all together when the cameras start rolling.  Talk about mother of the year!

How do you deal with the dynamic of three children versus two?

…we’re just getting started. Click here for more.

After much deliberation, Melissa Rycroft and hubby Tye Strickland made the big decision to move to California with their 6-month-old baby Ava, according to People.  Rycroft admitted, “Adding a baby to the equation makes my job much harder.  It involves travel and it was impossible to travel without her, but at the same time it was impossible to travel with her.”  Even though the new mother is stressed between working and raising her daughter, she says it’s all worth it for that ‘one little smile’ she gets from Ava after a huge temper tantrum.  Luckily, Strickland is a great father, according to Rycroft, and definitely takes his fair share of the parenting responsibilities.

How do you balance traveling for your job and your family?

…Don’t miss the rest! Click here to read more.

Teen queen Miley Cyrus and on-again beau Liam Hemsworth were seen out and about this week, reports People.  The newly-reunited couple joined Hemsworth’s older brother, Thor star Chris Hemsworth, for lunch at M Street Kitchen in Santa Monica, California.

How do you avoid feeling like the third wheel when you’re out with a couple?

…Interested in reading more? Click here.