good morning. breaking news. a passenger plane crashes in northern iran. more than 165 people feared dead. we're live with the very latest. homicide? tmz.com reporting that's how police are now treatg michael jackson's death. this, as investigators issue new subpoenas and spend more than an hour in the office of his longtime dermatologist. and the joy of becks. international superstar david beckham live in our studio. and from his return to u.s. soccer, to his steamy new ad campaign, we've got a lot to kick around "today," wednesday, campaign, we've got a lot to kick around "today," wednesday, july 15th, 2009.

captions paid for by nbc-universal television and good morning, everyone. welcome to "today" on a wednesday morning. i'm matt lauer. >> and miami meredith vieira. this morning, emergency crews are combing through the debris of that deadly caspian airlines crash in northwestern iran, with no real hope of finding any survivors. >> you just take a look at the images from the scene and they show what appeared to be a rribly violent end to a flight that had taken off from tehran just a few minutes earlier. let's get to nbc's tom costello. >> reporter: matt, good morning. this is happening as we speak. caspian air was carrying 150 passengers and a crew of 15. it had just departed bound for armenia. and what we're told by the weather channel was clear flying conditions. most of the passengers on board are said to be armenian or georgian. an iranian official said the

plane experienced technical problems and had tried to conduct an emergency landing but crashed into a field about 75 miles northwest of tehran, leaving a large hole, as you can see. littered with smoking wreckage. fire rescue authorities say there are no survivors. among the passengers were eight members of iran's national youth judo team, along with two trainers and a delegation chief. caspian airlines is a joint rusch/iranian venture. this was a russian-made plane. there are fewer and fewer american-made planes being flown in iran because of the u.s. boycott against iran and iran does not have a very good aviation safety track record. meanwhile, here at home, more details about southwest airlines flight that made an emergency landing late monday, with a football-sized hole in the roof of the 737. the ntsb expects to have that piece of torn metal at its lab here in washington later today. we now know the plane was found to have cracks in it six months ago. those cracks were supposed to

have been repaired. the faa issued an air worthiness directive just a few weeks ago for all 737-300s, 400s and 5s to check for cracking around that dorsal fin area but the ntsb tells nbc news it does not believe this hole opened up in that area, that the air worthiness directive warned about. matt? >> all right, tom costello in washington this morning. tom, as always, thanks very much. it's three minutes after the hour. here's meredith. >> matt, thank you. now to some breaking developments in the death of michael jackson, and what has reportedly become a homicide investigation. nbc's jeff rossen is in los angeles with details. jeff, good morning to you. >> reporter: meredith, good morning to you. the investigation is really coming to a head now. overnight, new reports on the website tmz that police are now treating this as a homicide, and have, what they call, powerful evidence linking one of jackson's doctors to his death. tmz reports that police are leing toward the anesthetic

propofol, known as diprivan, as the probable cause of death. investigators found the drug inside jackson's home. now, the website reports there's evidence linking dr. conrad murray, jackson's personal physician who was there when he died, as the one who administered jackson's final dose. the doctor denies any wrongdoing. on the other side of town, officials spent more than an hour inside another doctor's office, right in the heart of beverly hills. there was no hiding it. >> how many medical records have you been able to get? >> dr. klein has cooperated with us extensively, and we just -- >> is dr. klein the only doctor under investigation? how many doctors are you looking at? >> we're not investigating the doctors. we're investigating mr. michael jackson's death and we're contacting all of his doctors. >> reporter: dr. arnie klein, dermatologist to the stars, including michael jackson. after hauling prescription drugs out of jackson's mansion, investigators are trying to follow the pill trail. where did the mega star get his

prescription drugs? >> i want, you know, on occasion gave him demerol to sedate him and that was about the strongest medicine i ever used. >> reporter: but investigators are more interested in his papers than his words. in fact police say they're looking into several doctors, including dr. conrad murray, who was with jackson at the time of his death. he denies any wrongdoing. are you serving subpoenas on any other doctors? >> i'm not going to comment on that either. >> reporter: okay, thank you. officials say we may know cause and manner of death by next week, but there's pain today. >> i love him so much. >> reporter: for michael's three kids. sources close to the custody case tell nbc news katherine jackson and debbie rowe are negotiating behi the scenes, trying to work out a custody deal. tuesday "the new york post" reported they reached one. that debbie rowe would get $4 million to go away. rowe's attorney flatly denies it, saying in a statement, miss

rowe has not and will not give up her parental rights. and then, another plot twist. >> debbie rowe, on the attack -- >> reporter: the syndicated show "extra" interviewed this woman, rebecca white. she filmed eight hours of footage while making a documentary about debbie rowe. now she says rowe is her friend, and she read from what she says are e-mails from rowe since jackson's death. >> i'm not going after custody, these kids are not mine. they were never, they were always michael's. my lawyer's telling me that i have to take some responsibility about the welfare of the children. do i want the kids? hell no. does it look good for me to ask for them, absolutely. >> repter: rowe's attorney fired back, our firm has sent miss white a letter disputing the truth of her statements, he said, and demanding that she make a retraction in order to avoid legal action. there is a custody hearing set for next monday in this case. if katherine jackson and debbie rowe don't reach a deal by then, experts say a custody trial could take months. one final note about the

criminal case, just this morning dr. klein's attorney told nbc news their client is not the subject of an investigation. meredith? >> all right, jeff rossen, thank you very much. it is 7:06, and once again here's matt. >> all right, meredith, thank you. now more strange developments in the baffling and tragic case of florida couple gunned down in cold blood. authorities now believe they have all seven primary suspects in custody, incding a member of the u.s. air force special ops and a 16-year-old. nbc's mark potter has the latest. >> reporter: as investigators continued their roundup, 19-year-old fredrick lee thornton was arrested tuesday on murder charges. accused of taking part in a home invasion last thursday in which byrd and melanie billings were shot to death. >> my brother is not a person -- the type of person to kill someone. >> reporter: officials say they believe they have now caught all seven suspects, six adults and one 16-year-old, who were allegedly involved in the attack at the billings' house. >> we have found them and they

are in custody. >> reporter: authorities say the attack, captured on surveillance tape, was a military-style operation, for which the suspects trained for as long as a month. >> we have information that indicates that there was a -- an amount of practice that was involved. >> reporter: sheriff morgan says one of the men accused of murder, donald ray stallworth, is currently in u.s. air force special operations and that leonard patrick gonlez jr., also charged with murder, used to serve in the national guard. >> i would ask the court in consideration of the lack of -- and community activism to release me on my own recognizance. >> reporter: his request at his arraignment was denied. meanwhile the lead prosecutor says a safe was taken from the house during the attack. >> i think the safest, easiest, clearest thing to say that the primary motive in this case was robbery. >> reporter: officials will not say whether any money or

valuables were in that safe or why the billings, with nine children at home at the time, had to die in a robbery. meanwhile, federal officials have now been briefed because there are questions about whether other people or other related crimes may be involved in different states, or even out of the country. matt? >> all right, mark potter in pensacola for us this morning. mark, thank you very much. escambia county sheriff, david morgan, the man overseeing this investigation, actually spent more than two decades with the air force security police. he joins us now again this morning. sheriff morgan, good to see you. thanks very much. >> good morning, matt. >> you said in that press conference, you've got basically all the primary suspects in custody. is there any chance you might make further arrests in connection with this case? >> yes, sir, there is. we have an eighth person of interest. we have the person's name and address and location. we're currently waiting for the state attorney's office to give us the go-ahead to affect the arrest. >> that person, do you think, sheriff morgan, actually entered

the home, or was he providing some assistance in someary way? >> we believe that they aided and abetted in the crime. we're very confident, matt, that the individual that actually entered the compound ofhe billings home, those seven individuals, we currently have in custody. >> sheriff morgan, i remember you appearing on this program just a day or so after the murder of the billings and you said, look, when people hear all the details of this, they're going to be shocked. it's like something out of a movie. and now we're hearing about a military-style invasion. we're talking about practice for that invasion for up to a month. it's shocking enough. is there more that we don't know in terms of just outrageous details here? >> yes, sir, there is. and i'll be just very candid with you, matt. there is. it will come out in trial, i'm sure. again, under the direction of the state attorney's office we've been asked to not divulge anything further, and in difference to the state attorney. he's basically in control of this at this point in the prosecution and getting the case together. we defer to his professionalism

and his decision. >> can i just ask you, does the extra information that you're not willing to give me this morning, does it shed any light on that question that mark potter asked in the set-up spot, as to why the billings had to die in what was intended to be a robbery? >> i believe so, sir. i believe that it will, yes. >> and what level of cooperation, if you've got seven people in custody, do you have one or more of those people who are providing real cooperation in terms of revealing all the details of what went on? >> we do, sir. and i'll tell you, of the seven individuals currently in custody, four are assisting in the investigation. >> all right, sheriff morgan, i know you're in a difficult spot because you want to provide some information, but clearly there are some things you cannot divulge, but i appreciate your time this morning. >> thank you, sir. >> all right. it's 7:11 and once again here's meredith. >> matt, thank you. it is day three of the confirmation hearings for u.s. supreme court nominee sonia sotomayor. and she will face another day of

tough questions. nbc's justice correspondent pete williams is at the supreme court with the very latest. pete, good morning to you. >> reporter: meredith, good morning. the republicans say they have more questions to ask today about her court rulings, and her public speeches. but she has finally addressed the one statement that's been the most controversial. >> no words i have ever spoken or written have received so much attention. >> reporter: since shortly after sonia sotomayor was nominated, she's been pressed to explain what she meant when she said a wise latina woman would more often than not reach a better conclusion as a judge than a white male. >> i do not believe that any ethnic, racial or gender group has an advantage in sound judging. >> you deal with the famous quote of justice o'connor in which she says a wise old man should reach the same decision as a wise old woman, and you pushed back from that. >> it was bad. because it left an impression

that i believe that life experiences commanded a result in a case. but that's clearly not what i do as a judge. >> reporter: it was, she said, an attempt to inspire young minoty lawyers that misfired. >> do you understand, ma'am, that if i had said anything like that, and my reasoning was that i'm trying to inspire somebod somebody -- >> i do understand how those words could be taken that way, particularly if read in isolation. >> reporter: as for her court record, judge sotomayor said her ruling against white new haven firefighters who claimed reverse discrimination, and against a new york man speaking broader weapons rights under the second amendment, were both required by u.s. supreme court predent. she said she knows how important gun rights are. >> one of my godchildren is a member of the nra. and i have friends who hunt. >> reporter: and on abortion she

said the supreme court's ruling in roe v. wade is the settled law of the land. judge sotomayor also was asked about comments from some lawyers who accuse her of being a bit of a bully on the bench. >> you stand out like a sore thumb in terms of your temperament. >> reporter: but her supporters say they've been pleased by her demeanor in the hearings. >> i must say that if there is a test for judicial temperament, you pass it with an "a plus plus." >> reporter: despite all the tough questions, so far there's been nothing to indicate tha sonia sotomayor's confirmation is in any trouble. meredith? >> all right, pete williams. >> let us get a check of the rest of the morning's top stories. ann curry is standing by at the news desk. ann, good morning to you. >> good morning to both of you. in the news this morning a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit deep underwater off southern new zealand. it triggered a potential destructive tsunami. but so far no reports of serious damage in new zealand.

the president is making another push health care reform. on tuesday house democrats unveiled their version of health care reform that would cost $1.5 trillion over ten years and includes higher taxes on people with higher incomes. cnbc's melissa francis is at the new york stock exchange this morning for us. melissa, with a budget deficit already topping a trillion dollars, we've got three times what it was a year ago, how would health care reform bill impact this economy? >> well, ann, small businesses either have to provide health care or pay a haefty penalty. also as you mentioned it would raise the taxes on high income households to pay for it. so a lot of small business owners would pay twice. that's no doubt going to be a drag on the economy. the biggest story down here today is intel blowing the doors off earnings, having the best quart irover quarter profit growth since 1988. the cfo saying that he thinks the computer market has bottomed and that is putting wall street in a very good mood this morning, ann. back to you. >> all right, thanks so much. people in parts of minnesota are dealing with severe weather,

including a tornado on tuesday. it ripped off roofs but the good news is that it caused no serious damage. a frightening incident in germany where a biplane doing some stunts at an air show spun out of control and hit the ground, striking a car. four peoe were hurt, including the pilot. but everyone survived. and president obama threw out the first pitch last night at the all-star game. a bit low. the president said he didn't want to bounce it, and he didn't. the american league beat the national league 4-3 and won home field advantage for the world series. it is now 7:16. let's go back to matt, meredith and al. >> he didn't bounce it because he made a diving catch. >> you've got to dream. >> i ow. r. m>> ro mker. el there. beautiful weather today in the r rtheast. our wedfongdi and beautiful weather throughout a good portion of the country. not so much as you look into the midwest and the great lakes.

back into the central plngains. some areas picking up one to two inches of rain in spots. you can see the risk area. wind damage the main threat. then we'relso continuing with the heat but the area has shrunk a little bit and temperatures about 5 to 10 degrees. about 5 degrees cooler than they've been. lubbock, 100, good morning. another delightful summer rning under way with low humidity and comfortable temperatures in the 50s and 60s. 67 in washington, near 60 in montgomery, fairfax and prince george's county. highs in the 80s. and quite a bit of sunshine, a terrific summer day with low humidity. tomorrow more humid and more clouds, highs in the 80s, maybe a morning shower, greater chance of an afternoon thundershower and still steamy on friday. a small chance on friday, a greater chance on saturday. less that's your latest weather. meredith? >> al, thank you. now to the latest o that high profile bitter divorce case in

connecticut, with an astonishing amount of money at stake. here's nbc's peter alexander. >> reporter: in just seven years of marriage, multimillionaire mogul george david and his estranged wife marie douglas david sure piled up a load of dirty laundry. she is a 37-year-old swedish countess, blond, beautiful and a former wall street analyst. he is 67, 30 years her senior. and the former ceo of a technologies giant, alone worth more than $300 million. but the lavish life the davids briefly shared with vacations to the caribbean and europe, was as rocky as it was extravagant. >> we're really getting a look at the lifestyle of the rich and unhappily married. >> reporter: he says she was demanding, and aggressive, even forcing sex on him. she says he was greedy and controlling, a bully who looked her in a gilded cage and kept ownership of everything, including her $190,0 engagement ring. and now in court she's asking for the couple's $43 million

post nuptial contract to be voided. saying she signed it in 2005, only because even then he was threatening her with divorce. >> post nuptial agreements are very, very unusual and there's hardly any case law on it at all. and there's none in connecticut. so it's not quite clear how the court's going to view this post nuptial agreement. >> reporter: today the countess wants closer to $100 million. telling the court she needs $53,000 a week just to pay her bills. including $8,000 on travel. more than $4,000 each week on clothing. $1,500 for restaurants a entertainment. $1,000 more each week for hair and skin care. as well as $600 on flowers for the couple's luxury park avenue penthouse that the countess is now usings her temporary castle. and this week in connecticut divorce court the mud just keeps flying, with explosive new details of extramarital affairs on both sides. on the witness stand, another bombshell.

david admitted to showering his mistress with expensive gifts. >> the mistress really cleaned up. she got a $13,000 fur coat, malino blahniks worth a total of $10,000. >> reporter: the trial may last into the fall, with a pretty penny at stake in this ugly divorce. for "today," peter alexander, nbc news, new york. >> and coming up, al roker has left the set, but look who's joined us, david beckham. >> welcome back, david. nice to see you. >> nice to be here. >> nice to meet you. >> we're going to talk to david in a second. he's agreed to show us every tattoo on his body. >> yes. >> in just a couple of minutes. >> is that right? >> i'm not sure. >> good to have you back. khine going to talk to ecam t tt jhia us wlele. s th iayisod w"t" on nbc.

taking its rightful place

in a long line of amazing performance machines. this is the new e-coupe. this is mercedes-benz. 7:22. you're taking a look live at our

plaza which has been transformed into a vineyard style wedding location. nice, huh? we understand that our bride arrived a little bit earlier. that's always a good sign. >> there she is. and she's smiling, yes. she's happy. >> bath robe. okay. >> and that must be the maid of honor or bridesmaid for sure. >> bridal party. getting all dolled up. there she is now getting the little tiara in her hair. oks unusually calm and collected, to say the least. >> all right. >> and where's the future husband? there he is. nick cordes getting ready, as well. >> he was in the same car? >> no, no, he came later. >> it doesn't look like nicks who cold feet at all. >> not a bit.

it's 7:26. 65 degrees out there. another beautiful day in the washington area. tom says lower humidity and will have the rest of the forecast after the news. good morning. i'm eun yang. it's wednesday, july 15, 2009. s.w.a.t. team members remain on the scene in a neighborhood in falls church. the situation is unfolding near lisle avenue and swisher drive a. man has barricaded himself in a home. they believe he shot a woman yesterday. she is hospitalized with life threatening injuries. efforts continue to get the man to surrender peacefully. this morning crews will resume a search for a missing swimmer in the potomac river.

a 32-year-old man disappeared yesterday while trying to swim across the river with a friend. authorities have not released the identity of the missing swimmer or his friend who made it out of the river. we'll take a break and check weather and traffic.

good morning. a refreshing cool and dry morn, in the 60s and 50s. highs in the 80s. more humid tomorrow with passing showers and thundershowers. how's traffic? >> a live look along 66, jammed headed for beltway. an earlier accident eastbound 66

at 50 has been cleared. wrapping up the accident, 295 northbound. it's jammed. >> thank you so much, jerry. more news at 7:55. for now back to the huh... ♪ - ( turntable scratches ) ♪ see i cotherapy

it's 7:30 now on this wednesday morning, july 15th, 2009. and i wonder if our crowd brought along something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue, because we are throwing our tenth annual wedding this morning. and there are guests already starting to arrive inside studio 1a. i'm meredith vieira alongside matt lauer. matt, do you have tissues? >> no, no, i got the hanky, actually it's the hanky dickie. i'm ready. are you a crier at weddings? >> of course i am. i cry at everyone's. i try to not be too dramatic. but i tear up. it's sweet, right? the couple is starting the rest of their lives together.

>> it is, no question. it's a day a lot of girls dream of. the one time they get to be a real princess. our bride leigh is getting the royal treatment in our makeup room. and that is "today" beauty editor bobbi brown also touching her up. ok at that. >> she having second thoughts? no, she isn't. >> you can read her thoughts? >> i don't know. >> and let's switch over to our groom nick. >> oh. >> the groomsman for a final time as a single man. just an hour from now, right here. >> i'm loving it. very nice. meanwhile, coming up in just a few minutes, international soccer superstar david beckham. he is coveted by teams around the world, and ogled -- not ogled, appreciated by women everywhere. he's with us live. we're going to chat with becks. good for him. >> that's an armani ad campaign? >> i have no idea.

>> the picture of him lounging. >> it was underwear, wasn't it? >> anyway, dr. nancy is going to join us with important health advice for anyone taking more than one prescription drug. >> important stuff. let's begin with the death of little caylee anthony. it was exactly one year ago today that the mystery began to unfold. nbc's kerry sanders has been covering the case from the very beginning. kerry, good morning to you. reporter: good morning, meredith. it was a grandmother's frantic 911 call one year ago today that set off one of the fiercest death penalty battles in memory. casey anthony is charged with killing her daughter caylee. she main hins her innocence. a trial date is still a year away and the investigation so far has cost more than a million dollars. it was the missing child case that's become a legal dog fight. the outcome far from clear. but from the moment caylee's disappearance was known, there was suspicion she might be dead. caylee's mother casey's car was found in a parking lot by her

mother cindy. and when cindy dialed 911, one year ago today, she talked about the stench of death. >> i found my daughter's car today, and it smells like there's been a dead body in the damn car. >> reporter: yet in interview after interview, including here on "today," cindy and george anthony denied casey had anything to do with it, and they clung to the belief that their granddaughter caylee was alive. possibly being held by someone. >> people just keep looking for caylee, we're going to find her. i know that. >> reporter: what makes this case so curious, and what alerted investigators from the start was caylee had disappeared a full month before her mother casey alerted anyone. photos later surface showing casey out partying, seemingly indifferent to her daughter's disappearance. but despite casey's highly suspicious behavior after her daughter vanished, prosecutors still don't know how caylee died and they've struggled to explain why a seemingly loving mother would murder her child. >> if you were to take any case

across the country and ask the prosecutor, where did this person die? i don't know. when did this person die? i don't know. chances are, you wouldn't have a murder case, and most definitely you wouldn't have a death penalty case. >> reporter: add to that the complications of overwhelming media coverage. >> it's hard to get an absolutely fair trial in any case. this is so over the top, that it's so unfair that even a potentially guilty person, which my gut tells me she is, is going to have an out, potentially, here. >> reporter: orange county prosecutors say they're not tracking costs in this case, or the 122 other murder cases in their district. mason is a prominent orlando lawyer who's followed the case closely. >> i would estimate that the cost to the prosecution in this case, without a change of venue, is going to be in the neighborhood of $1.5 million. change of venue, i suspect it will push it up closer to a couple million dollars for a prosecution side of the case alone.

>> reporter: experts say defense costs are likely to run $ million, as well. one questi that remains unanswered is how does a 22-year-old unemployed woman afford that. a source close to the family now says that she may file for indigent status, which means her defense costs, or most of her defense costs would be picked up by taxpayers. her dipt? >> all right, kerry sanders. dan abrams is nbc's chief legal analyst. one year later there are still so many questions about this case. beginning with what exactly happened to caylee anthony. as the prosecution starts to build this case, i mean they're trying for awhile now, what is the greatest hurdle think case? >> the circumstantial evidence. they've got the circumstances on their side, meaning the totality of what happened. the fact that she didn't call, the photos, et cetera. the question is going to be how pow powerful and persuasive is the circumstantial evidence.

can they link mom to the body in an incriminating way? it would be expected that her dna, meaning the mother's, would be found near the body, on the body, et cetera. the key is finding it, for example, on the duct tape. being able to find decomposition in the car, et cetera. >> is it the prosecution that asked for the delay in this trial? >> a defense can demand a speedy trial. so if the defense wanted to have this trial immediately they could certainly make it happen more quickly. i think it's clear that both sides want a little bit extra time here. remember that she was arrested, then they found the body, which posed a whole new set of questions in this case. >> it's expected that the defense will ask for a change of venue because of all the media coverage. will the delay help them with that argument or hurt them? >> it will hurt them with that argument, but may help them in the long-term in the case. meaning that if we go a year from now, there won't be quite as much coverage of it out there. the people won't be quite as familiar with all the facts as they are today. so on the one hand it will probably weaken the argument for

a change of venue. and on the other hand, it may help the defense it that's really what they're concerned about. >> if casey anthony is also charged in more than a dozen counts of fraud and the prosecution wants to see that trial come to fruition within 60 days. why? >> their position is just because we have to wait on the murder trial doesn't mean that we have to wait on this other case. their position is that ty've got the evidence, they're ready to go on the fraud case, and they want to move forward, but they don't need the sorts of delays that u need in connection with the nurder. >> are they hoping if she's found guilty of fraud that will possibly hurt her credibility in the next trial? >> if she were to take the stand, it could. if she were to take the stand, a felony conviction very well might come in against her. i don't think that that's really the strategy here. my guess is they want to move forward with that case and not have this murder case delay everything else. >> when you talk about the bill, the defense bill of $2 million potentially, and that she's declared indigent, then the state will have to pay. how does that happen? >> i think that she's got to be

already paying through somehow this lawyer, or unless the lawyer's doing it for free, or at very reduced fee. but if the state has to take over, you can be assured that the court is going to tel this lawyer, hey, if you've got some big fees out there, we're not paying them. you're going to have to significantly reduce your fees in order for the state to pay. >> all right a lot more to come, dan abrams, thank you so much. and now let's go out to al. >> all right, thanks a lot, meredith, and we will show you that right now we'reng tkial about today a lot of sunshine along the eastern seaboard. gorgeous weather today. sunny skies out west, as well. pacific northwest looking pretty good. risk of some strong storms in the mid-mississippi river valley. tomorrow that stretches from western new york all the way down to the central mississippi river valley. sizzling weather good morning. another fresh and cool start to this july morning. temperatures around the region are in the 50s, to the west and north of washington to near 60 in the suburbs, upper 60s in washington near the bay, highs in the 80s with low humidity

today and lots of sunshine. tomorrow sweltering humidity, highs in> all right, al, thank you very much. and up next, david beckham live in studio 1a. we're going to chat withki the international soccer sensation about his return to the states.

we're back now at 7:42 with international superstar david beckham, the soccer sensation is now back with the los angeles galaxy after spending the first part of the mls season on loan to italian power house ac milan. david pebeckham, good morning, welcome back. you were gone for six monss. you've got three kids and a beautiful wife at home in los angeles. how did you manage that? >> i think as a family, as a father, it was the toughest part since i've had the boys, to be away from them for such a long

period. >> how often did you get to see them? >> every eight weeks they came out for a week which, you know, i hate being away from them for an hour, let alone, you know, that amount of time. so it's great to be back in california, and great to be back with the boys and the family. >> we were talking a little while ago that technology is amazing. you guys, i-chat. you put the computer down once a day and they get to see your face and you get to see theirs. >> obviously i get to speak to victoria, as well, which i enjoy. and obviously the boys run in and run out. they kind of come in and say hi and then they go and play. >> you're back in the states, back with the galaxy. you had your first practice a couple of days ago. i want to get right to a little bit of an uncomfortable. there were more reporters at that practice because of something one of your teammates landon donovan said but in a book. he said he questioned your commitment to soccer, your professionalism, even said you were stingy. that canake for some testy times in the locker room. how have you tried to work that

out? >> i think these kind of things happen. there's always kinds of arguments in dressing rooms all over different sports. but you know, i said before that, you know, it was unprofessional, and it's something that shouldn't go on. >> did you talk to him about it face-to-face? >> yeah, in london now i've spoken, you know, he apologized and we move on. because it's important that we move on, because w want to be successful, and you can't have success if there's arguments going on. >> just one of the things he said, is your commitment, do you have a firm commitment in the united states to promote soccer? or would you rather, at this stage of your life and career, be over playing in europe? >> no, without a doubt. i want to be here. i spent so many years in europe and i was successful in europe and now i want to be successful in the u.s. you know, i think that those things were said before i left -- before i left l.a., sat down with the whole team and said, look, i am committed to the team but i need to do this for a few moments and then i'll be back. you know, i've already said it's been great for me. but i am committed. and you know, i think the

commitment shows that my family are happy here. you know, they stayed here. >> it's not like they're living in europe and you come here for six months. >> exactly. >> so let me ask you about things about life in pop culture. you're back here in new york, i foe you're here fairly often, is there a must-see thing for you? is there a place you have to stop by every time you're here? >> it's usually f.a.o. schwarz. >> for the boys? >> yeah, for the boys. i always take them a gift card when i'm here because it's such a great store and the boys love a gift when i've been away. >> i was thinking about you this morning because the number one movie in this country last weekend was "bruno." >> okay. >> and the star of that, of course is sacha baron cohen. i remember when he hosted the olieg. show he interviewed you and victoria. he asked some terribly embarrassing questions. what do you think about his brand of comedy? >> i think it's great. it's fresh. it's interesting. and it's funny. which is the most important thing. when he interviewed us way back then it was funny and one of the

most uncomfortable -- >> is it funnier when you're watching him do it to someone else than when you're in the seat next to him? >> much more. >> it can be a little awkward. one of the other things i want to ask you, some of the female staffers and some of the male staffers have taken note of this ad campaign you're doing for, is this armani? >> yes. >> this is armani. i did not know armani made underwear. now i know. what's it like to pose, and victoria looking beautiful, you kind of put yourself in another place and get through it? >> yeah, i personally have to. because, you know, i'm a soccer player at the end of the day. and you know, but to do something like that was a great experience. to work with armani is incredible. i'm a huge fan of his and have been for many years and to work with my wife like that is also special. >> where is the much-talked about tattoos that everyone's -- did you get a new tattoo, a band of flowers around yr arm? >> yeah, it was our ten-year anniversary on the fourth of july and i had ten roses around my arm. >> everybody together.

aaah. how old do your kids have to be before you let them get a tattoo? >> actually one of them said, how old, you know, do i have to be when i get my first tattoo, and i was like, a lot older than you are now. >> like 43. >> yeah. >> something like that? >> yeah. >> as you know we've got a wedding out on the plaza this morning, nick and leigh are getting married. you've spent as you just said, ten years married. what advice would you give for people who are just about to tie the knot? >> well, i think, you know, it's an amazing occasion. you have to spend as much time on that day together because it goes so quickly. but you know, a f years into the marriage, if you have children, if you're lucky enough to have children, which we've got three beautiful boys, you know, your priority is them. but, you know, you always have to make time for each other, because it's so important that you spend as much time together, and -- >> this from a guy who just spent six months away from his wife. but that's all right. i know it's part of your professional responsibility. have you thought a lot about life after soccer? >> yeah, of course. you know, it's something that i

think about, especially at my age now, coming to -- >> 34? >> yeah, 34. coming to the later stage of my career. you know, i'm very into charity, because, you know, i'm ambassador for unicef. it's very special to me. and also, we have our own children's charity. so when i finish playing, you know, that's what gives me, you know, happiness. i love doing things like that. and i have soccer academies, as well. so i'll be busy. >> well, you've always been generous with your time around here. thank you. it's good to have you back on "today." thanks, david. feel free to stick around because i know you want to be here for the nuptials in a couple of minutes. the wedding of leigh and nick. they're going to enter into holy matrimony in our 8:30 half hour. bobbie thomas helping the bridal party get ready.

and it is a good thing that we have some excellent security around this joint because our stunningri is there with our mom, jan tilly, decked out in diamonds thanks to the generosity of our friends at de beers. total cost of the necklace and earrings? more than one million buckaroos. >> whoa. >> a million dollars? >> that's gilding the lily as far as i'm concerned. >> nick has said he just wants to buy them for her after the wedding, no matter what. the big ceremony. there's nick. coming up. ng wedding out on the plaza. >> they both look very relaxed.

7:56 is your time now. 65 degrees. we've had a stretch of beautiful days in the washington area. will it last? tom curen will have the answer after thnews. good morning. i'm eun yang. it's wednesday, july 15, 2009. police are looking for a hit and run driver who left a man critically injured. officers found his body in the road in capital heights. police haven't released the man's identity or whether they know what kind of car hit the man. it's three weeks since that deadly metro crash. investigators can't figure out how to fix a problem with track circuits. investigators told congress they keep replacing different parts

but haven't been able to figure out why the system can't recognize stopped trains. metro will keep running trains manually until the cause is determined. we'll check wea ternd arafficnd@

a soothing cool mid july morning under way. there's a live picture of washington and a beautiful blue

sky this morning. a few clouds floating through. highs in the 80s with low humidity. tomorrow humid, hot again. maybe a morning shower, greater chance of an afternoon thundershower, steamy on friday, a greater chance on saturday. jerry, how's traffic? >> a live look at 270 southbound, packed in tightly this morning. but we haven't had accidents to report. delays begin in germantown. 395 northbound, a couple of accidents along with way have been cleared. although it's slow, lanes are open. >> thank you. coming up on "news 4 midday," harry potter mania is here again.

♪ 8:00 now on a wednesday morning, it's the 15th day of july, 2009. oh, the beautiful music, the beautiful flowers, the beautiful day here in new york city. it is a perfect day for a wedding, and in just a little while, we will throw one out on our vineyard-themed plaza this morning. and you're in purple. >> i am. and i see they have wine. >> funny how your attention went right there. >> nick and leigh are such a lovely couple that we're really honored to celebrate the wedding

with them, and with all their friends and family members. >> that's right. >> and we're alsooing to check in over at the other plaza, the plaza hotel where they will hold their reception in just a few hours. see what's going on there. >> the refurbished grand hall. >> the cake. >> oh, chocolate on chocolate. very nice. >> i like that. meanwhile in this half hour we've got a very fitting story on a morning when two love birds will be tying the noth we're going to explain why the recession may actually be helping folks find true love. >> okay. we have a lot to get to. but first let's go inside. ann curry is standing by. she'got a look at all the headlines. busy news morning, ann. >> it is. thanks so much, matt. good morning once again, everybody. an iranian passenger plane crashed this morning in northwestern iran, leaving a huge crater. the caspian airlines plane carrying 168 people had jus taken off from tehran and because the weather was good, a technical problem is now suspected. iran state television says everyone on board was killed.

meantime today, ntsb investigators begin examining a piece of metal, trying to understand why there was a hole in the ceiling of a southwest airlines plane on monday, forcing an emergency landing. nbc's tom costello is in washington with more on this. tom, good morning. >> hi, ann, good morning. we now know the 737 was found to have 11 cracks in it in january during checks and those cracks were supposed to have been repaired. the hole in the top of this boeing 737-300 is 14 inches by 17 inches. the question for investigators, after 20 years of intense work to ensure planes don't open up in flight, what happened? >> we're going to be looking for corrosion. we're going to be looking for cracks. we're going to be looking for any scoring or describe lines. we'll be looking at the maintenance records and manufacturing records. >> reporter: we do know the plane involved is 15 years old. on monday a flight 2294 flew to nashville to balmore the cabin suddenly lost pressure as the skin of the plane peeled back

just in front of the tail or dorsal fin. passengers said they quickly started feeling the effects of lack of oxygen. >> started feeling a little light-headed, and your ears start popping, stopping up. >> reporter: soon the oxygen masks dropped and the plane made an emergency landing in charleston, west virginia, with everyone safe. the location of the tear is important, because just a few weeks ago the faa issued the latest of several air woriness directives requiring airlines to inspect all 737-300s, 400s and 500s for any chafing or cracking in the fuselage skin at the darsal fin landing aer an 18-inch crack was found on another 737. >> i'm shocked. i'm shocked that we would have this happen again. >> reporter: it was 1988 when the top of an aloha airlines 737 opened up in flight, pulling a flight attendant to her death. poor maintenance and metal fatd eeg were blamed. it's far too early to know what

caused a hole to rip open in monday's flight. the incident comes just four months after southwest was fined $7.5 million for failing to inspect its 737s for cracks two years ago and flying planes with cracks. >> it's mind-boggling for me, someone who spent their whole life maintaining airplanes, to have this happen again. >> reporter: the ntsb does say that faa air worthiness directive may not have applied to the area of the 737 that opened up during monday's flight. ann? >> all right, tom costello this morning. tom, thank you. seven suspects are now in custody in the murders of byrd and melanie billings, the parents of 16 children, many with special needs. one of the suspects is just 16 years old. police believe that robbery was the primary motive, and they are still seeking a person of interest. > an amazing sight for beach goers in new york on tuesday when a 5,000-pound, 24-foot long basking shark washed ashore on long island. the shark had died a short time later. and now here's brian

williams coming up tonight on "nbc nightly news." hey, brian. >> hey, ann, thanks. and good morning. coming up tonight, our chief medical editor dr. nancy synderman sitting down with a rare one-on-one interview with president obama. they're going to talk about health care reform, the swine flu situation, even a new surgeon general. so that and more when we see you tonight on "nightly news." ann, for now, back to you. >> all right, brian, thanks a lot. it is now 8:05. time to go back outside to meredith and matt. looks beautiful out there. >> it really is pretty. we greeted a lot of the guests here. they're all excited. the ceremony takes place here and the reception is just a few blocks uptown at the iconic plaza hotel. natalie morales is there with a look around. natalie, good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, matt and meredith. it's actually beautiful in here. the grand ball room of the plaza hotel is absolutely stunning. the whole vineyard theme carrying through here, as well. finishing touches throughout being put her. betsy here with nine cakes from brooklyn adding the gorgeous layers to the cake here 367 over

here i'm going to show you a new dance they're practicing. this is called the cha-cha slide. it's the new electric slide. see if i can get in here on this. not really sure what i'm doing. so anyway you guys are going to come join us on the dance floor here in a little bit. so look forward to it. we're doing our electric slide. cha-cha slide. >> i think you did a great job, natalie. >> i want to see you do the cha-cha slide after taking on one of those casks of wine out here on the plaza. >> i'll be sliding along the ground. >> why aren't you practicing? >> i'm saving it for over there. >> i bet you are. let's go over to al. we know what the weather is like here. >> in matt's mind he's doing the cha-cha like crazy. like crazy. and of course, lenny's ready for the wedding. all right. it's a leonard -- a leonard vineyard wedding. let's check your weather, see

what's going on. pick city today, denver, colorado. nbc 9 news, scattered afternoon storms, 88 degrees for a high. we are looking at slight risk of strong storms in the central plains. showers in parts of the dakotas. also looking at sunshine up and down the west coast. the heat continues through the southwest on into texas, a up and down the eastern seaboard, going to good morning. sunshine with low humidity on this mid july morning. we have the view of washington at this hour. live picture from the city camera and it's now 72 in washington, near 70 in prince george's county. it's warmed up after a cool start. now in the 60s elsewhere. highs reaching the 80s today with lots of sun and low humidity. tomorrow humid, hot. may be a morning shower or afternoon thundershower. still steamy on friday, in the 80s, small chance of a shower or thundershower.

that's your latest weather. now here's meredith. >> i love the way you say it in that soft, angelic voice. i'm here with kay and bruce. connection to the family? >> stepparents of leigh. >> mother of the bride is my wife, jan. >> oh, wow, okay. so are you excited? >> excited? my gosh. i've been sweating for days. >> welcome. welcome to new york to a beautiful wedding which is going to kick off in about half an hour, right? >> it will be fun. >> it will be a lot of fun. ( music, engine revving ) wow, sweet minivan! ( revs engine ) ha ha! whoo! ( thunderclap ) that's a minivané to you! ♪ it's raining! with the great taste of a mcdonald's mccafé mocha, a better day is possible. freshly ground espresso, real steamed milk, and decadent chocolate. go ahead, mccafé your day. ♪ ba da ba ba ba

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back now at 8:10. this morning on "today's health," dangerous and sometimes deadly drug interactions. while we await the official cause of michael jackson's death his passing has brought some attention to the dangers of mixing medication. could be a life saver for the more than one in four americans who takes more than one prescription drug every day. here's nbc's chris jansing. >> we have a gentleman here that needs help, and he's not breathing. >> reporter: when michael jackson died and investigators took large quantities of prescription drugs from his home, the story sounded alarmingly familiar. heath ledger's death was ruled an accident, resulting from the abuse of six prescription medications. nine prescription drugs formed a deadly cocktail that killed anna nicole smith. but even two prescriptions, in

the wrong combination, can be dangerous. >> whenever you take more than one medicine at a time, that is a potential risk for a dangerous, if not a deadly, interaction. >> reporter: the statistics are shocking. the number of deaths from misuse of prescription medications increased 564% between 19 3 and 2004, and more than half of american adults take two or more medications every day. even common foods can cause bad interaction. for example, don't mix guacamole with blood thinners like gum adin. calcium rich orange juice with antibiotics or peppermints with cholesterol lowering drugs. and doctors know very few patients read the fine print on drug warnings. >> the pharmacist needs to literally throw his or her body in front of the train and say i can't dispense these drugs. i'll have to talk to your doctor. >> reporter: it happens more often than you might think. >> drug interactions are identified on a daily basis by pharmacists. >> reporter: major drug chains use computer software that can

spot common problems but technology isn't foolproof and that's where expert he's comes in. >> before the patient receives that medication in their hands, takes that medication, we have to make sure it's safe for them to take. >> reporter: very few deaths from drug interactions ever make the news. but most have one thing in common, they didn't have to happen. for "today," chris jansing, nbc news, los angeles. doctor nancy synderman is nbc chief medical editor. nancy, good morning to you. >> hi, matt. >> chris just said this can't have to happen. the fact of the matter is we are a medication society. so, isn't a certain amount of this almost inevitable? >> well, it is inevitable. because you're right, we like pills. we go to the doctor, with the expectation of getting something. and we've become phenomenally complacent about over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements. simple things like garlic, ginkgo biloba, st. john's wort people may use to treat various things, they could all have drug-drug interactions. it's important to remember, anything you put in your mouth

can have some medicinal properties and can interact with whatever else you're taking. >> are doctors asking enough questions of their patients? >> no. >> and are patients being up front enough with their doctors? >> no, neither. and this is part of the problem that we don't have kmpgss conversations, and patients, particularly those who have expendable income to go to more than one doctor and don't have to worry about copays for insurance can just pay up front for whatever they want. so if there are four or five doctors who are taking care of you, i guarantee you, they don't know about each other and they're not talking to each other. we as doctors don't take enough time to say what else are you on, including seemingly harmless stuff. and patients, frankly, fib. patients don't like to tell the truth because they don't want to be lectured, and they want to walk out with what they came in for. so that dishonesty on both sides never helps anybody. >> let me talk about some interactions, and i would imagine this one is a common concern. you're on a prescription drug, and your advice is, if you're

taking that drug, you never, never, never drink alcohol at the same time. >> right. >> is there no exceptions there? >> no, there are no exceptions there. alcohol is a sedative. and alcohol revs up your liver, because that's how it metabolized. so if you take an anti-anxiety medication or a sleeping medication, and you're drinking, those things go together to decrease how quickly and how effectively you breathe. when you don't breathe as well d you don't take in enough oxygen, which means your heart has to work harder and that can lead to a heart attack. or in the case of heath ledger, if you go to bed lying down and your head is in a soft pillow and you're exhaling carbon dioxide, but that's what you're breathing back in, you don't get enough oxygen and that can lead to the fact that you stop breathing, too. there's just no win here. any time you combine something. >> and senior citizens, i know, it's a real problem because they're often taking more than one medication, and then they'll add something over the counter to that. there's got to be some place, maybe we'll put on our website, place where people can get some very basic information on

interactions. >> and joe graden from the people's pharmacy is an extraordinary source. all you have to do is look for joe graden in the people's pharmacy and joe has a wealth of information. >> all right, nancy synderman. thanks very much. >> you bet, matt. >> i want to remind people that you're going to be sit being down with president obama this afternoon. we're going to see that interview tonight on "nbc nightly news." we'll have more of it tomorrow morning right here on "today." good luck with that. and still to come, we're throwing leigh and nick's wedding live on the plaza. but first, these messages. ( music playing throughout )

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back now at 89:18. we all know how hard this reception has been on the pockettebooks. but it turns out the bad economy could mean good things when it comes to our relationships. "today" national correspondent amy robach has more on what some call recession romance. >> reporter: when judy taylor's job was downsized the 51-year-old divorcee saw it as an opportunity to shift her life, particularly her personal life, into high gear. >> it really became a priority. even over looking for a job sometimes. >> reporter: judy joined eharmony, the popular online matchmaking service and metric anderson one month later. judy isn't the only one making romance a priority in these recessionary times. since the stock market dive last fall, eharmony has seen a 20% jump in new members.

>> things work so much better and feel so much better as a team and we can utilize a partner, a spouse, a new love to lean on each other. >> meet laura. >> reporter: it's just lunch, a pricey chicago-based service, has also seen a significant bump in business. also up about 20% over the past year. >> your date with greta. >> reporter: so in these tough economic mes, you think your clients get a return on their investment? it's $1,800. >> definitely. i mean, right now more than ever, people are taking stock of what's important in their life. >> reporter: so if i had lunch with some new members, each looking for their perfect match. >> with the stock market dropping i figured it's a great way to invest in myself and socialize. >> reporter: for me at the end of the day, money in the bank gets you nowhere. i'm looking for somebody to share my life and share those life experiences. >> reporter: have you gotten a good return on your investme? >> absolutely. >> reporter: care to share? >> i have met someone. and she's very special. >> reporter: and judy's investment in eharmony paid off,

as well. she and rick were married june 5th. oh, and judy found a job, too, as operations manager for rick's financial consulting business. for "today," amy robach, nbc news, chicago. >> good for them. it is now 8:21. now here's matt. >> all right, meredith, thank you very much. one of the summer's block busters, "harry potter and the half-blood prince" opens in theaters all across the country today. but our gene shalit says surefire hit has a few misfires. >> reporter: good morning and welcome to the critic's corner. here is the first sentence of the official production notes of the new movie. emboldened by the return of lord volt mortgage, the death eaters are wreaking havoc in both the muggle and the wizarding world and hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. if you understood any of that, you're probably already in line to see "harry potter and the half-blood prince." >> i like your tom brokaw.

tone. it's different. >> prove it. >> reporter: now this picture cannot hold a wand to the earlier magic that exploits but the passing of time does bring its own surprises, and pledges. >> now that's some kind of magic you're not allowed to teach. >>eporter: harry saves. hermione's become a young woman. >> this place has known magic. >> reporter: the years have aged dumbledore. the evil snake confesses. professor slughorn brews enchanted portions of potent potions of love. when ron weasley is struck by cupid's arrows, he quivers. ain't love gland? >> they're going to kill me, harry. >> reporter: now the saga's end is near, and for j.k. rowling's

the grand finale, the deathly hallowed will be stretched into two movies, ostensibly to get in every last detail. but maybe, it's the last chance to rake in every last dollar, euro, ruble and yen to keep harry potter j.k. rowling along. and now the critic's corner will be rolling along. that's it for "today." >> and now let us say hello to our own wizard. willard scott. willard, good morning to you. >> hey! ♪ i give to you and you give to me ♪ excuse me. we've got some smucker's birthdaydiud bes today. bl m,d udess the bridend gogroom, hat tyhendhasome group that's here with them well. just g tmhe in autin me ou nmhe theres.et and they said yes. look at th, , a nntitmasf o oncant, ohio. >> 100 years old.

caoking forward and never moving ba.ck enjoin wchlfatgog .. >> we have rcoos more w,ro atlanta, georgia. >> 100-year-old man, volunteered at the voting polls for over 40 arye l ilysstlaam par ges o gnhe t computer. wi god bless him. iallin fkenbrink. 102. secret to longevity, never getting old. talks about the great .depronsi >> thas onright. tmy ddolade m about ethat. aasr m aatte ofa.ct berniccl k,ar k,marion, io. s t gh10t'ghri y0rsea ol beenak bing anded srt ta b r now business where she even travels with her own sweetened ern.ts >> that's. likl conelosanders.ne sse iscsonf o delray beach, florida. t>>t's right. t sinessma ofrdnea h sinrang fnk ea sinatra songs.

and attributes his longevity to laughter.nk >> ha, ha, ha. .ndil meddr edhopp >> volunteered over 30 years at oc laal hospital with special pes kids and alwayee kpsp u lth he tatest fashion. >> isn't that nice? bernice clark. >> we did her. >> oh, we did her. >> we're done. >> that's number four. >> we're done. >> all right. >> can i just show you? this is a bit of willard's -- >> put it on ebay. >> you know, david beckham was here in the last half hour. i admired his suit. he came down in jeans and gave me the suit off his back. >> wow. >> are you going to wear it? >> sell it on ebay. >> with the gum. >> all right. >> how about that. >> that's in the dressing room.e >> leigh and nick getting married on the plaza after your

local news and weather. time now is 8:26, 72 degrees out there. there's the way to spend the day. get a chair, sit along side the river and watch the world go by. it's wednesday, the 15th of july. i'm joe krebs. in the news, three weeks since that deadly metro rail crash. investigators can't figure out how to fix a problem with circuits. investigators told congress they replace parts but have not been able to figure out why the system cannot recognize stopped trains. metro says it will continue to run trains manually until the cause of the crash is determined. metro says it will follow ntsb regulations and put new systems in place to improve safety. we'll look at weather and our traffic. stay wit

if we don't act, medical bills will wipe out their savings. if we don't act, she'll be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. and he won't get the chemotherapy he eds. if we don't act, health care costs will rise 70%. and he'll have to cut benefits for his employees. but we can act. the president and congress have a plan to lower your costs and stop denials for pre-existing conditions. it's time to act.

how long can this great summer weather go on? not much. today will behe last of the low humidity, lots of sun. turning humid tonight and into tomorrow and friday. part of the weekend. may be a morning shower, afternoon thundershower tomorrow and the 80s and small chance on friday, a greater chance on sunday. lower humidity returns for sunday. and into the first part of next week with cooler than average temperatures. >> a live look along interstate 66, loaded up big time, manassas most of the way in, had an accident near fair oaks which has been cleared but look at that, a lot of fks running late this morning. accident, 295 northbound, finally has been cleared.

we're jammed all the way to the 11th street bridge. >> coming up on "news 4 midday" at 11:00, harry potter mania a. preview.

♪ and back now at 8:30 on a beautiful wednesday morning. 15th day of july, 2009. you may have not received an invitation in the mail but you are cordially invited to the wedding of lee daniel and nick cordes, the guests here in the plaza are in their seats. they are ready. soon the eyes of the world will be on our very happy couple. and may i say, you all look very

smashing. >> thank you, you, too. >> thank you. >> what about the bride? >> i did steal a peek.ek. >> you did? >> because it's not bad luck for me. >> no. >> she is stunning. beyond belief. and of course, after the ceremony, here, on the plaza, we head up to the other plaza. >> that's right. >> several blocks away, the famed plaza hotel, for leigh and nick's reception. which should be an awful lot of fun. and there's the scene inside. isn't that elegant? >> it's beautiful. good to see the plaza back open. >> tenth anniversary of our wedding series. and i understand, mr. rocker, that you have a wedding-themed weather focast. >> i do, indeed. let's take a look, show you the maps and you'll see that, in fact, in bliss, new york it's 80 degrees. love valley -- i've got a

microphone now? proposal rock, oregon, good morning. here another delightful summer day. our temperatures near 70 degrees and it will continue to climb into the 80s later on with low humidity in place. tomorrow, more humid. highs in the 80s, maybe a morning shower, perhaps an afternoon thundershower. slight chance on friday and still steamy. over the weekend, a greater chance of showers and thundershowers saturday. but after that, looks like low humidity will return again. for sunday, monday and tuesday. should be cooler than average. and that's your weather. >> thank you, al. up next, the wait is over. the wedding of leigh and nick, live on the plaza. but first on a wednesday morning, this is "today" on nbc. ñ

"today" throws a wedding, ten years of i dos, brought to you by purina, your pet, our passion. and now it is tomorrow for "today throws a wedding," ten yearof i dos, the ceremony you've been planning is finally here. leigh daniel and nick cordes will tie the knot in just a few minutes live on our vineyard-themed plaza. >> guess probably the third most important person here today, minister james amountton will preside over the wedding. he's also the bride's step-grandfather. minister amountton serves at the first baptist church in marble falls, texas, and spent 35 years in africa as a missionary very special man on this

incredibly special occasion. >> very special moment for him, as well. and following the minister, who else? the groom, here, nick cordes. looking dapper. there he is. in a tommy hilfiger seersucker suit styled by gq magazine. nick is a two-time olympic marathon trial qualifier. still hopes to one day run for team usa. he's a winner for this crowd. leigh and nick first met in a coed running program over six years ago where team dating was forbidden but their love was too strong. they ended upetting kicked out of the program but they bonded forever. >> and now we move to nick's parents, rick cordes and debbie cordes. rick has been a salesman all his life and proudly boasts having traveled to all of the 50 united states. debbie is a former journalist and currently a pub sissist with the madison, ohio, school district. >> they both look very dapper.

quite lovely. and up next parents of the groom, we have jan tilly. jan is leigh's mom coming out right now a registered dietitian and entrepreneur living in san antonio, texas. jan's favorite memory of leigh is when she lost her shoe in a race and ended up winning anyway. leigh's also notorious for getting lost wherever she knows. let's know she needs to walk straight down the aisle. her mom told her to do that. >> you don't think minister hampton is going to say do you leezer take nick? >> the bridle party are wearing the outfits you picked for them. the ladies are waning vineyard collection dresses from priscilla of boston, styled by our owe own bobbie thomas. and now are yvette daniel and jason dahlman. when they were little leigh was

in yvette's red even though she was older. jason was nick's college roommate and is currently in med school. >> going to move on to lindsay daniel and matt hangen. here they are. lindsay is leigh's youngest sister, currently a hair stylist in dallas, texas. leigh says that lindsay has always been right beside her through all of life's up and downs. matt another college roommate. a decade later they remain very good buddies. >> here's the matron of honor, jenny borough and the best man steven cordes. jenny and leigh are childhood friends. they've always been inseparable from the time they were little girls playing with barbies, to young ladies dishing about boyfriends. steven is nick's younger brother, and once saved nick's life when his leg caught on fire as a kid. there's a story we need to hear more about. >> we really can't wait any longer, guys.

there they go. getting in place. now the moment that we have all been waiting for. here she is, our blushing bride, leigh daniel and in her tulle, jewel encrusted cap sleeve gown by cristos. walking leigh down the aisle is her father tab daniel. growing up he never missed a tennis match or track meet. he always knew his little girl would succeed. nick proposed to leigh in their living room while she was working out on her stationary bike. he had the ring and just couldn't wait. talk about being caught off guard. she looks absolutely beautiful as she heads down the aisle with her dad, the moment they have been waiting for for quite some time. about to start on the rest of their lives together. as man and wife. >> ashapproaches the altar. >> giving her dad one last hug

and a kiss. nick helps her off and now we're going to hand it off to minister james hampton. >> beloved family and friends. you have been invited by leigh and nick today to be a part of one of the most important occasions in their lives. leigh, you should know that the bible which i hold in my hand today is the bible that belonged to your great grandmother eloy pierce. she would be very happy for you today. she was a wonderful person. it is something old, and yet it is always new for those who will read it and enjoy the passages of scripture. in this bible, she underlined a verse of scripture that i think that both of you will

appreciate. she underlined this scripture from the book of psalms saying, this is the lord's doing. it is marvelous in our sight. this is the day the lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. who gives this woman to stand beside this man? >> her mother and i do. >> nick and leigh, since you have freely, lovingly, and prayerfully chosen to spend an entire lifetime together, today, please join your hands and repeat your vows to each other. you have both decided that you will say what you want to say from your hearts today. nick. >> leigh, you look amazing. i say for a start. i'm lucky to have met you in the first place. i'm even luckier to be marrying

you. we've been together six years now, and i look forward tohe next 60. you're an amazing person. you taught me a different and better way to live. i promise to put god first and keep that the centerpiece of our relationship. in the beginning we were best friends. and moved on to training partners. and i'll be most proud to call you my wife. >> leigh? >> nick, i feel so blessed to be standing here in front of my best friend, my training partner, my soul mate, and to say that standing in front of you, and to be looking forward to spending the restf my life by your side. i good friend once told me that there is no perfect people out there, but there is somebody perfect for you. and i can truly say that we are not perfect, neither of us is perfect, but we are truly perfect for each other. i look forward to a life filled with running with our dogs, laughing, eating chicken and

fries, hanging out with those that we love and just being together. i promise to love you unconditionally, just like christ loves us, for the rest of our lives. >> nick, do you take this woman whose hand you hold to be your lawfully wedded wife, before god and all of these wit rnss today, forsaking all others until death do y part? >> i do. >> leigh, do you take this man, whom you hold by the hand today, to be your lawfully wedded husband, before god and these witnesses, forsaking all others, till death do you part? >> i do. >> the wedding ring is the outward and visible sign and bond that unites two loyal hearts together. nick, please take this ring, and place it on leigh's hand, and

repeat after me. with this ring, which is a symbol of my enduring love and abiding faith in you -- >> with this ring which is a symbolf my enduring love and abiding faith in you -- >> leigh. will you take this ring and repeat after me. nick, this ring is a symbol of my enduring love and abiding faith in you. >> nick, this ring is a symbol of my enduring love and abiding faith in you. >> and now having pledged your love and loyal commitment to each other, and having sealed the covenant with the marriage ring, by the authority invested in me as a minister of the church, and by the laws of the great state of new york, i now

pronounce you man and wife. nick, you may kiss your bride. >> turn and face the audience now. ladies and gentlemen, it is my joy to present to you mr. and mrs. nick cordes. >> that was good of them to run down the aisle. yay!

even in heels, leigh can run. >> come on over. >> congratulations. >> congratulations. >> oh, congratulations. how wonderful. >> thank you so much. >> congratulations. >> it's only beginning, nick. it's only beginning nick. >> i was very nervous. >> you've been married now for 45 seconds. how does it feel? >> awesome. >> it's so good to make it through those vows. >> without a stumble at all. >> without too many -- yeah. >> say it five more times. >> did it seem unreal to you. >> yes. >> i think, you know, tomorrow on our way to our honeymoon it will all start to sink in. but yeah it's a fairy tale. >> oh, no, this isn't real. >> nick was right, you are

absolutely beautiful. >> thank you. i'm glad it worked. >> with all the choices the audience made for you, would you do anything different? >> i'm just a believer in fate. it all worked out perfectly the way it was supposed to. so yeah, it's perfect. >> the dress you wanted. >> and the guy she wanted. >> yeah. >> hopefully, right? >> we're going to make a toast to the two of you inust a moment, then after that we're going to reveal where you're off to on your honeymoon. much more with leigh and nick, now husband and wife. but first, this is "today" on nbc. ??o

we are back now with leigh and nick cordes, husband and wife. our newlyweds, after their wedding just a few moments ago here on the plaza. and you know, guys, we haven't known you all that long but we

all have to say when we first met you we knew you were kind of a great couple. so we would like to propose a little toast. it's a tradition here on the show. >> it sure is. we're going to raise our glasses to both of you. this is the 10th time that "today" has thrown a wedding out here. this one is particularly special for us. we want an event that would be fitting for the milestone and a couple that exemplifies what this event is all about, love, joy and grace, and you two fit the bill perfectly. >> much has been said about the fact that you're both runners, very competitive runners, and so we want to say that the journey you're starting today to use running terms is obviously not a sprint. it is a marathon. i mean that in the best possible way, and we know if you run this race correctly, and we have every confidence that you will, you'll be able to feel the same joy you feel right now through the years to come and the miles you'll travel. >> and as you know, sometimes when you're running, you take the hill. and you've got to climb that hill. what's very clear i think to anyo watching this morning is that you are there for each

other, of all the hills and in the valleys, as you run together, and that you're going to be like gold. congratulations. >> as we prepare to toast your new marriage we want you to know that, and this may be a little unsettling to you, you are not part of our family. >> that's right. >> you will be standing on the sidelines cheering you and doing whatever we can to help you. >> that's right. >> so we raise our glasses and cheers to mr. and mrs. cordes. >> thank you. >> thank you. >> thank you. >> and when we come back we will tell you where we're sending you, or actually our viewers are sending you

and welcome back to a special edition of "today throws a wedding," leigh and nick now officially mr. and mrs. nick is still wearing that pink lipstick. >> looks very nice. >> natalie isn't here because she's over at the plaza, all those last-minute arrangements for the reception. but we want to throw to her. nat, i'm sure you saw the whole thing. >> i did. i especially loved that kiss there. the on-screen kiss. pretty good, leigh and nick. and from there, of course, that

plaza to this plaza, here at the plaza hotel. this is the grand ball room where they're going to be we're hosting their reception. we expt about 180 or so guests to arrive here along with the bride and groom very shortly. we can't wait to see them. but you can see, it is beautifully decorated, fitting with that vineyard theme that you have there on the plaza. and everything here, everyone is pretty much ready to go. you can see the waiters already serving some of the appetizers here, making sure that the bride and groom will be well-fed when they arrive, the minute they get here. the hank le 12 piece orchestra onstage right now. they're getting ready. how you guys doing out there? all right, and so we can't wait. the dance floor right here, i'm practicing my cha-cha slide which meredith, you have the moves down, so can't wait to see if you can do it out here on the dance floor when we come back. >> all right. after one glass of champagne, ybma after two, i don't think s yb >> uoh . >> sdeglionheal torlo f after two glasses. when we come back, we'll find out where they're going on their

honeymoon. lo our time right now is 8:55. 72 degrees, nice day to sit in your boat fishing on the river.

it's wednesday, the 15th day of july. we'll get the forecast in a moment. good morning. in the news for today, s.w.a.t. teams are still trying to coax a man out of a house in falls church all on lisle avenue. the man is considered a person of interest in a shooting and has been holed up since yesterday evening. a woman suffered life threatening injuries. investigators look into inspection records trying to figure out a football size hole opened up on a plane flying to bwi. the plane had to make an emergency landing on monday. no one was injured. record shows the plane was inspected in january and had eight cracks in its frame. the cracks werrepaired. we'll look at our weather and traffic. stay with us.

good morning. one more day with low humidity. we're in the 70s, we'll h the 80s later on today with sunshine and humidity increases tonight. a steamy day on thursday with

highs in the 80s. might have a morning shower or afternoon thundershower. and on friday, still rather humid, highs in the 80s, small chance of a shower or thundershower. how's traffic? >> things are beginning to improve a little. good morning. 66 eastbound had a couple of problems at the height of the rush hour. they are cleared and the delays are slowly beginning to ease a bit. headed for downtown, 395, packed in tightly. serious problem there is, feeling the effects coming up from the capital beltway into downtown. >> thanks. coming up, harry potter mania is it's a... a fork? you're a wombat. ( doorbell rings ) honey, it's the pizza guy. sure. me again. okay, now this is the last time alright? thanks, you know we don't deliver anything like this. this crispy flatbread. mmmm. mmmmm! so delicious! are you like havin' a party or somethin'? ( slam ) hello? introducing the taste that's never been delivered. digiorno crispy flatbread pizza. for deliciously italian-inspired toppings on crispy flatbread crust,

it's not delivery, it's digiorno. hello, i don't think we have met. i now pronounce you man and wife. nick, you may kiss your bride. >> it was the money shot. the moment to remember. nick and leigh kissing for the first time as man and wife. they tied the knot here on rockefeller plaza. about 150 guests and of course millions of you back at home, and we welcome you back to "today throws a wedding." ten years of i dos. and i think here they are running down the aisle. and they're joining us again. by the way, your guests split. they're gone. they're off to the reception. >> they're ready to party. >> so before we let you leave our plaza for the plaza and the

reception, one last little detail, honeymoon destination. you still want to go on a honeymoon? >> i guess. >> well why not. >> for a quick recap our viewers had four options to choose for you. one a royal caribbean cruise and a stay at theca rz-itrlton and the grand cayman islands. two the ultimate aussie experience. three, cape town, south africa. followed by safari. and four, arabian jewel, oman. >> have you guys been to any of those places? >> no. >> no. >> that's good. that's good. so this will all be new. >> why i. >> so, leigh and nick, our viewers have decided that for your honeymoon, on this tenth anniversary of "today throws a wedding," it is destination number two, australia. >> nice. >> congratulations. >> i think they like it. >> yeah. >> you hear that?

>> you'll be enjoying the next seven days, aboard qantas airways, go to the deluxe resort for four nights, have your own pavilion, explore the great barrier reef and beaches. then return to sydney, which is a fantastic city, stay at the observatory hotel for some serious pampering. and enjoy bike riding, bridge climbing, surfing, even koala cuddling. >> that's right. >> and of course, they always are. and the best part is, we're going to be going with you. >> well, not literally. >> but read the fine print. >> it's a little funny family you're joining. >> you and your guests got these fabulous flip cameras, cameras at the reception and you're going to get two, as well, and you're going to hopefully record some of the highlights of the honeymoon. >> and we can see nick and the koalas. >> on top of that bridge. do that bridge walk. >> i've heard it's amazing. we're so excited. >> but you have a reception still to go.

you're not going on the honeymoon right now. natalie is up at the plaza hotel making sure everything is in order. natalie? >> i am. i'm testing out the band right w. they're playing "as time goes by." play it again, michael. right here with me and heading up the hank lane 12 piece orchestra is steve delaney. such a pleasure to have you here. you're going to be sharing the stage and the dance floor with martina mcbride who is going to be performing the first dance. what is that like for you? >> it was a wonderful experience for us. we met with her this morning and she just sounds lovely. leigh and nick are in for some event here at the plaza. >> it's going to be amazing. once leigh and nick head into their chariots and come over here to the plaza hotel, the grand ball room is awaiting them. so matt and meredith, we can't wait for them to arrive. band sounds pretty good. >> they will be heading over, and so we will. >> that's right, soon.

first we're going to go into the news desk. geing some wat for matt. >> this should be ugly. >> all right you guys, thank you so much. and we do have some news to get to this morning. in fact, it's very sad news. the iran state television is saying this morning that there are no survivors after a passenger jet with 168 people on board crashed today, shortly after takeoff. the caspian airplane was heading to armenia from tehran. a witness describes seeing the plane's tail burst into flames before the plane came crashing down, leaving a huge crater in a field. investigators in washington are now trying to figure out how a foot-long hole developed in the ceiling of a southwest airlines jet in midflight. recorders in the 737 section that peeled open have been sent to ntsb laboratories. the plane made an emergency landing on west virginia on monday night and it turns out the cracks had been found in the same aircraft six months ago.

seven men are now under arrest in the murder of a well-known florida couple. among them, a number of u.s. air force special operations, as well as a 16-year-old boy. police now say that they believe that they have all the primary suspects, but they are still seeking a person of interest. today, president obama makes another push to overhaul the nation's medicare -- the health care system. on tuesday, house democrats unveiled a $1.5 trillion plan that would greatly expand access to affordable health insurance. the plan would be funded in part by a 5.4% tax on those making more than $1 million a year. severe weather tror through parts of the midwest on tuesday, including a tornado that caused major damage in spicer, minnesota. it peeled off roofs and downed trees and power lines but there are no reports of injuries. it's no exaggeration to call this a death defying stunt. a german pilot lost control of a vintage biplane near frankfurt. he crashed into a car carrying a

couple and their daughter. but no one was seriously injured. and a credit card company is blaming a computer glitch for a whopper of a visa bill. it went to a north texas man. and said he owed more than 23 quadrillion dollars for a meal at a restaurant. visa is now working to fix the problem. it is now six minutes past the hour. get a check of the weather now from al. >> 15% on a tip for that. anyway, let's show you what's going on as far as your weather is concerned. honeymoon forecast for nick and leigh. they're in australia, thursday through saturday, clouds, limited sunshine. temperatures in the upper 50s. low temperatures in the mid 40s. remember they're in the southern hemisphere so it's winter there. sunday through tuesday, temperatures in low 60s and low temperatures in the mid 40s. and you can see we've got gorgeous weather here in the east, up and down along the wes good morning.

we have clouds over capitol hill on this wednesday morning and another summer day with low humidity in place. that's the live picture from our city camera. 74 in washington, it's in the 70s from the blue ridge to the bay and from the west to the blue ridge in the mountains in the 60s. lots of sun with low humidity, highs in the upper 80s. tomorrow a steamy day, humidity returns, and maybe a morning shower or afternoon thundershower. a slight chance on friday. a greater chance saturday and showers and passing thundershowers. that's your latest weather. and a quick note, last night on "america's got talent," a group of post office employees from richmond, virginia, took to the stage as the final act of the evening, and they sure delivered. the coworkers known as the spiritual harmonizers had tz- tce of ohef seatsnd a cheering in seconds. you can catch more unexpected talent tonight as auditions continue in new york and seattle. all righty now let's turn to

"today's money." we're talking appropriately about marriage and finances. now that nick and leigh have tied the knot, what do we need to know about merging your bank accounts? "today's" financial editor jean chatzky has always the answers. she writes about marriage and money in this mon's "more" magazine. did you shed a little tear? >> just a little. >> as somebody who just tied the knot you know all about this. >> absolutely. >> how important is it for them be on the same page financially? >> i think this is a big myth. people think that just because they married somebody they're all of a sudden going to become the same person. what attracted you to each other are chances are the things that are going to continue to exist in your life. and so if you had different money personalities or different money goals going in, you're going to continue to have those. the important thing is just to communicate about them so they don't start to cause problems. >> therapists tell us the number one argument is money in a marriage. and of course, the basic thing is about separate or joint checking accounts. how do you determine what's best for you? >> you know there are some

people out there who will tell you that a marriage is not fully merged or fully trusting unless the money is commingled completely. i totally disagree. i think the system that works best is a yours, mine and ours bank account system, where we've got one account for the house that covers everything that we do together, but she still has some money of her own. he still has some money of his own, so that you can make decisions independently. >> now, let's say you have separate accounts. does that change how you would file taxes or anything like that? >> not necessarily. it really, you can file separately. you can file jointly, and it will depend on your economic situation. >> another big argument, household bills. when you're starting off, what's the best way to set that up? >> if everything is coming from that household account, the way i like to do it is to figure out what your household expenses are. if you are both working, figure out what equal percentage of your salaries you need to cover that amount for the house. and then everything else can stay in the joint -- in the separate accounts.

you shouldn't put one person in charge of doing all the bills all the time. because, whether it's the man or whether it's the woman, it puts the other spouse at a disadvantage. if something happens to that primary bill payer, the oer person is going to be at a total loss. so even though one person is likely to take on these things more often, make sure that once or twice a year you just switch it up so the other person actually knows what they're doing. >> all right. so in honor of leigh and nick, let's look at some tips for newlyweds. first of all you say very important, schedule financial dates. >> once a week at a time when you know you are not going to be cranky. after your favorite television show just sit down and talk about whatever is going on in your financial life. if there's a big expense that has come up, with you know something else is coming down the pike, so get it out there, air it and be done with it. >> also you say know what pushes your buttons. >> so i am guilty of this. talking about money can make me a little cranky and a little crazy, it's no accident that i do what i do for a living.

you have to know what is going to make you go off the deep end, so that your spouse and you can deal with it together. >> and you say, know your -- i'm sorry, dream out loud. >> right. we talk about setting goals, financially, and how important that is. because only the people who actually have goals can achieve their goals because they know where they're going. it's just another word for dreaming. you've got to know what you want this year, in five years, in ten years. that's the fun part. talk about what you want together, and then just assign some numbers so you know how long it's going to take you to get there. >> and you say under no circumstances keep financial secrets. >> absolutely not. that's what causes marriages to crater. >> all right. jean chatzk thanks so much. >> sure. >> and still ahead, looking good on your big day. we've got some wedding-day makeup tips. up next we're going to head uptown to the plaza hotel where the party's just about to get started. customer, you get to use any of our concierge claim centers. so i can just drop off my car and you'll take care of everything? yep, even the rental.

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welcome back to the wor famous plaza hotel right here in manhattan. and you can see, we are ready to go with the beautiful reception here. some of the wedding party has actually arrived already. nick and leigh still making their way here. from that plaza into this plaza. and you see we've got an incredible reception drink. this is our specialty drink. this is called the pomona. it has a little black currant and a special cardial and some honey. fabulous. that one's mine. let's not get that one mixed up. over here you see this fabulous appetizer here it's made with heirloom tomatoes, and some crab meat. this is all local. the theme of the wedding here

really is to have appetizers and beverages all from about 100 miles away, and the band is getting ready. over here, though, we should point out this young lady who's going to be singing our first song to the couple, the first dance, martina mcbride. great to see you. >> good to see you. >> are you getting some preperformance jitters here? >> a little bit. but i'm so excited to be here. >> and you're going to be performing your song which has been the theme for our whole entire wedding series. >> that's right. i just love what it said. it just declares, you know, this unconditional love for someone. and i think we all want somebody that we can feel that way about, and everybody wants somebody to sing it to them. so it's really universal. >> we want wait for your performance. you're going to sing two songs for us coming up in a little bit when the wedding couple arrives here. let me show you what else is going on. backing martina up is the hank lane orchestra. over here this beautiful cake designed by nine cakes. and this is betsy and it is a

chocolate on chocolate with a fluer de del. as you saw, al mentioned each of the guests are going to be receiving one of these, the flip hd, a fantastic camera. you plug it right into your computer and download your video. now walk with me back here in the kitchen and we have the executive chef chris hartness getting our entrees ready. >> sure. >> how is it going? are you ready? >> fantastic. >> you have to make 180 entrees? >> yes. >> what are you serving us? >> a tomato turrine with a crab vinaigrette. our two entrees are herb seared filet mignon, with potato gnocchi, baby mushrooms. and then our fish for today is roasted monkfish over sweet pea risotto with a preserved tomato jam. >> now i mentioned what's really important to you here is the

sustainability, and all of this, and sort of that green theme. and all of this really comes within you call it your 100 mile menu. >> we do. what's really great is that we get to individualize every bride, make menus that they want for their wedding. and you can make these timeless, traditional foods that really incorporate local food. and having our own 60 acre farm really helps out. the farm supplies about 35% of all of our produce and really helps make beautiful, delicious food. >> so the heirloom tomatoes grown on that farm? >> how do you not take this tomato and want to put it on every single plate that you have? they really are fantastic. we consider ourselves tomatoaholics. we try to get it everywhere. >> a the pomona, that's an interestindrink, too. i was saying this is sort of a local drink but it's named after the statue and the fountain here on the plaza. >> that's right. the goddess of abundance. >> the god esz of abundance. >> and that's what we want to give nick and leigh today,

plenty of abundance of love and happiness, and you're starting us off right here. >> that's right. >> thanks so much, chef hartness. can't wait to try the menu here. still ahead whether you're a newlywed or you've been married for decades we're going to get some of the wedding guests to share some of their own words of wisdom with our wisdom on how to make a marriage work. perfect paws. a little rub. bit of a trim. looking sexy! when you demand the very best... oh, yeah. it's a dog's life. you have to try cottonelle ultra toilet paper. come to papa. it's theltimate way to be kind to your behind. i'm in the lap of luxury. it tastes like a pretzel and a cracker at the same time. - wow! - well, you can taste the pretzel side. - it's really buttery. - it's different than anything else i've ever tasted.

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car, arriving here for a fantastic wedding reception. and none other than the world famous plaza hotel, sharing a toast there. one of many toasts to come. and walking through those doors, where many of the wedding guests are already here and eagerly awading their arrival. an emotional ceremony on the plaza. and the bride looking absolutely stunning in that gown, and i'm happy to be sitting here with none other than the mother of the bride, jan tilly, as well as her grandmother. and tell me, i mean, it had to be so emotional for you. >> oh. >> i saw how emotional. >> it was just a magical moment. she looked absolutely beautiful. and just, you know, so proud of her. oh, my goodness. what a great moment. and the vows were so personal. >> they were. i can't imagine how nerve-racking that would be to do that in front of not just your family and friends, which is so important, and of course, standing right next to your partner for life.

but also in front of millions of viewers at home. do you think that even entered her mind in that moment? >> you know, i think it probably did not. i saw she and nick looking at each other and they just looked so into the moment with each other. i was so proud. because it could have been rather impersonal and it wasn't. it was just magical. >> and nick seems like such a special young man. how is it now to welcome him as your new son? >> oh, we are so thrilled to have nick as a part of the family. he's great. he's the perfect fit for leigh and we're just looking forward to embracing him and having him part of the family. >> all right, jan. we're going to be talking with you more later. i hope you're going to get out there on the dance floor with me a little bit later on. we're waiting for the couple to come up here from the plaza hotel. more from their reception in a few momentright after these messages. announcer: it gives the world fewer smog-forming emissions. it gives you a 50 mile per gallon rating. the 3rd generation prius.

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- definitely the one on the right. - yeah, are y-- - seriously, the clorox one. - oh, okay. the difference is obvious. for the whitest whites, use detergent, plus the advanced whitening formula of clorox bleach. it tastes like a pretzel and a cracker at the same time. - wow! - well, you can taste the pretzel side. - it's really buttery. - it's different than anything else i've ever tasted. townhousflipsides. part pretzel. part cracker. all good. 9:26 is your time now. 74 degrees, a perfect day to be out on the water on this lovely summer morning.

tom will have the forecast after the news. good morning. it is wednesday, july 15, 2009. in the news this morning, s.w.a.t. teams are at the scene of a barricade situation in falls church all unfolding on lisle avenue. the man is considered a person of interest in the shooting and has been holed up in the home since yesterday evening. police say a woman suffered life threatening injuries in the shooting tal a'lke break

>> >> a pleasant dry morning, low humidity in place, temperature in the 70s. hitting the 80s later on. more humid tomorrow. could get a shower. a slight chance friday. a greater chance on saturday and cooler. and now how's traffic? >> sluggish. a live shot in silver spring, heavy as you head to georgia avenue. not letting go yet. quick look at springfield, much

better on 95 toward you. back to you. >> coming up on "news 4 midday" harry potter mania is back. we'll have a prevau. ñññññññb@ññ

i look forward to a life filled with running with our dogs, laughing, eating chicken and fries, hanging out with those that we love and just being together. i promise to love you unconditionally, just like christ loves us, for the rest of our lives. >> the now mrs. leigh cordes, they're getting emotional as she said her very personal vows to nick. the wedding couple has now made their way to the plaza hotel. in fact, stepping onto our dance floor. >> mr. and mrs. cordes. >> you look amazing, by the way.

beautiful ceremony. >> it was kind of relaxed and take it all in. it was great. >> and not have the cameras on you all the time. >> exactly. >> you could have a private moment. >> i'm ready to cut loose. >> during the ceremony your right leg was going the whole time. so it's ready to go. >> it's antsy. but i hear the music. >> that's fantastic. the reception is in full swing now. the famed wedding photographer will be taking some pictures snapping away. while we've also got, of course, martina mcbride here. she's going to be performing the wedding song, "i just call you mine" in a little bit. everybody's getting ready to dance. >> some people wanto cut a rug here. >> steve leading the orchestra getting it done.

>> it's going to be an all-star wedding. also later on in thisalf hour, the right way to apply makeup, whether it's your special day or not. of course, have that beautiful wedding glow. >> there's bobbi right there hanging out. >> hanging out. that's right. so listen up, first we know it's been an absolutely picture perfect wedding day for our couple. >> that's right. and it's going to continue here in the northeast. you guys have beautiful weather both today and tomorrow when you fly out for australia. very exciting. that is cool. take a losh, ouok yow what's going on. weather for today, beautiful weather along the eastern seaboard, however strong storms in the mid-mississippi river valley. beautiful out west. shows in western montana. thunderstorms through the gulf. and then for tomorrow, strong risk of some strong storms working their way through western new york and in the mid-mississippi river valley. western half of the country sizzling. look at natalie, you want to talk about sizzling, you've got

the moves, baby. >> i love this song. >> oh, my gosh. she's a big marvin gay fan. good morning. we've got another day under way with comfortable humidity in place for this july morning. looking off to the east, at washington, our sky watcher camera showing a few clouds floating through a blue sky. now in the 70s. comfortable summer weather today with low humidity, highs in the upper 80s and sunshine. more humid tomorrow. then increased chance of maybe a passing shower or thundershower mainly in the afternoon. looks like that will increase on saturday. that's your latest weather. and of course in just a little bit the beautiful martina mcbride is here. nice to see you. you're going to be serenading our bride and groom. >> i am. i can't wait. i've been looking forward to this for months. >> we've been looking forward to it, too.

>> you've been a bride of 21 years. you've got some wedding secrets. >> i'm an oldie wed. >> what else we got coming up? >> bobbi brown here t share some beauty secrets for that very dpe yalciay. ♪ (announcer) get all of the latest fruit of the loom colors at an unbeatable price. save money. live better. walmart. ( music throughout )

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- wow! - well, you can taste the pretzel side. - it's really buttery. - it's different than anything else i've ever tasted. townhouse flipsides. part pretzel. part cracker. all good. welcome back to the plaza hotel. this morning on "today's beauty," gorgeous, natural,

wedding-day makeup. now, of course, brides have a million things to think of on the big day. but don't neglect your face, because, of course, all eyes will be on all of you, and your face, of urse, and "today" beauty editor bobbi brown and her team did the makeup for miss leigh cordes. so strange to say that now. and her bridal party, which includes jan tilly, of course, the mother of the bride and jenny, her matron of honor. good morning to all of you. you look amazing. you've been a gorgeous bride. of course bobbi brown, you have the best doing your make skrup. >> i nope. >> bobbi, you say it's important to really kind of be present in the moment on your day. >> it goes very quickly. and the makeup has to be your most beautiful. it has to look like you. a little bit sexy. a little bit strong but still pretty and natural. >> so that's really, take time for yourself. >> take time for yourself. make sure that you really are present because it goes very quickly. >> a couple things you should be doing ahead of time. >> don't get a facial the day

before. and do not get a spray tan the day before. do not do that. >> and don't go in the sun. >> and definitely don't go in the sun. >> and let's talk about what we have on our bride here. i know that you probably used long wear makeup. >> i did. long wear makeup is so important especially on the eyes. we used a long wear shadow and a long wear black gel eye liner. >> waterproof mascara. >> totally waterproof. because she's going to be emotional, as we saw. and also black liner is the best color for her eyes because it really makes the eyes stand out and it's so pretty on her. the rest of the makeup is pink and pretty and fresh. >> natural. >> it is. >> a picture that's timeless. you don't want to do something trendy. not a lot of black lipstick. >> okay. >> i don't think we have to worry out that with this bride. now you have here a touchup, and it's important that every bride -- >> i do. >> what's in here is blotting papers, some mints, some tissues and all you need to touch up, probably is like a little bit of creme rouge and a lip gloss.

and everything else will stay on. so that is for you. >> you love your look this morning, leigh? >> i love it. >> you look great. fabulous, amazing. beautiful bride. now over here to jan, the mother of the bride, and tell us what is important for the mother of a bride? >> it's about the skin. we use a really great moisturizer, and if your skin is drier you want to layer a couple to really plump up the skin. >> she's a beautiful mom, right? she has wonderful genes. you know where you get that from. >> the most important thing is when you're wearing a low-cut dress and your arms are exposed that your face is the same color as your arms. and also, again, eye liner to bring your eyes out. and just really beautiful cream on the cheeks so it really plumps up. >> very natural looking. now over here to jenny, the matron of honor. and they have these beautiful dresses. now do you think at all about the color scheme of t wedding? >> i do. you don't want to match the makeup to your dress because that's old-fashioned. but the pictures are timeless so you want a classic look. so we want to bring out the

natural features and really important. the foundation, her concealer is yellow tone, it matches the skin. her eyes pop out, it looks like her and that's the most important thing. >> with regard to don'ts on wedding day? >> well, don't g out in the sun the day before, because you could burn. do not try a trendy look. and do not try your makeup that you're going to wear the day of the wedding. make sure you have a trial. a lot of girls make a mistake. and no spray tans. and no facials the day before a wedding either. >> bobbi, thank you so much. >> thank you. >> the whole wedding was amazing. bobbi brown, leigh cordes, jan tilly, jenny, you ready to boogie? >> up next, now that the makeup is right, we're going to get ready for the first dance and mamcrtina bride's performance coming up. what does a townhouse flipsides cracker taste like?

it tastes like a pretzel and a cracker at the same time. - wow! - well, you can taste the pretzel side. - it's really buttery. - it's different than anything else i've ever tasted. townhouse flipsides. part pretzel. part cracker.

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you by purina. your pet, our passion. >> welcome back to the fabulous plaza hotel, as "today throws a wedding" for leigh and nick cordes. they've traded their vows. well now it's time for another nerve-racking moment, that first dance. >> that's right. we know they run. can they dance? >> that's the question. >> well, and this is -- >> everybody's laughing. >> this isn'tny ordinary wedding singer. we've got superstar martina mcbride performing "i just call you mine" which has been the theme song for our wedding series. so martina, leigh and nick, take it away. ♪ ♪ i pinch myself sometimes

to make sure i'm not in a dream ♪ ♪ ha ♪ that's how it seems ♪ i close my eyes and breathe in the sweetest moments i've ever known ♪ ♪ it feels like home and here i am i want to be your everything ♪ ♪ there you are turning winter into spring ♪ ♪ and everyone that see you always wants to know you ♪ and ♪ everyone that knows you always has a smile ♪ ♪ your standing ovation after years of waiting ♪ ♪ for a chance to finally shine everyone calls you amazing ♪

♪ yeah i just call you mine ♪ ♪ i fall apart just a ward from you somehow seems to fix ♪ ♪ whatever's wrong oh, you reach into the weakest moments ♪ ♪ and remind me that i'm strong ♪ ♪ you've got to know i'd be a fool not to see you even worse ♪ ♪ to forget that you're more than i deserve ♪ ♪ cause everyone that sees you

always wants to know you ♪ ♪ and everyone that knows you always has a smile ♪ ♪ you're a standing ovation after years of waiting ♪ ♪ for a chance to finally shine everyone calls you amazing i just call you mine ♪ ♪ nothing makes sense when you're not here ♪ ♪ as if my whole world disappears ♪ ♪ without you what's the point of it♪ ♪ cause everyone that sees you always wants to know you ♪ ♪ and everyone that knows you always has a smile ♪ ♪ you're the dream that i've been chasing

after years of waiting ♪ ♪ for a chance to finally shine everyone calls you amazing i just call you mine ♪ >> nick and leigh, what a wonderful job, martina mcbride. thank you so much. we'll chat with martina and get another song in just a moment.

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>> welcome back to the beautiful plaza hotel. live here for nick and leigh cordes' wedding reception. and i think the bridal party getting ready to dance. everybods having a little something to eat right now. martina mcbride has another performance coming for us. before we go, we do want to make sure to mention that we should thank wayne travel agency as well for the beautiful honeymoon that our couple is going to embark on soon. >> to australia. and of course martina mcbride has got to be pretty special for your wedding day when you've got martina mcbride serenading you. and you've got your tenth album out called "shine." it is so good to see you. >> thank you. >> why the title "shine"? was there something significant to that? >> i just love the word. i think it's powerful and positive. the song i just sang talks about have the chance to shine. it's a good word. >> you've been a bride now as i mentioned for 21 years. you've been married to don mcbride. >> he's here. >> what do you think makes a marriage really last? >> i think, you know,

dedication, commitment, respect for each other. sense of humor is very important. >> and you blogged about it on our "today" show website and say you really got lucky or mbe you were just blessed. >> i was very blessed. >> we're blessed to have you. fantastic wedding. there is more coming up. kathie lee and hoda will be here. you've got a performance for us. you're going to do valentine. >> that's right. >> martina mcbride. ♪ ♪ if there were no words no way to speak ♪ ♪ i would still hear you if there were no tears ♪ ♪ no way to feel inside i'd still feel for you ♪ ♪ and even if the sun refused to shine ♪ ♪ even if romance

ran out of rhyme ♪ ♪ you would still have my heart until the end of time ♪ ♪ you're all i need my love my valentine ♪ ♪ ♪ all of my life i have been waiting for ♪ ♪ all you give to me you've opened my eyes ♪ ♪ and shown me how to love unselfishly ♪ ♪ i've dreamed of this a thousand times before ♪ ♪ but in my dreams i couldn't love you more ♪ ♪ i will give you my heart

until the end of time ♪ ♪ you're all i need my love p my valentine ♪ ♪ ♪ la la la la la ♪ and even if the sunñq

our time now is 9:56. beautiful bright sunshine out there this morning as we look at the washington, d.c. skyline on this wednesday, the 15th day of july. good morning. i'm joe krebs. in the news today, this morning crews will resume their search for a missingwimmer in the potomac river. montgomery county firefighters say a man disappeared yesterday afternoon while trying to swim across the river with a friend. authorities have not released the identities of the missing swimmer or his friend who made it out okay. investigators are poring over inspection records to figure out how a football-sized hole opened up on a plane. the flight had to make an emergency landing in west virginia on monday. no one was injured. srdws the plane was

inspected in january and had eight cracks. the cracks were repaired. investigators have not fixed the problem with track circuits following the metro crash. investigators told congress they keep replacing parts but have not been able to figure out why the system cannot recognize stopped trains. metro says it will continue running trains manually until the official cause of the crash is determined. now let's get a roundup of weather and traffic. tom is in storm center 4. >> good morning. a dry day with low humidity and we have high clouds passing over washington. live view from the sky watch camera. in annapolis a comfortable 75. their monthly rain over a third of an inch. we need rain. we may get some tomorrow after a dry day. remaining humid thursday night into friday as well. there's a small chance of a shower friday, partly cloudy, highs in the 80s.

over the weekend could get passing showers and thundershowers saturday and cooler with highs only around 80. low humidity returns sunday into the first part of next week. steve, how ace traffic? >> we're going to start with a look at the map. the top side, the accident southbound i-95, so it's going to be slow on southbound 95. once you pass that we'll look at the beltway. new hampshire avenue, outer loop under speed as you head toward silver spring. joe, back to you. >> thanks, steve. coming up at 11:00, harry potter 1x

captions paid for by nbc-universal television hello, everybody. it's usually matinee wednesday but here at the plaza it is wedding wednesday. we are so excited. >> yes, we are thrilled. because leigh and nick cordes got married today, and directly behind us, is their incredible reception, and we should let you know that the tables are filled not only with nick and leigh but all of our "today" show staffers are getting free meals and

drinks. hello! >> and the plaza hotel is legendary. it's historic. so many people think that because of the refurbishing that has been done recently that it's now a condo, a residence. but it's not. it is also that. but it's still a gorgeous, full, full hotel with all the services. >> absolutely. >> and you are looking smashing, baby. >> and so are you. >> i know. no, thank you. >> dressing for someone else's wedding is interesting. donna went through my closet, and said what are you going to wear to the wedding? i said, i don't know. i have something. no, no, no, nothing. not one thing in there. >> she's hard to please that donna. we do have something that we can wear. you can get these like -- >> garters. >> customized, though. i don't know why you'd want your own customized garter at somebodelse's wedding. >> all right. >> mine says klg. >> are you going to wear yours? >> yes. >> you are just -- come on. there you go, baby. >> a little leg. >> you know what you're supposed

to do with them? >> what? >> you're supposed to fling 'em. >> i think we could fling. >> i'm going to fling this one. >> i'm already wearing this. maybe i'll just fling myself over the bannister. >> let's see who's lucky. >> i see christine. >> all right, go for it. >> nowhere. >> nowhere. >> the only bad news today, and there is only one kind of little bad news, is a wedding but it ain't hoda's. ba-dum-bump. we do have some bad news to talk about, though. >> well -- >> come on. it's in the news. we have to discuss it. >> yesterday we told you about how debbie rowe reportedly in "the new york post" said that she wanted $4 million in exchange for giving up complete custody of her children. well now debbie rowe's attorneys are very upset with "the new york post," and they -- >> where we originally got the story from. >> and debbie rowe's people said look, that was not the case at all. that is not the case at all. so on the cover of "the new york

post" today it says mommy dearest, jacko ex-bombshell e-mail. there's something else that's come out recently and that is there is a woman named rebecca white. >> rebecca white. >> she's a friend, she said she's a friend of debbie rowe's. >> she had done a documentary about debbie rowe's life and they became friends. >> so on "extra" this was yesterday, it was an interview with rebecca white and she claimed that she got some e-mails from debbie rowe, etty explosive e-mails. again, we can't authenticate where they came from. let's just take a listen to what rebecca white had to say. >> or maybe we won't take a listen. >> i'll read it. >> that's why we have paper. >> the good thing we have paper. this is what rebecca white, whee she was reading an e-mail that was supposedly from debbie rowe, quote, i'm not going after custody. these kids are not mine, never

were mine. they were always michael's. the other quote is, my lawyer is telling me i have to take some responsibility about the welfare of the children. do i want the kids? hell no. does it look good for me to ask for them? absolutely. now, there was a response from debbie rowe's attorney, and the attorney says this, our firm has sent ms. wheat a leader disputing the proof of her statement and demanding that she make a retraction in order to avoid legal action. this is getting hairy. what do you think? >> i don't know what they're actually upset about. the fact that it's been reported or the fact that they don't have a deal yet. >> i wonder if it's about money. >> i think everything ultimately is about money. what i don't understand, i keep asking dan abrams. >> what? >> he gives me the answer, every time he goes away i go but yeah, what good is a contract if it doesn't stand up? if you can change your mind all the time. you can always contest. i think if there is indeed a transaction between katherine jackson and debbie rowe at this point, it should have writing in

it that says forever and ever, in perpetuity i will never contest the motherhood of these children or these rights. i hate to use the word ownership. >> but that's kind of what it comes down to. >> this is uglier and uglier every day. and poor michael, if he had a grave tobe in right now, but even that -- >> he would turn over in it. >> and he doesn't even have peace about being in a grave. >> he doesn't. >> oh, lord. >> let's be festive. we're at a wedding. >> i know. it was your idea with debbie rowe. >> i want to talk about the wedding. cheers. >> to the wonderful couple. they are a lovely couple. >> we've seen them a little bit through the last few weeks. >> we're going to watch them a little bit more now. so you know a little bit about them. they are -- they live in ashland, ohio. they're both professional runners. what was cute about the ceremony, after they said their i dos, instead of walking down the aisle after it was over, they jogged down the aisle. which i thought was absolutely

adorable. this is they're both runners, which i love. and they're very cute. >> and theirs was a forbidden love. shmuley would have loved that. it was against the rulesor i guess anyone in this runner's club to date. >> look at them. >> for them to shall we say patronize one another away from the running aspect. >> yes. >> so they hid in a parking lot, hoda, i love that. something you would do. they had a little wine. had a little wine. they got to know each other and they were busted, basically. >> martina mcbride is here singing, she's awesome. and she just sang their wedding song and their song they chose is "i call you mine" which is a beautiful martina mcbride song, gorgeous, wonderful, and they got us thinking about our wedding songs at our weddings. >> we've got you thinking about it. what is your wedding song at your wedding? >> can i tell you something funny? i wanted "at last". >> ♪ at last >> but the funny thing is my ex picked the song and i don't

remember. i kind of think it was "precious and few." >> which it ended up being. >> so i called kyra to ask her, what's my wedding song? she said, i have no idea. literally, no clue. >> i have a feeling if you called up your ex and ask him, he wouldn't know either. you had a wedding song? >> i was married twice. just one more time than you. the first time and the second time there was no dancing. >> yeah. >> so we didn't have -- >> you didn't sing? >> no. but had i been writing songs back then, it would have been one i had written. just can't help it. >> thes are kind of funny. you know those cake toppers that they have. i knew you were going to pick that one up. magnolia. this is magnolia bakery. look at this. can you see it? i'm sorry but that is some kind of nasty. i cannot believe that's on a cake top. >> i think that's adorable. >> what is this one? >> guns. right. >> it's a happy coupleon their wedding day. >> right. >> uh-huh. >> boring, boring. what's the other one? >> nothing. >> what is she doing?

on the phone? she's on the cell phone. she's on the cell phone. that's your least favorite thing of all. >> oh, gosh. put it down for your wedding day at least. >> they make these personalized m&ms and you can make them into party favors. these say leigh and nick, klg and hoda. you can get whatever you want on the m&ms. >> adorable. >> you do think you're ever going to get married again, actually. in your heart of hearts? but do you think you will? >> yes. >> you think your soul mate is still out there? >> i really do believe that. >> i do, too, hoda. >> you do? >> i absolutely do. and dog gone it i'm going to help you find a guy. until the day i die. i'm going to dance at hoda's wedding. i'll sing at your wedding. come on, you know you want me to. what else is going on? oh, wow. >> hoda has just -- >> i hope that that does not -- >> a little upset. >> weddings just make me nervous. i'm just saying. what was going on. >> she's only on her second

glass of champagne. the lord only knows what's going to happen with her. >> i love weddings. >> i do, too. >> when they did their i dos and they had their own vows. i love that. >> the way they look at each other. every wedding, i think, pretty much starts out this way. and it ends this way for them, as well. till death to us part. this is what people don't know. sometimes you live a long, long time. so think about it. i tell frank every day, every day, who knew you'd live this long. anyway, we'll be right back. >> we're going to have a great panel. we're going to talk to some people about why some marriages last a long time, we have some expert advice. we'll be right back.

"today throws a wedding," ten years of i dos, brought to you by purina. your pet, our passion.

>> they said their i dos, and now we're going to get them to say how i'm going to do it, how we're going to make love last. >> we grabbed two happily married couples from their table. >> which is hard to find. but we found some. >> they're going to dispense marital wisdom. on the left dot and tim mcmahon, they've been married for nine years. and martha and ken, they will be married 50 years in december. >> they're breathing down my neck. >> i know it. >> we've also got a couple of experts, robi ludwig, and ian turner, a relationship therapist and best-selling author. and of course our happy couple. >> the beautiful couple. >> how are you guys feeling? >> ken and barbie are with us. >> getting through the vows was the biggest, nerve-racking thing. >> why don't we go back to martha and ted. you've been married the longest. what would you say the key reason that your marriage has lasted for years? what is some advice you can give to this wonderful couple. >> perseverance. >> trust and communication.

>> you know what i think it? >> what do you think it is? >> you are well trained. the minute she asked, you gave her the mike. >> is that part of it? >> ladies first. >> when you say communication, do you just talk everything through >> about everything? >> not everything. >> what do you guys talk about? >> we had our first argument in 1959, we haven't settled it yet. but we talk about it. >> wow. >> no, we don't talk all the time. but we should talk all the time. >> what was the argument about? >> i forgot. >> that's the whole point. >> you guys nine years, tell us about why your marriage has lasted as long as it has. >> i would say teamwork. you know, working together on everything. >> speaking of teamwork, you're now expecting a baby? >> actually we just had a baby two months ago. >> you had one. so that changes the dynamic of the relationship. >> it does. >> we got you thinking about your future. are there things? you look at these couples that have had beautiful, long

marriages, do you feel that's going to be you soon? >> well, 49th? i hope it's not too soon. i know we're going to make it. we're excited about it. >> why do you know? what is it about this relationship that makes you know in your gut? >> well, first of all, i mean, it is her, because she's amazing. and the communication, i tell her, too honest. i'd rather be that way. so it is different. >> and robi when it comes to communication, that's always the key. that's where things break down, where people don't talk. >> right. i think it's normal that there's going to be an ebb and flow in long-term relationships. and if your intention is to get through it, and if you can continue to focus on the positive aspects of each other's personalities, that's huge. because it's so easy to focus on the negative, anyone can do that. but if you're kind to each other and focus on the positive and your intention is to get

through, then that's really a lot of what it takes. >> we have too many high expectations about relationships? do we sort of set ourselves up sometimes for -- >> i think we often have that hollywood vision of romance in our lives. and i think these guys, they sort of caughtn the essence, which is about teamwork. but the other side of teamwork is really being a strong individual. like what i would say to you is like great couples also require being great individuals. and not giving up your own life, and your own worth and dreams and aspiration and bringing yourselves to the relationships constantly. >> but sometimes, i think sometimes some couples end up separated, you end up with your friends, you end up with yours and you're missing some of the bonding. >> once in awhile that's a good thing. >> it's about how often you do it, right? >> don't do it every night. >> no, no, no. >> together is good but separateness sometimes. >> you want to come together, and i think it's really important for couples to support

each other's dreams. so you help each other's dreams come true. >> right. >> and that's when you're really in life together. >> right. >> when you're helping each other get to that next level of where you want to be. >> so you think that couples have to have one major thing like that that they have in common? >> they have to be on the same page. you know, they have to get each other. so, yes, it's tremendously helpful to share mething, either a hobby or a vision where you're both working to the and have something in common, yes. >> i feel very loving, i think. >> what you don't have to khn, i love to run, my wife does not, but she still gives my that time to go out and do some running. >> right. >> we've given, this is important to, the passion, the sexual component of marriage. and always staying, and keeping passion alive, that's important. >> 92% of all couples out there

having a baby, relationship starts to go down. because having a baby is the best thing in life, but it's also really, really challenging. >> you're not number one anymore. that baby is. >> that's right. >> you guys going to hope to have a family right away or plan awhile for you? >> i'm getting up there. i don't know. you know, no rush. but obviously -- >> it's ticking. >> my parents would love to have it today. >> why don't we ask you, what about, you've been married for 50 years, and i think what about the passion in your relationship, is that -- >> yeah, what about the passion in your relationship? is that still important? >> the man -- >> well, ed, you know what? it never stops. you know, it ebbs and flows, but you're together. and you will be together, and at some point in a marriage you realize it's too late to get out anyway. so you might as well relax and enjoy it.

>> you've got to get to that point. >> right. >> one of the things you need to do is keep interested and keep yourself interesting. >> that's very good point. >> you certainly do your own thing. which we both do very much. >> we don't have lunch together. except when i'm traveling. >> all rightwe want to wish you guys the best of luck. thank you. >> thanks, everybody. >> we'll see you a little bit later. coming up we're actually going to cut the cake with you. did you know that? >> no. >> yes, we are. >> i bet you need help with that. >> you're stuck with us for the next 40 minutes.

we're at the plaza hotel >> celebrating big time. the nuptials of leigh and nick cordes. now it's time for the cake. >> who made that gorgeous cake?

>> they had three to choose from. you guys have chosen chocolate cake. or the viewers kind of chose for you. >> you both have chocolate things going? >> we won the competition. >> you did. >> well, they are -- >> how's it going so far? >> it's so fun. >> martina mcbride, are you kidding? that was unbelievable. >> come on. >> her voice, amazing. >> okay, so would you guys like to do the honors of cutting of the cake sh >> i guess so. >> okay, we're ready, we're watching. everybody ready? >> okay. beautiful. look at that. now i'm curious to see what happens at this point? >> the feeding part. >> we do want to see.

will they be polite? >> don't mess up your makeup, sweetie. try to be. >> hang on, let me get a napkin. >> here you go. >> got it. >> hold on, hold on. let me get it for you. careful, kabful. careful. wow, nice bite. >> all right. >> she's going to feed you. >> she's supposed to feed you. >> oh! >> all right how about a lile toast, guys? you want to wash it down. >> good stuff. >> all right. we will be back.

a standoff is in its 16th hour and s.w.a.t. teams are still surrounding a house in northern virginia. what's happening and who they are looking for. good morning. also ahead, details about a new plan that could speed up your commute to work. plus, dinner that cost 23 quadrillion dollars. how a man ended up with a maive bill.

>> i now pronounce you man and wife. nick, you may kiss your bride. >> and we are back with more of "today" live from the plaza hotel, celebrating leigh and nick cordes who tied the knot on our plaza earlier today. so it is time to play our who knew quiz show. we thought it would be a great idea to use this historic hotel and ask some wonderful wedding questions about this wonderful place. now, kathie lee, of course, is right down there. and she's ready to hand out $100 and also gift bags provided by the shops at the plaza to the

winners who answer it correctly. and to those who don't, they get kathie lee's cd. and that's what you get when you don't win. shane creek, general manager of the plaza hotel is here. >> welcome to the plaza. >> beautiful setting. we're going to go right to kathie lee and help me get this. >> i got your back. >> let's go, kath, over to you. >> hoda, they're runners, so they're all gorgeous and fabulous. our first lady, don't let them tweet or twitter or anything like that at the dinner table, it's not nice. on average how many couples marry each day in the united states. 250, 7,000, 300,000, or 1 million people? a day? >> everyone has a story. >> here you go. >> the correct answer is 7,000 couples. that's a lot of marriages. oh, sorry.

okay. okay. we're back with mike from michigan, he was a bad b who was doing something on his phone. what was that all about? >> i was trying to help her find an answer there. >> okay so you re cheating basically. >> i was. > the movie "bride wars" features which two best friends who became rivals. scarlett johansson and natalie portman, mary kate and ashley olsen. kate hudson and anne hathaway? >> i'm going to say "c." >> you said right. there you go. you get a nice gift bag which i can barely carry from the plaza hotel. >> very, very, very nice. those gift bags are awesome, shane, nice.

so kate hudson and anne hathaway. good movie. >> absolutely. it was the first movie that we filmed after the plaza reopened after the $300 million or $400 million renovation. >> it is still a hotel. some people think it's condos. >> absolutely. it's a beautiful hotel. and also having breakfast with kate hudson was the highlight. y>>'re a lu.y yrlgi >> another ohio girl, amanda. rlhow are you, sweetheart? what is the most pop lar month for a wedding, january, may, august or september? >> i'm going to guess august. >> and you guessed correctly my darling girl. there you go. >> thank you. >> hoda? >> wow, what is in those gift bags? they're so heavy. >> they're giving them. it's the right answers, followed by june. which is 90% of the weddings

here at the plaza, the favorite time of year is the fall because obviously central park, the leaves, best time to have your wedding at the plaza. >> all right, thank you. back to kathie lee. >> i'm nick and leigh's coach. >> this is their head coach, also from ashland. what 1990 movie sequel featured a little boy staying unchaperoned at the plaza hotel? was it home alone two, terminator two, batman returns or adam's daily values? >> i have three children and we've seen it, it's home ale two. >> i believe that is absolutely right. >> yes, it is. >> thank you very much. >> you can lift that. >> i got that. >> okay. thank you. >> absolutely, you know what, during the filming of that movie, that's how they discovered the original marble floors in the lobby. when you slid across into the lobby and then donald trump decided afterwards to put the carpet back down and keep it the way it is. that's the way it is.

>> we have one last quick one with kathie. >> this is cindy from texas. this is a long one. r f ouret a little heom frieersr t aov itunes. one time owner ofhe t plaza hotel donald trump and marla maples gave wedding planners how much time to plan their nuptials, two days, two weeks, two months or two years? >> two weeks. >> i believe that's true, right, hoda? >> absolutely. two weeks. >> okay, good for you. there you go. a beautiful wedding. >> and it didn't work out. >> two weeks, it took him actually calling 1,000 people to actually show up to the wedding along with michael caine and the whole works. unbelievable. >> shane, thank you so much. that was terrific. kath's going to come back and join me and we're going to talk about the proper wedding attire. we'll be back with more right after this. t

we're at the plaza hotel where "today" is throwing a wedding with "today's style" and proper wedding attire. >> it doesn't matter where the event is, you want to be two

things, comfortable and you want to be appropriate. >> that's important. >> so we picked the lovely ladies out of the wedding guest party and jill martin from "us weekly" and -- you're not ivillage anymore, are you? >> no, that's the other guy. >> you went shopping with them last night. tell us about it. >> now know, it was fun, we went to macy's. we did mini ambush makeovers. the groom's mother debbie didn't have a dress. >> with all the planning she could have done? >> they picked who they wanted and we went shopping and it was so much fun. again it's about being appropriate and being comfortable. >> all right. the next thing we have is melissa white. she was a running buddy. melissa is teeny tiny. >> wow. >> isn't she tiny? but we wanted her to look a little more voluptuous up top. we put her in a dress with ruffles.

>> why are you laughing? >> you said you wanted to make her more voluptuous up top. and the thing is look is the legs on this dress. people think what do you wear during the day at 7:30 in the morning where most people don't have weddings. but cocktail length is appropriate. especially in new york. >> and she looks wonderful. >> all right. next is another friend of leigh's. sarah. sarah is expecting a baby in four months and we want to -- oh, she looks aadorable. >> you'd never know. >> isn't she cute? i know. >> right. well she's expecting, and she wanted to hide her belly and i said, embrace it. you're adorable. doesn't she look great? this is that empire waist so it really gives her that flattering look. this is from macy's as well. and take a look at the shoes. she could wear heels, she said she's comfortable so these are from nine west is a matching purse. this is just a great outfit for her to have now and as she gets bigger, it will grow with you.

>> do you love that? >> i love this dress. i would have nover chosen it myself but i absolutely love it. >> it's adorable. >> can't wait to wear it out. >> she came out and said tah-dah. >> that's a good sign. >> all right, thankou. >> next is deb gallagher, nick's coach's wife. >> oh, wow. >> i know you were shocked. >> she was shocked. >> she's a runner, too. >> she is a track coach and when her team won the meet she said you can dress me up. she hasn't worn a dress like this forever? >> i don't think. >> this is available at macy's. you just see how flattering this is. >> with the jewelry by jennifer miller, and the shoes again by nine west. >> is there some material, jill, you should not wear for a daytime wedding? >> what's great about all of these dresses they're between $100 and $200. and they also have a little bit of lycra in them. so they're not going to wrinkle. they've been sitting.

they've already danced the morning away. but she still looks great. >> excellent. >> hi. >> e walked by me at least three times. >> he told me you look like a babe. so that's always a good one. >> thanks. >> next we have leigh and nick's neighbor and co-worker holly smalley. >> holly, you are hot. >> holly, love the hair. the whole thing. >> and she said ooh, look at my bustline. i don't know if she even knew it was there. this is just another very flattering dress. you see because of the way the stripes are, really flatters her waistline. available at macy's. >> we've only got a minute. >> this is debbie cordes, the mother of the groom. it is a special, special day for her. and that's a gorgeous dress. you look beautiful. >> hi, debbie. >> we love your dress. >> hi. >> i love my dress. >> wow. >> i'm going to pick this out no matter where i was shopping. >> she's amazing. the best part is she's smiling

and she's happy. i love seeing that. >> she likes the girl you chose. >> that helps a lot. >> absolutely. >> all the 4r5iddies come on out. you look beautiful. >> great job, jill. >> nice choices. >> thanks for having me. >> our guru of fashion. coming up we're going to do a little toast for the bride and groom. fios guy! where ya headed?

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we are back at the plaza hotel where we are still celebrating the wonderful, beautiful wedding of leigh and nick cordes. >> and you know what? what's a wedding without some great dancing. if you don't know how to dance, no excuses, we are going to set you straight. we're going to do something called the cha-cha slide. okay i am here with lee bradley, the dance instructor. she is so weird. at stepping out studios here in new york. okay the cha-cha slide. at a lot of typical wedding dances people do. this one is kind of unique. >> thegreat thing is, you're told what to do on the music. so you just have to follow along. but it's basically a dification of the electric slide back in the '70s. >> i never learned that.

>> i didn't either. >> does that put us at a disadvantage? oh, because you're all so young and then. >> just showing off. first he's going to show us the cha-cha slide and then you're all going to join in. let us try to figure it out in the beginning with our wonderful bride and groom. you ready to show us? >> so everyone's going to be starting with their right foot. basically you take three steps. starting with your right foot. take three steps to the right with your right, do a grape vine, and then a tap then take it to the left, one two three, tap. now you're going to take it back. one, two, three -- oh, you okay? story about that. you want to come up front? okay. and then after this, one hop with both feet, just like that. then i'm going to say right foot one stomp. left foot one stomp. you're going to stomp with your left. and now this is the difficult part you're going to do the cha-cha cha.

basically rock back with your right foot, rock step, cha-cha-cha. left foot forward, step cha-cha-cha. >> okay, that's easy. you guys ready? okay. we'll learn it as we do it. we'll do it a few times. >> don't hurt each other. >> okay, you all right? >> five, six, take it away. one, two, three, check left. back. right foot stomp. left foot and stomp. now you're going to go cha-cha. one, two, cha-cha-cha. left cha-cha-cha. >> i can't watch this. >> one hop. >> switch. left foot left side. cha-cha. ♪

this way now. to the left. take it back. left foot left stomp. cha-cha-cha. to the right. to the left. take it back now. right foot left stomp. left foot left stomp. cha-cha. to the left. right foot left stomp. left foot left stomp. cha-cha now y'all. oh, yeah. up down, to the left. take it back now, y'all. one hop. >> all right. right foot left stomp. left foot left stomp.

cha-cha now y'all. >> all right, guys, we'll be back with more of "today" on nbc. we've got a toast coming up. gcocwp

from the plaza hotel, this is really one of those fun moments where we feel like we've gotten to know you for quite awhile. and now, we want to give you guys a little toast, because i mean you've been with us, feel like our family for the last several weeks. it's fun to have you around. but we just want to give you a terrific toast to both of you. you are a wonderful couple. i could see when you guys were looking in each other's eyes just how much you meant to one another. it really touched all of us. we'd like to give you a toast. >> we also noticed during your service the presence of something else, not just your love for one another but your devotion to a higher presence, the lord in our lives.

so i would like to give you psalm 143. if you start your day saying let the morning bring us word of our unfailing love because we put our trust in you. show us the way we should go for unto you we live up our soul. and then if you give each other, pour each other a cup of mercy every single day, you will have the strength you need to get through the trials of life. that's what we pray for you this day is his presence in your life as you go forward. thank you for letting us share this glorious, glorious day with your wonderful family and friends. we wish you great, great happiness in this world and in the next. amen. >> cheers. >> cheers, everybody. cheers, cheers, cheers. >> happy day you guys. >> thank you. >> thank you guys so much. we have a lot coming up tomorrow, we've got a great show. >> it cannot p this. >> but we're going to try. bye. come tomorrow. >> you're not going to be doing anything. >> you'll be busy and important. >> have an awesome time on your honeymoon. >> we'll see you guys tomorrow. bye-bye.

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