| atulations! You’re getting ready for the | | | | probably the bride carrying “something old, |
| happiest day of your life. Unfortunately, the year | | | | something new, something borrowed, something |
| or so leading up to that day might be filled with | | | | blue.” But, there are many other traditions |
| stress, confusion, and exhaustion. Don’t | | | | you can incorporate. If you don’t wear |
| worry. Planning the perfect wedding | | | | your mother’s wedding dress, you may |
| doesn’t have to be that bad. I recently | | | | want to pin a piece of its lace onto your slip or tie |
| planned a wedding myself. The seemingly endless | | | | it around your bouquet. You can wrap a family |
| little details may drive you crazy, but I found that | | | | locket around your bouquet with pictures of you |
| there are just 15 things you need to concentrate | | | | and your groom. I attached my mother’s |
| on in order to have a perfect wedding. | | | | antique brooch, which had been handed down |
| Step 1: Budget. Whether you are spending | | | | from my grandmother, to a chain and wore it as |
| $30,000 or $3,000 you can have a beautiful, | | | | a necklace. It made me feel as if they were with |
| meaningful wedding. Decide what is most | | | | me on my wedding day and it meant a lot. |
| important to you and then be creative. When | | | | Step 8: Invitations. Invitations are another item |
| planning your budget you will need to decide which | | | | that can be surprisingly expensive. They |
| of these items you want to include in your | | | | don’t have to be. I knew exactly what |
| wedding and how much money to spend on each: | | | | type of invitation I wanted, but at a stationer, it |
| Clothing: | | | | would have cost $800 to $1000. I did a lot of |
| Wedding dress | | | | searching online and was able to order two less |
| Undergarments—special bra, crinoline, garter | | | | expensive sets of invitations, put them together |
| Veil/Hair Jewelry | | | | how I wanted and ended up spending less than |
| Shoes | | | | $400. Places like Staples and Michael’s also |
| Tux | | | | have nice invitations that you can print yourself at |
| Church Rental/Fees | | | | home for less than $100. |
| Reception Rental/Fees | | | | Step 9: Photographer. This is where we spent a |
| Catering Fees | | | | bigger portion of our budget (Only the reception |
| Alcohol, Drinks | | | | location, with food included, cost more). Even if |
| Flowers: | | | | our wedding was the best wedding in the world, it |
| Church | | | | would only last for a few hours. With good |
| Bridal Bouquet | | | | pictures, we could relive it over and over. When |
| Bouquets for the Bridesmaids & Maid of | | | | you look for a photographer, ask questions. Who |
| Honor | | | | will be the photographer? What if he is sick? If |
| Bouquets for the Mothers of the Bride and | | | | you hire a company that has several |
| Groom | | | | photographers you may be shown sample |
| Boutonnieres for the Groom and Groomsmen | | | | wedding photographs from the best photographer. |
| Reception Tables | | | | You sign up. Then on your wedding day |
| Photographer | | | | “your” photographer can’t |
| Videographer | | | | make it and someone else shows |
| Music: | | | | up—someone probably much less talented. |
| Wedding | | | | Also, ask if the photographer will shoot in color, |
| Cocktail Hour | | | | black and white, or both. Will he shoot traditional |
| Reception | | | | shots, photojournalism, or both? Will you be able |
| Wedding Cake | | | | to keep the proofs? Can you buy the negatives? |
| Cake Topper | | | | How much time will the photographer spend at |
| Wedding Favors | | | | your wedding? Will he also take photos of the |
| Gifts for Wedding Party Attendants | | | | bride and groom preparing for the wedding? |
| Gifts for the Parents of the Bride and Groom | | | | Step 10: Dress. Some brides feel they need to |
| Hair and Makeup | | | | spend a lot of money on “the |
| Stationary Items: | | | | dress.” My husband thought my dress |
| Save the Date | | | | would be the biggest expense, but it was one of |
| Invitations | | | | the smallest. The dress I fell in love with |
| Wedding Programs | | | | happened to be on sale because it was |
| Place Cards | | | | discontinued. It was just my size! I didn’t |
| Menu Cards | | | | even need alterations. How often does that |
| Thank you Cards | | | | happen?! Even if you are not that lucky, there are |
| Other: | | | | thousands of beautiful wedding dresses between |
| Serving Set | | | | $150 and $850. Check out the large bridal stores |
| Toasting Flutes | | | | as well as your local bridal shops. If you like |
| Ring Bearer Pillow | | | | tradition, you can wear your mother’s |
| Flower Girl Basket | | | | wedding dress and have it altered to fit your |
| Flower Petals or other item to toss on Bride and | | | | style. You want to love your wedding dress, but |
| Groom | | | | remember—you will only wear it one time |
| Tips: | | | | for about 8 hours. |
| Pastor | | | | Step 11: Flowers. Choose flowers that match your |
| Maitre d' | | | | wedding colors. Your local florist can make |
| Photographer | | | | suggestions and tell which flowers will be in season |
| Limo Driver | | | | (they will be less expensive). The flower |
| Musicians | | | | arrangements were one thing I should have |
| You do not need to include or buy every item. | | | | followed-up on with a second meeting. I told the |
| Wearing your mother’s wedding dress or | | | | florist exactly what I wanted for my bridal |
| using your parents’ cake topper will save | | | | bouquet—deep red roses, no greenery, long |
| money and add meaning to your day. There are | | | | matching ribbons (which I provided), and how I |
| also things that you can make; such as the ring | | | | wanted the roses gathered. I even gave her a |
| pillow or wedding favors. Some items you can | | | | picture. We also discussed the attendants’ |
| exclude all together. My husband and I decided to | | | | bouquets and flowers for the reception tables. |
| hire a photographer but no videographer. | | | | The day of the wedding, the attendants’ |
| Step 2: Size. The size of your guest list will | | | | flowers were more beautiful than I imagined and |
| depend on personal preference and budget. Some | | | | the table flowers were gorgeous. My bridal |
| brides dream of a huge wedding with 300 guests, | | | | bouquet was almost nothing like what I had asked |
| while others prefer an intimate ceremony with | | | | for. I had red roses, but also plenty of greenery, |
| only close friends and family. We settled on 100 | | | | no ribbons, and an ugly plastic piece that held the |
| guests--large enough to invite who we really | | | | flowers. The wedding was in an hour and there |
| wanted to come and small enough that it still felt | | | | was nothing I could do. I tried to put it out of my |
| personal. | | | | mind and concentrated on everything else that |
| Step 3: Planning and Scheduling. Planning and | | | | was wonderful about that day. |
| follow-up are the most important factors in | | | | Remember—follow up is one of the most |
| getting the wedding you want. That beautiful | | | | important factors in getting the wedding you |
| atrium in the park is probably booked years in | | | | want. |
| advance as are many beautiful, old churches. Even | | | | Step 12: Hair & Makeup. Many brides go to a |
| if you are planning to get married in your own | | | | salon and have their hair and makeup done. If you |
| church and use its reception hall, you’ll | | | | do, have a trial run so you know you will be |
| need to find out about fees and availability. | | | | happy with the results on your wedding day. |
| Research reception locations by looking in local | | | | Going to a salon is not a necessity. You may |
| bridal magazines, newspaper bridal sections and | | | | decide to do your own hair and makeup or have |
| online. If a friend or family member has a beautiful | | | | a friend do it. You can schedule practice sessions |
| back yard, you may want to have your wedding | | | | and try several hairstyles to get it perfect. |
| there. It would make an excellent wedding | | | | Step 13: Cake. Many reception halls provide the |
| present. Choosing the locations of your ceremony | | | | wedding cake. Mine did. However, I was not |
| and reception should be the first thing you do | | | | happy with my choices. They agreed to make |
| after settling on a budget. You can not plan or | | | | the red velvet cake I requested, but not the |
| schedule anything until you know when and where | | | | decoration I wanted. I had seen exactly what I |
| everything will happen. | | | | wanted in a wedding magazine so I called the |
| Step 4: Food and Alcohol. The food you give your | | | | bakery listed in the back. The baker was able to |
| guests does not have to be expensive. They are | | | | make the decoration (without the cake) and ship |
| there to witness your marriage and celebrate | | | | it to my reception hall. The nice people at the hall, |
| with you. If you serve Chicken Francaise instead | | | | accepted the shipment and put the decoration on |
| of Filet Mignon they will not enjoy themselves less. | | | | the cake. It was perfect! If you plan to do |
| For drinks, you have many options. You may | | | | something like this, make sure everyone involved |
| decide not to serve alcohol. Or, you may serve | | | | is willing to do their part. Then follow through and |
| one or two special drinks—you can even | | | | make sure the shipment is sent, that it arrives, |
| name one after yourself and your groom. You | | | | and that the cake maker knows how to arrange |
| may also decide to offer an open bar. Remember | | | | the decorations (give her a picture). |
| that alcohol can eat up a large portion of your | | | | Step 14: Favors. These little mementos are small |
| budget. Talk to the caterer about your options. | | | | tokens of appreciation to your guests for sharing |
| Step 5: Wedding Party. The size of your wedding | | | | in your special day. There are many options to |
| party should match the size of your wedding. If | | | | choose from. You can give something that |
| you have 300 guests, 10 bridesmaids and 10 | | | | matches the theme of your wedding, such as |
| groomsmen will fit right in. But, if you have 80 | | | | starfish wine stoppers if you are having a beach |
| guests in a small church, it may look comical | | | | wedding. Or, you can give something that |
| trying to fit those 20 attendants on the small | | | | symbolizes the love you share with your new |
| church alter. | | | | husband such as a scented candle with the |
| Step 6: Music. If you are having a church wedding, | | | | monogram you share as a couple. You can give |
| ask the priest or pastor if he can recommend | | | | something edible such as the traditional chocolate |
| someone to play the ceremony music. Or, you | | | | covered almonds, or you can make your own |
| may know someone who could play at your | | | | favors. Just try to give something your guests will |
| wedding as a wedding gift. For your reception, | | | | appreciate and use. A wine glass with your and |
| should you choose a band or a DJ? Having a live | | | | your groom’s name and wedding date |
| band at your reception can be special, but | | | | may be pretty, but not very practical to a guest. |
| expensive. We chose to have a DJ, not just for | | | | Step 15: Relax! You’ve done the research. |
| the savings but because he could play any song | | | | You’ve done the planning. You’ve |
| and it would sound great. Whatever you choose, | | | | done the shopping and creating. And, |
| go over what is required. Are there any songs | | | | you’ve done the follow-up. It’s |
| you DO NOT want played? Do you want the DJ | | | | now time to relax and enjoy the day. |
| or musician to introduce the wedding party, start | | | | Don’t worry about the little things that go |
| off the first dance, and announce when it is time | | | | wrong—because something will go wrong |
| to cut the cake? Often this is included, if | | | | (remember my wedding bouquet?). The important |
| not—speak to whoever is in charge of | | | | thing is that at the end of the day—after |
| your reception location and find out if they offer | | | | the ceremony that is witnessed by your friends |
| this service. | | | | and family, after the dancing and laughing and |
| Step 7: Traditions. Some couples disregard | | | | partying—you will be married. You and your |
| traditions. Other couples want to include them or | | | | groom are starting your new life together. |
| even start their own. The biggest tradition is | | | | That’s the most important thing. |