Getting Started

So, he popped the question.  Or, maybe you're just expecting him to.  Or, perhaps you're a fourteen year old girl dreaming of the day someone will.  Either way, planning your wedding may seem like a monumental task.  Ease the stress by getting organized with these simple steps.

1. Start a wedding notebook.  First things first--get yourself a three ring binder, a hole punch, tab dividers, and page protectors.  Don't spend money on a pre-made wedding planner because you can find everything you need online.
2. Make a checklist. Since this is probably your first time planning a wedding, printing a checklist from a source such as Real Simple's Ultimate Wedding Checklist will ensure you don't forget anything important.
3. Schedule.  Whether in your notebook, your phone, or a wall calendar, you'll want to stay on top of important deadlines.  Your checklist will offer suggestions of how far ahead to book your venue, photographer, etc., and we'll discuss these matters in a future post.
4. Categorize.  What categories you include will differ depending on what's important to you.  You might have a tab for the dress, the reception, the venue, contact information for service providers, or the honeymoon.
5. Print and clip.  Now for the fun part.  Just like Queen Latifah's "Possibilities" book on the hit movie Last Holiday, fill your book with all the wonderful possibilities you might include in your big day.  Clip pictures from magazines.  Print from online dress catalogs or Pinterest.  Tie on ribbons to represent your colors.  Go overboard--you can whittle down the ideas as you go along.

Now you're organized and prepared to start your planning.  Remember, it's not just the destination you'll remember.  The journey is half the fun.

What Is A Wedding Shower?

There are several types of gatherings that commonly precede and follow a wedding. Here's a list to get you started. Start jotting down your to-dos, then click around to get some fabulous ideas.

Engagement Party
Many couples officially announce their engagement at a social gathering specifically for that purpose. This may involve a full-blown party (perhaps arranged under another pretense), a restaurant dinner with family and friends, or a simple announcement at any other gathering (for example, asking the MC to announce an engagement at a mutual friend's anniversary party. It's a nice romantic mix, but get permission from the anniversary couple first). Of course, a formal announcement is not necessary. Another affordable option is mailing announcement cards.

Bridal Shower
This shower is typically ladies-only. Many brides enjoy the refinement of tea and finger foods. Most bridal showers today are "private" or "personal" showers--with gifts of lingerie--but in the past, other themes were possible, such as kitchen implements, candles, teas, etc.

Wedding Shower
While some brides want to keep this shower to themselves as well, co-ed showers are very popular.  Guests typically bring gifts from the couple's registries.  Games and food are a must.

Bachelor or Bachelorette Party
I'm not really going to touch this one. This type of party often becomes wild and unruly, and often involves activities that can cause martial problems later if your spouse finds out.  My suggestion: get together with a few good friends, rent a movie, order a pizza, and pig out on cookies and ice cream.

Rehearsal Dinner
Usually held after the wedding rehearsal the evening before the wedding, the rehearsal dinner is a time to thank family members and those in the wedding party. Gifts for the wedding party are often given at this time.

Reception
The grand finale! A time to celebrate the new couple as well as the guests who support them.