Your Day: Planning the Big Event

Share the wonderful news with your parents/guardians first. Involving both sets of parents from the beginning can make the planning process much more rewarding for everyone. If your families haven't met yet, arrange for them to meet for a casual brunch or dinner.

As you arrange the details of your wedding day remember to ask immediate and extended family members for suggestions, advice and help. You may find they have just the right idea for you. By doing this you'll also head off any potential problems or conflicts.

Your first major decision as an engaged couple will be deciding on the date and time of your wedding. This often depends upon your needs, religious obligations, facility availability, and work or school schedules. Flexibility is a key here (as it will be throughout the planning process). Think about alternate dates especially if you are thinking about getting married in a popular month or around a holiday.

Contact your church's secretary to arrange an appointment with your clergy. If you don't belong to a church and wish to be married by a minister, priest, or rabbi, ask friends or relatives for recommendations.

Ask about the rules regarding flowers, decorations, photography, music, etc. You'll also want to find out about the fees or donations involved.

Once you find the location that's right for you, reserve your wedding day and time for the rehearsal.

At this point you'll also want to consider what type of wedding do you want to have. Do you want it to be traditional or nontraditional? Formal or informal? The style you opt for will influence the rest of you decisions.