Table of Contents
Introduction 1
About This Book 1
Foolish Assumptions 2
Icons Used in This Book 2
Beyond the Book 3
Where to Go from Here 3
Part 1 It's Your Day! 5
Chapter 1 You Said Yes! 7
Congratulations, It's Time to Celebrate 7
Living by the Three Ps of Wedding Planning 8
Perspective 8
Process 12
Pause 12
Enjoying the Planning Process 12
Setting boundaries with family and friends 13
Continuing to date your fiance 15
Considering premarital counseling 16
Sample wedding planning checklist 18
Picking the Perfect Date 18
Chapter 2 Sharing the Exciting News 23
Spreading the Word 24
Announcing your engagement 24
Planning the engagement party 25
Making the social media announcement 27
Selecting Your Squad 28
Understanding the job requirements 29
Standing by your side 33
Proposing to your bridal party 35
Showers, Bashes, and Parties 36
Gift registries 36
Bachelorette bash 38
Bachelor party 39
Couple's shower 40
Bridal shower 41
Chapter 3 Everyone Has a Budget 43
Knowing What's Most Important to You 44
Figuring Out Who's Paying 46
What Does Your Budget Include? 47
Resourcing your connections 51
Setting limits 51
Buyer beware: Service fees 53
Tips and gratuities 53
Part 2 Taking Care of Logistics 55
Chapter 4 Your Day Is Only as Good as Your Team 57
Putting Your Plans in the Hands of Others 58
Developing the all-important trust factor 58
Remembering that quality is worth the cost 59
Getting referrals 61
Deciding how much outsourcing you're comfortable with 62
Researching on social media 63
Selecting the Very Best Vendors 65
Wedding planner 65
Flowers and decor 67
Rentals 70
Photography 72
Videography 74
Catering 76
Bar and bartending 77
Baker 78
Entertainment 79
Transportation 80
Hotel room blocks 82
Welcome bags for your guests 83
Marriage Isn't the Only Bond You're Entering Into: Contracts 84
Understanding what you're signing 84
Don't forget all the details 85
Deposits and retainers 87
Reading the fine print 88
Chapter 5 All-Inclusive Wedding Planning 89
What's Actually Included? 90
Budget-Friendly or Budget Breaker? 91
Making It Your Own 94
Asking the right questions when meeting with an all-inclusive planner 95
Looking at ways to customize an all-inclusive wedding 96
Chapter 6 Location, Location, Location 99
Picking Your Perfect Ceremony and Reception Venue 100
Considering Indoor Event Venues 103
Knowing Your Options for Outdoor Events 108
Taking cover from sun and rain: Tents and coverage 109
Wind: It's a four-letter word for a reason 111
Considering an All-Inclusive Wedding Venue: Pros and Cons 113
Chapter 7 Inviting Friends and Family 117
Deciding What Size Really Matters 117
Micro wedding: An intimate affair 118
Medium wedding: Ifs "just right" 119
Large wedding: Go big or go home 120
Organizing Your Guest List 120
Deciding who's invited 121
Setting up your guest list 122
Getting the Word Out 124
Sharing updates on a wedding website 124
Asking people to save the date 125
Sending the all-important wedding invitations 126
Getting a headcount with RSVPs 134
To mail or to email? 138
Providing Helpful Handouts 140
A guide to your wedding: Programs 140
Teasing the tastebuds: Menus 143
Boy, girl, boy, girl: Place cards 144
Showing gratitude: Thank-You Cards 146
Chapter 8 Adding Special Touches with Flowers 149
First Things First: Determining Your Style 149
Wearing and Carrying Floral Accents 151
Choosing the perfect bridal bouquets 151
Bring on the bridesmaids' bouquets 153
Stick a pin in it: Boutonnieres 154
Simple and elegant: Corsages 154
So sweet: Flowers for flower girls and ring bearers 155
Recognizing the attendants and ushers 156
Sprucing Up the Ceremony Space 156
Adorning the altar 157
Decorating the aisle 158
Additional decor 159
Creating a Festive Feel at the Reception 162
Cocktail hour 162
Setting the perfect table 163
Check-in table 166
Room accents 167
Sample Flower Order 168
Part 3 Style Icon 171
Chapter 9 In Pursuit of Your Dream Dress 173
Selecting the Perfect Dress 174
Gathering floral and decor inspiration 176
All shades of white 176
Complement your silhouette, neckline, and arms 178
Thinking about the train and veil 182
Underneath It All: Picking the Proper Undergarments 187
From Head to Toe 188
Headpieces 189
Shoes 189
Something old, new, borrowed, blue 190
Picking the Perfect Hairstyle 193
Makeup: How Much Is Too Much? 195
Chapter 10 What Everyone Else Will Be Wearing 199
Duds for Your Dude: The Groom's Attire 200
Suit up or suit down? 201
Tie, handkerchief, vest? 202
Choosing Attire for the Bridal Party 203
Bridesmaids 204
Groomsmen 205
Parents 208
Grandparents 209
Flower girl and ring bearer 209
Attendants 210
Officiant 211
Part 4 Ceremony To-Do's 213
Chapter 11 Making Your Marriage Legal 215
Selecting Your Officiant 217
Heading to the Courthouse: Marriage License Protocol 219
Navigating Same-Sex Legalities 220
Changing Your Name 221
Determining your new name 222
Offices to officially change your name 222
Banks, utilities, and more 224
Chapter 12 Where the Magic Happens: Planning and Personalizing Your Ceremony 227
Deciding on Your Ceremony Celebration 228
Nondenominational 228
Spiritual 230
Religious 232
Designing a Ceremony That Tells Your Love Story 235
Personalizing the ceremony script through stories and other details 235
Overview of the ceremony components 236
Processing in and skipping out 237
Vows and rings 240
Setting the Mood with Music 243
Selecting the musicians 244
Selecting specific songs 244
Additional Ceremony Must-Haves 247
Guestbook 249
Gifts 249
Programs 250
Part 5 Let's Party 251
Chapter 13 Celebrating After the Ceremony: The Reception 253
Setting the Tone 254
Music 254
Flowers and decor 254
Other details 255
Examining the Elements of a Typical Reception 255
Cocktail hour 256
Bridal party introductions 258
Welcome 259
Dinner 259
Cake cutting 260
Toasts 261
Special dances 262
Dance, dance, dance 264
Bouquet toss 265
Garter toss 266
Late night 266
Exit 267
Making the Most of Your Time with a Reception Timeline 267
Chapter 14 What's on the Menu? 271
Selecting the Caterer 271
Local restaurant 272
Catering company 272
Food truck 273
Picking Your Preferred Type of Dinner Service 273
Plated seated 273
Buffet 275
Stations 277
Thinking about What You Want to Eat 278
Appetizers and cocktails 280
What's for dinner? 281
How sweet it is 281
Let's Drink to That 285
Cash bar versus hosted bar 286
Tending bar: Leave it to the professionals 288
Avoiding a traffic jam 288
Bar aesthetics 290
Selecting wine and beer 291
Specialty drinks 291
Liquor 292
Chapter 15 Enjoying Your Party 293
Selecting the Perfect Entertainment 293
Cocktail hour music 295
Dinner music 295
Dancing music 295
Booking a band 296
Spinning with a DJ 297
Your Grand Exit 298
Last dance 299
Party favors 299
Exit celebration 301
Getaway vehicle 303
Honeymoon suite 304
Part 6 Wedding Weekend Events 305
Chapter 16 Practice Makes Perfect 307
Drawing Up the Master Plan for the Weekend 307
Vendor contact information 308
Bridal party contact information 309
Timeline of day-before-the-wedding events 310
Timeline of the big day (with a first look) 310
Timeline of the big day (no first look) 313
Flowers and decor 314
Floor plan 314
Guest list 314
Distributing Your Master Plan 315
Walking through Who Stands Where and Says What 316
Getting everyone in order at the rehearsal 317
Who's giving a toast? 318
Informing Your Bridal Party 319
Enjoying Yourself at the Rehearsal Dinner 320
Picking the guest list 321
Scouting out the perfect location 321
Choosing the food and beverage 322
Toasts 323
Gifts for your bridal party 324
Late-night celebration 326
Rest and Recover for the Big Day 327
Chapter 17 Pre- and Post-Wedding Events 329
Bridal Party Activities 330
Getting showered 330
Bridesmaids' lunch 332
Groomsmen bro time 333
Brunch the Day After Your Wedding 335
Picking the guest list 335
Selecting the location 336
Saying Goodbye to Family and Friends 337
Allowing time for goodbyes at the reception 337
Saying goodbye at a post-wedding event 338
Chapter 18 Honeymooning with your BFF 339
Thinking about Your Time of Travel 340
Selecting the Perfect Location 340
Working with a Travel Agent 343
Going Abroad 344
Packing for the Trip 345
Life After Wedding Planning 347
Experiencing the bridal blues 347
Thinking about what's next 348
Part 7 The Part of Tens 351
Chapter 19 Ten Ways to Ensure a Bad Day 353
Don't Set a Budget 353
Don't Hire a Good Team 354
Skip the Timeline 354
Don't Communicate the Plan 355
Invite Everyone You Know 355
Don't Pick a Supportive Squad 355
Get Caught Up in the Drama 356
Ignore What You Want 356
Stop Dating Your Fiance 356
Lose All Perspective 357
Chapter 20 Ten Reasons You're Normal 359
Wedding Dress Frustration 359
Fiancé Frustration 360
Having Nightmares 360
Disappointed with the Bridal Party 361
Totally Obsessed with Checking the Weather 361
Practicing Your Facial Expressions 362
If You're Totally Freaking Out 362
If You're Drinking Too Much 362
If You're Frustrated with Your Guests 363
If You Have Practiced the Kiss 363
Index 365