| Accept help when it's offered. | | | | Spend your money wisely. |
| Planning your own wedding is a big job. When | | | | Think about the things that last after the big day, |
| friends and relatives offer to help you, accept it. | | | | after the 1st 24 hours of marital bliss. Your |
| You may not know exactly what you need them | | | | photographs, the video, the wedding party gifts, |
| to do at the time they offer, but keep a list of | | | | and your honeymoon. Having a 7 tier cake and |
| volunteers for later. There is so much busy work | | | | wine served at dinner are nice touches, but not |
| to do, enlist anyone that offers help because you | | | | worth blowing your budget on. |
| can't do it all yourself. There will be flowers to | | | | Throw convention to the wind - you might save |
| pick out, cake to taste test, flatware to select, | | | | some money! |
| things that need to be picked up, dropped off, | | | | Weddings are big business these days. Scheduling |
| gifts hauled, invitations sent and thank yous | | | | your ceremony or reception on a Friday night |
| written. | | | | could save you piles of money and get you the |
| Respect everyone that is flipping for the bill. | | | | date you want. Wish you could get married in |
| It's hard to please everyone, but if your parents | | | | your backyard -do it. No one should say "you |
| or in-laws are paying for something in your | | | | have to do it like this" - even Mom. Wedding |
| wedding, they are entitled to some say so. As | | | | attendees will be pleasantly surprised to see a |
| hard as it might be, let them select something | | | | new twist on the same old ceremony and |
| that means a lot to them. Conversely, if you are | | | | reception. Make it fun, make it your day. |
| paying for your own wedding, by all means do | | | | Despite everything the day will not be PERFECT |
| things your way. Don't be swayed by Mom's guilt | | | | and that is OK. |
| trips to invite all her 2nd cousins when you are | | | | Those small glitches will make it special and |
| paying $20 per plate. | | | | memorable. No wedding day is ever perfect. With |
| Bride and Groom participation. | | | | so many variables things happen; it rains, the |
| It's easy to let someone else handle everything, | | | | soloist gets ill, the flower girl cries down the isle, |
| but don't make this mistake with your wedding. | | | | the groomsmen boutonnières get lost, the |
| Both spouses need to see and understand the | | | | reception site didn't use the right linens, the best |
| budget plan. Don't forget to let your fiance | | | | man's toast wasn't flattering and on and on. No |
| participate in the detailed decision making and final | | | | matter how much careful planning you do, things |
| price tag considerations. Getting into a huge | | | | happen - that is life. It could be a minor thing or it |
| disagreement about finances before you're even | | | | could be big deal... the best outcome is a bride and |
| married is a lousy way to start the rest of your | | | | groom that handle it all in stride. |
| life. | | | | |