Table of Contents
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction: The "Other" Man in Your Life 1
1 Getting Started 101: The Planning Process: Think, Organize, Do (And Don't!) 7
Think About It: Brainstorming
Get Your Priorities Straight: ABCs of Organizing
Do Your Homework: Researching Before Acting
2 That Costs How Much?, or My Dad so won't Pay That: The Bride's Guide to Savvy Spending and Budgeting 15
Create Your Budget Before You Spend a Dime
What to Expect (and Questions to Ask When Researching Costs)
Budgeting with Vendors
The Stress-free Bride-to-Be
3 Scene-Setting for Your Wedding 41
The Perfect Date: Choosing When Your Wedding Will Take Place
That Special Time of Year: Holiday Weddings
In a Faraway Land: Destination Weddings
Location, Location, Location: Selecting a Ceremony and Reception Venue
4 Perfectly Polished: Etiquette for the Elegant 67
I'm Smiling Because I Have to Right Now: Being a Bride Who Is Nice and Considerate to All
Your A-List: Creating Your Guest List
Get the Party Started!: Choosing Your Bridal Party
Playing the Part: The Role of the Bride and Groom
Being well Received at Your Reception
Oh, You Shouldn't Have!: Registry and Gifts
From me to You: When to Gift Guests
Your Supporting Cast: Attendant Gifts
5 You're Invited!: Invites And Printed Materials 85
Creating a Buzz: Save the Dates
You are Cordially Invited: Invitations
What Do We Do Now?: Itineraries
The Run of Show: Programs
Places, Everyone!: Escort Cards and Place Cards
What's Cooking?: Menu Cards
The Paper Trail: Accents and More
Much Obliged: Thank-YouNotes
6 Fashion Forward 113
The Aisle Is Your Runway
Making Your Debut: Your Bridal Gown!
Amorous Additions: Accessories
Fashion for Your Bridal Party
Ready for My Close-up: Hair and Makeup
Men of the Hour: Groom and Groomsmen
"Everlasting" Love: Wedding Gown Preservation
7 Strike Up the Band: Entertainment! 139
Ceremony Serenades
Cocktail and Reception Music
And the Band Played On!: Hiring a Band
Spin My Song: Hiring a DJ
A Sweet Duet: DJs with Accompaniment
Showstoppers: Hiring Performers
Going Out with a Bang: Wedding Fireworks
8 Lights, Camera, Action!: Photography And Videography 159
Your Personal Paparazzi: Hiring a Photographer
Roll the Cameras!: Hiring a Videographer
9 Ordinary to Extraordinary: Your Wedding Decor 171
Designing Your Dream: Contracting a Design Vendor
What's Your Bridal Style?
Stop and Smell the Roses: Floral Decor
Decor the Halls
My People Will Call Your People: Contacting Rental Vendors
Let There Be Lighting!
10 Eat, Drink, and Be Married!: Food And Beverage 206
Creatively Incorporating Food and Festivity
Bottoms Up!: Cocktail Hour
Dinner Is Served: Dinner Receptions
A Taste of Things to Come: Menu Planning and Tastings
Playing with Your Food: Food as Entertainment
Let Them Eat Cake!: Faultlessly Finding Your Future ConFection
11 Get Me to the Church on Time!: Timelines and Logistics 226
In Due Time
Down to the Minute!: Three Schedule Scenarios
When Time Is on Your Side: Lapses Between Ceremony and Reception
Point A to Point B: Transportation
Don't Do the Pink Stretch Lima: Transporting Yourself to Your Wedding
Which Way Do We Go?: Directions for Guests
There and Back: Transporting Your Bridal Party and/or Guests
The Driving Force: Valet
Checking It Twice
12 The Main Event: Ceremony and Reception 246
Places, Everyone!
Greeting and Seating
Here Comes the Bride: Processional
Mastering Ceremony
Do You Take This Man?: Vows
Make It Official: Hiring an Officiant
There Goes the Bride: Recessional
To Give Is to Receive: Receiving Lines
Celebrate Good Times: Your Cocktails and Reception
And Now . . . the Announcement of the Bridal Party
May I Have This Dance?: Special Dances
Cheers!: Toasts Given on Your Special Day
Let the Games Begin!: Cake, Garter, Bouquet
Favorite Favors
Closing: Happily-Ever-After-The-Wedding's-Over 274
Index 277