Preparing for Your Wedding

Congratulations! He popped the question and you answered yes! Now, its time to plan the wedding. Follow these simple tricks to make your wedding day magical.

Step 1: Time to Budget!

Weddings can cost a lot money. If you don't plan carefully, your big day can spiral out of control leaving you unprepared for the rest of your life together. Because of this, the first thing every newly engaged couple should do is decide on a budget. After that, it is important to stick to it.

Step 2: What is Your Priority?

Every bride has one area where she isn't willing to bend or give even an inch. For some brides, this is the cake they have been dreaming of since they were six. For others, its the church they grew up in. Still others focus on the dress. Whatever it is, devote the necessary money to that and scrimp somewhere else.

Step 3: Narrow the guest list

Does the bride's fourth cousin's best friend's ex-husband need to be there? What about the groom's grandmother's bridge partner's neighbor? At what point should people be cut off? A good rule of thumb is if the bride or groom doesn't know the person, they should not be invited. Also, if money is tight, it is perfectly acceptable not to put an option for a plus one on the invitation.

Step 4: Plan a Menu

Whether a DIY Bride or one who hire a caterer, food is an important aspect to every wedding. When deciding on a menu, take into account special dietary needs of the wedding guests. If the budget is tight, plan the wedding during off hours and simply serve cocktails. Cake, however, is a must have!

Step 5: Be Prepared

Before the day of the wedding, every bride should ensure she has an appropriate bride's survival kit. This kit should have everything she might need. Many survival kits contain things like: pain reliever, blister pads, tissues, blotting sheets, safety pins, stain remover, a tampon, bobby pins and bandaids. Kits can be commercially obtained from many craft stores. A bride can also put this together herself for a fraction of the cost.

Step 6: Enjoy the Day

The day every little girl dreams of is finally here. She has her one chance to be a princess for a day. The most important thing a bride can do is relax and enjoy the day. It only happens once.