Bride's Priority List

All this hustle and bustle. The bride's head is in a whirl. She hardly knows what to do first. What should she be thinking about, even before setting a date for her wedding?

One

The first thing that should be done is the bride and groom should decide when they would like to marry. Should it be a formal wedding or casual wedding? What type of reception will they have? Where will it be held?

And that's the clincher: where the reception is held. Why? You must obtain the hall for that date. And you must hurry to book it.
Reception halls book about two years in advance, so your favorite weekend may not be available. If it is available, it will not be available for long.

Abide by the rules of the reception hall. If they require a downpayment, be swift to pay it. This will hold the site for you. If you do not pay the fee, you may risk losing the booking to someone who is willing to pay up front.

Now, you can plan your wedding around that date.

Two

You will find it easier to book a church and minister than to find a reception hall. But you will have to talk to your officiant (the one who marries you, either a judge or religious minister). When is he or she available? Can he/she be available on your preferred date? If not, do you have an alternate officiant? Can you reserve your preferred wedding site: church, court, hall? Are they available for that date? If not, do you have an alternate site?

If you are not happy with the locations available for your preferred date, can you change the date of your wedding to comply with the availability of the sites you prefer?

Does your officiant require a fee? Are you to pay him/her now, or to wait until later? Does the wedding hall/church require a fee? What are the requirements of the hall/church? Are you to be a member? If not, is there a fee for non-members? Are there other requirements? Some churches require a course in family management and moral issues as well as Bible Study. Are you willing to comply? How long is the course, and will its length postpone your wedding date?

Now that you have the hall booked, a legally registered officiant, and a wedding site, should you relax and let everything fall into place?

Maybe a little. But you'll have to get right back to work.

Three

The next thing a bride has to worry about is the clothing and theme of the wedding.

Everything about the theme is contingent on the color and style of the bridesmaids' dresses as well as the style of the bride's gown.

The bride's and bridesmaids' gowns should be of complimentary styles. But, the bridesmaids' dresses are the crucial decision. Are the ones you want available? Are they affordable for your bridesmaids? Do they look flattering on every size of bridesmaid you are inviting to participate? Is there a chance one of the girls will be pregnant? What will you do if that happens?

Are the gowns you like going to make photographs you will cherish for years to come, or are you going to be ashamed to share your wedding photos with friends? You may have to adjust your taste to make your photos perfect. After all, that is the only permanent memory of your wedding you will take away when the day is over. And photos will last forever.

Once the bridesmaids' dresses are purchased, then you can began planning the wedding and reception decorations. Flowers and tablecloths, streamers and ribbons, cake and dishes, men's ties and cummerbunds, yes, every decoration should coordinate with the colors you have chosen for your bridesmaids' gowns.

Now, you can relax. Unless you are getting married withing the next six months......