Wedding Planning Tips

Instead of buying traditional favors, the family had donated the money to a scholarship fund in Sean's brother's name. And in that way, he was there with us. While it was difficult for everyone to hear of the loss, it was uplifting to know that our presence had contributed to helping others.

With the hundreds of details that go into planning the big day, costs can easily get out of hand, and it's no surprise that half of all couples go over their wedding budget.

So why would anybody choose to ambush their wedding planner instead of preparing her for the insanity that is their family for their wedding weekend?

Brides know better than anyone that weddings can cost a fortune, but somehow we forget that we're not the only ones incurring charges just because we're getting married.

Below are five things to note when planning the perfect outdoor wedding.

Of course, there are traditions that should be considered and elements that will make a wedding timeless. But it is their wedding, and it is perfectly okay to shake things up, make traditions their own, and make their own rules.

You met. You dated. You fell in love. He proposed (or maybe you did!). You started planning a wedding... and suddenly found yourself wondering why. Screech! Stop! What!?

A destination wedding is much more intimate than a large, grand wedding, and intimacy is the key reason destinations are so popular, whether you have a guest list of 10 or 100.

There's certainly no shortage of wedding planning resources out there, but where should a newly-engaged couple start? To keep you from getting over...

As an engaged couple, you have a nearly infinite number of choices to make. Incorporating earth-friendly elements takes little, if any, additional effort when you have the right resources.

As weddings have become more personal and creative reflections of the engaged couples at any budget, the father of the bride's role has become more flexible as well.

When I went to my vendors and friends I would present my "brief." I would say "think vintage, 1950's, 4th of July, fancy, family picnic; parasols, grassy, happy, warm, swingy. The colors are watermelon, kiwi and sunflower yellow."

In the history of entertaining, no guest has ever pooh-poohed a host who goes above-and-beyond the call of duty. Now it's your turn

He's popped the question, a sparkly new ring adorns your finger and you've begun turning your dreams into actual wedding plans. And then you start having some of your worst arguments ever.

We ladies are expected to assume the roles of wedding planner, hostess, daughter-in-law, bride, peacekeeper, decision-maker, budgeting guru, and wife all in one fell swoop. Talk about overwhelming!

With the cost of weddings skyrocketing, and with many same-sex couples footing the entire bill for their big day, an intimate affair in your own backyard might start to look appealing.

NEW YORK -- For do-most-of-it-yourself brides, wedding planning means lists, lists and more lists, with some spreadsheets thrown in for good measure. ...

A well cared for guest is a happy guest and you can be guaranteed that your guests will remember most how they were treated at your wedding.

You are not a bridezilla. You have not been planning this wedding since you were three and Barbie and Ken were your role models for love. You want a simple, meaningful, shenanigan-free wedding and you have somehow ended up a crazy person.