First thing's First: Don't Loose Sight of the Prize

As I sit aimlessly flipping through huge bridal magazines, jotting down cute ideas and cost-effective tips, I realize the knowledge I am selfishly putting to waste. If it weren't for a select few women in my life, who happen to be undercover geniuses when it comes to planning a wedding, I have a strong notion that mine and my fiance, Brady's, wedding would consist of multiple boxes of Domino's pizza, cheap wine and beer, and of course, a quick trip to City Hall for the nuptials.

What I'm trying to say is: getting the ring is all fine and dandy...but pretty quickly the timeless questions from distant relatives and old high school friends start flooding in about "Have you picked a date yet?" "Where is the wedding?" and "Have you chosen a honeymoon spot?" Without a moment's notice, and without the courtesy of, oh, a month to grasp the fact that you are due to be a bride, you are thrust into a whirlwind of planning, and, more importantly, paying.

Which is why I have decided to jot down my tips of advice, ALL from experience, for those future brides who will sooner or later find themselves drowning in white laced invitations and business cards from caterers. Mark my words ladies; it is soooo much easier said than done. Oh, and people like Jennifer Lopez on "The Wedding Planner" do not exist....that is unless your pocketbook is the size of a small country.

Each blog will consist of a word (well, hopefully more than just one) of advice on planning a wedding. This blog, seeing as it is my first and therefore most important, will set the tone for the following posts. I believe that this bit of advice truly does surpass all others. It encompasses the entire idea of planning a wedding, and I do believe, if followed, it will make for not only a successful stretch of planning, but also for a glorious and flawless final product:

LADIES: DO NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THIS ONE SIMPLE FACT...NOT ONLY ARE YOU PLANNING A WEDDING, YOU ARE PLANNING A MARRIAGE.

(I hope the emphasis on the font got that message through.)

Every time I get stressed about whether or not to use chair covers, if I registered for enough bath towels, where Brady and I will live, etc., I take heed of the advice a fellow bride gave me: no tears of sadness or anger should be wasted on the planning of such a special day. It is after all just ONE day, and the rest of you and your other half's lives is a much more important ordeal to focus on. That is to say, this man that you are planning the entire wedding, reception, honeymoon and all other shenanigans for will be by your side for the rest of your life (God willing.) No hurtful words should be uttered at one another, simply because you can't decide what type of shoes the bridesmaids should wear. This man is the REASON you are going through the hoops and hurdles to make this one special day perfect. INVOLVE him in the planning process (I don't think it's just Brady....guys are more involved and concerned about the wedding than you would think). And most importantly, each time you feel that surge of anxiety coming over you, just smile and reflect on how he proposed. On how you felt when he got down on one knee and asked you to be his forever. Hold that moment so close, and I would honestly suggest reliving it at least once a week as a reminder of the reason for this charade.

This may seem an odd way to start off a post about wedding advice....I can only hope it makes you realize that although there is MUCH planning and advice to give about weddings, it is after all only one day. Keep this simple fact in mind, that your marriage is the most important thing, and I wholeheartedly believe your wedding will be exactly what it is meant to be: the most incredible, special and breathtaking day of you AND your fiance's life.

Next up:

Registries. Do I really need that china? And where do I draw the line when I get scanner-happy running around the department stores? In my recent experience, I find registries are so much more complex than one could imagine. Although it is still an adrenaline rush picking out which coffee-maker you and your guy will use every morning, there are some general rules I believe every future bride should follow...Stay tuned, lovebirds.