Wedding To-do's: After the Honeymoon

The big day has come and gone. You have (hopefully) spent the last few weeks relaxing and enjoying each other and this new time in your lives. Unfortunately there are a few items to wrap up before the wedding can officially become memories.

To-do's:

Be sure to write thank you notes promptly - handwrite them, and make them as personal as possible. Include a statement about how you'll use the gift in your new home/life.

As soon as possible, arrange for name changes, address changes and beneficiary changes on important documents. If one or both of you will be changing your name, be sure to visit the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Social Security office (make sure that you bring your marriage certificate with you).

Take a few extra days before returning to work, so you can relax, enjoy each other and begin putting your new home (and lives) together.

Congratulations! Have a great life together, and look forward to your 50th anniversary! Get ready for everyone to question you about when you'll have children.

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Wedding To-do's: Day Of Wedding

To-do's:

Have a good breakfast, but nothing too heavy. This may be the only time that you are able to really sit down and eat today!

Begin getting ready allowing yourself plenty of time...if possible, arrange to have your hair and makeup professionally done. Have the hair and makeup artist meet you at the ceremony site for this purpose.

Your primary helper should make sure to transport items from the ceremony to the wedding reception.

Give the groom's ring to the maid/matron of honor and the bride's ring to the best man.

This is the day you have been planning for over a year now. It is a magical day. Remember to enjoy it. The people around you will help you take care of things so you can just relax.

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Wedding To-do's: One Day before Wedding

You have arrived, now the planning is basically over and the festivities begin.

To-do's:

Have a manicure and pedicure (for both the bride and groom, if desired.)

Attend the rehearsal. If you have questions regarding anything or would like something done differently, speak up now or forever hold your peace. Specify the exact time and location where wedding party members will meet on the wedding day.

Give the best man the check for the officiator's fee, to be delivered following the ceremony.

Go over times, locations and shots desired with photographer.

Discuss the receiving line procedure with parents and wedding attendants. Instruct any attendants who won't be in the receiving line to mingle with guests.

Ensure that your primary helper has a copy of all contracts and necessary information to field questions and handle any unanticipated scenarios on the wedding day.

Place your luggage in the car that you will be driving when you depart for the airport or honeymoon destination.

Attend the rehearsal dinner. Relax and have a great time! The rehearsal dinner is a time to unwind and express your sincere appreciation to those close to you. Don't overindulge in alcohol, caffeine or food...you need a good night's sleep tonight!

Lay out everything that you will need to dress for the ceremony in one place at home. If you plan to dress at the ceremony site, make sure everything is in one place and ready to go tonight. Put your cell phone on charge so it's ready.

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Wedding To-do's: One Week before Wedding

This is the final stretch. A lot of planning has gone into this week's activities, so remember to enjoy. There are a couple items that still need to be done and of course you will have to deal with the unexpected. Roll with the punches and remember you are not alone.

To-do's:

Begin packing for the honeymoon. Don't forget your camera, film and passport!

Arrange for transportation home after you return from your honeymoon.

Give caterer the final guest count. Always check your contract for this Vendor Timelines.

Go over any last minute details with wedding professionals (such as photographer, videographer, DJ, baker, etc.) Re-confirm dates and times with all pertinent parties.

Instruct ushers regarding seating guests at the ceremony site. Also, instruct ushers to roll out the aisle runner immediately before the processional.

Remind wedding attendants to pick up their attire.

Arrange to have snacks placed in dressing areas for both the bridal attendants and the groom's attendants at the wedding reception.

Visit hairstylist for one last run-through before the big day! Don't forget your veil/headpiece.

Put together a 'wedding emergency kit', with extra stockings, safety pins, hairspray, band-aids, aspirin, bobby pins, deodorant, makeup, etc. Arrange to have maid/matron of honor bring this to the wedding just in case.

Arrange for someone to care for pets and house-sit while you are away on your honeymoon. If possible, arrange for a house sitter for your wedding day.

Wrap gifts for attendants, to be presented at the rehearsal dinner.

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Wedding To-do's: Two Weeks before Wedding

To-do's:

Confirm accommodations for out-of-town guests and assist with babysitting arrangements. Finalize plans for a 'Welcome' package or gift basket for out-of-town guests; include a wedding schedule and a list of local tourist attractions

Address wedding announcements, so they can be mailed immediately after the wedding.

Provide all key players (including wedding attendants and wedding professionals) with a detailed schedule of wedding events.

Arrange to change address, name and/or beneficiary information on your driver's license, social security card, insurance policies, etc.

If you are changing residences, begin moving into your new home.

Confirm transportation arrangements for ceremony, wedding reception and afterwards.

Arrange to have someone (likely your maid/matron of honor or mother) take your gown to the cleaners after the wedding for preservation. Also, arrange to have the groom's formalwear returned to the tuxedo shop, if it will be rented.

Arrange to have someone transport gifts from the wedding reception to your home.

Confirm arrangements with all wedding professionals, in writing.

Plan reception seating arrangements. Ensure that divorced parents and other potentially hostile parties aren't seated next to each other.

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Wedding To-do's: One Month before Wedding

To-do's:

Together with your fiancé, obtain marriage license. Click here for your State requirements and time frames.

Have formal bridal portraits taken.

Schedule hair and makeup appointments for the bride and wedding party. Schedule a manicure and/or pedicure for the bride and groom for the day before the wedding.

Select gifts for your fiancé and attendants.

Plan a bridesmaids' luncheon or party; wedding attendants should begin planning bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Consult an attorney regarding a prenuptial agreement, if desired.

Schedule final fittings for all wedding party members.

Obtain wedding accessories, including ring bearer's pillow, candles, aisle runner, etc.

Ask friends or family members to serve as guest book attendants and gift attendants.

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Wedding To-do's: 6 Weeks before Wedding

Remember at this point that you can't stop breathing even if you don't want to anymore.

To-do's:

Meet with your photographer to discuss specifics; provide him/her with a checklist of pictures that you want taken.

Meet with musicians, band leader or DJ to discuss musical selections for the reception. Provide a list of songs that you want played during the wedding reception, along with a list of those that you don't want played (your DJ should have already given you a list and worksheet to do this).

Finalize and confirm honeymoon plans; purchase traveler's checks.

Ensure that all official and civil documents are in order, including baptismal, communion and confirmation certificates, citizenship papers, proof of divorce, etc.

Arrange for Wedding Rehearsal and inform wedding party members and other important parties of the time, date, and location.

Finalize rehearsal dinner plans (traditionally done by the groom's family, but others close to the couple, including the bride's family, may do this if they so wish.)

Begin to record RSVPs and gifts received; send thank you notes promptly.

Discuss music with the church organist and/or soloist.

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Wedding To-do's: 3 Months before Wedding

To-do's:

Finalize the guest list, and keep track of names, addresses, phone numbers and responses. Theknot.com has a great Wedding Guest list tool.

Begin addressing the invitations; be sure to take a completed invitation, with all enclosures, to the post office to determine how much postage each envelope will require. Don't forget stamps for the response cards!

Select and purchase your going-away outfits, honeymoon clothing and luggage.

Meet with your florist and finalize wedding flower details. Be sure to take fabric swatches, a picture of your dress and discuss other floral decorations needed, included any on the cake, which will be served at your wedding reception.

Select a bakery and order your wedding cake. Be sure to bring pictures of styles that you like, and discuss themes or ethnic influences that you'd like included in the cake's design. Consider ordering a groom's cake to be served at the rehearsal dinner or reception. Also, be sure to arrange for a cake tasting session.

Arrange wedding day transportation for the wedding party, family members and other honored guests. Consider hiring a valet service to streamline the parking situation at your wedding reception facility.

Select and order wedding favors.

Schedule fittings for bridesmaids and maid/matron of honor.

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Wedding To-do's: 4 to 6 Months before Wedding

Things are really starting to focus at this point. The days will get longer and the decisions harder. Remember to take time out of this process to spend relaxing together for this is a celebration of your love.

To-do's

Set the date, time and location of your rehearsal dinner and reserve the site. Many restaurants offer banquet rooms for private celebrations, such as rehearsal dinners.

Both mothers should select their wedding attire to harmonize with the colors and formality of the wedding. Traditionally, the mother of the bride selects her outfit first; the mother of the groom follows suit with a complementary style of dress.

Maid of honor and bridesmaids plan a bridal shower.

Select and order invitations, announcements, programs and other wedding stationary.

Meet with your caterer or banquet manager regarding wedding reception menu choices. (Keep in mind your caterer could be on a different time schedule, so consult your contract as to when this meeting is)

Reserve rental items needed for the wedding reception and reception.

Arrange for accommodations for out-of-town guests. Contact local hotels and reserve a block of rooms for this purpose. Be sure to ask about group discounts. Think about putting together a 'welcome' package or gift basket for out-of-town guests; this can be the ultimate demonstration of hospitality and appreciation on your part.

Select and order wedding rings.

Plan to attend pre-marital counseling, if desired or required by your church or officiate.

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Wedding To-do's: 6 to 9 months before Wedding

To-do's:

Select, and order the bride's gown, veil/headpiece and accessories. Both the bride and the groom should begin selecting attire and accessories for their respective attendants.

Choose your gift registry service and register for china, linens, crystal and other home items. Be sure to let friends and relatives know where you are registered. Many services help with this by providing on-line registries.

Choose your wedding music; hire musicians, vocalists or a DJ if you haven't done so already. Be sure to check with your officiate regarding guidelines for appropriate ceremony music selections.

Discuss honeymoon plans and make reservations. Determine whether you'll need a passport, visa, birth certificate or inoculations if your honeymoon destination is abroad. If you're planning a destination wedding, research the requirements of your intended location, including waiting periods, fees, and necessary legal documents.

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Wedding To-do's: 9 to 12 months before Wedding

This is an exciting time. There is so much possibility and happiness. The intitial Engagement phase is clearing away and you are starting the Full scale Wedding Planning. So here are your to-do's for this time period.

To-do's:

Prepare a Three-ring binder with all contracts, receipts, the wedding schedule and vendor contact information, Personal Timetable and Wedding Budget. The more accurately you maintain this, the easier it will be to find information you may need later. Use the Budget Worksheet to plan dates, times and money related activities. Remember to use a pencil for this task as there will be many changes that occur as you finalize your plans.

Begin putting together your guest lists. The bride, groom, and both families should submit their lists and begin to consolidate them.

Interview and hire service providers, including your caterer, photographer / videographer, florist, entertainment, etc.

Determine your color scheme, theme, incorporation of ethnic or family traditions, and other ways to personalize your wedding celebration or even create a tradition all your own.

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Wedding To-do's:12 to 18 months before Wedding

This is an important phase if you have the luxury of time. Most of these tasks can be done during the 9-12 month phase also if the date you choose is closer to the engagement. However take your time with these tasks as this is the Ground work for the rest of the preparations.

To-Do's:

For the Groom to be, Select the engagement ring and propose. For Marriage Proposal Ideas.

Inform family members and friends of your happy news. Be prepared to be the center of attention and recount all the details of your engagement.

Announce your good news to the world. Many wedding related sites offer online space to place your personalized wedding page, We recommend theknot.com

Plan your engagement party, if there will be one. Traditionally, the bride's family hosts the engagement party, but the groom's family or others close to you may do so as well. Be sure to write thank you notes promptly for any engagement gifts received.

Select a wedding date and time, along with an alternate date to allow for greater flexibility in selecting ceremony and reception sites. This is the time to start thinking about, color scheme, formality, Size and scope of your Wedding.

Together with your parents or others helping to "foot the bill", determine your wedding budget and who will pay for what. Discuss which elements of the wedding are most important to you and your fiancé, and plan your budget accordingly. You may want to consider opening a checking account. Modern Wedding Advice does not recommend getting Credit Cards to finance your Wedding, or even to help keep track of payments. Most Banking Institutions will offer a Debit with Visa, which draws only money you have and not at high rates of interest.

Meet with your officiate and reserve your ceremony site.

Ask your nearest and dearest to be in the Bridal Party and send them to look at Bridal Part Duties. If your attendants will be expected to pay for their attire or other costs, let them know this upfront. You may need to have a few names as backups just in case.

Enlist the help of your honor attendants and families. Both the mother of the bride and the maid or matron of honor traditionally help the bride with a myriad of details. The groom can enlist the help of his best man and others in coordinating wedding details.

Secure your reception site as soon as possible. Many popular sites are booked as much as a year in advance, so you'll want to make sure that you contact them in plenty of time to reserve your wedding date. If you plan an outdoor wedding and/or reception, you'll want to make arrangements with a tent supplier at this time as well.

Start the Planning process even if you don't have the money for the budget, yet. It is quick to write checks later, but the planning can take a great deal of time. Research doesn't cost anything.

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Wedding Timetable Tips

In planning any large gathering a timetable of events is a helpful way to keep on track. It is the cornerstone of your sanity and will help you remember where your supposed to be and what your supposed to be doing. A Wedding Timetable is no different. There are literally hundreds of items that need your attention and the best way to organize them is in a Calendar Timetable.

Modern Wedding Advice will be offering a highly tuned timetable later on today to help you with your marriage preparations. It is a guide as it unfortunately wasn't designed with a specific wedding in mind. It is a great list of when in the preparations you should give your attention to specific items.

An important note on Marriage licensing. Every State and Country is different in their laws in regards to marriage. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the laws of your county early in the process. Most cities will issue a license around two months prior, but all licenses have a deadline for being effective. They expire and you don't want to show up to the church and find out you aren't going to be officially married because the license is out of date.

Consult the timetable, read the articles on confusing subjects, and rewrite the timetable for your wedding. Then place it in your Three-ring binder next to your Wedding Budget. Those two documents will get you through the wedding.

--Mickey

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Simple Checklist to Change Your Name

If you're changing your name, you probably can't wait to be "Mrs. Smith!" You can proudly introduce yourself as such as soon as you are married, but it'll take a little time and paperwork to have your new name be on record everywhere it needs to be.

Here's a list of people/institutions you're going to want to notify as soon as possible:

Social Security- Getting a new social security card will facilitate many of the other changes you need to make. There's a form to fill out, bring that and your marriage license to your local social security office to file.

Department of Motor Vehicles

Voter Registration

IRS

Passport Office Unfortunately you won't have a passport issued in your new name in time for your honeymoon, so make reservations in your maiden name. This goes for domestic travel too, as you need positive identification for most means of transportation



Post Office

Any banks where you have an account. Make sure to order new checks with your married name on them.

Your Mortgage company

Credit Card companies

Any investments you have in your name

Insurance companies. Car, home, life, and health insurance will all need to be notified.

All of your doctors

Utility companies

Your employer

Your school, if applicable

Any legal documents (such as a will or health care proxy) or proceedings you are involved with.

Other people to notify: Your gym, any club or museum memberships you have, your library, your frequent flier program, Netflix and similar services, and of course, all your friends and family.

Many places where you will be registering your name change have official forms you have to fill out that are specific to the organization. But it is a good idea to write up a letter you can send out saying "I am writing to inform you of a legal change in my name, and request that all future records indicate my name as Jane Smith. My former name is Miss Jane Jones, as of June 20, 2008 I am Jane Smith." Include any pertinent contact information, especially if that is changing as well. The letter doesn't have to be elaborate, but something that spells out your former and current names and is presenting your request for a change in writing.

Tip: Carry extra ID with you for a while, with both names on it, until you are officially "Mrs. Smith" everywhere you need to be.

--Minnie

First Step: Wedding Budget

One of the first steps you can take in planning your Wedding is to come up with a rough budget. It will guide you in all of the other decisions you have to make. See what you have, what you need to come up with, and what you'd like to come up with. You can always add to it later if the opportunity arises, but it really helps to have a general idea to start with.

Say you have $10,000 to spend. You'll know not to get your heart set on a reception site that costs $12,000. You can decide that your limit on a dress is $600. If you find one you love for $700, you can buy it and make adjustments elsewhere in the budget, but you'll have a good idea of what price range to look in. With your budget in mind you can get quotes from various vendors, and see which ones you can work with, and which ones are worth spending a little extra on.


With a rough budget in mind, you can also start making those all-important down payments. Don't book a super-fancy venue if you have no idea how you'll come up with the rest of the money. But if you are sure you can at least have a basic ceremony or reception at a site you really like, you can place a down payment to reserve it before someone else takes your date.

Whatever your budget, there are always going to be items to prioritize. Figure out what means the most to you. Allocate accordingly. You may have to forgo the upgraded linens in order to hire a videographer. Or maybe you really want a chocolate fountain, so you serve one fewer hors d'oevres tray. It's all a matter of finding the right balance for your own Wedding.

Having a budget in mind early on in the planning process will make all the next steps a little easier. Sticking to your budget can be very difficult with the prices the Wedding industry throws at you, but it can be done. Always keep your priorities in mind, try your best to find deals where you can, and have fun with the process.

--Minnie

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Wedding Invitations for Difficult Guests

Wouldn't it be nice if we could all just get along? At least to put aside our differences for one important day? Sometimes that is tough to do. You may cringe when thinking about the divorced couple, or the feuding siblings, that will both be in attendance at your Wedding. Or maybe there's a relative who always points out the areas of your life that are lacking, who doesn't like your fiance, or is just a plain old sourpuss. These are unfortunate scenarios, but they do exist. All you can do is make the best of it.

Modern Wedding Advice urges you not to snub family members except in extreme circumstances. If someone has committed a major offense against you or your fiance, then by all means, celebrate your day and don't feel guilty about not including them. But if it's a sourpuss aunt or a cousin who once snubbed you, excluding them will create bad blood that will last a long time. Invite them, and ask someone close to them (their child or spouse perhaps) to keep an eye on them, and play mediator if an issue arises. If there are two people who you fear will cause a scene, seat them at opposite sides of the reception, and inform the ushers not to seat them near each other at the ceremony. Say hello and thank you for coming when you see them. Grin and bear it, and remember that they can't ruin your perfect day. You're doing the noble thing by rising above your differences, and you don't have to give them any more thought than that.

One thing to keep in mind is that including one family member and not another can cause a lot of tension. If you have a very large family, or a very small venue, this isn't as much of an issue. But if you're having 200 guests, and you include a cousin you like and his/her date, but you don't include that cousin's sister because you'd rather let your coworker bring a date, it could be an issue.

One way to get around having guests who just can't be in the same room together is to ask one to come to the ceremony and the other to come to the reception. If you have other guests who are only attending one part of the day, that makes this a viable option. The goal is to make the day as nice as possible for every body.

--Minnie

Remember Why You Said Yes

There are plenty of times during the early years a couple is together that the stress and pressure will seem insurmountable- especially during Wedding Planning. You are in the process, not only of planning a huge event in your life as a couple, but also merging two unique persons into one family unit. There can be resentments, trials and tribulations. There even might come a time when you feel you are making a cataclysmic mistake. Rest assured that this isn't the first time a couple has had to deal with this and there are some simple things you can do to prevent the break-up you might feel is the only solution.

Remember why you said yes (or asked) in the first place- This is a simple concept. Simply look back at the months and years that led you to that magic night where she said yes. Think about the good times you have had. Examine whether or not anything has really changed. Sometimes something has changed and you will feel you need to end this relationship before it goes too far. More likely though nothing has really changed. You are simply under intense pressure. Pressure is okay, just remember that you aren't alone and you are certainly loved.

Pre-Marriage Counseling- Maybe you feel that counseling is only for people who have been together for years and are trying to salvage what was once a happy marriage. Not so. You are transitioning into a lifestyle you probably no nothing about. If a marriage is truly worth having, it is definitely worth seeking help. Catholic Marriages require Pre-Cana, or marriage prep courses, as do many other religions. This is because they assume you don't know what you don't know. Even if religion isn't your cup of tea, don't overlook getting professional help. The adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" applies to relationships, too. Your Marriage is worth it.

Date Nights- Minnie has suggested you take time out of your busy lives which are now not just filled with work, but filled to the brim with Wedding planning, to spend together. This doesn't have to be get out of the house type dates; it can simply be relaxing together in front of a fire or playing a game. This allows you two to take a break and reconnect. This will help you remember why you are getting married in the first place. Because you like each other.

Don't go to bed MAD- Ever. This is a simple trick that will keep your relationship strong. It is harder to work out your problems if you take a break during an argument. It is easier to say sorry in the morning, without actually having solved the problem. This will lead to future arguments on the same subject. Yell, cry, argue. Walk away and come back, think things through, listen- but make sure you deal with the problem at hand before it becomes a resentment you let fester and ultimately kill the relationship.

Be affectionate- This isn't just about love-making. It is about telling each other how much you love each other. It is about sneaking kisses at the florists. It is about hugging each other and bringing home flowers. This is the cornerstone of your relationship and should be continually fed.

I am sure there are other ways of making a relationship stronger. Truthfulness and love aren't all there is but they do make everything else seem a little easier. Once the Wedding planning is over and the first anniversary is over you will be closer. Just give yourselves the chance you deserve and set yourselves up with a plan to deal with the stress of change.

--Mickey

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Oceania Wedding Traditions

Oceania primarily refers to Australia and New Zealand, two of the most remote countries in the world, yet two of the most exciting and vibrant countries on earth as well. Both New Zealand and Australia are members of the British Commonwealth and so they have borrowed many of their wedding traditions from Great Britain – although they have been flavored by the traditions of the native populations of both nations.

In Australia a wedding keepsake bible is handed down from generation to generation. The white wedding dress has been traditional in Australia for many centuries and is still popular today, symbolizing hope and joy for the future. Traditionally Australian weddings include all members of the bride’s as well as the groom’s families.

Most Australian wedding traditions have been borrowed from England, but it is also common for Scottish and Irish wedding ceremonies to be performed in Australia, and many ceremonies are also flavored with Aboriginal customs. One thing that never changes, however, is the exchange of rings at the conclusion of the ceremony. The wedding ring, a perfect circle with no beginning and no ending, symbolizes never-ending love in Australia just as it does in most of the rest of the world.

An Australian wedding reception is apt to feature a wide range of music, everything from traditional English and American music to bagpipes and even the haunting melody of the Aboriginal didgeridoo.

The wedding tradition in New Zealand calls for a lavish church wedding, a white-gowned bride and all the bridesmaids. The groom wears dark pants and a white shirt and dark coat and he is flanked by his best man and his groomsmen. It is considered bad luck for the groom to see his bride on the day of the wedding before she walks down the aisle. An additional aspect of a New Zealand wedding is the incorporation of traditional Maori wedding customs.


The Maori are the native people of New Zealand and their customs and traditions are held in high esteem by many New Zealanders. Maori wedding tradition includes the ceremonial Powhiri welcome to the bride and the groom, and may include the traditional warrior challenge. Often a New Zealand wedding is conducted by a Maori tribal elder and at the conclusion of the ceremony the couple is blessed in the Maori language.

And no Maori-flavored Oceania wedding would be complete without the “infinity loops” placed around the necks of the bride and the groom, symbolizing never-ending love. It doesn’t matter if you are at the top of the world or if you are in the very heart of the land down under, weddings bring out the best in everyone and call for joyous celebration the world over. In Oceania the traditions are a beautiful mix of the new with the ancient, creating a wedding experience that is unique to this very special corner of the world down under.

Australia Wedding fashions have changed over the years, but the white wedding dress is still traditionally worn by brides in Australia, reflecting a custom which dates back many centuries. A bible is often given as a wedding gift, which is kept as a precious souvenir for future generations.

The traditions which are known and loved in the western world are all present here - the wedding cake, the exchange of rings and the reception with friends and family. Australian weddings will often bring together extended family members, and a couple's marriage will provide a wonderful opportunity for everyone to celebrate the start of their new life together.

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Destination Wedding: Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls has been the honeymoon capital of Canada for many years. This tradition started in 1804 when Napoleon's younger brother, Jerome Bonapart brought his new bride, Elizabeth Patterson, from Baltimore, to witness the majesty of the thundering waters. Subsequently, millions of visitors have chosen Niagara to start their new lives together. One major reason for this is that Niagara Falls is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty. From Fort Erie to Niagara-on-the-Lake, the entire 30-mile Niagara Peninsula, offers honeymooners breath-taking sights, and fond memories of this spectacle of nature. Sir Winston Churchill called the Niagara Parkway the most beautiful drive in the world. In addition, Niagara offers exciting nighttime activities from gourmet dining, dancing in numerous clubs on the strip, fabulous shows, and gaming at Casino Niagara to name just a few.

No longer just a honeymoon destination, Niagara Falls offers a wide range of options to start your life together. Whether in a Tethered Balloon floating 400 ft above the falls or at the Sheraton on the Falls the options are endless.

Places we recommend

The White Wedding Chapel at the Inn- The Bride, on her very special day, will walk down the Bridal Pathway with her father or other specially designated person to our elegant Kissing Bridge, to be greeted there by her Groom. He will then escort his Bride into the chapel and walk down the aisle with her followed by the person or persons giving her away. The Bride may also choose to walk all of the way down the chapel aisle with her father.

The Little Wedding Chapel- The Chapel is interdenominational and the amenities include wedding white pews, exquisite Victorian wedding prints, CD music, and lovely floral decorations. Every wedding ceremony includes a personalized Keepsake Booklet, a Certificate of Marriage suitable for framing, and a selection of beautiful floral bouquets for the Bride and Maid or Matron of Honor, and matching boutonnières for the Groom and the Best Man for use during the ceremony.

Niagara Dream Weddings- This service can plan your destination wedding top to bottom. Imagine saying your vows in a gorgeous and charming chapel in Canada's wedding capital or at the beautiful Oakes Garden Theatre with breathtaking views of the world's most famous waterfalls. For the adventurous, picture asking that magical question of your loved one in a helicopter as you soar above the Falls. With our knowledge of the beautiful Niagara Region and all it has to offer, we are able to hand pick and design exclusive packages just for you.

These vendors and other like them are the reason Niagara Falls is quickly taking over as the Wedding Capital of the World.

--Mickey

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Simple Budget Worksheet

The first thing you should do when planning your wedding is buy a three-ring binder, as the shear amount of information you need during this process should have a home to itself. It is helpful to write everything down. This is a simple Wedding Budget To-do list that you can print out and fill in. Here is the Wedding Budget To-do list with sample Budget Items. I also recommend using theknot.com Wedding Budgeter tools, but it is always helpful to have a physical copy to bring to your Vendor meetings. You can fill in the knots budgeter from this handy guide.

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