Getting Married

You may not be able to decide on a budget until you estimate the number of guests you want to invite.Write out a guest list that includes people you truly want at your wedding, trying to split the number of guests evenly between the bride and groom.

Typically, your initial invitation list will be too long for your budget. You may want to cut the list by eliminating business associates, escorts for unmarried guests and relatives who live a great distance away. Take your time, and don't overlook people you really want to share in this special day.

Down the Aisle in Style

Of course, the bridal gown is an important item to the couple, and it can be a considerable expense. Bridal magazines highlight a variety of styles and are a good place to start searching for that perfect creation. Many brides have their wedding dresses custom-made, but there are less expensive options. Purchase a dress off-the-rack, buy a sample dress, get a dress from a secondhand store, check out one of the growing number of bridal factory outlets, rent a dress or borrow one from a friend or relative.

If you opt to buy a dress, it's a good idea to have a price range in mind and to only try on dresses that fall within that range. Take your time when trying on dresses and keep notes. Also, consider bringing along a camera so you can compare dresses back at home. The process can be confusing and very emotional. You may want to take someone with you who can offer an objective opinion and help you stick to your budget.

Club Wed ... The Honeymoon

One big-ticket item that deserves some extra attention because of the emotional and financial considerations is your honeymoon. Most couples, budget permitting, go on their honeymoon soon after the wedding. The honeymoon gives you an opportunity to relax after the stress and excitement of the wedding and before you start setting up your household. But make your plans early, so you'll get your first choice of a hideaway. By starting early, you may even find discounts on airfare and accommodations.

Weddings are big business. According to theknot.com, somewhere around 2.4 million couples marry each year, spending anywhere from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars on each ceremony. As you begin to make your plans, you'll quickly find out how costs can add up.  A budget should be one of your first priorities, because determining your bottom line will help you decide what style of wedding you'll have-informal, formal, large, small, etc.

Use the following basic budget planner to get an idea of what your expenses will be. How-to books or bridal magazines will help you think of every possible expense that could come up. Be as complete as possible in figuring your budget, and you'll avoid last-minute unexpected costs.

Download the Wedding Budget Worksheet to get an idea of what your wedding expenses may be.

If you've compared the potential expenses with what you can afford and things look tight, there are many ways to cut costs. You may want to forego the limousine, have the ceremony flowers transferred to the reception, have a family member take photographs and videos, or serve a buffet-style dinner. Also, many couples are skipping the big wedding altogether and getting combined marriage/honeymoon packages. If getting married on the beach and starting your honeymoon as soon as you say "I do" sounds appealing, this cost-effective approach may be right for you.

Finally, talk over who will cover the costs. In the past, the bride's parents paid for most of the wedding. Today, there are no rules. Both the bride and the groom may contribute, and the groom's family may foot some of the costs. A word to the wise, however: Lots of folks think a contribution entitles them to offer an opinion. So if you're accepting money, be prepared-and be gracious-if it is accompanied by advice.

Now that you've got a better handle on finances, create your organizational plan and put it on paper. Again, be as complete as possible. You may want two worksheets-one pre-wedding checklist and another devoted solely to the wedding day. Get an early start on your list-it's not unusual to find services and sites reserved one or two years in advance. Here is a short example of items to include on your pre-wedding checklist. You'll want to be much more detailed.

• Reserve a church or other wedding site
• Book a reception site
• Book a caterer
• Book a musician or disc jockey
• Order invitations
• Order flowers
• Book a photographer
• Register for gifts
• Order clothing
• Book honeymoon

When your big day finally arrives, it's natural to have a bad case of nerves. Undoubtedly, some minor mishap will occur, but what may seem like a disaster to you will probably go unnoticed by your guests. Most often, you'll find that all your careful planning pays off. Your main objective should be to enjoy the day and celebrate your marriage.

The wedding was orchestrated beautifully, the honeymoon was a delight, and you're both on cloud nine. But, there are a few residual items that need your attention.

Thank-you notes
Traditionally, you have one year to send gift acknowledgments, but the sooner you get it done the better. You'll prevent some family squabbles with parents and in-laws who are wondering why their friends haven't heard from you yet. The notes should thank the giver by mentioning the specific gift and describing how you intend to use it. A helpful hint: Address envelopes prior to your wedding. Half the job will be done when you arrive home from your honeymoon.

Money matters
Marriage unites two people in important ways, and this includes their finances. By now you should know if you have compatible saving and spending habits. If you haven't already, decide who will have day-to-day financial responsibility and be sure to make big decisions jointly. Both spouses should be well informed and capable of handling financial matters if the need arises.

Other matters to consider include:
Whether to have a joint bank account(s), use of the same medical benefits policies, the terms of your will, and changing beneficiaries on retirement and life insurance policies. If you do not already have life insurance, you may want to consider buying a policy to protect your spouse should anything happen to you. It is also a good idea to obtain insurance for your engagement and wedding rings. This can be done by updating your renter's or homeowner's policy. Also, look into combining your auto insurance coverage; it will probably result in lower rates.

What's in a Name?
If the bride plans to take her husband's name, she should legally change the following (the first two require that you show an original marriage license).

• Driver's license
• Social Security card
• Income tax forms
• Voter registration card
• Passport
• Bank accounts
• Credit cards
• Insurance policies

References

Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette
by Peggy Post
Publisher: Collins; 5th edition

The Everything Groom Book: A Survival Guide for Men
by Shelly Hagen
Publisher: Adams Media Corporation

The Newlyweds' Guide to Investing & Personal Finance
by Carrie Coghill Martin, Evan M. Pattak
Publisher: Career Press; 1st edition

Consumer Information from the Federal Government

The quarterly Consumer Information Center Catalog lists more than 200 helpful federal publications. For your free copy write Consumer Information Catalog, Pueblo, CO 81009, call 1-888-8-PUEBLO, or visit www.pueblo.gsa.gov.

Helpful Links

www.theknot.com
TheKnot.com is a wedding media and services companies, providing today's to-be-weds with comprehensive wedding planning information, interactive tools, and resources.

www.weddingchannel.com
The Wedding Channel help marriage-bound women and men through the sometimes challenging but always exciting process of planning a wedding and starting a new home.

www.weddingdetails.com
Wedding Details offers a broad list of service providers across the country as well as travel information for honeymoon destinations across the globe. In addition they offer a panel of experts to help you make every decision from start to finish.