You're engaged - how romantic. Time passes. Suddenly the wedding date looms and everyone become a little frantic.

Your mother worries about the church and service and reception and flowers and not least the invitations - and so it goes on. Meanwhile your father is working out the budget - places and quotes have to be obtained and the number of people invited to suit your finances. Planning is the key.

And what about the etiquette of your wedding - do you come from a family where there has been more than one marriage? again there is a certain protocol to be observed here. Who sits with whom - good heavens can you really sit Uncle Jimmy with Aunt May (don't you remember that it was Uncle Jimmy's cousin who made off with Aunt May's sister leaving Aunt May's prospective brother in law stranded at the alter! made for bad blood then and still remembered today).

The devil is in the detail - so you need to plan, check and plan again. Something untoward that happens on your big day maybe riotously funny in ten years time but quite possibly not now, not at your wedding! so you need to source magazines for seasonal bridal gowns in the right style, flowers in season and in the right colour, you need to check out the church and reception halls, the invitations, the number of people you are able to invite, book your honeymoon and pay for it before the wedding day. And what about the bridesmaids - what are they wearing, and the shoes....and it keeps going.

Unfortunately at this time - the planning needs to be a little more intense if you are on a tight budget - the money just isn't there any more - you could consider doing things like marrying on non popular day such as a Friday or a Sunday - holding your reception in a park rather than a hotel - buying a second hand (who would know?) or even a prom dress - in fact consider closely the impact on your budget of those four little words "we are getting married" when getting quotes or enquiring about anything to do with your wedding! It really is best start off your marriage debt free.

Planning is the vital key for a smooth and wonderful day

copyright article written by a.a.gallagher 2007

The wedding songs on the video below were put onto Utube by "My Disney Princess" and she hopes we enjoy them - certainly the first one is a stunner - please enjoy.