Once the afterglow of engagement wears off, brides are left with a tall order: Planning a wedding. With too much interference from well-meaning relatives and friends, not enough input from the groom and mountains of bridal magazines, you might not even know where to begin. That is why this excerpt from Instant Weddings by Jennifer L. Shawne is so useful. By asking yourself a few simple questions, you can discover what tops your priority list and plan your wedding accordingly. Get started here:
A wedding is a lot like an orchestra -- many different elements come together to make one cohesive event. But just as a symphony might feature strings more than horns, not all aspects of the wedding are equal in importance. The following pages are intended to help you determine what you'll need to focus on in the days, weeks, or months to follow, think about these issues separately and then come together to compare notes over dinner or, since you're in a hurry, coffee. You might find you agree on everything. More likely, some discussion and compromise may need to occur.
Because time is of the essence, you will both need to put a lot of effort -- separately and together -- into planning. You will need to collaborate on the invitation list and the ceremony, for example. Other responsibilities may be split up. One benefit of setting priorities separately is that it will give you a good sense of what matters more to which person. If your fiance cares deeply about the music, then he should hire the musicians. If you're more keen on floral arrangements, then that can be your assignment. If neither of you is in dire need of a wedding cake, then save planning the dessert for last.
