Abby Bauder (Maravich)

Well the time is drawing near and this bride is about to be a wife! A couple more months and the entire wedding craze will be over for me; however it may just be beginning for you!

When I first got engaged I wanted to do a million things at once, but I can say the best decision I made was to set a date, pick a ceremony site and book the reception venue before I did anything else. Once those three things were taken care of I was ready to do everything else at my own pace.

I was informed by a good friend to buy a “Wedding Planning Book.” I figured there was one book I was looking for… wrong. There was an entire section of “wedding planning books” at the bookstore. I had no idea which one to choose so I grabbed one that looked like it had all the details I needed. That book has been a great tool. Brides, you need to find a wedding planning book that fits you and your needs. These books are great because they keep you organized and on task with everything you should be doing throughout your engagement.

I, like a lot of brides, was eager to pick out my dress and my bridesmaids’ dresses. Shopping for a wedding dress, like many things during your engagement, is a once in a lifetime experience. I suggest taking close relatives or girlfriends with you, not only for truthful feedback but also to share in the excitement of finding the right one.

After all that shopping I was ready to book the perfect ceremony site. My fiancé, Milan, and I met with a few local churches and their pastors before we decided on a church for our ceremony. I learned most pastors who perform wedding ceremonies require a 4-5 week pre-marital counseling program. This has actually been a really fun experience to share with Milan, and we have enjoyed the sessions while getting to know our pastor together. The pre-marital counseling sessions are great because they bring up topics you and your fiancé may have not have even thought about to discuss.

Then there’s the reception to plan. What an important aspect of your magical day; and what a nerve-racking event to coordinate! What does my budge allow? Should I have an open bar? Served meal or buffet? Be sure to set a budget before even looking at a reception venue or menu options; and stick to that budget! These venues are used to brides coming in with a set budget and they know how to work around your needs better than you’d think. The best piece of advice I can give you for this is: stick to your budget and always plan for at least 80% of your guest list to attend.

One of the most important things to remember is: “don’t try to do it all.” Let the pros take over when necessary and allow your future husband tackle some of the responsibility. When Milan and I got engaged I delegated the rehearsal dinner and honeymoon planning to him. Turned out, he did an awesome job… and fast! It was such a relief to be able to mark two things off my “to do list” and I learned to trust him more. Brides, don’t be afraid to ask your attendants, mom, or fiancé for help! Asking others for help will not only take a lot of stress off your shoulders, but who knows, they might have fantastic ideas you hadn’t even thought about! And remember, things will go wrong and the inevitable will happen – but by beginning your planning early you can conquer the details one by one and avoid bridal overload!