Choosing a Wedding Date –- When You’re Feeling Indecisive

Written by Blake Kritzberg


He – or she – proposed, and you answered inrepparttar affirmative! Now'srepparttar 130374 time to bask inrepparttar 130375 romance, and enjoyrepparttar 130376 first phase of your new life together. But soon, you'll need a response for that timeless question: "when'srepparttar 130377 wedding?"

For some couples, it's easy – they know just when they want to tierepparttar 130378 knot. For others, it's less clear. After all, you have a lot of options. Even more than you might think, since it's really not necessary to get married on a Saturday. Friday and Sunday afternoons are good choices too, and less expensive.

So if you're looking atrepparttar 130379 calendar ahead and seeing a hundred alternatives, all about equally attractive, here's how to narrow them down.

Must-have venues

No matter how flexible you are, there's bound to be things you won't compromise on. Maybe it's a particular church, temple and officiant for your ceremony. Maybe it's a special venue for your reception. And there are certain indispensable guests, like your parents.

Luckily for you, putting just these three things together is bound to reduce your choices. Once you call onrepparttar 130380 church/temple, ceremony venue or reception hall, you'll probably find many dates already filled, especially if you call less than nine months in advance. Good. That makes things easier!

Must-have ambiance

But maybe you don't have a must-have venue. Maybe you just have an image in your mind ofrepparttar 130381 perfect wedding. Maybe it involves falling snow, ermine mantles, a horse-drawn carriage, and a crackling fireplace. Maybe it involves stacks of shiny apples, heaped pumpkins, a scattering of leaves andrepparttar 130382 scent of cranberry-apple cider. Or delicate pastels, gossamer pashminas forrepparttar 130383 bridesmaids, and a dove release. In this case your time of year is set: all that's needed it to work outrepparttar 130384 logistics of venue, local climate andrepparttar 130385 availability of your most important guests.

Must-have flowers

Some people know exactly what floral arrangements they want at their wedding. Flowers are such an enormous part ofrepparttar 130386 wedding budget, if particular ones are important to you, you might want to arrange your date around them. Unless you're an heiress, for example, you'll want to avoid buying roses for your Valentine's Day wedding. Onrepparttar 130387 other hand, December and January are great months to buy calla lilies. To study flower availability charts, Google for "flower availability by month."

Must-have honeymoons

8 Questions Brides Ask About Setting up a Wedding Registry

Written by Blake Kritzberg


In theory, setting up a registry is simple. You decide on one or several stores, create a registry online or in person, select various items, and getrepparttar word out to your guests. In practice, things are a little more complicated -- but only a little!

With that said, here'srepparttar 130373 real deal on setting up your wedding registry and gettingrepparttar 130374 word out without offending your guests. Remember that retailers can be an enormous help to both you and your guests. Atrepparttar 130375 same time, you can’t take everything they say at face value.

Q: Where should I register?

A: Chances are, if you're getting married in your own town, you already know where "everyone goes" to set up and shop from a registry. If not, and guests are flying in from far away, pick from some bride-tested standbys likely to be present almost anywhere. Macy’s has a great reputation for registries, as does Williams-Sonoma, Bed Bath & Beyond and other retailers.

Before you choose your stores, be sure to stop by a wedding forum and get feedback from brides who have been there, done that. Store policies vary quite dramatically, ranging fromrepparttar 130376 easy-does-it (who’ll give you cash back for returns offrepparttar 130377 registry, no questions asked) torepparttar 130378 extremely restrictive (who’ll only let you exchange for another item *in that department*, requires a receipt for each item, and so on). You'll want to know about these policies andrepparttar 130379 store's overall reputation for bridal friendliness before you go in, or returns and exchanges could become a big hassle.

Q: I have a wide range of interests. How many stores should I register at?

A: Two to three stores is fairly typical. They don't have to be typical stores, though. If you're a wine drinker, and live in a state where it's legal to ship wine, set up a registry at one ofrepparttar 130380 great online wine merchants.

Q: When should I register?

A: Although close family members may pressure you to start earlier, it's helpful to wait three to six months beforerepparttar 130381 wedding. Not only arerepparttar 130382 vast majority of gifts bought within a day or so ofrepparttar 130383 shower or ceremony itself, stores turn over merchandise so rapidly that any gifts you select earlier may be discontinued.

Q: What if I already have allrepparttar 130384 kitchen appliances and throw pillows I need?

A: Consider putting together a honeymoon registry instead, so guests can contribute toward a special meal or snorkeling trip or a night’s lodging during your honeymoon.

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