Answer If you want to get married at a venue or do a location wedding ? The venue usually has people that they contract with to perform the ceremony.
If you want to get married in a Church ? It is not as difficult as you would imagine. We got married in a Church where we were not members. My husband used a Priest from his childhood & we also used the Priest from the Church (Episcopalian). Just pick a nice Church, call them up, & see what their "rules" are. Some Churches want you to go to premarital counseling sessions (which is what we did & it helped a lot).
I suggest a long engagement (at least a year) & this is not about your age or your maturity level or anything.
For two reasons that I can think of: this is a special time to be enjoyed together, & it takes about a year to plan a wedding.
I will list my ever present checklists below to help you out. You can look at them all, & then make a master list of the things you do & do not want, & what fits into your budget (which is the first thing you should establish). This way you will know it in advance, & do a guest list (approximate) & know the type of venue (which is just a fancy way of saying the location of the wedding & of the reception), the size, any bridal / marriage packages, d.j., orchestra, flowers, services, size of the wedding, wedding planning specialists (or is it a do-it-yourself).
Bridal magazines will help (along with sites below), re: size of wedding, formal, informal, type of reception, fabrics, price of a wedding planner, etc., (all of which will be determined by your budget), colors (either seasonal or your favorite colors), etc.
Checklists:
http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding/UserMâ¦
http://www.wedding-planning-guide.net/weâ¦
http://www.weddingmapper.com (this one sets up your own site)
http://www.theknot.com (Good checklists in abundance, & a great site for lots of good wedding "stuff", a color palette & a budget application, also can click on wedding colors & put in any color or color combo - lots of color inspiration boards)
http://www.frugalbride.com/weddingplanni⦠(Note: this one has a mistake, you are not responsible for the attire of the bridesmaids nor the Mothers)
Some other helpful sites worth looking at:
http://www.mywedding
music.com (all traditional wedding music, listed by category)
http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-songs (A great blend of many types of music, can click on most & watch video, some; however, only have lyrics)
http://discjockeys.com (Top 200 most requested dance songs)
I will list some of what I call my good "do all" sites. I think I can list two more up here & then have to go below to source box. Yahoo only lets you post ten - yikes !
http://www.weddingmountain.com
http://www.save-on-crafts.com (this is not just a craft site, has lots, lots of wedding stuff, eiffel tower vases & lots of natural wood branches & much more)
Before listing other sites - your dress, is, of course, your choice. I suggest from experience on this site, take only your Mom & Maid of Honor (MOH). Do not take your future Mother in Law (MIL) & no bridesmaids - too many opinions only lead to confusion, & you want to be able to concentrate & take the salesperson's advice (they usually know what they are talking about).
Bridesmaids - pick friends. A family member from his side of the family is nice, but not necessary.
A good book that I use when I need to refer to a question on wedding etiquette - & I think it is worth buying a copy for reference (just me): "The Definitive Guide to Your Wedding Experience" by Peggy Post (great grand daughter in law of the late Emily Post). She is considered the foremost & most well known source of etiquette, especially wedding etiquette.
Make sure you get a manicure, pedicure, hair & makeup appointments.
Two other things that you don't hear lots about:
In your spare time, if you have any or get your MOH to do it - make an emergency kit for day of wedding. It should contain thread, needles, scissors, charged cell phone, list of vendors numbers & emails, aspirin, Tylenol, tums, etc. It is best to be prepared.
Make sure you make yourself eat something the day of the wedding.
Go online & find a good name change kit that includes all of the necessary forms for your state (this is good to put on gift registries).
Lastly, do not ask for money in any way, shape or form - unless it is a custom of your nationality. Bad, bad. Shower invitations should ONLY contain gift registries.
I love this site & love to answer questions on here. When I answer a new bride to be, I try to give as much information as I can. It is a first start for you - I try to throw in as much data as possible. Good luck & keep posting & asking questions. This should get you started, if not confused. HAVE FUN, do not stress out. Chill out & enjoy.
We control our own destiny.
...Only love is real.
Peace
