For months and months Rick had been telling Bridgette about this song that reminded him of her.
Just Engaged
Everything for after you've said yes. The honest reads on the decisions that set the tone, and stories from couples who've been where you are.
You got engaged. For about a week that's the whole story, and then the questions start: when, where, how many, how much. It can feel like the fun got buried under a hundred decisions overnight.
It doesn't have to. Start with the first real decision, then take the rest one honest read at a time. And when you want a break from the planning, read how other couples actually did it.
You remember the nerves. You remember the yes. Tell us how it happened. We're all dying to know, and we read every one.
Tell Us Your StoryEvery Story Starts With a Yes
All storiesThe moment was a blur, but you tell the story for years. Read the ones that went to plan, and the ones that nearly didn't.
What are the chances that this red carpet proposal by a former Cruise Ship Director and Author would be photobombed by one of the cast of The Love Boat?!
He and I are big fans of how penguins keep the same mate for their entire lives.
“All I remember was saying, ‘Oh my God, GET UP! Get up!! This isn’t really happening, Greg, get up!’”
Wedding Articles
All wedding articlesThe rest of the early decisions, and how to make them.
The guest list is where the family politics start. Setting the numbers, handling the relatives who assume they're invited, and still enjoying the day.
Barn, ballroom, beach, or city hall. How to land on a wedding style that looks like the two of you, not the last wedding you sat through.
A good planner earns their fee in saved deposits and unfrazzled Saturdays. When one is worth it, when it isn't, and what they really do all day.
The questions you're already asking
Who pays for what?
The old rule, that the bride's family pays, is mostly gone. Now it's whoever can and wants to, split however feels fair. Have the money talk early and you dodge the awkward surprises later.
Full guide: The Wedding Budget →Do we need a wedding planner?
Not always. If you've got the time and you enjoy the logistics, you can run it yourself and keep full control. A planner earns their keep when you're short on time, marrying far from home, or you'd rather not haggle with suppliers. And the discounts they land often cover their own fee.
Full guide: Do you need a planner? →How do we handle the guest list?
It's the part most couples find hardest, usually because of family pressure. Invite only the people you both want there and have both met. Draw the list first, then find a venue that fits it, padded about ten percent since some always drop out.
Full guide: The Guest List →