“Where’d that puzzle come from?” I asked when I came home from Brick Street in Oxford late Friday afternoon.
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 StoryOr just show us the ring. Add it to the register.
Every 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.
My and my boyfriend Carl had decided to "become an item" on August 23rd 2002. After a few years, we agreed that if we were together for 10 years, we would celebrate by going to Hawaii!
It was Christmas Day 2010 and My family and I decided to celebrate at My house this year. Me and Corey lived in a small 2 bedroom apt. so you can imagine how cramped it was.
Getting Engaged is such a exciting time. A time where words can't express how a girl feels...it's something a girl dreams about all her life and here's my story
Wedding Articles
All wedding articlesThe rest of the early decisions, and how to make them.
Venue availability, the weather you want in the photos, and who has to be able to travel. The factors that decide a wedding date, ranked by how much they should sway you.
Wedding insurance isn't the most romantic conversation, but it could save you thousands. Here's what it covers, when you actually need it, and what to look for in a policy.
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.
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 →