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Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 - Size Matters 5
Bigger Isn't Always Better 6
Personalizing Your Wedding 8
Choosing the Perfect Location 10
Involving Friends and Family: Is It for You? 12
Compiling the Guest List 13
Creating Invitations 15
For Those Who Aren't Invited 16
Feature: A Summer Wedding at Home, Christina & Darin 17
 
Chapter 2- The Planning Stages 21
To Do Before the Wedding 22
To Do After Your Wedding Day 25
 
Chapter 3 - A Budget That Works 26
To Save or to Splurge? 27
How Much Can You Afford? 27
Where Your Money Will Go 28
Setting Priorities 29
Quality Over Quantity 30
Fifty Ways to Save on Your Expenses 35
Use the Internet to Save Money 39
Fewer Guests, Fewer Gifts 40
Wedding Insurance: Covering Your Assets 40
Feature: A Beautiful Wedding on a Budget, Shannon & Erik 42
 
Chapter 4 - Creating an Intimate Ceremony 46
The Aisle Less Traveled 47
Civil or Religious? 48
Finding an Officiant 48
Choosing Attendants 49
Involving Family and Friends 50
Let's Talk Tunes 50
Writing Your Own Vows 53
Ceremonies Within Ceremonies 55
Combining Cultures or Religions 57
Get With the Program 59
Capturing the Day on Film 61
Photography Trends 62
Shooting the Ceremony 62
Caught on Tape 64
Feature: A Vermont Ceremony by Candlelight, Nicole & Ned 65
 
Chapter 5 - A Reception to Remember 69
Lavish or Low Key? 70
Dinner: Buffet vs. Sit-Down Style 72
The Receiving Line: Is it Necessary? 73
Seating for You and Your Guests 74
You Can Dance If You Want To 75
Toasts and Speeches 76
Wedding Rituals Old and New 77
Special Touches 79
The Guest Book 81
Centerpieces 82
Let Them Eat Cake 83
Shooting the Reception 84
To Tape or Not to Tape 85
Feature: A Train Ride through the Desert, susan & nikhil 86
 
Chapter 6 - A Wedding Indoors 90
A Church Wedding 91
Two Religions; One Wedding 93
Other Venues for an Indoor Wedding 93
Other Indoor Locations 100
Dressing for Your Intimate Indoor Wedding 102
Feature: A Brunch Reception at a Historic Inn, heather & anthony 105
 
Chapter 7 - Saying "I Do" Outdoors 108
Is an Outdoor Wedding Right for You? 109
More Planning-And More Money 110
Outdoor Styles 111
Where to Have Your Outdoor Wedding 112
Tent Talk 117
Room to Move-and to Groove 119
Bug Off! 119
How do I Look? 120
Feature: A Ceremony in Central Park 's Conservatory Garden , Judy & Justin 121

Chapter 8 - What's the Theme? 124
Planning a Theme Wedding 125
Choosing a Theme 126
Breaking With Tradition 126
Holiday Themes 126
The Seasons 131
It's History 134
Regional or Cultural Themes 136
Viva Las Vegas 140
Feature: A Medieval Wedding, Mellinda & Rondell 142
 
Chapter 9 - What's Your Destination? 146
Why Have a Destination Wedding? 147
Where to Wed 149
Your Guests 153
Dealing With Opposition 154
Spending Time With Your Guests 155
Getting It All There 155
Adding Cultural Touches 156
Where to Research Online 158
Feature: A Wedding in Greece , Sara & Peter 159
 
Chapter 10 - Tying the Knot . . . Again 163
An Intimate Encore 164
What's This About Wearing White? 165
What About Gifts? 166
Involving Children 167
Kids and the Reception 169
Honeymooning With Kids 169
Researching Second Weddings 170
Reaffirmations 170
Feature: A Second Wedding in Yosemite National Park , Ellen & Tony 172
 
Chapter 11 - Keeping the Memories Alive 175
Photographs to Have and to Hold 176
Going Digital 176
Creating a Scrapbook 177
Shadow Boxes and Storage Boxes 179
Preserving Your Flowers 180
Keeping Your Cake (and Eating It Too!) 181
Preserving Your Dress 181
Other Ways to Keep the Memories Alive 182
Reliving the Moments 183
 
Resources 184
 
Bibliography 197
 
Index 198