The information in So, You're Getting Married will allow you to:

• Plan and execute a perfect proposal to remember.

• Select the date for your wedding.

• Avoid numerous common problems completely and to cut off others before they escalate.

• Handle the bridesmaid and groomsmen issue.

• Understand how to handle the question of wedding costs.

• Prepare for the beginning of your life together.

So, You're Getting Married isn't just a tiny crapbook containing a few helpful hints and some platitudes about how wonderful a wedding can be.  This ebook gets down to the nitty-gritty, allowing you to build a blueprint for wedding success.  

It's not a tiny "special report" or an oversimplified look at one or two key factors in wedding planning.  This is an information-rich resource that will allow you to experience the glorious wedding you've wanted for so long.

Perhaps the best way to describe So, You're Getting Married is to give you a quick peek at  what it contains.  Look at some of the chapter titles to understand just how valuable this resource will be as you prepare to walk down the aisle...

• Are You Officially Engaged

• The Proposal

• The Ring

• Getting Ready (Emotionally)

• Getting Ready (Physically)

• Who Is Paying?

• Let's Talk Numbers--Budget

• Wedding Planner or Do-it-yourself?

• The Place--Outdoor or Indoor

• The Dress

• The Tuxedo

• Guests You Pay

• Your Reception

• Etiquette Issues

• Moving in and Adjustments

That's just a sampling of what you get from So, You're Getting Married. This new guide covers just about everything you'll need to think about in order to make your wedding the resounding success you deserve.


If you only find one thing that will make your wedding better or easier within the pages of So, You're Getting Married, it will be worth far more than the purchase price.

And you will certainly find more than just a few things to make your wedding a massive success!  So, You're Getting Married is a difference-maker.  It's written in a straightforward, honest fashion and covers all the bases.  It's a can't-miss proposition for anyone planning on marriage. Here are a few tips for you to review.

WRITE IT DOWN
So, you're thinking about getting married. You're planning to pop the question. You've probably given at least a little thought to what you're going to say and whether you plan to utter those immortal lines on bended knee. When you run through the plan in your head, everything goes perfectly. You sound suave, she breaks into joyous tears and yells, "YES." It's like a movie.

Proposing isn't really like making a movie, though. If you stumble over your lines or forget a cue, you don't get a second take. You have to nail it perfectly the first time.

You could try to memorize your elegant proposal, but once the adrenaline starts pumping, your mind can start playing tricks on you. You could try to wing it, but that won't create the kind of lasting memory you really want.

The solution? Write it down. It may seem strange to have a hand-held cue card when asking for her hand, but it will guarantee that each word of your sentiment-laden proposal will pass your lips. She'll remember what you said and how you said. The notes won't bother her a bit.

Make a thoroughly decent proposal. Write it down!

SAVE THE DATE
Getting engaged is only the first, very small step toward actually walking down the aisle. Yes, it is a critical aspect of the process, but it really only serves to set things in motion. Once the proposal is delivered and accepted, it's time to get ready for the actual wedding. A good first step? Set a date for your ceremony.

This accomplishes a few things. First, it prevents your from falling into the unfortunate "perpetual engagement" rut. We all know couples who are there. They've been engaged for years but never seem to make things happen. You certainly don't want to fall into that unfortunate category.

Second, setting a date puts the wheels of planning and preparation into motion. You'll do a much better job of planning and organizing your wedding if you start with a firm date in mind than if you just have some vague notion of when you'd like to "get around" to exchanging vows.

With the proposal done and accepted, it's time to take the first serious step to becoming an actual married couple. Choose your date and act accordingly!

THE NAME GAME
The couple decides to get married. The man assumes that his bride will take his last name. The woman assumes the man knows she'll keep her maiden name. Controversy ensues. His friends like the maiden name idea. Hers are aghast that she wouldn't take his surname. Friends are trying to broker a compromise deal involving hyphenation. She's game. He isn't. It's the name game and it can get downright ugly.

If you're planning on a marriage, decide the name issue early and together. Discuss your preferences and reach a conclusion with which both parties can live. Don't assume anything and don't be worried if your idea of a perfect name situation may not match with traditional norms.

In most cases, the name game won't be an issue. Both parties will likely agree on the best set of names with which to entered married life. Just in case, however, it is certainly worth discussing the topic and reaching an amenable decision before things get crazy. Whether the solution seems traditional, liberated, obvious, radical, or even involves multiple hyphenations, the important thing is that both the future bride and groom are in the know before controversy ensues!

REHEARSE THE LOOK
We all know about wedding rehearsals. It's a great way to make sure your niece knows how to handle flower girl responsibilities, to remind your old college friend of where to stand during the services and serves as a perfect excuse for a great nerve-calming dinner party among friends and loved ones. There's another rehearsal, however, that is lesser-known but maybe just valuable. Don't just rehearse the scenario, rehearse the look.

You want to look good on your wedding day. It's one of the few days in your life when everyone really WILL be paying attention to how you look. It's also likely to be the single day during which the most people take your photograph. You should try to look your best.

Sometimes, that involves a new or different hairstyle. Women may experiment with a different makeup plan. Someone might abandon glasses for contact lenses. Before you decide to unleash your new look on the assembled crowd, take some of your engagement time to try it on for size.

It's possible that your awesome hair idea will backfire. Your plan to shave that moustache may not be what your bride wants. You may learn that contacts make your eyes water like crazy. It's wise to know how you'll actually look before you can't turn back.

Rehearse the look. Make sure it works—for you and your future spouse.

WHO'S PICKING UP THE CHECK?
The road to you-know-where isn't paved with good intentions. It really consists of carefully organized wrong assumptions. You'll have plenty of opportunities to make assumptions as you plan your wedding, and at each turn, you should stop yourself and seek out a definitive answer before proceeding. The question of who's paying is a perfect example.

There are traditionalists who still hold that the bride's family should pick up the tab for the big day. Some people from different backgrounds may not even know that tradition exists. One family may be wealthy while the other is barely getting by. The groom may be living off student loans while in graduate school. The bride may have just been promoted to a company vice presidency.

Tradition, individual circumstances, personal preferences and a host of other factors will determine who's picking up the check. Your planning, of course, will involve making an array of money-related decisions based on your understanding of the total budget allotted for the big day. That makes assumption dangerous. What happens when the bride's dad never passes you that envelope? What if his rich family doesn't seem interested in contributing a penny, after all?

Don't be shy. Don't work on assumption. Find out who's going to be paying (and how much) before you really dig into planning your wedding.

HANDING OUT THE GOODIES
The marrying couple knows they'll be receiving gifts unless they make a point to tell people not to do so. Even if they do give that instruction, they're still likely to receive presents from some guests and loved ones. Brides and grooms are on the receiving end of gift-giving, for the most part.

We say "for the most part" because there are exceptions. There is a little bit of role-reversal involved in getting married and every couple should be aware of the etiquette that goes along with it.

In most cases, the bride and groom will provide those who are involved in the ceremony with tokens of appreciation.

HIS STUFF, HER STUFF, THEIR STUFF
The wedding itself is only one aspect of preparing to be married. Somewhere in between coming up with a gift registry and figuring out how you're going to tell you cousin that you've already reached your allotment of groomsmen, you're going to have to think about what comes next—the actual marriage—and how to prepare for it.

One issue that often becomes more burdensome and time-consuming than you might think is deciding how to shrink from two households into one. He has furniture. He has furniture. They have one living room. Something has to go. Will his "classic" recliner with the springs showing make the cut? Will her "stylish" sofa with the unbearably slick cushions find its way into the new house or apartment? You get the idea.

Take an inventory before the wedding day and decide how you're going to handle your possessions. Think of productive ways to dispose of the excess and reach an agreement about what stays and what goes from each person's current abode.

Remember—people do grow attached to their possessions for both sentimental and practical reasons. Don't be dismissive if she feels strongly about that horrible landscape painting and don't dismiss his desire to keep that annoying framed poster he's had since high school. There may be room for compromise and, even if there isn't, there's always room for kindness and understanding.