Wedding Planning

Planning a wedding can become stressful -- look no further than the rising tide of wedding consultants if you need proof of just how complicated these events have become.

Many a bride-to-be finds herself fighting with her mother, her grandmother, or her great-aunt-thrice-removed over what she wants for her ceremony. Some couples get so caught up in The Wedding that they lose sight of each other. You may wish you'd eloped when preparations get well-underway.

This is also the time when the women of both families really get to know each other, as the best and worst qualities surface in each individual. You might find that your beloved's sister is the perfect shopping companion; or that your own first cousin is the most annoying person in the world.

Many of us design weddings that are meaningful to us, rather than following the traditions of our parents or grandparents. Some weddings take place in creative locations -- on horseback, while skydiving or riding in a hot-air balloon, in the forest. Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee were married on the beach, Pamela in bikini and Tommy in his swim trunks. Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber opted for a beach setting, too.

Others add personal touches to the more traditional approaches: chocolate instead of champagne cake, pop music instead of hymns, a wedding dress in a different color than the cultural norm. Couples from different religious, racial or cultural backgrounds try to blend elements important to each family into the ceremony.

More on Weddings:

Weddings
The Engagement
The Ceremony
The Honeymoon
Superstitions

Recommended Links on Weddings:

iVillage Relationship Channel
iVillage Wedding Center

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