While your wedding is sure to be your dream come true effective use of your resources is what makes your wedding sing. Go through bridal magazines and wedding books to get rough ideas. Focus more on the general feel pictures and a little less on the absolute specifics. For example in-season flowers might sub for some of the exotics. Just get a similar vibrant color. Be willing to do a little swapping in and swapping out as you key your ideas to the fair market values you research out. Total all price point figures and ratify the bottom line before doing any serious shopping. A well designed item list with prices may not be your initial dream--but it can be a thrilling facsimile! And sound planning is what makes your ethereal day happen.

Your gown represents your intimate self image---and the way you want your guests to see you on your special day. Pulling pictures from bridal magazines is always a good start--but quickly segue to going to a bridal salon and trying on possibilities. Take notes and specify what you do like and don't like about each gown as you stand before the mirrors. Review your notes to monitor where your gown search is going. While shopping is a delightful experience, evaluating can get you to your vision gown with time to spare.

Gentlemen have noticed the clean-lined look in today's men's formalwear. Yet, it's important to recognize many of today's tuxedo styles might be too streamlined for the overall look of the wedding. Try an eye-catching bow tie or vest. Such accessories echoing the bride's gown are always in good taste--but don't hesitate going with an elegant contrast for pizzazz. And, for very formal evening weddings the black tailcoat, white shirt, white vest, and white tie have yet to go out of style!

Do you need a house of worship and an officiant?

Believe it or not, the Wedding Chapel section of the Yellow Pages (on line or book form) is an excellent place to start. In Northeastern Ohio you're likely to find inviting sanctuaries, some of which are historic architecture. Consecrated spaces and ordained ministers are the mantra here. A wide array of spiritual approaches awaits you, Christian and beyond. Virtually all listings are full-fledged holy places with active congregations and regular services. Sitting in on a gathering will quickly tell you whether that frame of mind is right for your ceremony. You may be pleasantly surprised at the gentle welcome and open-minded inclusiveness you find.

As you embark on a house of worship search, make the library your first stop. Go through books on wedding ceremonies and select excerpts that seem to speak to the very depths of you. Photocopy sections of the books to begin assembling your ceremony text. Once you and your groom have nailed down the text, you'll be ready to look for a holy place that has the religious or denominational tone that's right for you. If your style is deeply resonant but not necessarily of any one religion, the book Weddings from the Heart by Daphne Rose Kingma is for you!