A bride's guide to her perfect day

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - After he proposes and all the excitement settles (assuming you said ‘Yes!’), many future brides tend to buckle under the stresses of planning their wedding day; from picking out the dress to getting your marriage license, the list seems to never end.

The amount of information and services in the wedding industry is quite overwhelming, but it is important for you to remember that this is your day, and there is no right or wrong way to celebrate the love between you and your fiance. My personal advice would be to start by attending open houses at different venues that you might be interested in, as well as the various bridal shows around the area that offer a unique experience to learn more about the number of resources available to you.

Throughout the engagement and planning process, it can be easy to lose focus on why you are planning this day, and get tied up into the small things that you probably won’t remember years down the road. For example, I would stress about the decor or what songs to choose during each special moment. I had to constantly remind myself that these things were insignificant compared to the fact and feeling of having the opportunity to marry my soulmate.

Regardless of how far away your wedding day is, it will sneak up on you sooner than you know it. Staying organized is the best way to prevent any mishaps or stressful situations. I was fortunate enough to have a family member send a giant bridal organizing book with checklists, tips, places to organize flyers and business cards, and ways to help manage your budget. Using spreadsheets to keep track of everything was very useful, as well.

Make your wedding planning process fun and enjoy it. This is a time in your life that you want to remember and cherish!