What To Do Before Saying "I Do" - Southern Living's Wedding Handbook

The same people who brought you Southern Weddings now has another nifty "how to" guide for those of you who have recently gotten engaged. February is bridal month here at Her Nashville (pick up the new copy now it's full of really useful information!) and the timing couldn't be better for us to dive into this wedding planning guide.

My first thought was, 'Man I wish I had this when I was planning my wedding!" I must say, compared to how it was 6 years ago, today's soon-to-be brides are lucky what with wedding planning apps for mobile devices, websites galore and now this planner binder. Southern Living has done a fabulous job of compiling pretty much all the information you and your fiance could need for planning your wedding. And if you're like me (old school) and like writing things down and having a binder of information, this planner is for you.

This is by no means a replacement for a wedding planner but if you're a do-it-yourself, take charge type bride and you want to oversee the initial planning stages yourself, you'll find Southern Living's Wedding Planner and Keepsake to be really useful. The binder has sections that give you advice, tips and resources from the moment you say "yes" and are able to pry your eyes from that shiny thing on your finger to the moment your guests are waving sparklers in the air as you run into the limo and are whisked off to the rest of your life as husband and wife.

Sections include What to Wear, Ceremony Ideas, Picture Perfect, Reception Ideas and a really great one for Southern brides - Southern Hospitality  & More where they give you suggestions on what to give guests as welcome packets in hotel rooms, activities and even shower and party ideas.

In each section you're provided a list of questions to ask vendors and forms that help you research each vendor before you make appointments. What to ask your photographer/caterer, things to consider when buying a gown like the different styles of dress, lace patterns and veils.

There's SO much information in there. For example under Stationery, it explains the types of printing processes and how each looks or feels, it provides you the many ways you can word your invitations (e.g. "Both sets of parents hosting with the ceremony at a nonreligious venue" vs. "one set of divorced parents hosting" vs. "bridal couple hosting at a religious/non-religious venue"). I did notice that it says to address escort cards which, from experience being in the wedding industry, is something that's very traditional that not a lot of brides opt to do anymore. The planner also doesn't specify how to address envelopes to indicate if children are or aren't invited to the wedding so this is where asking a wedding planner would come in. Aside from that minor detail, there's enough in this big binder to keep a bride-to-be sane.

Another useful resource in the planner is their rental guide, with a chart that lists the sizes of tables you can rent and the number of people each can accommodate. Not sure how to start looking for wedding musicians? It's in there. Lighting? You got it. Don't know how you're supposed to seat people at the ceremony? Not a problem, it's in there too plus more.

When my husband and I went to register for gifts, we had no clue where to start or what we should have picked. This guide would have been really helpful because they're good suggestions and not what you "have to" register for which is probably the advice you're receiving from friends whose styles may not be similar to yours.

It's extremely comprehensive, it provides step-by-step explainations and advice through each process within wedding planning and is well worth the $30. If you find inspiration in magazines you can cut the pages out and tuck them into the pockets on the front of each section so everything is stored in one neat place. Take this binder with you to your meetings, use it to track your progress and stay on track. Like I said, I wish I had this when I was planning my wedding.

One thing I do appreciate is their advice at the very beginning: 

"Keep perspective. At the end of the wedding day, the food will be eaten, the band will play its last song... As important as all the wedding planning details will seem, it helps to remember that the celebration goes beyond the wedding day and is truly about the two of you and your marraige to each other."  Great advice, awesome perspective.

You can find out more about Southern Living's Wedding Planner & Keepsake here! Happy planning!

The views expressed on Her a la Mode are not necessarily those of Her Nashville or any of the Southcomm Publications. Tabitha is a social media consultant by day and a lifestyle blogger when she isn't writing for a bridal blog.