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Wedding Resources

Preparing for your big day and need a little guidance? The Internet is a great way to get information for just about everything, so why not use it to get wedding information. But you have to know how to use it, because perusing the web for wedding resources can make you dizzy (there are so many)! In order to make managing the web a bit easier, this resource page is meant to give you a clear and concise overview of what the web has to offer in the way of wedding planning.

General Sites

Here is a list of a few websites that offer a variety of services (usually free with registration) regarding budgeting, planning, etiquette, advice, and more. Here are some of the most popular. * '''TheKnot:''' This is certainly one of the best wedding Web sites around if you want something that is clear, comprehensive, thorough, and easy to use. Plus, it's a nice looking site with great features and tools. You can track your budget, see what you need to be doing on a weekly basis, search for gowns, vendors, etc., and have the information conveniently saved in your online "notebook". You can even create a free "wedding Web page" that your friends and family can view to find out more about your engagement and the wedding event. If you had to choose only one site to depend on, The Knot would be an excellent starting point. * '''TheWeddingChannel''': You can't go wrong with this site. It allows you to plan, create a wedding Web page, manage your guest list, create a registry, research your honeymoon, and more. You can even browse wedding dresses, accessories, and other fashion and beauty items, and then with a few clicks, find out where your favorites are sold. If you need something basic but with all the essentials, then this is the place to visit. * '''Brides.com''': If you have ever read the magazines, Modern Bride, Brides, or Elegant Bride, then you should have a good idea of what this site has to offer. Its primary goal is to keep you up to date on fashion, beauty, and style, but it is also useful for learning about budgeting and planning. As far as an online wedding planning Web site, it's not the easiest to use, but it does break down your tasks by actual dates, which make it very simple to schedule tasks. Most other websites simply tell you to do something 9 months prior, 3 weeks in advance, etc. It is also original in that it breaks down what you need to do by topic as well as chronologically. * '''BridalGuide.com''': This is similar to the previously mentioned sites, and it is also based on the popular magazine, Bridal Guide. You'll get helpful information regarding tradition and etiquette, fashion and beauty, and a comprehensive planning section with advice on the ceremony to budget and much more. This site also has advice about relationships and destination weddings. A very good resource if you don't want to pay for the magazine, even though there are no interactive planning features like you'd find on other sites. * '''BlissWeddings.com''': Want to have a blissful wedding? Use one of the many checklists and worksheets on this site to plan and prepare for your big day. In fact, if you are strapped for cash and can't hire a wedding planner, you can download the free PDF planner which tells you everything you need to know. You can also use their nifty floral generator to scout out the best flowers to either match your wedding's color scheme, those that grow locally, or those which are in season when you plan to marry. * '''WeddingSolutions.com''': This site allows you to plan, find vendors, shop, and learn. There is also a free registry and honeymoon registry. You can create a wedding Web page too. You may also benefit from the message board called "My Wedding Journal." * '''UltimateWedding.com''': There is a vast quantity of information here: hundreds of articles on all sorts of topics that you might encounter when planning a wedding. I wouldn't recommend it as a starting place, but it is a way to supplement another site that helps you plan and organize. It is especially suitable for figuring out the details: wording invites, choosing your wedding music from start to finish, and writing vows. * '''MarthaStewart.com''': She certainly seem to know how to handle everything, doesn't she? Well, if you love her gardening, cooking, or crafts, then this is certainly a great site to check out. You'll notice the focus is on decorating, dressing, eating, and crafting the wedding, so if you tend to prefer do it yourself projects, this is the site for you. There is also an eight-page printable PDF planning workbook, which is an excellent way to plan if you like to write things down rather than use a computer. Go here if you want some extra advice for planning a classy wedding. * '''USABride.com''': This is quite similar to what UltimateWedding.com offers: lots of articles and advice from planning to fashion and more. However, it's not the site for getting organized. Use this as an extra resource for tips, tricks, and other FAQs that might arise throughout the planning process. * '''WeddingLocation.com''': Beverly Clark's Wedding Locations is a site with an interactive planner and budgeter as well as many other tools for making lists and worksheets. There are also some guides thrown into the mix. The real draw to this site is how it helps you plan a destination wedding. Pick a country or world location and it gives you a series of places that can provide you with wedding services. * '''OrganicWeddings.com''': Your complete resource for how to have an organic wedding from start to finish. * '''IndieBride.com''': A great resource for those who want to do it ''all ''themselves. * '''LifetimeTV.com''': They have some useful and inspiring articles mostly related to style and fashion. * '''iVillage.com''': While they don't offer interactive tools, they do offer plenty of articles from the magazine Town & Country that are related to planning and fashion. * '''DIYBride.com''': That's right, you can have a wedding and not spend an arm and leg. That is, if you do it yourself. This blog helps you make your own favors, dress a cake, compile a bountiful bouquet, and more. * '''WeddingBee.com''': If you live in New York City or the tribe. It includes everything from tips on where to find designer trunk shows to fun favors and more. * '''ModGirl.com''': For the hip bridebe, this site offers some fun tips and tidbits of advice. * '''JustEngaged.net''': Congratulations, you're engaged! Now what?  You can get help from the many wedding vendors on this site.

Wedding Planning Books

To get the most out of every resource, don't just use the web! From flowers to cake, these great guide books can help you plan the perfect wedding and reception.  

For the Groom and Guys

*GroomPower.com: Groom advice website covering honeymoon planning, the groom's outfit, the groom's speech, wedding rings and more. *TheGroomGuide.com *TodaysGroomOnline.com *WeddingGuidance.com: Ken York's Guide for the Father of the Bride.

Unique Wedding Links for Planning

Find planners, decorations, and more at the following locations. Each one has a designer touch to give your wedding a personalized and posh touch. *DavidBeahmStudio.com: Flowers à la carte. *DrValentine.com: Interior design planning. *FrillsAndYummies.com: Favors, papeterie, decorations, and gifts. *PrestonBailey.com: Going for formal? Going for luxury? Got big bucks to spend? Then this site is a must-see. Even if you don't have beaucoup bucks, check out the amazing decorations that are sure to inspire. *RafanelliEvents.com: See how this design and event company can turn your wedding dreams into reality. *APerfectEvent.com: Planning services. *MyEventPerfect.com: Another planning company complete with vendors, planners, and the rest of the works. *ShopLoveMe.com: Gift and bridal collection. *SignatureSasha.com: Hire a wedding designer or shop for wedding favors. *TheWeddingLibrary.com: Complete planning services.

Wedding Web Pages

The following sites are designed specifically for creating personalized wedding Web pages where you can include a variety of information about you and your spouse, the engagement, and the wedding. It is the perfect place to list the itinerary for a destination wedding, the directions to the reception hall, or to post photos. Typically, sites offer a free package as well as packages you must pay for. Consider which level of involvement your guests will have with this page and how much you yourself will really use all of the features before paying extra money for such a site. If you only need the basics, a general wedding planning site, like those mentioned above will be perfectly suitable for your needs. *eWedding.com *TheWeddingTracker.com *WeddWebb.com *WeddingWindow.com

Budgeting Tips and Tricks

The following sites are listed alphabetically *InfoStuff.com: A short article about how to break down your budget by percentages, plus some tips on how to save cash here and there. *WeddingBells.ca: This features a budgeter converter in which you enter what type of wedding you plan to have (simple, traditional, or extravagant) and the number of guests that you want. It then breaks down costs by category giving a good estimate of what the average cost of a wedding is with the criteria you submit. You can add additional items that you plan to buy to get a more reasonable idea of what you'll spend.

Resources for Interfaith Marriages

*WeddingGuide.co.uk: Pick a tradition, any tradition, and find out all about the ceremony. *UltimateWedding.com: Civil versus religious ceremonies and some of the basics about each type of ceremony. *InterfaithFamily.com: Advice and support for families going through an interfaith marriage. *AmericanHumanist.org: The humanist philosophy and how it might be able to help you marry. *UUA.org: Find a liberal congregation in your area. *WeddingOfficiants.com: Find an officiant close to you.

Wedding Gowns

If you are buying a custom wedding dress, or if you want to buy from a reputable vendor you won't just be able to search for a dress on a search engine, unfortunately. You'll actually have to look through the dresses available on a particular site to see what they offer. An easy way to get an idea of what you are looking for is to use a tool like they have at theknot.com where after registering you can browse several makers dresses and immediately see where the closet vendor location is in your area. Below you'll see some of the most popular wedding dress makers categorized according to their average cost. Another useful Web site that you might be interested in is DressFinder.com. You can find nearly every dress maker on the Web and click directly to their site. * If you are searching for bridesmaid's dresses, a fun site to look at is Bridesmaid.com. It lets you browse styles in every color by makers such as Dessy, Alfred Sung, and Dessy. Even if you aren't buying from these specific makers, just perusing through the different dresses can give you an idea of which you really like and what kind of style they'll add to your wedding. * Bridal magazines are so fun, yet if you have a free moment on your computer, you might as well check out your favorite mags online. For example, InStyleWeddings.com is online and full of popular articles about fashion, style, and shopping. Find everything from runway hits to beautiful ideas for updos and of course, the latest in wedding shopping (i.e. invites, decorations, rings). * Can't afford a gown? Get one to use for free with the eliteeventsri.com program

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