Radiant Ring

Help your boyfriend pick out an engagement ring you'll love by pointing out rings that you admire in magazines and in store windows.

Size Matters

Decide how big your wedding will be before you start choosing your attendants—an informal wedding looks silly with a giant wedding party.

Set the Date

Before you set the date, consider the climate, how many out-of-town guests you'll invite, who is covering the costs, and already-scheduled social obligations.

Bowled Over

Share your engagement news over a few frames at your favorite bowling alley. Rent out the place for customized soundtracks, lighting, and cuisine.

Romantic Holiday

Savor your joy by taking a romantic trip together right after you get engaged.

High-Tech Help

Rely on remarkable technology like the PalmPilot to keep all of your wedding details straight, from key contacts to important appointments.

Neighborhood Watch

When scouting out sites, pay attention to the neighborhood and the general look of the place. First impressions count.

Money Matters

Be gracious about the amount of money your parents can give you. If their contribution doesn't cover your vision, downsize your plans or assume more of the financial responsibility yourselves.

Hidden Expenses

When you're mapping out your budget, build in a cushion for "hidden" expenses such as tips for the waitstaff, bartenders, and valets; postage costs; alterations; and wine corkage fees.

Men at Work

Having trouble getting your groom involved in the planning process? Give him assignments that match his interests and talents—if he loves music, put him in charge of hiring the band or DJ, or mixing and burning CDs for your favors.

Winning Announcement

Have your engagement portrait shot with black-and-white film—it will print more sharply on newspaper stock.

Worth a Thousand Words

Every bride wants her wedding to be a one-of-a-kind celebration. So put pen to paper and draw out your unique ideas. Even if you're not an artist, a rough sketch can go miles in conveying your specific wishes to your vendors.