Janice and Steve just got engaged. It all began with four simple words, "Will you marry me." As that sparkling ring slipped on to Janice's finger the planning for their fabulous dream wedding began.

How, or where to begin has as many cuts and turns as the diamond on Janice's hand. Gushing with pre-wedding jitters and heads filled with questions, they sat down with me to help them make their wedding day dreams come true.

As the founder and CEO of An Affair to Remember by Bonnie Arden; Event Planner & Professional Stationer, I listened to Janice and Steve and volleyed the first of a thousand questions most young couples have when planning their big day. That first meeting is like a first date all over again when they told me about how they met, what they like, what they don't and what their expectations were for the wedding.

"If you could think of one thing that would be the most important to you on your wedding day, what would it be?" I asked.

"The dress. It's all about the dress," blurted Janice, which is pretty much the response a lot of brides give. Meanwhile, Steve centered on the food.

It's a great first question. Their answers can make or break a wedding, as it always comes down to that dreaded word - BUDGET. A properly designed budget is the start to a well planned event of any kind.

When planning your beautiful beginning together there are certain things you don't want to skimp on. Don't skimp on the food, or the music, and definitely not the photographer. They are the things that everyone remembers especially the bride and groom.

Janice and Steve now had a little homework to do. They needed to figure out how much money they actually have to spend for their wedding day. In these tough economic times, not all parents are able to make or contribute as much to their children's weddings. A lot of weddings nowadays are paid for by the bride and groom.

After a true budget is planned the next step is to make a preliminary guest list. The guest list will affect their budget. The number of people they invite will affect almost every part of their wedding planning. The invitations, the food, even the number of tables used for seating, will affect the number of centerpieces they need to order from the florist. In planning, every piece of the pie and in this case let's say the wedding cake, affects the next slice.

The most tasteful wedding can be simple and elegant.

"Don't put yourself in debt just to make an extravagant wedding that you can't afford and will take years to pay off. That's no way to begin your journey together," I said.

Janice and Steve must decide on a realistic dollar amount. They should make a list of everything they want for their wedding. At the next meeting we will discuss and figure out what are the most important things to them on that list and do away with the less important.

Please check back for our next meeting with Janice and Steve when they reveal what direction they want to take, examine their budget, and even figure out how much Janice can actually spend on that wedding dress. Will it be Vera Wang or Oleg Cassini, since we already know that it's all about the dress...

About the Author:

Bonnie Arden is a professional wedding and special event planner and stationer. She also specializes in unique invitations and accessories. To learn more about Bonnie and her services log onto www.anaffairtorememberbybonniearden.com. She is from Camden County and currently resides in Atlantic County.