To those about to wed, I salute you!!

I enjoy a good wedding. I have been to some great weddings and to some that were a bit wack-a-doo!!! I think the key to a great wedding is simple- Use Your Noggin!

When I got engaged back in 1994, I was thrilled. Tim proposed to me while we were watching my favorite movie, It's A Wonderful Life"- He had the ring in between the cushions of the couch. He had a decoy box nicely wrapped and under the tree- I saw it right away but played it cool and didn't say a word- he asked me if I wanted to open one of my Christmas gifts early- I said, "No that's okay, I can wait."- "Well, I really think you should open that little box under the tree."- Well, maybe later."- "Please, just open it now."-" Well, if it's that important to you I'll open it." So, I unwrap this sweet little box and open it up only to find my confirmation ring- what the........? As I am looking at this all too familiar ring Tim pulls out the hidden ring box and says, "Perhaps this is what you were looking for!" I remembering jumping up and down calling my brother and sister and thinking Vegas her we come!!

I did not intend on having a big blissful bash- it's not how I roll. I wanted something very small and very classy- Perhaps somewhere down in the Old Market with a reception at the French Cafe. I could have easily eloped and been happy with that as well. It could have been that way had we not told THE PARENTS!

The week after the engagement was announced Tim's mom was planning how it was all going to go down. She had gone to some hobby shop and hit the prom decor section. She had big ballooning, rootykazooty mylar and zippity-do-da ideas. "Can we please elope? " Came out of my mouth all the time.

We navigated ourselves through the next 8 months without any lengthy hospital stays. I will say that during this time I had chronic bladder infections, a Miniere's Disease diagnosis, An allergic reaction to Miniere's meds that landed me in the er, and various other health problems. Yes, I was stressed!!

The stress got to me. We had over 500 people invited to our wedding and I didn't know any of them. My mom stepped in knowing I was going to blow. She took care of the food, and did all of the decorating- She is a Martha Stewart freak so I was good.

I did nothing to prepare for this wedding except bleach my teeth. I went shopping for my wedding gown the same day I had 3 wisdom teeth pulled. I was pretty well medicated during the shopping experience. I tried on only 3 dresses and got the dress mom and Gma thought I looked the best in. It fit, I didn't need to have it altered- which is unheard of when you're short like a hobbit. I got the bridesmaid dresses off the rack at Younkers. They were short deep pink knee length with an umpire waist line- flattering on anyone and they could be worn again.

We won our DJ at a wedding open house. He was worth what we paid. He played Kenny G after I asked him not to. He didn't like the fact that we were not doing the garter toss and he was a little bit hacked off that I didn't want a dollar dance. We did do the Chicken Dance though. He also pulled off a dollar dance as well. Our delightful best man charged my sweet grandpa all he had on him to dance with me. What a guy. Best Man took the dollar dance $$$ to Boomers strip club. Nice!!

I could go on and on about my wedding- 14 years seems like yesterday. If I could do it again I would totally do a destination wedding on a beach with my kids and my favorite people. Maybe for our 20Th anniversary? HMMMMMMMMM

The best part of the wedding was marrying Tim. He is a great guy. He is very much like my sweet little grandpa. Grandpa told me that God had blessed me with a wonderful young man- He may not be so young anymore but he is every bit if not more Wonderful.

If you're planning a wedding here's a list of dos

1 Make sure you love the person and are on the same page in regards to kids, religion, goals etc. don't go in thinkin' you are change him or her.

2 Decide what kind of wedding you want before announcing the engagement. That way when in-law to be interrogates you -you can fire back quickly- have a plan in action

3 Do not spend more than you can afford. Debt is a great way to cut the honeymoon phase short.

4 Remember a wedding is one day- A marriage is forever.

5 Don't sweat the small stuff- and there will be "stuff"- just gotta let it roll.

6 Communicate what you want and how you feel- But be kind in doing so.

7 Be honest

8 Write your own vows-- I think this keeps the whole marriage thing real- and it keeps your wedding priorities straight.

9 Get premarital counseling or take marriage classes at your church. One of the best things we ever did.

10 Remember you are marrying this person because you love them- Not to have a sweet party and rake in the gifts.