How to Plan a Small Wedding Online

It may seem odd, planning a wedding online, but for some people this is their only option. For example, foreigners immigrating to the U.S. on a fiancé visa are unable to travel prior to arriving in the States and they must marry within 90 days to satisfy the visa requirements. In a case such as this, the internet can be a lifesaver for those couples that need to plan a wedding from a distance. The following will give you an idea of the steps to remember when planning a wedding online.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Sit down together and discuss how you see your wedding. Will it be indoors or out? Upscale or casual? What kind of a budget do you have? What are the most important elements that you must include in your wedding day and what are the "nice to have" options.
   
   Once you have a good idea of your perfect day, it's time to get online and research your options.
2. From courthouses to restaurants, all the information you need will be online. Almost all venues and services will have important details available such as their fees, photos of the location, menus, availability, policies and special instructions, or you can call them directly to get details.
3. Decide which is more important: the date of your wedding or its location. If the date is more important you'll need to be flexible on your venues since there's a chance they won't be available on the day you need them.
4. If you need an officiant, a quick search using the term "wedding officiant" and your state or location will bring up a list of possible options. Most officiants will want to meet you prior to the wedding. If you aren't going to be in town until the wedding takes place, ask the officiant for a phone consultation instead of a face-to-face meeting.
5. Finding a hotel will likely be on your list of things to do, and luckily you have a lot of options when it comes to finding accommodations. Register on a travel website and search for hotels near your ceremony site. You don't want to spend all your time traveling! Read the reviews for each hotel and if the travel site as a community or forums, have a look through those for hotel recommendations in your area.
6. Do you have the rings? While it's easy to find inexpensive jewelry on the web, make sure you're dealing with a reputable site that can guarantee the authenticity of your purchases. Whether you're buying from an auction site or a well known jewelry company, be aware of the guarantees and any return policies in case you're not satisfied with your purchase.
7. Believe it or not, you can even buy your dress online! You can find some great deals online but know that you'll likely need alterations once you receive the dress. Make sure you factor some time in to get the alterations completed in time for your wedding day.
   
   Take advantage of the new, online shoe sellers that offer free shipping and returns both ways. Many women purchase two or three pairs to try, choose the one they like and ship the rest back.

Tips & Warnings

• Because of the amount of time and effort it takes to plan a wedding, it's easy to let the details become the focus instead of the reasons why you're getting married. Remember that everything may not go as planned, but in the end, all that matters is that you have each other.
• Register on a wedding website to take advantage of some great resources and tools.
• Buyer beware! Before purchasing anything on the internet, make sure you're comfortable with the retailer or company's policies for returns or cancellations, look to see if the web page is secure before entering any payment information and make sure you get a receipt and a contact number.