Planning a Wedding: Video Series

Choosing a menu for a rehearsal dinner involves picking something different than the wedding menu, something simple that everyone will enjoy. Create a menu, based off of the restaurant's larger selections, with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

When choosing a wedding ring, keep in mind that it should be comfortable and meaningful, having the groom's ring engraved and matching the bride's ring to her engagement ring. Take time in choosing wedding bands that will last a lifetime with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

To choose appetizers for a wedding reception, think of something everyone will enjoy that is easy to eat, like shrimp cocktail, or an ethnic dish that reflects the family's background. Create a large appetizer display for guests during the cocktail hour with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

When choosing brunch items for a wedding brunch, consider upscale menu items, such as stuffed French toast and quiche, paired with mimosas, coffee and tea. Choose a variety of items to appease everyone's appetites with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

To find the perfect wedding music, consider using either prerecorded music, a live band or a soloist during the prelude, the processional and the reception. Hire a band or a DJ to entertain the wedding guests with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

Choosing dinner music for a wedding reception requires finding an upbeat but mellow set of songs that won't overpower the mingling and conversation during the meal. Find the perfect wedding dinner music with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

Readings during a wedding ceremony reflect the values of the bride and groom as well as their families, so consulting family, friends and the officiant will help in choosing the right readings. Find meaningful passages to read during the wedding ceremony with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

When choosing wedding colors, consider the season as an influence, think about the types of flowers that will be used and find colors that complement the bridesmaids' skin tones. Choose appealing wedding colors with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

Compiling a wedding program should include the music, readings and events of the ceremony as well as a list of the family and attendants. Print out a wedding program, including a thank-you message to the guests, with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

To conduct a wedding rehearsal, make sure everyone knows each other, get everyone's attention, play the ceremony music and make sure everyone knows where they are going. Keep everyone organized at a wedding rehearsal with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

When creating a bridal registry list, choose things that both the bride and groom will enjoy, choose a variety of items of different price ranges and register for lots of items so each guest will be able to purchase something on the list. Register at international stores for out-of-town guests with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

Creating a budget involves figuring out how many people will attend, considering the atmosphere desired and thinking about the flowers and other amenities that will be necessary. Set a budget for a wedding to avoid going into debt with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

Creating a seating chart for a wedding reception involves placing people from different families together to encourage mingling and keeping the children away from the bar. Set up a seating chart after receiving all RSVPs with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

The ultimate wedding checklist includes a full guest list, a list of everything that encompasses the budget as well as a list of things to do as the day draws nearer. Create an ongoing checklist to ensure nothing is missed with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

The meal served at a wedding is dictated by the budget, as a formal sit-down dinner is more expensive and a lunch buffet is more economical. Choose which meal to serve at the reception, whether it be sandwiches or caviar, with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

Decorating a wedding ceremony can be done with flowers, dramatic lighting, an aisle runner, candles, table linens and other creative items. Incorporate the color scheme and overall theme into the ceremony decor with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

Alternatives to a traditional bridal bouquet toss include doing a "make a wish" bouquet toss, a fortune bouquet toss or a favor bouquet toss, all including both single and married women. Think of creative alternatives to a bouquet toss with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

To get people dancing at a wedding, provide live music with a band that plays upbeat, danceable tunes. Get wedding guests out of their seats, whether for a band or a DJ, with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

To give a best man's speech, prepare ahead of time to avoid nervousness, tell a story about the couple and add innocent humor to get the guests laughing. Toast the couple with sincere blessings as the best man with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

Hiring a wedding consultant can be done by taking a recommendation from a friend, making sure to conduct an interview first to determine if he or she is a good match. Hire a professional to help plan a wedding with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

To honor parents at a wedding, bring them out on the dance floor, give them flowers and make them a part of the processional. Make parents feel special during a wedding ceremony and reception with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

Traditionally, a wedding is paid for by the bride's parents, while the rehearsal and photographer are paid for by the groom's parents, but traditions are often broken as more couples are paying for their own wedding. Find out who pays for what in the wedding world with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

Choosing a wedding dress requires considering what looks best on a particular body type, taking in mind what parts to accentuate and what parts to camouflage. Pick out the perfect wedding dress with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

A bride's last-minute survival kit includes a sewing kit, scissors, stain remover, breath mints and and extra panty hose. Keep emergency items on hand in case something goes wrong at the wedding with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.

Ordering custom invitations and announcements can be done online, incorporating the wedding colors into the design and having an RSVP Web site instead of reply cards. Be creative when ordering wedding invitations with helpful advice from a certified wedding planner in this free video on weddings.