wedding plannerWhen my boyfriend of eight years proposed to me in April, my emotions were across the map -- from pure happiness ("I'm marrying the love of my life!) to relief ("Finally! It's only been eight years...). Shortly after the excitement over the impending marriage hit me, a more immediate concern enters the mix. Before my dear fiance becomes my dear husband, there will have to be a wedding.

When will it be? Big or small? Domestic or destination? Traditional or modern? I won't pretend that I hadn't done a little bit of harmless pre-engagement wedding planning in the years and months leading up to that day in April when my fiance proposed. But when it's real and the ring is on your finger and you're dealing with an actual recession-era budget and not fantasy money, all of those plans go out the window. As I struggle to stretch my strict budget, decide on food, DIY my invitations, pick out dresses and navigate the murky waters of an interfaith wedding ceremony, I'll be sharing my experiences with all the other brides-to-be in the BV universe. I hope that you'll share your experiences in the comments. Happy planning!