I hope the engagement will be long enough for you help make the plans and not be russed. Don't overload yourself with things to do so you can't enjoy the preparations.

Congrats! My son gets married on the 7th of Jan. My guidance would be get a BUDGET first and have it itemized so every one knows what to expect. We used that for our decision making.

A really GOOD professional wedding planner can make the whole experience go so much smoother and actually save you money since they have entrees into places you can't go and can get professional discounts.

This will be a very special time in your life so do your best to enjoy it. There are planning worksheets available that will help guide you through the details. Every time you check something off the list congratulate yourself!

A friend of mine made a monogrammed tote for all her daughter's bridesmaids and they were a big hit with the girls.

Good luck with everything!

The advice others have given you about setting the budget and communicating it to those involved is crucial.

There will be times when you will need to bite your tongue regarding something, but try!

Is there a wedding quilt

I have no wedding planning advice to offer - never been a part of, or involved in any (does watching "Bridezillas" count?).

But can I just say: CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! :thumbup:

Best wishes for the happy couple and may the future of the family be bright. I hope the planning process is smooth and as low-stress as possible. :)

Congratulations! Our DD was married last June...it was so much fun. I don't have suggestions about totes to make but I will tell you one thing she/we did....we bought one of those divided expandable folders at the office supply store and labeled each section with things like cake, reception, flowers, music, dress, invite list etc. All estimates, receipts, etc. were filed as we got them. It was a tremendous life-saver. I have it tucked away on a shelf just waiting the day when our youngest gets engaged (she is a college senior in a relationship with a terrific young man so we expect it will happen sometime fairly soon). Enjoy every minute of you wedding preparations!

Congrats and enjoy her special day.

We gave our DDs a check in the amount we would pay for a wedding. Both decided to keep the money and go to a JP after realizing the money was now their cash not money they would never see if we paid the bills for them. Saved me lot of stress. Mother of the Bride tends to be the sounding board for DD bride to be. LOL

Keep it simple! My son was married 1.5 years ago and the whole thing was less than $4000. Flowers from my garden and my father's were used for bouquets for rehersal dinner tables, wedding and reception tables. Rehersal dinner was at our house--subs and salads--the wedding was at the historical church down the road--and the reception at a log cabin pavillion with sides and fireplaces for free to those who live in the town. The bride planned all the food--and helped make some. She planned the decorations for the reception and showed us what to do. Keep it simple!!!

My daughter says hers will be even less complicated. ;-)

I suggest that you get a Wedding Planner book. I did and it helped me so much. I planned three weddings for each of my daughters and it was a lot of fun, enjoyed every minute of it. Also, had a son get married, but I didn't have too much to do for that. Just enjoyed it.