I've got plenty of wedding ideas, and I'm mainly looking for stories from people who already had their weddings.
What was your theme?
We didn't really have a theme. We did, however, incorporate our favorite scripture in the design of our invitations and in each of our vows.
How old were you and your spouse?
21 and 23
Between my husband and I, my parents, my grandfather, and his parents it was around $30K (not including jewelry or honeymoon). My grandfather would give each granddaughter $15K as a wedding gift to be used on the ceremony/reception.
How many months did you spend planning?
Well, I started when I was 8 so... 156? Just kidding. Our engagement was eleven months long.
Invited 350. About 200 showed.
How did you pick the date?
Our original date was scratched because his sister was due with her first baby a week before the wedding and wouldn't be able to travel. Not wanting to piss off the in-laws, we chose a date that was a month later.
What traditions did you follow and break?
My husband (INFJ) and I are both pretty traditional and I can't specifically remember any traditions that we broke. If I remember, I'll add it.
Was there any conflict about having a secular or religious ceremony?
None.
Was there any conflict between parents or in-laws about wedding details?
No. Our parents didn't meet each other in person until the week of the wedding.
What was the best part of the wedding?
Our entire relationship had being long distance so knowing that we wouldn't ever be apart again was pretty moving.
What was the worst part of the wedding?
My dad being so choked up he couldn't say, "Her mother and I" when asked. Still makes me teary to this day.
How did you decide on who to invite?
Family (and second/third cousins, great aunts, etc. are all considered family), close friends, close co-workers, favorite teachers, neighbors were all invited. Basically we wanted to celebrate with anyone who had made an impact on our lives; they each shaped us in their own unique way and were the reason we were the person the other wanted to spend the rest of their life with!
Did you invite family members that you were not on speaking terms with?
No. They were no longer a part of our lives. (Their choice, not ours.)
How much time was there between the civil ceremony and the reception?
Thirty minutes.
What would you change or improve if you could do it over?
It was 105 the day we got married, so I would probably change the date. (Due to work assignments, that wasn't feasible at that time.)
-Be comfortable. I had nightmares about tripping on the stairs to the altar. Literally, cold sweat, soaked sheets, all of it. So I wore my old ratty tennis shoes during the ceremony (they couldn't be seen under my gown) and I'm still glad I did.
-Splurge on your photographer and videographer.
-Our rehearsal dinner was so much fun. The guys conspired to all wear Hawaiian shirts and made for some great photo ops. Even our 3 year old ring bearer got in on it. It was cute. We had a very informal lunch buffet after the rehearsal. My husband and his family are from Illinois and I am from Texas so we had the best Tex-Mex restaurant in the area cater the lunch (Tex-Mex doesn't really exist in the Midwest). His family *still* talks about the food and how much they loved it. That evening, the entire wedding party (including their families/dates) went to race go-carts and played laser-tag. The bride's side won each race and the groom's side cleaned up in laser tag. There was nothing quite like shooting your future mother and father-in-law the night before you marry their son.

roud:
-Stick to your guns. I had a very specific idea for how I wanted the flowers to look (one particular rose and *NO* greenery/baby's breath/filler). Both the florist and my mom tried to dissuade me, but I insisted and the bouquets, boutonnieres, and arrangements turned out beautifully.
-This is your and your future husband's day. Enjoy each and every second of it.

roud: