Will You Marry Me?

After you've been going out for a while, you may realize you only have eyes for that special person. Yes, you have fallen for her big time and decide that you want to get hitched. First of all, you need to pop the question. Some people think it seems old-fashioned now, but it's still usually the custom for the man to propose to the woman. And what is the question? It's always, "Will you marry me?" Some guys get very creative and post the question on highway billboards. Some plan to do it at a sports event. But the really traditional marriage proposal is done on bended knee, after asking the woman's father for permission. If the woman says, "Yes, I will marry you!" you're engaged! She is your fiancée, and you are the fiancé.

Now you get to prepare for the big day when you will finally tie the knot and say, "I do." It's just about the best time of your life—and also the most stressful! Trying to have your dream wedding, keep all the in-laws happy, and stay within a budget can be a real chore. Things become even more interesting if you come from a family where parents have remarried. Now there are stepparents as well. Some people have a wedding planner to help them with the details. The great part about that is that the wedding planner gets to have the headaches! The planner does the grunt work, while the happy couple enjoys thinking about exchanging vows.

A very popular custom with couples today is to set up a bridal registry. The bride-to-be registers with a store, and the couple decides what things they'd like in their new home. The best part? The bride and groom pick out all the cool stuff, but they don't have to spend a penny! They make a list of things they'd really like to have; friends and family check the list and decide what they'd like to buy as a gift.

Friends of the bride and groom often have bachelor or bachelorette parties to celebrate. This is the last chance to party with your friends as a single person. Don't overdo it and feel sick on your wedding day. Or worse: don't run off and elope with someone else!

Finally, the big day arrives, and it's all you ever dreamed it would be. The bride looks beautiful, the groom is handsome, and the guests are all well behaved. A success!