For Brides: Man, Dress, Ring, Hair...

The four most important things to consider when you are preparing for your wedding.

1) Getting the right man: life is easier all around when you marry the right man. Follow your gut. Know that "best dating behavior" doesn't stay around forever. If there's anything that bugs you now, it's a bigger bug once you are married.

2) Getting the right dress: for some that means, going green...wearing your mom or grandmother's dress or getting a dress from a high-end thrift shop. Dresses shouldn't cost as much as the down payment for a house. That's too extravagent in today's economy. Think twice about your dress. Cancun, Bermuda, or Costa Rica (see www.meadbrown.com for the best vacation rentals) has a longer memory shelf-life than that dress that you will box or resell.

3) Getting the right ring: this is a hard one. Sometimes the right ring is what your pocketbook can afford. Too much, too little, too late if you go overboard on this one too. Solid gold, silver, or platinum bands are still popular. Get the 4 carat rock after you get your house. I am not sure that the two-weeks salary hype is the right set of guidelines for ring purchases. It's just a symbol.

4) Getting the right hair style: This is the most important thing you can do for your wedding day. The wrong hair style can dampen your mood and make others wonder "what were you thinking?" The right style can truly make you the "it" girl for the day. If you favor bold and daring, go for it. If your style is subtle with flowers, place them in to stay. A unique, one-of-a-kind hair style is what you deserve for your special day. Some brides opt for hair extensions to create more fullness, to add texture and highlights, and to create a style that they've never worn before, but only dreamed about.

Whether it's a fairytale wedding, one by the lake under a 150-year old tree with moss hanging down, or on top of a horse at a dude ranch, if you've gotten the right man, the right dress, the right ring and the right hair style, it'll be a wonderful day and a wonderful future for you.