The Proposal

So you think you found the one? A few things to do when popping the big question include:

• Test the water. Bring up the idea of getting married and make sure it is something you both want.

• Talk to her parents. “Ask her dad for permission first, and do it in person. It’s old-fashioned and it’s chivalrous, it’ll impress her family,” said newlywed Ted Sics, junior in psychology.

• Practice makes perfect! It’s sounds silly, but practice saying, “Will you marry me?” a few times before asking her. Asking this life changing question can make you tongue tied, so make sure you are confident in what you are going to say.

• Make it special. This is a moment you both will remember for the rest of your lives, so do it in a way that reflects your relationship.

Planning the Big Day

Most likely, the bride has been planning this day since she was a little girl. Keep in mind how important the wedding day is to your bride and help out wherever possible. Here are a few tips on how to help handle the wedding planning, as well as the stress that comes with it:

• Make a list.”I never thought about actually planning a wedding, so all the small details were a bit of a shocker,” said recently married Patrick Minnehan, senior in animal science.

By making a list in advance small details won’t be missed.

• Let her know you care. If she doesn’t think you want to be involved in the decision-making she probably won’t ask.

• Prove to her you want to be involved. Show up to meetings without dragging your feet and voice your opinion.

• Take charge of aspects you find important and that directly affect the groom. If you would like a special DJ or photographer, take on the responsibility. She will be glad to have one fewer thing on her plate. Also, help choose your attire, your ring, and go with the bride to register for gifts.

• Feeling the pressure?

“It’s always best to re-direct your stress into productive channels [Trust me, I’m a psych major]. For me, this included writing and playing guitar. Humor always helps, too. Try watching some failed marriage proposal videos on YouTube,” Sics said.

The Bachelor Party

The bachelor party can be a fun, final celebration as a single man, but make sure to set some limits or you may end up single longer than expected. Some tips to make sure you have a safe, tasteful party include:

• Talk to your bride and find out exactly with what she is and is not OK. This will save any unnecessary disagreements before the wedding.

• Try to include your whole bridal party so they can get to know each other. “Be aware of everyone’s schedules and try to keep everyone involved, including younger groomsmen,” Minnehan said.

• Have a designated driver or the number for a taxi service prior to leaving for the party.

• “In all seriousness, remember that what happens at your bachelor party, stays on Facebook,” Sics said.

The Big Day

All the stress and planning comes down to this one day. Here are a few things you can do to make sure everything runs smoothly the day of your wedding:

• Have a checklist made to make sure you have everything, especially the rings! Having this list will keep you calm throughout the day and will save any last minute rushing around.

• Remember why you are here.

“You’ll discover that there’s only one moment of the entire ceremony that really matters, and that’s when you turn to your bride to recite your vows. You will feel like you’re looking at her for the very first time. Everything else, all the other little details you spent months fretting over, becomes white noise,” Sics said.

The Honeymoon

With all the pressure of making sure the wedding goes off without a hitch, going on a honeymoon with your new bride can be the perfect way to distress and relax as a new married couple. A few things to consider when planning your getaway include:

• Set a budget. Weddings can get very pricey, so try to include the honeymoon in your budget. The budget can determine the location and the time you will spend at your destination.

• Consider going all-inclusive. All-inclusive resorts will save the headache of having to plan activities and will save you from any unexpected costs that may come up. Most all-inclusive resorts will bundle food, drink, stay, and some leisurely activities for one rate.

• Think about the time of year you will be traveling. You don’t want to book a weekend in the Caribbean during hurricane season, nor do you want to be in Mexico over Spring Break if you are looking to have a relaxing getaway.

• Plan ahead. If you are planning to leave the country make sure you have passports and any other documents you may need well in advance.