Wedding season in full bloom

Blossoms are on the trees, flowers are blooming, summer is here and love is in the air. That's right: It's wedding season.

Couples planning to get married have much to consider. This time can be the most fun and exciting or the most stressful and scary of their lives.

"I'm excited about getting ready to feel like a princess," said Brittney Carter, a Weber State University student.

Carter, who is getting married in June, said the hardest wedding decision she made was where to have the reception. Couples are bombarded with many choices like that one. Will the wedding be big or small, formal or casual? What colors and cake flavors? It can be overwhelming, especially for the bride.

"My groom doesn't care," Carter said. "He, like, cares about (the wedding), but he doesn't care about the specifics."

Marshall Berger, the WSU student who is engaged to Carter, said he has found it easier to just agree with his fianc�e when it comes to making wedding plans. Planning a wedding is stressful and Berger is looking forward to the actual marriage much more than he's looking forward to the wedding.

"It basically comes down to whatever she wants and whatever will make her happy," he said.

When planning a wedding, it's important to remember that reception centers, caterers, decorators and photographers book up fast in the summer months. A 2001 reader study by Bride's magazine found June is the most popular wedding month, followed by May and August.

Using a wedding planner can help alleviate the stress and avoid the pitfalls involved in planning the perfect wedding.

"I always tell my brides, 'It's your party,'" said Starla Rees, a wedding planner from Roy who has been helping brides plan their weddings for five years. "Brides have been thinking about this since they were four years old. "

One important decision is where to hold the ceremony and reception. There is a wide variety of reception centers in this area. Couples need to choose one that will be both beautiful and affordable but large enough to accommodate the guests.

Finding a caterer and cake decorator is another task. While it is important to talk with the different services in the area, it may be vital to talk to people who were recently married. Their experiences can help couples decide to use one particular service or avoid another.

Photographers are another challenge. Photographers book up quickly and can be quite pricey, ranging from $600 to $2,100 or more. Ask to see samples and inquire about finishing times. Find out if the photographer is willing to travel if the ceremony is out of town. Book the photographer early.

Another thing to consider is hiring a wedding decorator.

"They come and set it up and then they come and clean it up," said Brindley Woodbury, a WSU student who spoke about her November 2003 wedding.

"It's a lot less stress on you and your family," Woodbury said.

A decorator can help the day run smoothly.

"It was awesome; I loved the decorator," said Jeff Reese, a WSU student who was married last December. His decorator took care of the tables, catering and the decorations.

"I've considered eloping," said Mekinzie Alvord, who has worked as a wedding caterer for three years at Creative Desserts in Ogden.

Alvord said it's important to plan ahead and stay within budget. After seeing so many brides under stress planning huge weddings, she plans to have a simple wedding.

What happens on the wedding day isn't as important as what happens for the next 50-plus years. Couples should use the time while they are engaged to cultivate the skills to help make a happy marriage. They should work together while planning the wedding and learn how to compromise and respect each other's opinions.

Marriage takes work. When a happy marriage is a top priority for both the husband and wife, they have greater odds of being successful. Reese said she loves being married.

"I've never been this comfortable with anyone else in my life," Reese said.

You can leave a message for reporter Jenalee Laird by calling 626-7624.