You're on your own, past your clubbing days and ready to settle down. Now what? Time to get hitched, of course. There's no need to shy away from big plans and big weddings just because Michigan law says you can't. But wearing brown shoes with a black suit? That's a wedding fashion faux pas that can't be forgiven.
1. Find that special someone. Found that guy or gal who wants to spend the rest of their life with you? Good! You're well on your way.
2. Budget. Love is tender in your relationship, but not in the real world. Figure out how much dough you can blow and be realistic. Nothing is worse than coming home from Hawaii to a house full of bills for those live turtledoves that you HAD to have.
3. Get your passport. Starting in 2009, anyone entering Canada needs one to get across the border. If you're planning on getting hitched in the country of hockey, Celine Dion and same-sex marriages, give yourself at least three months for your passport book to be processed. Say cheese!
4. Dessert! Everyone knows that the cake is the most important part of a wedding (especially big Aunt Ethel). And besides, you'll be eating it for months, so you had better like it.
5. Guests. Yes, we're aware that you have 300 MySpace friends. But you can't invite them all, so go by your Top 8 and work your way down. And remember not to invite any exes, as they're sure to get drunk at your open bar and make an embarrassing speech about "that one time in the Bahamas."
6. Bridesmaids and groomsmen. Your "best friend" who left you hanging when the Fran Drescher look-alike cornered you at bar? Forget her. Stick to picking people who you know are reliable. And remember, it's about whom YOU want by your side in a taffeta dress or ill-fitting tux. Just be sure to pick friends who won't look better than you on your big day.
7. Flowers. All I can say is they had better match your ensembles.
8. Start a Web site to celebrate your love. All the hip couples do it. I'm pretty sure even Brad and Angie have one.
9. Plan the honeymoon. After all the stress incurred from the previous steps, it will be a relief to think about sitting on the beach drinking Long Islands with your honey.
10. Register. Give your friends plenty of options for what to get you. Then, at your reception, sit back and watch the gifts pile up.
Need some help? Try the Internet. Here are some LGBT-friendly sites to help you plan your big day.
http://www.rainbowweddingnetwork.com All the links you'll ever need to resources for planning your wedding or commitment ceremony.
http://www.ceremoniesforlife.org Just one of the many Michigan churches that performs commitment ceremonies.
http://www.douglasdunes.com Michigan's largest gay and lesbian resort.
