I've seen a lot of books that are supposedly “complete” how-to guides for brides-to-be, and while most are packed with great suggestions, very few are actually complete AND practical. Planning a wedding is a huge undertaking and unless you're a professional wedding planner, good, unbiased resources are important.

Unbiased is the operative word in the last sentence. I'm sure you've already noticed that since you accepted your Prince Charming's proposal, everyone and their fifth cousin twice removed has been offering you suggestions, advice and opinions about anything and everything that is important—to them.

This very situation ruined my wedding, as my then bride, now wife, was bombarded from every angle under the sun, from how to wear her hair to what songs we should play at our reception. It wound up being a huge mess, and my wife still refuses to talk about our wedding day, which was supposed to be one of the happiest days of our lives. Trust me. You don't want this to happen to you.

While you're going to consider a few select people's opinions from time to time, the bottom line is the decisions are yours to make, and your wedding day should be the result of your vision. That's why it's important to get your bearings and start planning your vision before others get their mitts on your wedding day. I highly recommend Carry Denny's guide, The Bride's Instruction Manual.

It is by far the most practical and complete bride guide I've come across and wish it was around back when we were planning our own big day. The advice and suggestions are honest, shoot-from-the-hip and even entertaining. What makes it my top pick for bridal guides is that Denny doesn't leave any holes between getting engaged and the thank you cards. Many other guides concentrate on key elements, but leave you floundering with other details that may be small, but nevertheless important.

Don't find yourself walking down the aisle and wondering who's wedding this really is. That's where we were all those years ago, and if we'd not been so quick to please everyone else, our experience and memories would have been so wonderfully different.