Here’s what it’s like to plan a wedding when you’re the executive editor of a bridal magazine.

By Danielle Bouchat-Friedman

Delaware/Main Line Bride executive editor Danielle Bouchat-Friedman.//Photo by Luigi Ciuffetelli

I have been the editor of Delaware/Main Line Bride for almost four years and I have planned every issue as if it was my own wedding. But to be honest, I really had no experience planning a wedding.

That is, until recently.

Last March, my fiancé finally popped the question. We spent the first six months just being engaged, mainly because I was too hyper-focused on being the best maid of honor to my little sister, who got married in September 2018.

But now that her wedding is over, I can’t hide anymore.

I’ve had so many people come up to me who have said in so many words, “Oh, being the editor of a bride magazine must make planning a wedding a piece of cake!”

(I wish!)

I am just as crazed as you are. I often say to myself, “Boy, wouldn’t it be nice to go back to the good old days when options were few and far between?” Back to the time when brides and grooms weren’t overwhelmed with Pinterest and Instagram and “Say Yes to the Dress.” Today, saying, “I do” has become more about how many likes can I get on this post, rather than, how much do I love this person?

I am trying my best to enjoy the wedding-planning process. I am trying not to let it overwhelm my life. How am I doing that? Well, so far, it’s been easy, since the date is still more than eight months away.

But as the special day creeps closer and closer, I try and imagine what brides before me focused on that helped them stay calm. Things like: How do I pick a beautiful color scheme for my wedding? How do I achieve a healthy, beautiful glow? And how do I figure out a realistic budget for my big day?

All these questions (plus tons more) are answered inside this jam-packed issue of Delaware/Main Line Bride.

Planning a wedding takes a lot of time and effort, but in the end, it’s only one day. Marriage is for life; make sure you plan on spending it with someone who makes you smile and laugh each and every day.