Congratulations! You have now entered the world of "the engaged." (I could tell by that huge princess cut rock gleaming through the screen!) From now until the day you tie the proverbial knot, you will be floating through life in an adrenaline induced fog, with one focus in that brain of yours that's nestled behind your perfectly plucked brows and seaweed mask covered forehead: MUST HAVE PERFECT WEDDING! For starters, throw that idea out the window. That's right. Say "sayonara" to your idealistic perfectionism. Okay, fine, say "adios" if you prefer, but either way.....kick it out! Nothing is going to go EXACTLY as planned, and if you start your planning with the notion that it will, you will induce a great deal of unnecessary stress (and a few nice pimples as well). You'll also get on everyone's nerves! Plan the best that you can, but always allow for leeway, and determine now that you will not turn into Bridezilla should something not go just the way you wanted it to. Soooooooo, onto the planning. Now, I entitled this "Planning An Ebay Wedding" for some very good reasons. For one, I found my gorgeous Mori Lee gown on here for $49.99. Yeah, you heard me. I also got bridal magazines, my wedding planning book, my ring pillows, my petals, my garter, my unity candle, candleholders, my veil, my tiara, reception table cameras.....blah blah blah you get the point. I even got the groom! Okay, that's stretching it just a tad. But, the items I did get I got for a fraction of what I would have paid in a snooty bridal botique or even a discount store! I don't mean the fraction 1/2....more like 1/10. How did I do it? One word: RESEARCH. Start by making a list of what you will need for the big day. I would look this up in a wedding planning book, because if you try to think of everything yourself, you'll end up giving out whatever toys you can find in the church's Sunday School rooms as party favors, because OOPS...you forgot that minor detail. Next, according to your budget, decide how much you want to spend on each item. Now for the leg-work. Run a search for each item. Be specific about colors, amount, etc. Use the sidebar on the left to weed out items that are too expensive, etc. Don't just buy the first good deal you see, and always check feedback! A seller that doesn't come through is the last headache you need. Don't just look at their percentage, either. Look-up their feedback comments from previous buyers. Sure, he may sell you 1000 fuschia rose petals for $4.99, but with several feedback comments like "STAY AWAY FROM THIS SELLER HE STOLE MY MONEY AND RUINED MY LIFE!" and "WOULDN'T TRUST THIS SELLER AS FAR AS I COULD THROW HIM!", you might want to keep looking. Narrow it down to a few sellers, and add the items to your watch list. Don't watch 78 guest books or 35 cake knives; pick your absolute favorites and use the "compare" option on your watch list. If you have a question about an item, ask! This is YOUR money, so you deserve to have as much information about the items you're spending it on. I often ask them to email me additional pictures. This has proven especially helpful when it came to the final, final, final, decision. You also need to make sure you read any fine print, and that the seller accepts the payment option you prefer. Once you've gathered your facts and have everything picked out, here comes the fun part: BUY IT! Next thing you know, your mailbox will be filled with everything from those horrible...I mean beautiful...bridesmaids dresses to that adorable tux and top hat for your chihuahua Gordita. Good luck and remember: HAVE FUN!!!!