So you have become entangled in the Wedding Industrial Complex.  Feeling at a loss? Not to worry, Wentworth Tradd has a few tips for the husband-to-be.

Number 1. You are just the groom. If you are already engaged, you have made the only decision that is yours for a while. Practice saying "Yes, dear."  You will be saying it a lot.

Number 2. YOUR opinion  is only being sought to confirm hers. But be careful: The answer to "does this make me look fat?" is always NO, even if she says "Doesn't this make me look fat."

Number 3.   Even though it doesn't matter, she wants you to have an opinion. She thinks it is cute for you to have one.

Number 4. The price of the ring is according to a simple formula- no, not the one in the ads. The price of the ring is arrived at from three numbers: Take 1) the price you had planned to spend, 2)  the maximum you can afford, and 3) the amount you can borrow if you have to. Which one is largest? It doesn't matter. Add all three. THAT is the amount you should expect to spend on an engagement ring..   But see number 5 below.

Number 5. If either of you have been married or engaged before, the price of the ring doesn't matter this time. Just make sure it is a lot bigger than the last one.

Number 6. What you wear is important. You wouldn't want to ruin all of her pictures by not being dressed the way she wants you to be.

Number 7. Never ever ever forget rule number one.

Some wise person said "In marriage you have to decide whether you want to be right or happy."  If you try too often to be right, you will never be happy.  How often is too often? Once.  If you can get through engagement, many facets of marriage will be relatively easy.  One last piece of advice: buy your TV before you get married, but don't buy it anytime close to when you buy her ring. And never tell her what it cost.

Good Luck

WT