As you begin to plan your wedding, here are a few general numbers from the Knot’s research department  to keep in mind: Typically, the number of guests at a wedding is 149. Bridesmaids:  5 Groomsmen:  5 Length of Engagement: 13.4 months Popular Engagement Month:  December Popular Wedding Month:  June

To make a statement with your first dance, the Wedding Dance Experts at Arthur Murray Dance Centers say  the key is to start well in advance so couples, and the entire wedding party, can be as comfortable as possible.  Practice does make perfect, and practice takes time and commitment. Here’s a few more tips from [...]

Like many Long Island brides, you likely have out-of-town guests coming here for your wedding.   The Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission (I know – it’s a ridiculously drawn out name!)  offers tons of coupons related to local activities and attractions.   Check them out here.   The LICVB website also offers a great [...]

WeddingMapper.com allows couples to literally map out all of the wedding day’s locations, so that guests, especially those that  are out-of-town guests, can easily find their way around.  You can map out restaurants, hotels, the ceremony and reception sites, plus other local attractions.  The site offers lots more, as well. Take a look at www.WeddingMapper.com.

Have you checked your passport lately for the expiration date?  Renewing a passport can take up to six weeks or more.   I learned this when I was heading for Barbados last spring and forgot to see if my passport was still valid.   To my dismay, it had expired a month earlier and I was leaving [...]

Looking for an off-the-beaten-track spot to exchange wedding vows?   Try the Long Island Rail Road, en route to or from your favorite station.   And Mets fans can tie the knot at the new Citi Field — of course, not during game days.

Ever wonder what “Preferred Vendor” means on wedding websites and  Internet bridal magazines?  Generally speaking, this refers to a paying advertiser.   And when a catering hall hands you their list of preferred vendors, be sure to ask exactly what that means, too.   Often the vendors pay  a fee to be placed on that list.

There are more than 15,000 weddings on Long Island every year.  That makes our area the second highest in New York State.