The Difference Between Men and Women

(OR -- Why LDS weddings come and go so quickly)

I came across something interesting in my planning. If you look up "bride check list," most of the results begin your planning at "12-18 months ahead." This is when you are supposed to set a date, a venue, a color scheme, etc. Now, look up "LDS bride check list." This begins at "4 months ahead."

I think I have found the reason for this. Below you will find my personal theory:

LDS BRIDE'S CHECK LIST:

8-6 months ahead:

• Fall in love
• Pick a date
• Pick a temple
• Decide on a venue for reception (aka: see when the stake center is free)
• Begin compiling guest list
• Select bridesmaids

7-4 months ahead:

• Select wedding gown, veil, etc
• Get temple recommend
• Get measured for temple garments
• Arrange for a photographer OR
• Buy disposable cameras for the guests to use when a photographer is too expensive
• Finish guest list and send out invitations/announcements

3 months ahead:

• Register for gifts
• Make hair appointments, nail appointments, etc
• Make sure your bridesmaids' dresses fit
• Plan honeymoon

1 month ahead:

• Finish planning for reception
• Arrange for time off work
• Double-check all reservations

1 week ahead:

• Go to the spa
• Get manicure
• Pack for honeymoon

On your wedding day:

• Set five alarms
• Don't forget breakfast
• Remember, the Lord's time is not Mormon Standard Time
• Get married, and live happily ever after

LDS GROOM'S CHECKLIST:

8-6 months ahead:

• See beautiful girl across the room
• Fall in love
• Purchase ring
• Learn her name

7 months ahead:

• Work up the nerve to speak to her
• Succeed

6 months ahead:

• Work up the nerve to ask her out

5 months ahead:

• Work up the nerve to ask her out
• Succeed

4 months ahead:

• Work up the nerve to propose
• Work up the nerve to propose
• Tell yourself all the reasons she'll say no
• Work up the nerve to propose

3 months ahead:

• Finally have a plan for proposing
• Remember that you have to meet her family

2 months ahead:

• Meet her family
• Ask her father
• Have contingency elopement plan in case he says no

1 month ahead:

• PROPOSE!
• Stand back in amazement as she magically plans the whole thing so quickly

1 week ahead:

• Argue with your best man over the moral and ethical questions posed by having a stripper at your bachelor party
• Realize that the tux from your senior prom does not still fit

3 days ahead:

• Buy a new tux

On your wedding day:

• Have "the talk" with your father
• Try to think spiritual thoughts on the way to the temple, which is made difficult by the aforementioned "talk" that is still on your mind
• Get married
• Eat copious amounts of cake during the reception to keep your mind off "the talk"
• Try not to have an aneurysm when she wants to stay afterwords and help clean up
• Finally get to your hotel, and let instinct take over
• Live happily ever after