Welcome to the Wedding Guide 2017 

Notice anything different? We’ve squared up, changing our look to make the Wedding Guide even more user-friendly and prettier (we think). But beauty is more than cover deep. Inside, we’ve expanded our photographer showcase and broken out a mini-gallery of cakes and flowers to inspire you, while keeping the efficient and nerve-calming pre-wedding checklist. Not to mention listings to help you find local sources for everything you need to get this party started.

Thinking about having your nuptials at home? In this issue, Nora Mounce takes you through the process, pitfalls and payoff of saying “I do” at your own place, with inspiration from a pair of newlywed DIY demigods.

Remember, it’s OK to ask for help, whether from pros in the planning business, caterers or friends and family. You might even find enlisting loved ones makes things more memorable. Are you standing up for your best friend at the wedding? Flip to “Stocked” by John-Michael Wilkerson and you’ll see how much fun (and low pressure) throwing a stock-the-bar engagement/bachelor/bachelorette party for the happy couple can be.

If you’re blanking on your gift registry, fear not. Amy Barnes is here to help with her treasure trove of last-a-lifetime suggestions — the very gifts she still treasures decades after her own wedding. And for those of you who want to do things a little differently, Susan Penn has some out-of-the-bakery-box ideas for dessert at your wedding. Individual pies, anyone?

So grab a seat and a beverage and start flipping through this year’s Wedding Guide. Feel free to mark it up and dog-ear some pages — we’ll take it as a compliment.