Welcome to the Wedding Guide 2018 

I always thought I wasn’t a “traditional wedding person.” When it came to my own wedding, I didn’t go with the white dress, walking down an aisle or the enormous cake. But after putting together this issue of the Wedding Guide, maybe I am. That is, maybe I love the traditions we set for ourselves — my good-luck, second-hand dress and Claddagh necklace, and the tiramisu we gorged on after.

Open your mind to inventing new traditions (and picking up some old ones) while perusing Amy Barnes’ round-up of wedding practices from around the world. The Roman practice of throwing nuts at your old suitors certainly speaks to a few of us. And if you’re thinking about wearing your mother’s gown but the fit is a challenge, take a look at Nora Mounce’s piece on making a vintage dress work with the right seamstress or tailor.

And while you’re waffling between hiring a band or a DJ, consider how a solo musician might work for an intimate gathering. Sam Armanino gets to know local singer and songwriter Michael Dayvid, who’ll play a jazz standard for your first dance and switch to Prince when it’s time to get down.

Of course, if you’re going for epic, you might flip to our story on Lost Coast Ranch, a new venue in Ferndale with breathtaking seaside views and Humboldt charm. Depending on the time of year, you might even get a whale or two at your wedding.

And we’ve got plenty of photos from local photographers to browse through as you narrow down your choices. You’ll also get a look at what a group of local wedding-related vendors can do when they put their heads together on everything from tents to table settings.

Dog-ear some pages, circle things, cross others out, stick on some Post-its and fill the margins with notes. And when you’re done, we’re betting you’ll have an idea of which traditions you’re ready to follow, scrap or invent all on your own.