For Stephanie Matthews, it was love at first date.

“I knew right away I was going to marry him,” says the Orem bride of her now-hubby Dane Thomas. “I called my mom and told her he was the one.”

And when you know, you know.

So after three months of dating, the pair spent their happiest moment in the happiest place on earth.

“We got engaged at Disneyland,” Stephanie says. “But he tricked me! When we were walking out of Club 33 restaurant, the waiter came out and said I forgot something. I thought it was my inhaler, but when I turned around, there was Dane on his knee with a ring.”

With a July 1 wedding date, the next step was planning, planning, planning.

First up? A gorgeous gown — with no cookie cutters in sight.

“I found a Monique Lhuillier dress I loved with a Queen Anne neckline and lace, so I took that raw idea to dressmaker Shawna Schauers who made me a beautiful dress that was all my own,” Stephanie says. “It was so perfect and unique. She ended up using more than 30 yards of fabric!”

With the help of her photographer, McKenzie Deakins, Stephanie planned the rest of her wedding with ease — which led to a perfectly perfect day.

“We got sealed early in the morning, and it was absolutely my favorite part of the day,” Stephanie says. “I’m a convert (to the LDS Church), so my parents weren’t able to attend the ceremony. But coming out of the temple and giving my parents the biggest hug was a moment I’ll never forget.”

So first came love, then came marriage, and then comes … well, you know the rest!

“Our pregnancy was a surprise, to say the least,” Stephanie says. “But we couldn’t be happier about it.”

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Heather Eagleston always planned on having a year-long engagement.

But that was before she met Tyler Beus.

Heather dated the Woodland Hills-raised boy for eight months, and they were planning on getting married a year later in June 2010. But then Tyler had a job opportunity with the military come up in Iraq (he’d already been deployed there twice), and they thought, “What are we waiting for?”

So the month-long engagement began! But first, they had to get engaged. (Details, details.)

“We had our engagement pictures scheduled, and I still had no ring!” Heather says. “Tyler kept saying it would be OK — that we could just Photoshop the ring in later. But I was upset because I felt stupid having my engagements taken without an official proposal.”

Little did Heather know, Tyler had a proposal — and a plan. On the day of their engagement photos, he sent her to a salon where she could get a facial, massage, and hair and makeup done. Afterward, she rushed off to meet Tyler at a local park where they were interested in having their reception. When they got there, Tyler, who Heather says was “acting strangely” (Future brides: This is code for “he’s about to propose!”), walked up to a woman and asked her if she would take the couple’s picture.

“I was so embarrassed. We don’t take pictures. Plus, I wasn’t engaged yet, and now Tyler was bothering this lady to take a picture of us for no reason!”

But before the woman captured the memory on film, she asked Heather to hold her brand new puppy. Heather obliged, and when she looked at the collar, the tag said, “Heather, will you marry me?”

“I said, ‘You jerk! You tricked me!’ But Tyler said this was our love puppy, and it would take care of me while he was gone to Iraq for the next year.”

And they called it puppy love.

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It was the spring of 2008, and Heather Barker had her hands full. Not only did she have a boyfriend, she was writing an LDS missionary.

But then came Dan Yeates.

“We were living in Raintree Apartments in Provo when we met,” says the Elk Ridge bride. “My mom’s maiden name is Yates, and so that got us talking.”

After a summer of flirts from afar, the pair dated for a month or two and then broke up. Heather then dated the missionary she’d been writing (who’d since come home), and Dan did some dating of his own.

But then came the cheddar cheese waffles.

“We had been keeping in touch by text here and there, and he always said he was going to make cheddar cheese waffles for me. My birthday is on New Year’s, so he came over that day — and the rest is history.”

The rest is, in fact, a delicious history. When it came time to propose, Dan, who hails from Orem, put things into overdrive.

“It was the last day of my finals during the spring semester, and I came out to find a bouquet on top of my car,” Heather says. “There was a note. On one side it said, ‘Heather Barker.’ And when I unfolded it, it said, ‘Yeates.’”

Still not 100 percent sure he was proposing (thanks to the stress from her chemistry final), Heather met up with Dan and they went for a drive up Provo Canyon. After dinner at Sundance, Dan got down on one knee to propose to his sweetheart — but not before tripping (adorably so) in the process.

Talk about head over heals.

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Hannah Rhees Goodrich is no stereotype kind of girl. The creative bride always wanted something unique for her wedding — so Hannah in Wonderland was born.

“I wanted something funky and fun — the exact opposite of typical,” she says of her March 2009 wedding to Ryan Goodrich. “I had always loved ‘Alice in Wonderland’ growing up, and so it just seemed like the perfect fit.”

So with the help of her expert wedding planners, Design Elite, Hannah got her Alice on. Striped tights, felt flowers, whimsical invitations — you name it, Hannah had it. But she was careful to go for class rather than cheese.

“There’s a fine line between cool and cheesy,” Hannah says. “We didn’t want to look back 20 years later and be embarrassed, so we worked hard to make it perfect.”

Like Hannah, you, too, can have the wedding theme of your dreams. Here are 12 tips to help you along the way.

1. GO FOR IT
If you’re dying for a theme wedding, but you’re too timid to pull the trigger, just do it. First rule of wedding planning? No regrets.

2. GOOGLE AWAY
Once you pick your theme, go the way of the Google. There are countless ideas you won’t think of, so get your brain rolling on the World Wide Wed.

3. COMPROMISE YOUR HEART OUT
If you want a mix of the traditional AND the funky — do both!

“I knew I wanted to wear striped tights, but I wanted to wear them with a traditional wedding gown,” Hannah says. “That was one element of my wedding that needed to stay with tradition.”

4. WHEN IN ROME …
A successful wedding theme is determined by the commitment level. If you simply dabble in a theme, it’s hard for guests to make the connection, which leaves your reception more confusing — less epic.

5. IT’S IN THE DETAILS
The other component of a successful theme wedding comes down to the details. Your guests will remember that unique guest book or the I’ve-never-seen-that-before cake. Count on the little things.

6. LOOK INWARD
Theme weddings don’t always have to go the way of the funky. Try choosing an element that relates to you as a couple (such as a first date memory), and let the fun flow from there.

7. TAKE A MOMENT
In the midst of your theme planning, take a step back and evaluate your details a few times along the way. Like Hannah, you’ll want to go for the classy and avoid the cheese. So plan small “theme checks” along the way.

8. INVITING INVITATIONS
Start your wedding theme off right by incorporating it into the invitations (photo and all!). You’ll get guests a-talking and a-RSVPing.

9. MOTHER MAY I?
It’s absolutely your day, but it’s your mom’s day, too. So before you make any big theme decisions, be sure to talk it over with the mother. (Common courtesy, ladies.)

10. A PHOTO FINISH
No theme wedding is complete without the photographer. Be sure to communicate your vision to the photographer so it expertly runs from your head to the lens.

“Our photographer was so amazing,” Hannah says of her photographer, Terra Cooper of Magnifique Photography. “She was right there with us every step of the way.”

11. BE YOURSELVES
“Alice in Wonderland” may have been the perfect theme for Hannah and Ryan, but it’s important to stay true to who you are as a couple. Find a theme that’s in your comfort zone — or you’ll be unhappy and uncomfortable all the night long.

12. FUN, FUN, FUN
Most importantly? Have fun, fun and more fun. You deserve the theme of your dreams.

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Wedding photography is the frosting to your cake … the flower to your stem … the diamond to your ring. Get the picture? You can’t have a wedding without photography — so why not make it stellar? Below, local photographers give the inside scoop on making magic with the lens.

1. GO PRO
“Our biggest piece of advice is to choose an experienced, professional WEDDING photographer. Don’t put the responsibility of capturing those priceless moments in the hands of a well-meaning friend or relative (even if that’s their wedding gift to you!),” says Amy Hixson of Dan Hixson Photography. “We have had many couples call us in frustration and tears AFTER they had a ‘friend’ shoot their wedding pictures, and they wondered if we could do anything to fix them. This is so sad for us to hear, because they can’t really get that day back — and it’s completely preventable if you hire the right person to begin with.”

Ryan Pearson, of Fotogenix, agrees.

“Hire a professional photographer and make sure you love his or her work and style,” he says. “Photography is the only part of your wedding that lasts forever.”

2. ASK THE TOUGH QUESTIONS
Bryant Livingston recommends asking your photographer “what if” questions before you book:
1. Do you carry a back-up camera and lighting equipment? This may sound silly, but many aspiring photographers have not accomplished this yet.
2. As a potential client, are the images you are seeing actually from the photographer you are booking? (Many studios contract with more than one photographer. Get assurances you won’t get a stranger or “stand in” if another bride comes in and has a bigger photography budget and your same wedding day.)
3. What is your back-up plan in case of emergency?
4. What is included in the package, or do I buy a la carte? Just make sure whomever you use, they will be flexible enough to accommodate your needs and requests.

3. GET THE WHOLE PACKAGE
“A lot of brides are so focused on getting their digital images on a disk they pay little attention to what else a photographer might have to offer,” says Jessie Evans of Jessie Alexis Photography. “Often, when a bride receives nothing but her photos on a CD, they don’t make it past Facebook or personal blogs. Make sure your photographer is also offering something tangible, like an album or prints you can display in your home.”

Glen Ricks, of Glen Ricks Photography, concurs.

“The trend right now seems to be having the photographs taken and a CD or DVD made,” he says. “Remember, hard copies (like a finished wedding album — not proofs) will always withstand the test of time. How many of your parents still listen to 8-track tapes? That technology is gone now — and CDs and DVDs will be, too, in a few years”

4. BE PREPARED
“Have a personal consultation (either in person or over the phone) with your photographer before you book,” Amy says. “Take the time to talk about your preferred photography style for each session shoot. Ask questions about outfit choices and makeup tips; discuss locations for shoots that fit your personal style; go over the timing of the wedding day and map out every aspect of the wedding photography together! It helps to identify any potential scheduling snafus (like not having enough time between the wedding and reception to get all the desired pictures) and make sure everyone is on the same page. Plus, it’s fun to meet each other and establish a comfortable working relationship before we start to capture those priceless moments together!”

5. CONTINUITY OR BUST
“Do an engagement shoot with the photographer you will be using on your wedding day,” says Terra Cooper of Magnifique Photography. “This allows the photographer to get used to you as a couple and learn how to photograph you best and capture your personality. Plus, these are the pictures you are sending out to all your family and friends — even some that will not be at the wedding — so they might be the only pictures they see of you and your fiance!”

6. LOVE THEM!
“Find someone you love … both for their style as well as their personality,” says Jon Woodbury, of Jon Woodbury Photography. “You’ll end up spending more time with your photographer on your wedding day than you will with any of your wedding party or guests, so you want to be sure you’ll have a good time together. Remember … if you wouldn’t invite them to your wedding, why would you pay them to be there?”

7. TRUST THEM!
“Once you’ve chosen your photographer, trust them. They’ll make sure your hair is in place and you are in the most flattering pose,” says McKenzie Deakins, of Photography by McKenzie. “So, don’t stress the little things on your wedding day. Let your photographer take control so you can enjoy the moment.”

8. GO FOR GROOMALS
“Try to move photos of yourself and your groom off of your actual wedding day,” says Nichole V. of Nichole V. Photography. “Those beautiful, creative images of the bride and groom together are always the first images to get cut out of a busy wedding day. It really lessens your stress on the wedding day if you know you already have those shots. Also, if the weather is uncooperative, you know you already have those important images.”

9. POSERS BE GONE
“Don’t be worried about posing and whether you look all right — your photographer will tell you if you don’t,” says Ashlee Clark of Ashlee Elizabeth Photography. “Especially when it comes to pictures of you and your fiance, just be natural.”

Kristen Ising, of Studio Lush, agrees.

“I like to coach my bride and groom on how to be comfortable together in front of the camera,” she says. “I tell them to live and feel the emotions they are having. Photography should be art that reflects those real emotions.”

10. DANCE THE TALKING AWAY
“Don’t talk through your whole first couple’s dance together,” says Annalisa Rosenvall, of Annalisa Photography. “A little talking is fine because all photographers like spontaneous smiles, but also stare into each other’s eyes and smile through the song so the photographer can make sure they get some romantic shots.”

11. RELAX
“Have fun, laugh, smile and enjoy your special day,” says Suzanna Higginson, of Tender Treasures Photography. “When you’re having fun, it shows.”

12. BALANCE THE TRENDS
“Gauge your visual tastes and mix that with your bias toward trends,” Bryant says. “Include key images in your album that showcase your own personal style and tell your story. Make sure they are composed well and have key elements in them. Most important here is to enjoy looking at your album five, 10, 20 years down the line. You don’t want your wedding album to turn into the 1980s fluorescent colored, puffy sleeved bridesmaid dress. It looked great that year, but it’s terrible now.”

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Your family and friends will likely celebrate your nuptials with gorgeous and generous offerings. Here are 12 ways to get present-able.

1. WISH LIST
Although it’s not mandatory, it’s smart to be prepared with a list. Brainstorm a list of items you’ll need for the years to come — not just the immediate future — and throw in some good old fashioned “wants” for good measure.

2. AND THE LIST GOES ON …
Don’t be shy when it comes to adding items to your registry. It’ll give your guests a plethora of presents to choose from, and you’ll steer clear of the “10 Toaster Syndrome.” (That’s the official title.)

3. GIFTS, GIFTS ON THE RANGE
Be sure to have a wide range of prices represented on the registry. You want to cater to your just-starting-out college compadres AND your rich Uncle Chester.

4. THEMES, SCHEMES AND COLORS (oh my!)
During your wish-list brainstorm, decide with your fiancé what type of décor and colors you want for your home. It will give you some much-needed direction as you stroll down the endless aisles overflowing with gadget eye candy.

5. THE MORE THE MERRIER
Can’t decide on just one place? No problem! Two or three locations are just fine — it not only gives you a variety, but your gift-bearing guests as well.

6. BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY
Before you get down to the nitty-gritty, be sure to check the return policies of the stores you have in mind. Being aware of the exchange/return policies will help you manage your list before and after the wedding. (Bonus Tip: Try not to encourage monogrammed items — you can’t even think about returning them!)

7. GROOM, MEET GUN
If your fiancé isn’t pumped about (groan!) all the shopping, remind him of the super fun scan gun he’ll get to tote around the store.

8. BRIGHT AND EARLY
Setting up a gift registry should be one of the first things you do as a newly engaged couple. Once the wedding stress kicks in, you’ll be happy to have it checked off your list.

9. ON THE LINE
Online gift registries are becoming increasingly popular for both the happy couple and their guests. A few advantages: The inventory at online stores are always up-to-date and accurate; it’s more convenient for guests to order and purchase the gifts anywhere, anytime; and your guests can directly mail the gifts to you.

10. PULL UP A CHAIR
If you’re not careful, your kitchen will hog all the fun. Try and think outside of the registry box with items like furniture. Most newlyweds think they have to settle for furniture from a place like D.I., but local retailers carry affordable and stylish furniture perfect for newlyweds.

In fact, Osmond Designs has a furniture registry where guests put money on the couple’s account. Then the bride and groom can furnish their first home-sweet-home with items that fit their style, taste and square footage.

11. CAN YOU SAY DISCOUNT?
The fun doesn’t stop after the wedding! Most stores offer a discount to items left un-purchased on your registry. So take your pile of gift cards and complete that baby!

12. PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT
Once the gifts start to come in, the thank-you cards need to go out. Plus, getting a chunk of them written before the dearly beloved day will help lighten the post-honeymoon load.

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1. WHY, OH WHY?
What was that? Why do you need a premarital exam anyway?

“It really is so important,” says Jana Sund, a certified nurse midwife with Intermountain Healthcare’s New Beginnings Certified Nurse Midwife Clinic. “We offer so much education about the wedding night and about birth control. We help girls prepare for sex in both a physical and emotional way.”

2. SCARY, SCHMARY
So you know those horror stories you’ve heard? Toss them away like a bridal bouquet.

“One of the biggest misconceptions about premarital exams is they’re horribly painful,” Jana says. “And most of our brides leave saying, ‘Oh, it wasn’t that bad at all!’ It’s not usually painful, and it’s not awkward like you think it’s going to be. We really try to make people as comfortable as we can.”

3. SAVE THE DATE
As with most things in life, the sooner you make your appointment, the better.

“If it’s at all possible, we’d really like to see you three months before the wedding,” Jana says. “But if that’s not possible, that’s OK. We’ll take you anytime we can get you.”

4. HERE COMES THE PACKET
Once you make your appointment, it’s time to get prepared for it.

“When our girls schedule their appointment, we send them a packet of information that will help them get ready,” Jana says. “It’s great for them to read up on what we’re going to be discussing.”

5. THEN COMES BABY?
Birth control is an important issue to discuss with both your fiancé and physician. Make sure you and your honey are on the same page, and read up on the various methods available so you can come to your exam prepared with questions.

6. OPTING OUT?
Even if you decide to opt out of birth control, the experts at the New Beginnings Certified Nurse Midwife Clinic say seeing a health professional before entering a long-term sexual relationship is still absolutely necessary.

7. PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Your doctor’s appointment will most likely include a physical (just to make sure everything is in order) — although that won’t necessarily include a pap smear.

“We won’t do a pap smear unless the woman is 21 or if they’ve been sexually active for three years,” Jana says.

8. STAND BY YOUR MAN
Think you have to go it alone? Think again.

“It’s wonderful if they can bring their fiancé to the exam. We spend at least 45 minutes just educating the couple on what’s to come, so it can be extremely helpful to have both partners there,” Jana says. “We’ll have him step out for the exam part of the appointment, but it’s great to have him there for moral support.

9. OUT IN THE OPEN
The sensitive subject matter can have a tendency to be taboo, but a premarital exam can help you feel comfortable and excited for what’s to come.

“We prepare them in ways a lot of girls aren’t prepared at home,” she says. “We’re very open in talking about the wedding night in a comfortable setting, and it’s a really healthy way for brides to start this new phase in their lives.”

10. QUESTIONS?
There’s no such thing as a dumb question. So get asking!

11. LOVE AFTER MARRIAGE
You’re likely to have questions, concerns and queries after you say “I do,” and the nurses at the clinic say their help doesn’t stop with the premarital exam.

“We are here for them every step of the way,” Jana says.

12. THE NEXT STEP
When you’re ready to take that next step and start a family, the certified nurse midwives at Intermountain’s New Beginnings Clinic are equipped to help with prenatal care, hospital deliveries and postpartum needs.

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1. Technology craze
With video technology constantly expanding, the final product can be off the charts.

“Videos are more epic now and not as cheesy,” says Dustin Topham from Motion Media. “Videographers make a miniature movie instead of just a video.”

2. Check it off
Assign a member of the wedding party to help the videographer know who and what to get video of.

“I provide a checklist of people, décor and moments I want captured,” says Jonathan Roberts, executive director of ILoveToSing.com.

3. Shake it up
Choose a diverse mix of songs for the final video so all the emotions felt that day are portrayed.

“It’s nice when brides give us the music before the wedding because then we know the style of video they want,” says Doug Larson, a videographer at Pointe Digital.

4. Communication
Communicate the focus of the video. Do you want hours of you and your hubby greeting guests, or clips of all your friends wishing you luck?

5. Meetings and Greetings
Introduce the photographer to the videographer so they know each other and can coordinate shots.

“It’s helpful when the bride tells the photographer there is a videographer also,” Doug says. “We can know who each other is and work out the shots together.”

6. All Grown Up
Decide if you want pictures from your life played during the reception. Finding photos will take a while and the videographer will need time to create the movie masterpiece.

7. A Weeklong Event
Invite the videographer to dress fittings, bridal showers and bachelorette parties. If they can’t make it, have one of your bridesmaids video the events and give the tape to the video editor. Your husband can laugh at the funny things you did to get ready for the big day.

8. Research that’s fun!
Grab some popcorn and sit down with your bridesmaids to watch a videographer’s past work. You will know their style and can choose one that fits your needs.

“It’s helpful when a bride can say, ‘I like it when you do this,’ or, ‘Don’t get that shot,’” Doug says.

9. Deal or No Deal
Review the contract before you sign it. Make sure questions are answered before you commit.

“I specify how many minutes of footage each videographer is required to take for me,” Jonathan says. “Negotiating this ahead of time makes sure I don’t end up with regrets.”

10. Hungry Man!
Remember — videographers are human, too! Add them to your food estimates and allow them to eat before or after the festivities.

11. Daily Comfort
Find a videographer you feel comfortable around because they will be in your face all day. Do enough research to know who will be the best fit.

“Brides need to check things out — regardless of what their friends say — and see what has become of the industry,” Dustin says. “They really need to look around because there are so many styles.”

12. Lights, Camera, Action
Lighting is critical for a videographer.

“One couple had their first dance outside on a dark tennis court,” Doug says. “I was lucky I had a bright light on my camera, otherwise the shot would have been completely dark.”
Most videographers can come prepared with the needed lighting, they just need to know before the actual event.

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