What every bride-to-be should know

He gets down on one knee, flashes a diamond you wouldn't dare refuse and asks you to marry him.

It's the moment you've always dreamed about. He slips the ring on your finger as tears of joy stream down your face.

Enjoy the happy tears. From now until your wedding day, you'll have plenty else to cry about.

Planning a successful ceremony is nothing less than a monumental task - take it from Tracy Brattin and Pat Blum. They do it for a living.

As if written in the stars, the two women met at party three years ago. A three-hour lunch meeting later and the two were suddenly the heads of their own party planning business, Simply Divine Events of Texas.

They have been busy these past few months; there's always a surge business around the holidays, especially because of new engagements and weddings.

In their combined 20 years of planning parties, no vision has been too great for them - at least not yet.

One of their most intricate accomplishments to date came by way of a bride who wanted to give her new husband a Pretty Woman surprise that required the coordination of teams of people.

The bride wanted to wow her husband by wearing a replica of the dress worn by Julia Roberts in the chick-flick classic.  The brown polka-dot dress and hat were specially made and "kept under lock and key" until the couple's big send away at the reception, Brattin said.

As the band invited the perplexed groom on stage, Brattin and Blum "looked like baseball umpires" as they cued the waiting band and the bride while keeping the groom at bay.

"I thought he was going to pass out before she got to him. I get chills talking about it," Brattin said.

The two newlyweds met in the middle of the walkway, completing the "beautiful sendoff" and allowing the planners a sigh of relief and a feeling of triumph, Blum said.

"We like what we do, and I think it definitely shows," Brattin said.

Sandra Gonzalez covers features and entertainment for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4427.

5 THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU GET ENGAGED

1. Set a date

Without a date, making all other decisions is difficult if not totally impossible. Vendors, food, flowers, location and even dress are affected by the date you choose.

2. Have a budget figure in mind

Having a lump sum in your head helps the planning process. But don't feel the need to divide the figure right away. Every bride is different, Brattin said. You might discover you care more about cake than flowers or dress than entertainment as you get a little deeper into planning. Blum said one of their most helpful services is helping couples budget. "We help them decide where it's most important to them for their dollars to be spent and where to invest them."

3. Create a vision

Brattin and Blum are pros at making the impossible possible. What they've discovered is that you should dream first and leave the creation until later.

4. Talk about roles

Deciding how involved each party will be should be done early on. Does your future husband or wife want most of the say in decisions? Does any side of the family have traditions that have to be included? Making small distinctions early on can help prevent future headaches.

5. Hire a wedding planner

Sure, some people can do it on their own. But Blum and Brattin said their services can come affordable. Whether it's something specific like food choices or just helping them create priorities, a little help never hurt anyone.

Top Valley Wedding Spots

Wedding planners Tracy Brattin and Pat Blum pick some of the best places to marry in the Valley Photos in drive

• Tierra Santa Golf Course in Weslaco
• Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen
• Cimarron Country Club in Mission
• Chachalaca Bend in Los Fresnos
• McAllen Country Club in McAllen