Mother, daughter tackle wedding planning together

 Wedding Dress Bridal Mother, daughter tackle wedding planning together 6/16/2008 12:33 AM 0 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friend By RACHEL JOHNSON Staff writer Twenty-nine years ago, Holly Jackson stepped into Charlotte'sBridal Fashions in downtown Aiken filled with the anticipation offinding the perfect wedding dress. At the time she never imaginedher wedding day would indirectly lead her right back to thestarting point with her only daughter, Keri Jackson. When Keri announced the news of her engagement to her mother, therewas no doubt where the pair would start the wedding planning. Theyheaded to Charlotte's, and the past came full circle. "It is very exciting to see her getting married," said Holly as shehelped Keri into her gown for a final fitting. "It is likereturning to the past yet looking to the future." Keri and her fiance Daniel Treece of Columbia are not the only onesgetting married this summer. According to Cheryl Allen ofCharlotte's Bridal Fashions, the first five months of the year arebusy. By the time the summer months roll around, the plans are typicallyset and final alterations are being made as the big day draws near. Months of planning go into the big day and sometimes even more.Keri has been planning her wedding for a year and a half. "It has been challenging planning a destination wedding because itis hard to coordinate being so far away," Keri said. Whether you plan a destination wedding or one close to home, thesame elements of the big day have to be carefully planned. It starts with the wedding dress, the colors, the bridesmaids'dresses, the tuxedoes, the location, the date, the guest list, theflowers, the cake, the transportation, the honeymoon, the budget,the rehearsal dinner, the bridesmaids and groomsmen, the receptionsite, the musicians, the photographer, the rings, the theme, theinvitations, the registry, the caterer, hotel reservations,newspaper announcements, vows, hair, shoes, bridesmaids' gifts,luncheons, showers, bachelorette/bachelor parties, and the listgoes on. Planning a wedding is not as easy as some may think, but takingyour time and remembering to enjoy your big day is crucial. Someturn the planning over to professional wedding planners whileothers enlist the help of family and friends. For Keri and her mother, they wouldn't have dreamed of missing outon the chance to share the exciting and sometimes stressful momentsof planning the wedding together. "My mother has been the best wedding planner I could have asked foror hired," Keri said. Together the pair has finalized all the details and coordinated adestination wedding in Charleston with an Old South theme,incorporating magnolias and Spanish moss. The dress has sevenpetticoats underneath it, complemented by a blush pink sash, andthe bridesmaids will be donned in sage. Now that the planning is done, the Jacksons hope the weather, theone element that can't be planned, decides to cooperate. Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com. <Caption>Mother, daughter tackle wedding planstogether</Caption>