There is a new coffee-table book on the shelves of bookshops across the island. It is Manners and Entertaining with Marguerite Gordon and, over the next several months, Flair will give you excerpts from the chapters that deal with weddings for your information.

We start with page 93 under the heading Six Months To Go: Things to definitely do.

1. Confirm the ceremony arrangements with the officiator and planner (if you have one). The type of service, the vows, readings, music and photography are topics that should definitely be covered.

2. Select your wedding gifts and open at least one registry.

3. Order the invitations and extra stationery: extra envelopes and place cards, as well as RSVP cards to place inside the invitations.

4. Select your florist and meet to discuss bouquets and all other floral arrangements.

5. Select wedding rings.

6. Order cake.

7. Confirm reception venue.

8. Reconfirm availability of all members of the bridal party and let them know the cost of their outfits.

9. Reserve or buy the bride and groom's outfits.

Marguerite Gordon (formerly Kirkpatrick) is the founder of M.K. Careers, the now-defunct company that popularised the art of personal development. She lives in Trinidad where she is a newspaper columnist.