Every girl grows up imagining a perfectly romantic wedding, hoping her Fairy Godmother will show up to manage the details. The professionals understand, however, the most romantic weddings result from very practical and strategic planning.

"The key word here is romantic, " says Reina Castillo, a southern California wedding coordinator. "Not exotic or dazzling. Romantic. The goal is to get your guests caught-up in the excitement and magic of the love between you and your new husband." Reina Castillo emphasizes that every detail in the ceremony and reception must contribute to the romance, or the feeling gets lost under layers of fanciness, extravagance, and ego.

Reina Castillo clarifies, "When we talk about romantic weddings, we’re not talking about hot air balloons, the tops of skyscrapers, underwater scuba weddings, or alpine hillsides. We’re talking about beautiful, meaningful, and magical ceremonies that capitalize on special times of day and all the wonders of Nature to create special feelings for the bride and groom, the wedding party, and all the guests."

Reina Castillo stresses, "If you get the guests caught-up in the magic of the moment, they will feel as if they have ‘shared your day’ just as you wish."

Plan a romantic wedding by three basic principles.

Reina Castillo explains, "If you plan to cast a spell over the congregation, you must know how to mix the potion. The formula contains just the right mix of location—ought to be Natural but not too rough, timing—catch just the right light, and simplicity—use just the right words."

Location, location, location—"Here’s where we get to the heart of the difference between exotic and romantic," Castillo says as if marking a map. "Romantic weddings either take the ceremony outdoors, or they bring Mother Nature indoors. One way or another, Mother Nature is always all over a romantic ceremony," says Castillo. She fervently stresses, however, "But it cannot be so natural it gets uncomfortable. Can you walk on soft grass in high heels? Do you want sand in your garter? Do you want to spend your entire wedding day worrying about whether or not it will rain?" Mother Nature has a prominent role to play in a romantic wedding, but she cannot dominate. In Castillo’s calculations, "Profuse flowers, soft lighting, and a string quartet always add-up to romance."

Timing—Reina Castillo grows cross. "It is foolish, arrogant, and rude to plan a wedding for noon on a Saturday," she growls. "It’s hot, humid, uncomfortable, too bright, and it sends the message that you do not mind using-up the guests’ entire day." For maximum romance and out of consideration for your close friends and family, plan your wedding for mid-morning, so that soft morning light drenches the ceremony, or plan it for late afternoon so that you say your vows in the gloaming. "If the sunlight is too bright for candles, then it’s too bright for a romantic wedding," Reina Castillo concludes.

Simplicity equals elegance and romance—Reina Castillo consistently stresses practicality’s influence on romance. "Face it," Reina Castillo shakes her index finger, "Romance is all about intense emotion. If it gets wordy, the feeling is gone. If it gets complex, the feeling is gone." Reina Castillo strongly recommends you work the setting and music to build the mood, and then you keep the exchange of vows as simple, poetic, and direct as you can. "Go for the maximum feeling in the minimal time. Make all the grandmothers weep, and then get on with the party," Reina Castillo smiles strategically.