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BRIDES (special section) Disaster Watch

WASHINGTON (AP) -- You're just euphoric about your approaching wedding day.

But don't let that fog your hard-eyed watch for potential spoilers, such as

incompatible relatives or a glitch in the arrangements.

"First, people should understand that weddings are happy occasions, but they

can be very stressful," says Sylvia Stevens, family therapist and instructor

in the School of Nursing at The Catholic University of America.

Disasters can happen. Ms Stevens recalls a bride whose parents who split up

just weeks before the ceremony. And at a rehearsal for another wedding,

someone toasted the groom with the name of the bride's former boyfriend.

"These kinds of things can cause resentments that might surface later in a

marriage," Stevens says. Common sense, civility and communication are

essential.

"Try to anticipate the embarrassing things," Ms Stevens advises. "If Uncle

Harry gets drunk like he normally does, then have someone ready to intervene.

Ask for help from people who you know are reasonable and who think as you do.

"Talk with your spouse-to-be about problem relatives and have contingency

plans. For example, if the ring bearer is a little young, make sure a parent

is clued in and ready to help if the boy gets cold feet."