Special Report: Wedding Warning
The cake -- Your gown -- The out of town guests flying in.
These are the typical concerns of a bride.
But experts say you should also be concerned with something else, namely, security.
Richard Avery of Securitas Security Services explained, "Security is typically the last thing on anybody's mind."
Because a wedding is such a public affair, would-be thieves can easily get a hold of your personal information, for example: announcing your wedding date in the newspaper. It lets thieves know when your house will be empty.
"That’s just fair game for somebody that might have some ill thoughts as to getting your goods," said Avery.
And while you wouldn't give out your home address to a stranger; when you fill out a wedding registry form, you're essentially doing just that.
Anyone who walks into a store or looks you up online, can find out what gifts you're getting -- where you live and when you won't be home.
"You don't need to put the date down and you certainly don't need to put the address down," said Avery.
Some stores now conceal the bride's address, but others still list it as a convenience factor.
"There has to be somewhere where gifts can be sent," said Tascha Bracken of Simple Details.
So you might want to consider having gifts shipped to a P.O. Box or a relative's house instead.
"If you can receive gifts at work, that's definitely a great option," suggests Bracken.
And while you're away, consider leaving someone behind to house sit, or at least give your home a ‘lived-in’ look.
"You can have a neighbor park a vehicle in there so that you can appear to be home. And you can also put timers in the various rooms," said Avery.
By following these simple steps, experts say you can plan a wedding that's both special and safe.
(Copyright 2005 by WHDHTV 7News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

