Your wedding day should be one of the most glorious days of your life, surrounded by the people you love and filled with wonderful memories. Now imagine if your favorite aunt, closest cousin or dear childhood friend couldn't be there -- not because they didn't want to be but because of a handicap or disability. Sometimes, even the bride or groom may need special accommodations to help the day go smoothly.

Unfortunately, this happens with some frequency. Couples often don't consider certain details that could be serving as obstacles to some guests.

For example, Betty was invited to a party for a couple whose wedding was on the other side of the country. The couple wanted to share their happiness with friends and family who couldn't make the trip and planned a festive gathering at a historic restaurant. The party was going to be on the upper level, and there was a full flight of spiral stairs. Betty can use a walker for short, flat distances, but a narrow, winding staircase was out of the question.

Audrey called ahead to a wedding venue to ask if they had handicapped access, and she was told yes. When they arrived, there were two steps into the facility. At another venue, her husband couldn't walk down a makeshift ramp using a quad cane because it was too steep and not up to code.

Karen complained about the scarcity of wide, handicapped parking that was close to the entry, on even terrain and in well-lit areas. She added, "When someone needs assistance getting out of the wheelchair and into a vehicle, the door needs to be able to be all the way open so two people plus the wheelchair can be in there."

If you're planning a wedding, there are a few things you should keep in mind to make the interior accessible to all. There needs to be enough space around the dining tables to get a wheelchair around even with other diners already seated. There should be unisex and family bathrooms so that partners could enter together and give assistance. Every venue should have a small quiet sitting space available in case the excitement and commotion get to be too much for someone struggling with anxiety. If the ceremony is in a rocky or sandy area, an all-terrain wheelchair is probably a good idea.

When you are looking for the venue, be sure to ask questions about the necessary accommodations -- and don't just take the vendor's word (especially over the phone); ask to see the accommodations. If possible, take your guest with a disability to see the venue and make sure it would be comfortable. Remember that not every disability looks the same; they are not all about wheelchairs or canes. If someone close to you has a severe hearing impairment, ask about audio systems; if you have a blind family member, make sure that there are no obstacles in the path. If your guest is staying in a nearby hotel, ask to see their facilities as well.

Although you may know about limitations of those in your immediate family, you may not be fully aware of the needs of other guests. You can ask everyone to respond anonymously or simply post any necessary accommodations (including food allergies) on the back of their RSVP card. Prepare beforehand for any special seating or other adjustments that need to be made so that no one is embarrassed by last-minute changes. Also be sure to inform the vendor of any adjustments that need to be made, such as no flashing lights, dietary restrictions and special seating. When you are making seating arrangements, be sure to account for any aides that may be attending along with your guest, and have table chairs removed for wheelchairs beforehand.

Let the site manager know if anyone will have a service dog with them. The Americans with Disabilities Act has strict guidelines defining service dogs; support animals may or may not be permitted at your venue, so check with your state guidelines and your vendor before the event. In short, service dogs must be able to perform a vital act for their handler's safety, whereas a support animal is a source of comfort. In any case, the animal must always be in the presence of its handler and in control.

It's important to prioritize communication so you're aware of your guests' needs. If you take all the necessary steps, you can celebrate your special day surrounded by all your closest loved ones.