I've tried Levels on this photo, but can't seem to get it right. It will be printed on heavy creamy card stock I would like the face to be lighter.
Also, how do I use unsharp mask?

To brighten the bride a bit, I selected her with the magic wand and fixed in quick mask. Then I did a levels adjustment just on her. To brighten the face you could just use dodge, but I again just selected the face, duplicated it., then played around with brightness and contrast.

Finally a USM and a pass through neatimage.

In regards to USM - try doing a Google search, there are a variety of tutorials available. This one looks quite good: http://www.dpchallenge.com/tutorial.php?TUTORIAL_ID=4

Her arm was a bit dark, so here is another version, with the dodge tool run over her arm, and I also thought I'd add a slight black feathered fill around the edges.

I also brightened only the bride. I kept the background dark and softened its highlights, but kept details.

Thanks for the help. The layers view really helped a lot.
What is Neat Image and what does it do?

Well, I wanted to lighten the gal without blowing out the white in the (beautiful) dress. So I masked the gal, and adjusted curves slightly. Then did a cuves layer adjustment and picked a soft brush, low oppacity and lightened her where needed. Did grain surgury to reduce grain, and unshapen mask.
~Nancy~

ok, no added comments to the fine work on the face that's been done. but, everyone seemed to avoid the blown out whites on the cabinet. well, all except pierre. and whereas pierre toned it way down, which is good, there's no texture there and it needs a bit of added noise or clone from the other parts of the cabinet.

edit: oh, and Neat Image is one of those must have programs for R&R. it's primarily a noise reducer program. there is a free version which can be used as a stand-alone program, and if you purchase it, you can use it as a plugin in PS and PS compliant plugin type programs. in the plugin mode you can work with other PS tools, which can be very handy. but even if you only get the free, stand-alone version, it's well worth the download.

Craig

there's no texture there and it needs a bit of added noise or clone from the other parts of the cabinet.I edited the picture. It has texture now.

Pierre

very natural looking, pierre!

Craig