• Choose a special flower for the groomsmen's and groom's boutonnieres.  Many brides like the groom's boutonniere to differ some from the groomsmen.
• Boutiques and stores specializing in assisting brides with accessorizing their gown can also give you lots of tips and suggestions as to what's appropriate and what's in vogue at the time. 
• Choose a gown that offers you quality within your budget. You're the star and you need to shine on your special day!
• A professional bridal salon can assist you with choosing a dress that enhances your beauty. 
• Attend bridal shows and fashion shows to catch a glimpse of what's hot and what's new in the bridal world. 
• Schedule gown fitting appointments well in advance.
• If you are not the sentimental type, consider renting a wedding dress.  After all, you only wear it for maybe 6-8 hours.  Another cost saving tip is to have someone make your dress.  This sometimes is cheaper then buying a designer named dress.  
• Choose your dress based on what style looks the best for your particular stature and figure. 
• Organize all of your wedding party members and discuss times for shopping, fittings, etc. so everyone is comfortable with the color and the style. 
• Make a list of everyone in your bridal party, including any children or extended family members who may function in key roles at your wedding. Choose a color scheme based on research you've done through bridal publications, shopping or consulting with your wedding coordinator and girlfriends. 
•  Many bridal shops and salons have information available on the Internet through sites such as 101Bridalgowns.com. After viewing several web pages of bridal vendors you should be able to make a preliminary decision as to where to go shopping for your gown. 
• Inform your Employer and Insurance Agent of your wedding day.  Make all necessary legal changes regarding name change and beneficiary changes
• Consider hiring a professional vocalist and/or musical ensemble for your wedding ceremony.
• Help your mother and fiancé's mother, and grandmothers in their selection of their dresses for the wedding.
• Put a hospitality gift in the hotel room of each out-of-town guest and wedding party member.  It should include light snacks, juice, a map of the area, a listing of wedding events and directions to all of them.
• Get references from every vendor that you are considering doing business with.
• Try to get a meeting set up between your parents and your groom's parents to discuss the wedding.
• Think of writing some parts of your wedding ceremony.  Consider a favorite reading, hymn or song.  You can even ask a relative to  recite the reading to get the family involved.
• Schedule a sitting with your photographer for your wedding portrait at least 8-10 weeks before your wedding
• You need to ask about restrictions, costs and policies before you book your reception facility.
• The Facility may allow you to bring in your own alchol.  This will save you a lot of money.
• Ask about what the standard service consists of and the amount of freedom you will have to personalize it.  
• You need to ask about costs of set up and/or clean up fees at the reception facility.
• Compile a guest list with the help of your mother and your groom's mother.
• Send your engagement announcement to your fiancé's and your hometown, to the town that you both attended college and the town you reside in currently.
• Try to keep up with writing "Thank You" notes for presents received at showers and arrivals in the mail.  Record a description of each item.  Attempt writing five notes per night while watching TV.  Also you can include your groom in writing a few of the "Thank You" notes. After all, he will be enjoying the gifts, too.
• Once you decide on a wedding vendor (florist, caterer, photographer, etc.) get everything in writing.  
• Get references from everyone that you are considering doing business with.
• Use Credit Cards for purchases if possible.  If the DJ is an hour late or the photographer only takes half of the pictures that were requested, you will have the upper hand with the vendors.  You can contact your Credit Card company and discuss problem.  
• Ask your florist to make a smaller bouquet for you to throw.  Now you can keep your wedding bouquet as a keep-sake.
• Have the wedding and reception at the same location.
• Hire a DJ instead of a live band.  
• If you are planning on serving alcohol, try to get your own caterer for your reception.  You can go to a Discount Liquor store and provide your own alcohol instead of being charged an arm and leg.  Also, if you just serve beer, wine and champagne, you should save a few dollars, too.
• Have a wedding in an "off month" such as January, February, March, and November.  Sometimes you can get a discount off of some services.  
• You can reuse some of your flowers that were at the ceremony and use them for your reception.  You just need to assign the duty to someone to transport the flowers to the reception location.  Tell the person where you want the arrangements placed.
• Consider having your wedding on a Friday or Sunday.  These are becoming very popular.  If you have to have a Saturday wedding, then try to have it before 3pm.  
• Consider having a small wedding or keep the guest list within reason.  This is one of the main cause for "over-budget" weddings.
• Make some of the favors and/or centerpieces for the tables.  Instead of buying an arrangement for your cake table, have your bridesmaids place their bouquets on the cake table as soon as they arrive at the reception location  This is very pretty, and you just saved a bundle for decorating the cake table.  
• Wear low heels on your wedding day.  There are plenty of beautiful styles that are either no-heeled or low.  You will be on your feet all day standing up and dancing.  Your shoes are hardly seen anyway.  Take my advice on this one.  You will thank me!!!!
• Get plenty of sleep the night before your wedding.
• Practice your make-up and hair style for the bridal portrait and wedding day.  Try to have the same look.  If a professional does your make-up, buy the lip stick they use so you can touch up though out the day.
• Buy a matching little purse to match your wedding gown.  You can pack some essentials like tissue, LIPSTICK, mints, pins, blush, hair pins, etc. so you freshen up at the reception.
• Ask your Maid-of honor (Matron-of-honor) to carry your lipstick, comb, face powder and blush for you during the reception.
• Before the ceremony, try to eat a fruit bar or something nutritious.  It will help you get through the ceremony.
• Discuss your beauty needs with your hairstylist and makeup artist for your portrait and wedding day.
• Determine the type of wedding you want with your groom as soon as possible so you know better how much you may need for a budget. (Religious, traditional, contemporary, formal, informal)
• Once you finalize your budget....Stick to your budget!!!  Period!
• Begin planning your wedding as soon as you become engaged so you have enough time to plan & save enough money to have the wedding and honeymoon of your dreams. 
• Talk to your church, synagogue, county club, on their policy about tossing birdseed, rice, confetti or flower petals.
• Meet with your clergyman, rabbi or judge to discuss religious and legal requirements.
• Consider hiring a professional wedding consultant.
• Have several honeymoon destinations to discuss with your groom.
• If you are traveling to another country, make sure you have a signed, valid passport and visa, if required. Also, fill in the emergency information page of your passport.
• Use Traveler's checks rather then cash
• Try to get an All-Inclusive package.
• If you will be traveling on a plane, take a carry-on bag and keep important items in it.  This way, if your luggage is lost or stolen, you will at least have your most important items like...

  Camera & Film	Ticket	Jewelry
  Eyewear	Medication	Change of clothes
  Emergency Cash	IDs &  Citizenship Info.	Brush/Comb
  List of Credit Card #s	List of luggage items	Deodorant
  Checking account #s	Aspirin	Cosmetics
  Passports and Visas	List of Traveler's Ck. #s	Toothbrushes & Paste

• Read the Consular information sheets (and Public Announcements or Travel Warnings, if applicable) for the countries you plan to visit.
• Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family or friends at home, so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency.
• Make sure you have insurance, which will cover your emergency medical needs, while you are overseas.
• Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which your are traveling. Remember, while in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws!
• Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas and never accept packages from strangers.
• While abroad, avoid using illicit drugs or drinking excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages, and associating with people who do.
• Do not become a target for thieves by wearing conspicuous clothing and expensive jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of cash or unnecessary credit cards.
• Deal only with authorized agents when you exchange money or purchase art or antiques in order to avoid violating local laws.
• When overseas, avoid demonstrations and other situations that may become unruly or where anti-American sentiments may be expressed.
• Plan well and Enjoy your honeymoon!!!!
• Establish a realistic wedding budget for yourself, your groom, your parents and his.
• Hire a baby-sitting service for Wedding weekend.  Some of your guests may need a sitter during the Rehearsal Dinner, Wedding Ceremony and Reception.
• Ask your florist to make you up a Throw-Away Bouquet so you can keep and preserve yours.  The Throw-away bouquet does not have to be big.  Just a small version of your bouquet. 
• If you are having a sit-down dinner at your reception, try sitting children and teen-agers together.  Supply some coloring books to keep them occupied.
• Assign someone the duty of  (1) Returning the groom's tux and (2) Saving your wedding cake top layer and keeping it in the freezer until you get back from you honeymoon.
• On your wedding day, relax and enjoy your day.  Let the professionals you hired worry about the details.  

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