You can go tall and spectacular without breaking the bank, Bailey asserts. “Sleek glass vases, or even tiered dessert stands, can offer the same height and effect at a more affordable cost,” he says. As for cutting costs on the flowers, Bailey recommends choosing a variety of blooms, like roses, daisies and tulips, in the same tones, perhaps in shades of yellow or white. “And there is always the even less-expensive option of using silk versions of roses, orchids, hydrangeas, lisianthus, dahlias and peonies,” he adds.

The Planner: Jo Gartin, Love, Luck and Angels

When Private Practice star Kate Walsh and film producer Alex Young chose to hold their reception at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa in California, they told their planner, Jo Gartin, that they had to have tons of butterflies in the décor. “Butterflies hold a special meaning for the pair,” she explains. So Gartin went all out and incorporated a couple of thousand handmade gold- and bronze- feathered butterflies into everything from the floral arrangements to the cake to the venue's wooden pergolas. “An easy way to achieve a similarly unique and gorgeous look,” says Gartin, “is to purchase craft butterflies online or from a local floral-supply store.” And then keep in mind that in décor, less can be more. Order a smaller quantity, say, 200, instead of 2,000, and get a beautiful effect in a simpler fashion.

To show her appreciation to her bridesmaids and brother (her man of honor), Walsh ordered miniature note cards from Gartin's design team, made of antique museum board and printed in chocolate-brown ink. The notes, which expressed different sentiments, were tucked into the maids' bouquets and the man of honor's boutonniere. “Each note cost about $15,” says Gartin. A pretty, low-cost alternative? Handwrite the notes on simple card stock, and attach them to the base of your bridesmaids' bouquets with a pearl pin.

Gartin mentioned another clever touch that you might want to try. She placed a giant antique suitcase near the dance floor with a sign that said “For tired toes.” Inside the trunk were pairs of velvet Chinese slippers. “These were for the ladies who wanted to dance but needed a break from their high heels,” she explains. You can do the same for less by purchasing less expensive brocade slippers at Pearl River (pearlriver.com); borrow a trunk or pick up an interesting-looking antique at a flea market. Your guests will feel like VIPs!

Photography: John Labbe.

The Planner: David Tutera

The Planner: Sasha Souza, Sasha Souza Events

When Extra host Dayna Devon married plastic surgeon Brent Moelleken at a winery in Calistoga, California, Sasha Souza was put in charge of setting the mood for the wedding. Devon had decided on a color palette of red and white for the reception, which was to be held inside a wine cave, and Souza decided to drape the entire space with billowing white fabric, illuminated by hundreds of tiny lights. “The idea was to evoke an ethereal, heaven-on-earth feel,” she explains. Lighting can run into big bucks, notes Souza. As a cost-effective alternative, she suggests pin-spotting your table arrangements, for example, or your cake, instead of illuminating the entire space.

Souza set up a dining table that ran the length of the cave and dressed it in handmade red velvet tablecloths. Accents included pale-gray hand-poured candles (priced from $5 to $10 apiece). The planner points out that anything custom-made will naturally cost more, but you can up the wow factor by renting some of these essentials. For example, to duplicate the luxe look of the red velvet tablecloths, rent linens in a poly-cotton blend. And you won't burn through your budget if you purchase plain white candles in bulk from a wholesaler. Another striking table accent were antique silver bowls brimming with dozens of roses. For a similar but more affordable look, Souza recommends pruning the number of roses and arranging them in less-expensive mint julep cups.

And if the couple's $3,000 ice bar strikes your fancy, rent a Lucite one that's just as cool from a prop rental company. “You'll find these services in most major cities,” says Souza.

The Planner: Julie Pryor, Pryor Events

Actress Marcia Cross, who wed money manager Tom Mahoney in June 2006, held their reception at the Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa, in Pasadena, California. There, the couple had both a ballroom and a cocktail lounge at their disposal. Cross asked her planner, Julie Pryor, to create a contrast in décor and ambience for the two rooms. Since Cross had first laid eyes on Mahoney in a flower shop, Pryor filled the ballroom with a profusion of colorful blooms, like roses and hydrangeas in vibrant scarlet, fuchsia and canary yellow. For the cocktail lounge, Pryor took a chic, monochromatic approach, placing glass vases of white tulips, casablancas and calla lilies on white pedestals.

“If you have two or more rooms, it's fun to surprise guests by changing up the looks of each,” says Pryor. And, she adds, you don't need a huge budget to make simple tweaks like using contrasting colors or playing different styles of music in each room.

Cross's reception featured glamorous custom drapery, carpeting, chairs and silk table linens. If you can't afford high-end linens, it's still easy to spice things up, says Pryor. For example, illuminate your tables with a multitude of candles (just remember to check with your venue about limitations), and scatter heaps of flower petals around them. The effect is divine! (Keep in mind that choosing in-season blooms will get you the best value.)

As a parting gift, Cross's guests received CDs with music written and recorded by her sister, who also sang at the wedding. It's easy to create a CD with your special songs to give to guests as a fun, affordable keepsake.

Photography: (flowers) Maring Lifestyle Photography; (bottom images) Meg Smith.

Photography: Mike Essig.

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The Great Outdoors

From Left: These outdoor essentials will make a a cool wedding gift for any adventurous family. Year-round two-person tent by Black Diamond. Rechargeable retro-style lantern by Coleman. Hiking backpack by L.L. Bean. Eureka's "mummy bags" for women, designed with extra room through the hip area and more insulation around the chest and feet. Women's hiking shoes by The North Face. Pocket-size binoculars by Vortex Optics. Cast-iron Sportsman Grill by Lodge. Blanket from Wrapables.

Home Work

These are what we like to call creative wedding gifts. For some help around the house, consider these useful items: A 24" level (top) with gripping pads and attached 9" level/stud sensor; flashlight and screwdriver/drill/saw (front); and interchangeable lithium battery with charger (right), all by Black & Decker. To measure space for a new couch, try Sears/Craftsman's laser measure (far left)-it's amazingly accurate. Freshen up any room's walls with Glidden paint. Artistic Tile's bulls-eye-patterned Brazilian slate tiles with metallic leafing dress up a backsplash or a guest bathroom. Nafco engineered-wood floorboards (used as surface and stacked).

Special Delivery

Sometimes it turns out the unusal wedding gift is the one we find ourselves unable to live without. Imagine getting some of your favorite treats delivered to your doorstep every month. From left: TheRoastedBean.com will customize and send you a selection of brews-anything from Kenya classic to just about any flavor you fancy. The California Wine Club features Handley Cellars and Gainey Vineyard, among many more, in their wine-of-the-month clubs. And don't forget to say cheese! Three wedges of artisanal varieties are yours to savor when you sign up for Artisanal Premium Cheese's monthly program. Cheeseboard from Crate & Barrel.

Spa Service

Every woman knows the truly special wedding gifts are the ones that soothe the soul. With these special wedding gifts your home can be your personal sanctuary. In basket, from left: Waffle-weave hotel wrap by Chris Madden for JCPenney. Gift certificate from Bliss Spa. Superplush white robe and blue throw (under basket), both by BareFoot Dreams. Luxe terry slippers for guys and girls by Frette. Silk eye mask from Wrapables. Three-wick candle and tropical floral-scented fragrance diffuser by India Hicks and sea sponge, all from Crabtree & Evelyn. Basket by Target.

Sporty Spice

For an appropriate wedding gift, head for the sports aisle, it's time for play. From left: Set of clubs stored in a pink bag, by Hippo. The handle on this women's racquet (center) is lighter than the men's racquet in back, which is designed to augment swing power, both by Head. Bag by Ame and Lulu. Golfing gloves: the men's is by FootJoy; the women's, by LadyClassic, allows your ring to peek out. Cleveland's wedge offers better ball contact; Odyssey's putter has a lightweight feel. Monogrammed balls by Smart Play.

Photography: Alexandra Grablewski.