Wedding Tip of the Day

Wedding Tip of the Day

Brought to you by Sharon Naylor

Choreograph an elegant, graceful dance for your first dance if the fun and themed "unexpected" dance is not your style.

Tip #164: Take Fun Pics at the Rehearsal Dinner

Set out one-time-use cameras, like the pretty pink and blue ones from Kodak.com, at your rehearsal dinner for fun photos taken by your "inner circle" at this more relaxed event.

Tip #163: Sparkle at Your Rehearsal Dinner

If you wish to wear new jewelry for your wedding day but also want to honor your mom or grandmom, wear their offered wedding-day necklace to the rehearsal dinner.

Tip #162: Find the Right Bouquet for Your Gown

Pick a bouquet size that complements your shape and the design of your dress; bring in a photo of you in your gown so your floral designer can scale your bouquet to best flatter you.

Tip #161: Take a Fun Class

Look at the class roster of your community education center and see if there's an inexpensive cake decorating class you can take with your bridesmaids for fun and DIY favor potential.

Tip #160: Dress Up Your Cupcakes

Choose designer cupcake wrappers with new, modern patterns and give your gorgeous, simply-frosted cupcakes an extra pop of color.

Tip #159: Go Retro with Your Candy

Add some retro candies to your dessert or favor take-home bar. Visit small candy stores and chocolate shops that now stock unique, retro and imported candies and chocolates.

Tip #158: Keep the Romance Alive

Keep the romance going during this busy wedding-planning season by sending your groom sweet and sentimental hand-written love letters.

Tip #157: Try Different Lipstick Shades

Your lipstick doesn't have to match your flower shades, so try out neutrals, pinks and corals that complement your skin tone and not your bouquet.

Tip #156: Add Inserts to Your Shoes

Try out several different kinds of gel inserts that work with your shoe's design. Since you're going to be in your gorgeous shoes all day and night, comfort is key.

Tip #155: Ask for Flavored Coffee

Eliminate the extra expense of the International Coffee Bar and instead ask for a flavored coffee bar at the reception's dessert hour to save 10%.

Tip #154: Use Colored Food Paste

If you're DIYing your cake, cupcakes or other baked desserts, use colored food paste rather than the supermarket food color liquid that can thin down fondant and frostings.

Tip #153: Preview a Wedding Online

Plan to live-stream your wedding? Ask if you can get a code to view a wedding's stream now. Some sites crash from too many logged on when multiple events are happening.

Tip #152: Serve Sushi

Sushi is back on the menu! Talk to your caterer about a display of vegetable sushi, rather than pricier seafood rolls, which can cost 10% less and thrill your vegetarian guests.

Tip #151: Limit Special Effects

Ask your videographer to limit the special effects on your video. Too many can be distracting. A few subtle effects work wonders and cost less!

Tip #150: Review Contract Carefully

Read the fine print in every contract to see what's included and what will cost extra. You may be surprised that basic things, like cutting the cake, can be charged.

Tip #149: Ask If Anyone Canceled

If you're on a budget, ask your dream reception site if they've had cancellations. Many sites will give you half off or more when you book a date three to four months in advance.

Tip #148: Invest in Your Tent

Renting a tent for your outdoor wedding? Don't get the cheapest one available. Invest in a sturdy, attractive tent, and you won't have to worry about circus stripes or a floppy ceiling.

Tip #147: Elevate Your Cake

Make a smaller wedding cake look more dramatic by elevating it on a thick glass platform above glass stands and decorating underneath the platform.

Tip #146: Make Sure Names Are Pronounced Correctly

Give the emcee or band leader the phonetic pronunciations of your bridal party members' and parents' names so they're not mispronounced when everyone's introduced.

Tip #145: Ask About a Site's Construction Plans

When you're touring potential wedding sites, ask the manager if construction is planned for the near future. Planned projects completed three months before could hit delays.

Tip #144: Take a Tour of the Hotel

When you're touring potential hotels, ask to see a few guest rooms (including suits), the pool area (to be sure it's open and clean) and the bar area where guests will mingle.

Tip #143: Plan a Date Night

Be the person your groom proposed to. Don't let the wedding plans turn you into a tense, uptight wreck. Plan fun dates and be your fabulous self with him!

Tip #142: Invest in Your Guests

Invest more in what your guests will experience—such as the food, drinks, music and table settings—to make your wedding a hit.

Tip #141: Be Aware of Special Diets

Table runners made of fabrics that have a bit of shimmer in them will reflect the lighting in the room and give your guest tables a sparkling, expensive look.

Tip #140: Be Aware of Special Diets

Choose a caterer who can do gluten-free, vegan, kosher and other special dietary dishes for your guests' requests. It's a must that your guests be able to eat at your wedding!

Tip #139: Pick Back-up Flowers

Give your floral designer your list of Plan B flowers in case he or she can't get the gardenias, lilies, tulips or other flowers you've requested.

Tip #138: Set Deadlines Early

If you're delegating a task or craft, set an early deadline of at least two weeks before you actually need the item to allow time for fixes, re-do's and on-time delivery.

Tip #137: Take Time Out

Create a fresh de-stress ritual each week to keep you grounded. Go for a bike ride, call a friend, work on a craft that engages your mind—whatever you love to do.

Tip #136: Offer to Pay for Supplies

When you ask a friend to DIY your invitations, programs or any other printed materials, always offer them money for ink and paper.

Tip #135: Make Sure Everyone Fits In

Ask your wedding vendors who have assistants, apprentices, servers and other support staff what those helpers will be wearing to make sure they blend in at your wedding.

Tip #134: Keep Kids Comfortable

Ensure kid comfort by testing flower-girl dresses for itchy collars and tight puff sleeves—and rethink that floral wreath headpiece. Comfy kids cause fewer outbursts and fidget less.

Tip #133: Highlight the Water in Your Photos

Ask your photographer about the new metallic papers for print photos that make water features, such as the ocean or a fountain, shimmer on the page.

Tip #132: Make Your Wedding Sparkle

Use accent items that will catch the candlelight and sparkle, such as handfuls of faux crystals scattered on guest table linens, in a circle around pillar or votive candles.

Tip #131: Bake Some Brownies

Brownies are the new, hot favor choice for showers and weddings, so ask if your DIY helpers can each bake a batch, or take on the baking yourself a few days before the wedding.

Tip #130: Explore Your Flower Options

Ask your floral designer to show you examples of non-traditional, non-bridal flowers that will be in season for your wedding. Going unique saves money and lets your florals stand out.

Tip #129: Get Help from Your Grandparents

Ask your grandparents to participate in the wedding plans! Maybe they can attend the menu or cake tasting, suggest songs for the playlist, or work on a DIY project.

Tip #128: Give a Gift Card

A new must in wedding welcome gift bags or baskets: a $10 gift card to the hotel itself, in case they want to pick up anything at the gift shop or enjoy a drink or snack for free.

Tip #127: Clean Up the Yard

If you're hosting any wedding parties at home, don't forget to schedule a day-before ultra-manicuring of your lawn, walkways and landscaping so your scene looks its best.

Tip #126: Ask About Donations

Your site must have a license to donate leftover food to hospitals, shelters or other establishments, so ask if they have their papers and how they conduct their donations.

Tip #125: Keep Everything in Place

Fabric tape is fabulous not just for keeping straps in place and bra straps hidden. It also adheres your gown to your bra under armholes and keep your shoe straps in place.

Tip #124: Save the Invites

If the shower hosts used Evite.com for your bridal shower invitation, be sure to print a copy of it, including your guests' fun notes with their responses, as a great keepsake.

Tip #123: Be Practical About Undergarments

Be careful what you wear under your gown. Those sexy thigh-highs and garters are going to be too difficult for you to handle when you need to visit the restroom.

Tip #122: Honor Your Parents

Add another special dance to the start of your reception: Have your parents come out to the dance floor for a spotlight twirl with your thanks for their love and support.

Tip #121: Schedule Time with the Girls

Create friend time. It's so important to stay connected to your girls, so make it a regular date to watch your favorite TV show together, with healthy take-out on the menu.

Tip #120: Let the Garden Inspire You

Look at gardening catalogs as inspiration for the kinds of flowers you'd like to use in your bouquets, centerpieces, boutonnieres, moms' flowers and décor.

Tip #119: Make Your Rings Sparkle

Give your wedding rings, and your engagement ring, a fresh dip in ring-cleaning solution the night before the wedding so they really shine and sparkle.

Tip #118: Ask Bands to Play Your Song

It's a must to audition bands, so a few weeks before you schedule their tryout, tell them you'd like to hear them perform your song and not just their standards.

Tip #117: Remember Important Dates

Record your change-by dates, those last days that you can make changes to your orders, on your calendar and schedule reminder alarms a few days prior to the date.

Tip #116: Order Extra Invitations

Order 15% more invitations than you need and save the extras for framing and for parents' and grandparents' gifts.

Tip #115: Enlist Help

An at-home rehearsal dinner might be a great budget idea, but keep in mind the amount of work for setup, cooking and clean up—and doing dishes! Recruit volunteers!

Tip #114: Take Before Pictures

On the morning of your wedding, have someone take great before pictures of you in your pajamas, with hot rollers in your hair and with your coffee.

Tip #113: Skip the Cheese

Skip the cheese cube platter for an outdoor wedding or outside cocktail party—the heat can make cheese unsafe to eat after a few hours.

Tip #112: Practice Makes Perfect

Schedule a practice session for your makeup, so you can see how your skin responds or reacts to airbrush makeup—way better than experiencing redness on the wedding day.

Tip #111: Use Different Themes

Love a theme but not for the reception? Remember that you can use different themes for the rehearsal dinner, after-party and morning-after breakfast!

Tip #110: Save the Gift Exchange

Big budget saver: Hold off on giving each other a "big gift" right now and agree to give that valuable gift to each other on your first anniversary.

Tip #109: Stay Close to Home

Join the big trend of having a destination wedding just an hour or two away from your hometown to achieve that getaway feel without the expensive air travel.

Tip #108: Find the Right Shapewear

Try on different brands of shapers to find the one that doesn't roll down your stomach or create "sausage thighs" because it's not the right dimensions.

Tip #107: Save an Invitation

Ask the maid of honor for one of your bridal shower invitations so you can include it in your scrapbook or in a frame with your shower photos.

Tip #106: Don't Forget the Floss

Add several floss picks to your emergency bag, so you can easily remove any parsley, spinach, bread or other food particles from your teeth during your celebration.

Tip #105: Ask About HD Makeup

Ask your makeup artist about high definition (HD) makeup brands and airbrushed makeup that will make you look flawless on HD videos and in photo!

Tip #104: Hire a Coordinator for Other Events

Moms are now hiring wedding coordinators to help them plan the rehearsal dinner and the breakfast at fabulous locations, with the best caterers and on a budget!

Tip #103: Make a Donation

A big trend in charitable weddings is selecting a local organization, such as an animal shelter, a school, a women's shelter, a literacy program, and donating to them in lieu of favors.

Tip #102: Plan a Trip to the Zoo

A fun wedding weekend event for all (not just for the kids!) is a visit to your local zoo, where you'll get great group photos during your relaxed and laugh-filled day.

Tip #101: Order Sets of Hair Extensions

If you're getting hair extensions, order sets of extension pieces that are 2 inches wide so they can be placed where you need them, instead of one piece that goes all the way around.

Tip #100: Make Breakfast Special

Make your wedding-morning breakfast special. Even if you keep it simple with muffins, coffee, etc., serve it outside on the terrace using silver trays and grandma's china and crystal.

Tip #99: Write a Personal Letter

Write letters to each other's parents and siblings, thanking them for welcoming you into the family or letting them know you're looking forward to being family with them.

Tip #98: Surprise Your Parents with a Fancy Car

Surprise your parents by booking them their own limousine or favorite type of car as their special ride for the wedding day. This is a great thank-you gift.

Tip #97: Hire an Ice Cream Truck

A fun, new trend for after the reception: arrange for an ice-cream truck to be waiting at the curb outside for your guests to pick out the frozen treats they want...on you!

Tip #96: Register for Fun Stuff

Look into the new "gift-share" programs at technology stores that don't have bridal registries, so your closest friends and famly can contribute toward that flat-screen TV you need.

Tip #95: Get Advice About Hair Extensions

If you're getting hair extensions to give yourself more length or volume, talk with a stylist first to find out about having them dyed to match your hair and highlights perfectly.

Tip #94: Do Not Print Labels

Handwrite your seating place cards; never print out labels and just stick them to your place cards. Tacky, tacky, tacky even with a cute font and a little graphic.

Tip #93: Serve Chocolate

A hot dessert trend: quality chocolate in truffle form. Get an array of top-shelf chocolates in a collection of truffle flavors to really wow your crowd.

Tip #92: Register for Fun Items

Register for entertainment items, such as an upgraded iPod or iTunes cards, boxed movie sets, cookbooks and magazine subscriptions to set yourself up for married life in style.

Tip #91: Choose Eco-Friendly Stationery

Whether you're ordering or making your invitations and other printed items, check paper labels carefully to be sure they're 100% PCW to get the most eco-friendly benefits.

Tip #90: Unify Your Wedding Décor

Tie together your wedding décor by using one shape, such as circles, and using that motif on your invitation, programs, menu cards, linens, etc.

Tip #89: Use Waterproof Makeup

You know that waterproof mascara is a must, but also apply waterproof eyeliner and eyeshadow for a look that stays where it belongs when those tears of joy start to flow.

Tip #88: Prepare for Emergencies

Have two different emergency bags: one for beauty items and one for actual emergencies like your charged cell phone, pain medications and other essentials.

Tip #87: Serve Brownie Bites

A hot dessert trend: trays of brownie bites in an array of different flavors including dark chocolate fudge, blondies, chocolate and walnut, chocolate and coconut and so on.

Tip #86: Forget the Appetizers

Don't skip the salad course as a way to save money. Skip the appetizer course instead since your cocktail party had so many wonderful hors d'oeuvres.

Tip #85: Do a Wardrobe Check

Ask your wedding professionals (photographer, videographer and your officiant) what they're wearing to ensure they into the formality of your wedding.

Tip #84: Ask for the Right Buttercream

When designing your cake, be sure to ask for white buttercream if that's the color you want; regular buttercream icing can often look more beige than white.

Tip #83: Hang Out with Your Girls

Plan regular get-togethers with your bridesmaids and girlfriends to keep your girls close and your feet on the ground.

Tip #82: Serve Bite-Sized Treats

A hot dessert trend: trays of petits fours, which are tiny iced mini-cakes of just an inch or two inches, as little bite-sized delectable dessert treats.

Tip #81: Do a Repeat Performance

Use one of the readings your parents used at their wedding. This is one of the best ways to get their wish for a religious element into your non-religious wedding.

Tip #80: Save the Earth

Eco-Friendly is the hot, new shower theme. Your guests can set you up with bamboo towels and sheets, water purifiers, and Energy Star™ kitchen appliances, etc.

Tip #79: Wear Bright Jewels

Up the wow factor of your accessories look with colorful jewelry. You're not limited to diamonds and pearls, so coordinate with the tones of your bouquet for the best effect.

Tip #78: Add Color to Your Tables

Add some wow to your table settings by renting colored china, such as plates in seasonal pastels or winter jewel tones.

Tip #77: Serve Up Some Fudge

A hot dessert trend: trays of fudge squares in lots of different flavors like peanut butter, vanilla, milk chocolate, maple butter and walnut, and more.

Tip #76: Make Sure Vendors Are Insured

Ask all your potential wedding vendors to show you their insurance and inspection certificates-both of which should be current.

Tip #75: Organize!

Be sure to register for organizing systems, spice racks, wire mesh baskets and glass storage bowls for your ultra-orderly new home.

Tip #74: No Gluten, No Problem

If you have a lot of guests who are on strict gluten-free diets, let them eat cake by having the groom's cake or a separate dessert be a featured gluten-free treat.

Tip #73: Great Gift for Mom

A birthstone pendant makes a great gift idea for moms, so look up your birthstone and choose or design a pretty pendant to say thank you for the lifetime of love.

Tip #72: Get an Early Start on Your Bridal Beauty

Schedule an initial beauty consultation right now to start a regimen to get your hair and skin extra healthy and beautiful.

Tip #71: Unique Aisle Runners

A fun DIY idea for your fabric aisle runner-use images such as birds, stars, butterflies or autumn leaves instead of having your names printed on the runner.

Tip #70: Save Your Emails

Create a special folder for all your wedding-related planning emails' safe storage. Some email programs automatically erase messages that are more than three months old.

Tip #69: Personalize Your Place Card

Make a place card for yourselves, and have that be the only one with a little red heart under your names (or a theme icon). You can take it home for your keepsakes box.

Tip #68: Look for Tux Deals

Check tuxedo designers' and other men's fashion websites to find visiting trunk shows where your guy can get a great deal on a suit or on a tuxedo.

Tip #67: Get Creative with Your Guest Book

Instead of a guest book, set out colored-ink pens and a stack of pretty square papers next to an elegant glass bowl and ask guests to write messages to you.

Tip #66: Designate a Troublemaker Wrangler

Ask a responsible guest to be your Troublemaker Wrangler at the reception. If you have a relative who's known for making a scene, this Wrangler can step in and defuse the situation.

Tip #65: Frame Everything

Don't just frame your wedding invitation! Custom frame your invitation along with your Save the Date and your program if you've used the same color, font and icon style on all.

Tip #64: Check Out Restaurant Supply Stores

See if you can stop at restaurant supply stores, which sell centerpiece bowls and serving platters at big discounts. Some welcome all customers.

Tip #63: Have a Seat

Allow your guests to sit down during the Best Man and Maid of Honor speeches, so that everyone can be relaxed and see the speakers.

Tip #62: Fill Up the Dance Floor

If you're shy about being the only ones on the dance floor for your first dance, limit your solo dance to just a portion of your song, and then segue into another dance.

Tip #61: Be on Time

Don't show up late for your ceremony. Arrive a little early so you can collect yourself, primp a little and enjoy that anticipation of walking—not rushing—down the aisle.

Tip #60: Try a Simple Slicked-Back 'Do

For an outdoor or destination wedding when the weather will be hot, humid or windy, a slicked-back chignon or ponytail keeps its style far better than a curly up-do.

Tip #59: Learn Quick Hair Fixes

At your hair trial appointment, ask your stylist to show you how to fix your own fallen curl from an up-do or your own chignon.

Tip #58: Add Color to Your Tables

Give your guest tables an extra pop of color (and make your centerpieces stand out even more) by placing colored chargers underneath each place setting.

Tip #57: Make a Hair Appointment

Schedule your hair trial appointment for one month before your wedding so that your hair is close to the length it will be on your big day.

Tip #56: Borrow a Family Heirloom

Borrowing heirlook items for your wedding is a hot trend, so ask relatives if there's an heirloom brooch, necklace or hairpin in the family that you can wear.

Tip #55: Check Out the Rebates

When you're shopping at the office supply store stop by the rebate board to see if you can fill out a short form and get $10 to $20 back in the mail.

Tip #54: Ask Friends for Supplies

Ask your crafty friends if they have any extra craft supplies, such as fabric, ribbons, pens and ink, which they could sell or give to you.

Tip #53: Pick 3 Colors

When choosing your wedding colors, it's a new trend to pick three tones, rather than just two, to provide excellent opportunities to mix and match.

Tip #52: Barter with a Friend

If a friend owns a treadmill or elliptical machine, ask if you can come over a few times a week to use it as a barter: you'll bring a yummy, healthy, inexpensive dinner for her.

Tip #51: Consider Neutral Colors

Candy colors may be hot for spring and summer, but more couples are going with earth tones such as light greens, blues and browns for a natural look and feel.

Tip #50: Pick a Date

Choose the season of your wedding date not just by cost, but by the way you want your wedding to feel (cozy in winter, outdoor fabulous in summer).

Tip #49: Buy Your Own Vases

Floral designers often mark up the prices for glass centerpiece vases or bowls, so buy your own at craft stores, where they usually cost about $3 each.

Tip #48: Have a DIY Party

Form your DIY teams, asking for volunteers to help with your favors, programs and desserts for the rehearsal dinner. Group DIY projects turn into fun work parties!

Tip #47: Get Referrals from Friends & Family

Ask friends and family for their recommendations of event experts, caterers, florists and other vendors they've used for weddings and big events.

Tip #46: Go with a Simple Table

Skip the colored charger plates on your guest tables. Let your florals and fabrics provide all of the color you need.

Tip #45: Make Sure Your Vendors Are Legit

Hire only vendors who can show you their insurance certificates and proof that that they belong to professional associations. Your wedding is in their hands, so be sure they're legit.

Tip #44: Ask About Frames

Ask your site manager if they frame their table numbers. Many sites have different frame styles in stock and will let you choose from their collection for free.

Tip #43: Take a Look at Estate Sales

Check out estate-sale rings at jewelry stores. Older rings are often one-of-a-kind and feature amazing details you don't see everywhere.

Tip #42: Personalize Napkin Rings

Use napkin rings as a way to present your wedding's theme, such as attaching little starfish or seashells to the ring itself for your beach-themed wedding.

Tip #41: Trade Workouts

If you can't afford a new gym membership or have to cancel your own, get together with friends to trade the workout DVDs you all own.

Tip #40: Use Both Themes

The colors and theme of your cocktail party don't have to match your reception room, so if you and your groom each have a theme wish, you can do one for each party.

Tip #39: Send the Guys to an Outlet Store

Direct the men to a great outlet store (check outletbound.com) for suits, shirts, jackets, ties and shoes they'll need for your wedding.

Tip #38: Try Bartering

Bartering is a big trend right now, so see if you can swap services with a friend who is great at crafts, graphic design, baking, etc., in exchange for your skills and talents.

Tip #37: Use Both Themes

If your groom has a wish for a theme or style that doesn't fit your dreams for the reception, use it for the rehearsal dinner or even the morning-after breakfast.

Tip #36: Buy in Bulk

Check the prices at Costco for your computer printer ink cartridges. Multi-packs could cost 5% to 10% less than individual ink packs from the office supply store.

Tip #35: Save with Coupons

Visit coupon websites like coupons.com and couponcabin.com to find coupon codes for your non-wedding shopping at Target and other stores, saving you 20% or more.

Tip #34: Use Your Family Recipes

Take out your favorite family recipes and use slow cookers to whip up easy appetizers, main dishes and desserts for at-home parties.

Tip #33: Forget the Extra Props

When selecting a package with your DJ, forgo the one with inflatable guitars, glow necklaces, noisemakers and other props that will cost extra.

Tip #32: Skip the Cigar Bar

Cigar bars are a popular feature at some weddings, but you don't have to include one, especially if most of your guests don't smoke or will be bringing children.

Tip #31: Use Plain Napkins

Forget about including personalized napkins. They don't make much of an impression and are usually just tossed aside without a second glance.

Tip #30: Avoid Conflict

Don't promise too much to your bridal party—excited wedding couples say they'll pay for everyone's hotel rooms, which can create a conflict later.

Tip #29: Enter Contests & Sweeps

Follow @weddingcontests on Twitter to enter fantastic contests and giveaways for free wedding gowns, invitations, favors, honeymoons and trips.

Tip #28: Make Your Own Table Runner

Rent or sew your own foot-wide table runners, using a fabric that has a bit of shimmer to it. The shimmer reflects candlelight and the whole room glows.

Tip #27: Check Out Member Discounts

If you or your groom belongs to a professional association, ask about member discounts on office supplies, car rentals, travel and other money-saving offers.

Tip #26: Take Advantage of Company Discounts

Visit your company's website or talk to someone in HR to see if you're eligible for personal-use discounts on photocopying, car rentals and other services.

Tip #25: Ask Your Vendors for Recommendations

Ask your wedding vendors if they can recommend any local discount stores. Pros in the industry often know secret sources that can save you a fortune!

Tip #24: Search eBay for Bargains

Check eBay for craft supplies. Many eBay sellers offer a variety of beads, river stones and other unique items at wholesale prices.

Tip #23: Protect Your Wedding Rings

Never put the real wedding rings on the ring pillow to be carried by little ones or your dog. Always use faux rings and have your Best Man and Maid of Honor hold the real things.

Tip #22: Choose Simple Ribbons

Instead of using expensive personalized ribbons to tie favor bows, opt for more wallet-friendly, and equally lovely, plain-colored ribbons.

Tip #21: Hire a Personal Chef

Visit personalchefs.com to find personal chefs who can cater your at-home wedding or pre-parties for less than the standard catering services.

Tip #20: Show Your School Spirit

College spirit is moving into wedding celebrations with school colors and a groom's cake bearing his or your shared alma mater's logo.

Tip #19: Don't Pay Extra for Glassware

Don't pay extra for colored glassware. Your reception site will likely have standard stemware that will look just as elegant.

Tip #18: Insure Your Rings

Get your engagement and wedding rings appraised professionally (not where you bought them) and add the value to your insurance policy to replace them if they're lost or stolen.

Tip #17: Go with Simple Centerpieces

More couples are moving away from the big floral centerpieces and "going green" with branches, stones and single flowers floating in water.

Tip #16: Be Creative with Your Guest Book

Use a plain journal as your guest book and add some DIY flair to it with colored pens, embossing tools, scrapbooking supplies and inserted photos.

Tip #15: Keep the Toasts Short

If you have more than one Best Man or Maid/Matron of Honor, tell them to keep their toasts to a minute or less so that it doesn't turn into a long, drawn-out toast session.

Tip #14: Skip the Coasters

Don't spend any money on personalized coasters, which are often overlooked by guests and not worth the added expense.

Tip #13: Make Your Own Programs

Decorate your programs, favors and menu cards yourself with wedding-themed scrapbook art rubber stamps, which you can find at craft stores for less than $10.

Tip #12: Find Out When to Trim Your Hair

At your hair trial appointment, ask your stylist when you should get your hair trimmed before the big day. Stylists can figure out the best timing for your hair cut and thickness.

Tip #11: Forget the Fancy Lighting

Skip the special-effect lighting at your reception site. None of your guests will miss the laser light show or animated images and graphics.

Tip #10: Get Something for Free

Ask if your photographer will throw in those wallet-sized wedding portraits for your thank you notes for free. This is one of those things you can often negotiate.

Tip #9: Turn Your Aisle Runner Into Art

If you design or buy an aisle runner with a custom design on it, turn it into a home décor item by cutting a portion of the design-printed fabric and framing it.

Tip #8: Skip the Personalized Matches

There's no need to order personalized matches, which are experiencing a downward trend and are often thrown away right after the wedding or not even taken at all.

Tip #7: Pick a Few Great Outfits

Few brides are buying a whole new honeymoon wardrobe. Just treat yourself to two or three new pieces or outfits, which are greatly on sale right now.

Tip #6: Check Out the Sales

Holiday sales start this month, so visit reputable jewelers to find special discounts and bargains on your wedding rings.

Tip #5: Look into Insurance

Start the year with security in mind. Look into wedding insurance policies for any kind of wedding you'll have—not just outdoor or destination weddings. Best to be covered!

Tip #4: Forget the Fancy Effects

Forgo pricey photo editing and ask your photographer to use in-camera special effects, such as using a slow shutter speed to purposely blur movements in action shots.

Tip #3: View Proofs Online

Printed proof albums cost more than $200 on average, so ask your photographer if you can just view proofs for free online instead.

Tip #2: Find Affordable Wines

If you want to serve champagne at your soiree, check winespectator.com to find the newest and most affordable hot picks.

Tip #1: Search for Coupons

Find coupons online at couponmom.com and coupons.com or by doing a Google search for the desired item plus the word "coupon."