1.  I can live without caviar and jaw-dropping floral arrangements.

As you probably have seen on wedding TV shows, there is a lot of over the top wedding planning going on out there.  If you find yourself dreaming about ridiculous over the top wedding TV items, then it is time for a reality check! Ask yourself, what will the extremely high priced obsession bring to my wedding?  What will I have to skimp on to afford those items?  Don’t go out and blow your budget on a few items at the expense of your needed/required items!  People will notice, it’s not worth it!

2.  I won’t make my bridesmaids spend a fortune for a dress they hate.

Every bride’s maid knows that they are going to be required to wear and pay for (in most cases), a dress that is not of their choosing.  The least that you can do as their friend/family member is to pick a dress or dress color that they will be able to wear at other times and for other events.  Also, let their individual styles shine through with their own jewelry and hairstyles.

3.  I won’t invite my best friend’s ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend.

When putting together your guest list, remember the people that are important to your life and bring meaning to you. This will help keep your costs down, as well as the tempers of those you may have otherwise offended.  With this being the most important day in your life this far, celebrate with those that will still be a part of your life years from now.

4.  I will not obsess over my registry.

Once you have been sucked into the world of fine china, stemware and exotic kitchen gadgets- it’s only natural that you will want to dive into that state even more with second and third guessing of your registry ideas.  Do not let yourself go there!  Set up your registry six months before your big day and then leave it alone.

5.  Loosen up about the rehearsal dinner.

As the bride, you have the right to micromanage every aspect of your wedding if you wish to do so.  But, at the rehearsal dinner, not so much.  If you are blessed enough to have the groom’s family or someone similar be in charge of the night-before celebrations, by all means let them.  If you offer your opinions only when asked or on a few very important issues it will go more smoothly. If your Mother-to-be sends out invitations that you do not like, or fills the centerpieces with flowers that are your least favorite, keep in mind that everyone in attendance will understand that the rehearsal is not a reflection of your style.

6.  Write Thanks-you notes as the gifts come in.

Yes, you are going to be very busy, but you can always find 10 minutes to get a few thank-you notes written. Send them out as the gifts come in. If you wait too long your list will grow to a frightening length and you will be too intimidated to even start. If you do not send out thank you notes the giver may wonder if you received their gift, or worse, think you didn’t like it.

7.  Do not stress about the bachelor party.

What happens if his party is out-of-control and you are never supposed to find out about it? The truth is that he is marrying you because he wants to be by your side, more than his drunken friends.

8.  I will not have unrealistic weight loss expectations.

Choose a dress that you will look good in at your current weight.  Trying to loose weight to feel good about yourself in the months before your wedding will only make you frustrated and unhappy with the way you look.  Remember that he is marrying you for who you are not what you look like.

9.  I will not let pessimistic people bring me down.

As you undoubtedly already know, there are negative people out there who enjoy spreading their negativity wherever they go.  Maybe they have had some unfortunate things happen in their lives, maybe they were actually dropped on their heads when they were young, it matters not.  What matters is that you don’t fall victim to their misery in your time of bliss.  Make a mental note to cross them off your list of pre-wedding conversation partners.  There are plenty of others in your life who are genuinely excited for you and eager to hear about your plans.

10. Make your wedding album within one year of the wedding.

When you come back from your honeymoon, putting together your wedding album most likely will not be the first thing you’ll want to do.  However, you do need to make it a priority.  There will be many beautiful photos and memories that you’ll want to write down before they are forgotten forever. Most likely so many that it will be hard to narrow them down to fit in one album.  And speaking of albums, they do not come cheap, so take your time in making your selection.  As many of your married friends will tell you, the years slip by quickly more often than not if you don’t finish your album by your first anniversary, it won’t be done by the time your 5^th rolls around. Bite the bullet, get it done quickly so you can enjoy it in the years to come.

What else would you add to the list?

Wedding Gowns are more eclectic and beautiful than ever these days. Although there are trends every season, there are so many options available that each bride can create their own very personal look. One beautiful way to spice up your bridal gown is with color.

Color can be used as a very subtle accent or as a bold statement. The gown itself can be in a hue other than white, or touches of color can be added to a white background. If a bride just loves pink, maybe she would be happiest in a wonderful satin gown in the palest of pinks. Certain skin tones will absolutely glow in a soft gold wedding gown. For a very traditional bride, choosing a gown in a color besides white or ivory may feel too risky, but there are other ways to get a little pop of color into your ensemble.

A lovely way to add interest to a simple white wedding gown is with a colorful sash around the waist, flowing down into tails in the back. Fabrics that are crisp but lightweight such as organza or silk taffeta are perfect for a sash. Long tails in the back of the gown add drama during the ceremony, and then can be bustled up with the gown for the reception. Having the tails layered over the dress makes for an especially pretty bustle.

Embroidery is another detail that can be done in luscious colors. Delicate floral embroidery covering the bodice of a gown is beautiful in a pale blue or pink. A very hot trend right now is bold scrollwork designs embroidered in black thread on a white gown. Brides who choose that look often like to have the motif from their gown repeated on the wedding cake. I have also seen magnificent hand embroidery around the necklines of simple silk gowns. For an autumn wedding, opt for petite flowers and vines stitched in warm fall hues. A very subtle but special effect is ivory on white daisies embroidered with a hint of yellow in the centers.

Brides who love sparkle can add beadwork in their favorite color to their gown. It is a fabulous way to create a completely custom look. Twinkling blue Swarovski crystals would be amazing scattered over an embroidered motif. Another great look is to add a row of crystals around the waistline of a wedding gown. Whatever color you choose, carry it into a stunning set of crystal bridal jewelry for a beautifully coordinated result. A very pretty look is to combine clear and colored beads in your crystal bridal jewelry. Great color choices include: blue (for your something blue), pink (for a feminine touch), and peridot green for a fresh summer look. A dash of color in your wedding accessories is also a fun way to jazz up an all-white gown.

One of the most innovative uses of color I ever saw was in the custom wedding gown worn by a ballroom dancer. She wanted a traditional white gown for walking down the aisle, but she also loved bright red, and hoped to find a clever way to accent her dress with it. The gown was created from layers of white silk chiffon and fluid silk crepe. Underneath all of the white layers of the skirt was a final layer of silk crepe in true red. When the bride walked down the aisle, she was a vision in white, with little flashes of red peeking out as the layers of her gown flowed and floated. Then for the reception, the entire white overlay of the skirt could be removed, and she got to dance the night away in her one of a kind gown with a white bodice and a red skirt. It was an incredible wedding gown.

Adding a dash of color to your bridal gown is a terrific way to make the dress reflect your personality. It is also a great idea if you want to make a simple gown more eye-catching. Not only can you make your gown more beautiful, but the color you choose can be used as a theme throughout your whole wedding to make it really show your style

So put some thought into your dress and make it the one that you really want and will always remember that you let your true personality show through in the dress that you dreamed of, not the one that feels right to you.