Consider Color

A pristine white wedding gown has been a traditional symbol of bridal purity since Victorian times. Ivory, champagne and even blush pink have become more mainstream in recent years. Consider incorporating your favorite colors into your wedding in an unexpected way, like this gown from Tara Lynn Wedding Gowns or a more delicately embroidered gown from Jacqueline Bridal . The bold and colorful embroidery and applique provides an opportunity for self-expression which makes your wedding more personal and representative of you.

This planner has the honor or coordinating a wedding for a couple who love the outdoors. The bride's favorite color is golden yellow and the groom's is sky blue, those, combined with the bride's favorite flowers, Joseph's Coat roses create a pallet of festive color. All of these colors and more are included in the delicate embroidery of the bride's gown, which is accented by a golden sash.

Attendants (the groom's sisters) will wear gowns in a similar cut in softer shades that echo the colors of the wildflower decor. Groomsmen will wear polka dot bow ties in coordinating colors.

Lavish use of floral accents continues this colorful celebration and brings the outdoors in. Table decor for the reception dinner includes centerpieces featuring life-like butterflies from www.thinkgeek.com surrounded by rings of fresh florals on sky blue and golden tablecloths.

Consider your favorite colors and incorporate them into your big day in ways that please you.

Reality Check

Recently, this organizer had the pleasure of meeting a charming bridal couple who have big plans and no sense of reality in terms of the effort involved or the funds required to pull off the "wedding weekend" they so desire.

For those of you who want the gala (and, hey, why not!?) but don't want to begin married life deep in debt, may I humbly suggest the following:

Rather than holding the rehearsal dinner party at a $200.00 an hour specialty bowling alley, consider the local Dave & Buster's. True, you won't have the place to yourself, but you will have a great time at less than half the cost.

Rather than providing limos for all of the guests staying at the reception site hotel (to the tune of $75 to $100 an hour) speak with your concierge or hotel liaison - many hotels have shuttle vans they would be happy to provide for a small fee. Not as swanky, to be sure, but far more economical and far more environmentally responsible.

Rather than the $50 per person plated dinner plus an open bar consider the $40 per person plated dinner with limited choices of entree and two or three choices of signature cocktails. Average saving: $30 per guest.

Rather than the private dining room and $30 per guest brunch buffet for your hotel guests the next morning, consider asking the hostess to designate an area of the regular dining room for your party. It's the same food, but only $20 per guest.

Lastly, please, do not expect your vendors and professionals to provide their services for free or next-to-free simply to get your business. The old adage "you get what you pay for" especially applies in this situation. If you want a certain something a certain way, be prepared to pay for that something.

Antique Elegance

When choosing the ring that will symbolize you love and commitment to one another, it is a temptation to hit of all the big chain jewelry stores, all of the elite boutiques and all of the jewelry stores in between. May we suggest skipping the modern, trendy or of-the-moment styles and instead search for that symbol at antique and estate sales? Timeless classics never go out of style. Choosing an antique ring, particularly if it is a family heirloom lends a certain continuity as well as sentiment to the occasion. Be it great-grandmother's ring or a new-to-you heirloom in the making, it is certain to reflect your commitment to one another in style.