Have a Tress Rehearsal

Bring a snapshot of your wedding gown and headpiece to your hairstylist. If you’ll need hair extensions, ask your stylist to order them now; they’ll need to be cut and colored to match your hair. Still having trouble committing to a look? Try a classic chignon or a half-up, half down creation. Both are timeless and work on most women. After your hair is done put on a party dress and hit the town so you can see hot the hairstyle makes you feel.

Three Easy Ways To Save

Use less fabric. The bigger the gown the heftier the price tags. To keep costs down, shop for a simple silhouette like a streamlined sheath, curve flattering mermaid cut, or short, sassy cocktail dress.

Choose fewer details. Embellishment is pretty but the handwork increases the expense. You can cut corners by selecting an unadorned gown and adding your own flourishes like a vintage brooch or jeweled belt.
Go for a blended lining. Order your wedding gown with a polyester-blend lining instead of pure silk and you could save up to $600.

Wedding Officiant

Looking for a wedding officiant and have no idea where to start? Although many couples generally select their officiant depending upon what religious services they attend, others face the daunting prospect of finding a virtual stranger to play such an integral role on their wedding day. Here are a few tips of things to look for when searching for an officiant:

Look over their websites. Many officiant sites provide helpful links and testimonials. Some officiants are starting to not only include sample videos of ceremonies, but also links to other practical information, like how to apply for a marriage license or name change. Some sites even have worksheets or outlines to help couples write their vows.

When you meet your potential officiants, don’t rush through the conversation. Weddings can often be filled with unpredictable moments; you need to find someone who is highly adaptable to any situation.

Above all, if you can avoid it, don’t "settle" for an officiant. If you don’t feel at ease around them, or strongly disagree on philosophical or religious issues, keep looking. Your ceremony should be tailored to what the two of you believe is significant.

Dress Up Your Hair

Think beyond the long white veil. Whether you add sparkle with a crystal pin, comb, or a brooch secured with bobby pins. Place it at least two inches away from the face, behind one ear, on the side of a chignon, around a low ponytail, or in the crease of a French roll. Your accessory shouldn’t overwhelm your hairstyle.

Throw a Backyard Wedding

Whether it’s the spot where you’ve spent countless summers your groom’s family residence or the house of a close friend, a private home makes an ideal wedding locale. Set the tone before the big day by choosing an invitation with an emblem or color relating to the spot, such as flower found on the property or a fresh, grassy and carry the motif though in your reception décor and even your cake.

Wedding Q & A

Q: It bothers me that my fiancés buddies are planning a wild night out for him before we get married. Would it be wrong to send a couple of friends to the clubs they’re visiting and ask them to report back?”

A: Sending spies to the club will only cause a lack of trust and feelings of betrayal between you both If they are found out. He’ll probably have a great time but come running home to you after a night in a club. Step back let him have his fun.

Wedding Q & A

Q: My boyfriend has proposed but hasn’t given me a ring yet. Do I tell people our news or wait for the ring?

A: The ring definitely matters, but it will come eventually. Sometimes they want to make sure they have the ring you really want. You can get married without a ring but not without a proposal. You can still tell everyone you’re getting married, maybe after you’ve gone public, he will feel the pressure to get the ring.