It is said that the majority of marriages fail because of money issues, so start off on the right foot and set a budget for your wedding, and then try to stick to it. Weddings, because they are emotionally charged, once-in-a-lifetime events can cause a frenzy of escalated spending in no time at all.

As uncomfortable as it may be, the bride should ask her parents what they will contribute to the wedding; the groom should ask his parents what they will contribute to the cost of the wedding; and both you and your finance should decide how much each of you will contribute. 

Next make up a list of all the expenses you will need to cover, and put them in order of importance to the two of you. (For example, a couture bridal gown may be important to you but flowers less so, etc). This will give you some idea of where you can splurge and where you’ll skimp a little.

Finally, do some ringing around or start visiting suppliers to get an idea of costs in each area—then go back to the budget and try to fit all these costs in together. 

Make a scrapbook of all ideas you like in magazines or on the internet—for everything associated with weddings.  This helps suppliers see very quickly what “look” you have in mind for your wedding.

It is also less cumbersome and quicker to find your favourite pictures than flicking through countless magazines.  Keep a list of businesses your married friends have used and been happy with.  Check out these businesses first.

Choose your gown first, as soon as practical, because so much revolves around your choice:

Such as:

Hair style, Make-up, Jewelry, Flowers, Groom’s Attire, Bridesmaid’s style and colour, Shoes, underwear.

If you have a white gown, or a cool colour such as pale blue or pale pink, the groom and bridesmaid(s) need to be in cool colours (some warm tones look old or “dirty” next to white). Cool colours for Grooms are Black, navy or Grey suits with white shirts. Cool colours for bridesmaids are: blues, purple, ice pink, blue, reds, icy greens, turquoise, jade, icy lemon, tangerine, etc.

If you have an ivory gown, the choice is much more open.  Ivory is a universal colour, coordinating with just about anything but white (except in the hands of an exceptional designer).  The only note to be made is that the groom needs to wear an ivory shirt. Warm colours, such as latte, cream, soft gold, and champagne suit bridesmaids in warmer tones such as chocolate, mocca, dusky pink, old gold, burgundy, olive green, etc. Grooms may like to look at chocolate suits, taupe or black, but wear a cream shirt (or other antique colour). 

If you would like to be thinner or more toned for your wedding, and are serious about this, then begin shaping up straight away. It is very difficult to alter a gown more than one dress size to accommodate any serious weight loss. A greater weight loss than this may result in a higher cost for your gown with added alterations, or, worst case scenario, having to re-cut the gown completely. 

When pre-warned we adjust fitting times to accommodate this as much as possible—and always expect some last minute weight loss due to stress leading up to the wedding. 

These days it seems that more and more brides are mixing pregnancy and weddings together.  Considering how emotionally charged and significant both these events are, we highly recommend that you keep them separate if possible.

As far as the gown is concerned, if you are less than 4½ to 5 months pregnant with your first baby, a normal gown should be OK.  At approximately this time, the baby just pops out.  If you will be ore than 5½, months pregnant a maternity-style gown will be needed.  Do remember that your bust grows about a cup size approximately two weeks after conception, which means one dress size larger—a serious problem for the gown makers!  especially if the gown fabric has already been cut.  Although if pre-warned, measures can be taken to be prepared for this.

Keep in mind that morning sickness often accompanies pregnancy, especially in the early stages, and may affect how you enjoy the actual day and honeymoon.  However, if you to need to continue trying to fall pregnant, let your designer know as soon as possible so that all options can be discussed. 

Keep a record of meetings with suppliers—especially quotes—somewhere altogether.  This helps with keeping control of your budget as well as being easy to check in the unlikely event a supplier is changing the original price or conditions quoted to you. 

In all this flurry of organizing your wedding, remember it is really all about the two of you as a couple.  Some brides talk about absolutely nothing else but the wedding with the groom, their family, their friends for 9 to 12 months before the big day. 

Try to relax and make some “wedding-free” time where you talk about other things. Also, relax yourself.  It will be a wonderful day, even if each bow is not tied 100% perfectly.  (In all honesty, you will likely be the only one to notice).  Enjoy the time as much as possible beforehand by choosing helpful bridesmaids and professional, well-recommended suppliers.

The wedding comes only once in a lifetime, and so does the pre-wedding excitement.  Make sure you enjoy both to the fullest extent possible.