Did you know that the average wedding costs over $23,000? While there is no shame in spending more or less than this, the averaged wedding costs can still add up quickly. Most brides overshoot their wedding budget goals by as much as 15%! To avoid breaking the bank with your wedding planning, here are some budget-friendly tips for brides-to-be!

Wedding Budget Tip 1:  Avoid The Busy Season

The majority of weddings occur between May and October. In fact, October is the new June. Late fall weddings and winter weddings are beautiful and allow brides to reduce costs by catching vendors and wedding supplies when they're not in great demand!

Also, consider marrying on a Friday or throughout the week. Marrying on a weekday may be less traditional, but it's a fun and unique way to make your ceremony special (and save money!). Weekend weddings are great but reception halls charge the most for Saturday evening weddings. By marrying on a Friday, you'll be able to save on the reception costs, enjoy great options for the ceremony location, and spend a three day weekend with your groom!

Wedding Budget Tip 2:  Pass Up The Dessert Tray

Wedding cakes are a huge reception expense. Since this is the most important piece at the reception, no bride wants to cut it out completely. Instead, opt for a smaller wedding cake. Also consider a cupcake wedding cake. This tasty trend allows guests to enjoy a small portion of the same great flavor. The biggest treat for you? Cupcake cakes usually run about $60 compared to hundreds for a traditional wedding cake.

If a smaller version of your dream cake won't feed everyone, consider having a sheet cake of the same flavor along with your wedding cake. An evening of dancing, drinks and good food doesn't leave much room for dessert. Consider passing up extra dessert options which quickly add up (on the hips as well)!

Wedding Budget Tip 3:  Go Green With The Wedding Flowers

Opt for more greenery in the reception arrangements. Most guests won't know which flowers are in or out of season so trim the cost of your wedding flowers by using more greenery. The wedding ceremony flowers are a beautiful addition to the ceremony but remember that this is where guests spend the least amount of time. Most spend more time at the reception so consider putting the budget emphasis on your wedding reception flowers instead.

Wedding Budget Tip 4: Go Green With The Wedding Invitations

In the age of technology and conservation, eco-friendly wedding invitations are a big perk. If you want to send standard wedding invitations, consider replacing the RSVP cards with a note on the invitation that asks guests to RSVP at your wedding website. Wedding websites will save a ton on less important wedding stationery. (Oh, and invitation liners are unnecessary. You're breaking no etiquette by opting out on these.)

Wedding Budget Tip 5:  Double Up With Wedding Favors

Wedding favors are a must-have for most brides according to traditional wedding etiquette. Wedding favors can be practical and functional though! Consider favors that double as place cards or serve a purpose after the wedding. Personalized bottles of bubbles serves as wedding favors and can be used instead of tossing rice or bird seed after the ceremony.

Wedding Budget Tip 6:  Opt For A Cocktail Reception

This is a good way to glam up your reception without spending lots of money on food and decorations. Waiters carrying trays of hor d'oeuvres is a glamorous look and a frugal choice for brides. Many wedding caterers have their own wait staff, so consider hiring a local caterer with wait staff for a glamorous but easy-on-the-wallet reception.

Wedding Budget Tip 7:  Buy The Music, Not The Band

A band at the wedding is always fun, but consider a single musician or a dj instead. Going this route with wedding reception entertainment will save costs simply because you're paying for one person instead of multiple people.

Wedding Budget Tip 8:  Share The Menus

Instead of giving each guest a menu at the reception, opt for one or two per table. These can look elegant when placed between beautiful table settings or when stood on either side of the table's centerpice. This saves paper and printing costs plus adds to the decor of the table.

It might be the most frequently asked question of the wedding season, “So, what are your wedding colors?”. As if you haven’t toiled over it enough already. The truth is choosing wedding colors is much easier than you think. The key to creating a stylish and successful wedding color combo is recognizing the relationship amidst the hues. No, you don’t need an Art Degree to apply the ideas. Here’s how you start:

1. Consider the Site. When deciding on colors used for the wedding, it is wise to play up prominent colors offered by your wedding venue. For example, a church layered with burgundy and navy carpet isn't going to be complimentary setting for lime green and hot pink bridesmaid dresses and bouquets. It simply won’t quite cut it. Instead opt for rosey, blue and cream shades or even burgundy and gold. Selecting complimentary colors makes for a much better wedding color and venue combo.

2. Let The Season Be Your Guide. Mother Nature knows best, so take her advice. The fact is all colors can be used year round. However, it’s the shade of the color that matters from season to season. Light pastel hues are perfect for spring and summer weddings. These same colors can look washed out and inappropriately "springy" in winter months. Reserve the darker shades like burnt orange and hunter greens for fall and winter.

3. Visit the Hardware Store. DON’T go buy a jig saw and start making DIY Wedding Decorations. DO visit the paint section. Paint swatches are a great way to see an entire color palate right down to the exact hues you desire. Pick up a few and stick them in your purse while making wedding arrangements.

4. Pair Colors By Personality. Choose colors that have the same color intensity like baby blue and lavender, rather than baby blue and dark purple. You don't want a vibrant color overpowering a soft delicate color.

5. Consider Your Friends. Remember, not all colors are easy to wear and you have bridesmaids to dress. Think of them when considering whether to have "sunburst orange" bridesmaids’ dresses. If your bridesmaids are washed out or look ghastly in the color you choose, all eyes will be on them in horror instead of on your with admiration.

Keep these 5 tips in mind when choosing your wedding colors and you’ll be ready to go … without any mortified bridesmaids!

Wedding Etiquette Question: My parents are divorced and remarried and have been for the past 15 years. This means I have 4 sets of grandparents on my side of the family alone. I am getting married on 8/15/09 and need to know the proper wedding etiquette and traditional ways of walking down the isle. Who walks first…the grooms parents or the brides and in what order? Should grandparents walk the isle and in what order? Last year my brother got married and because of the order of walking down the isle some people were offended and have not spoken to each other since then. I do not want this to happen at my wedding. I have read many articles none of which coincide with my dilemma. Please help!! Luvetta

Jazzy Flowers For Wedding Trends of 2008
Stylish brides want to stay on top of the latest trends in every detail especially the floral arrangements. Because flowers are a large part of every wedding, brides often pay special attention to floral arrangements and bridal bouquets. The following wedding trends of 2008 should shed some light on staying ahead of the rest with the wedding flowers.

Popular blooms in 2008 reflect the growing trends toward bright and colorful festivities. These include: Read the rest of 2008 Wedding Trend Tips »

It means so much to have your closest friends stand up with you on your wedding day. They will be with you through so much of the planning experience and most importantly they will be with you on your wedding day. Your bridesmaids add so much to your ceremony from support and love to most importantly their friendship. And it will mean so much to them to stand up with you.

It is an honor to be part of the wedding party, and most are very pleased to be asked. But how do you put together your wedding party without stepping on any toes; or how do you pick bridesmaids who will really be there for you through the entire process? With some thought and care you can avoid offending anyone and will end up with a happy wedding party. Read the rest of Choosing Your Wedding Attendants »

Don't wait until the last minute to consult a florist about your wedding flowers. Read the rest of When And How To Plan Wedding Flowers »