A private bridal suite is an extra feature at some venues. These rooms are for the use of the bride and any other people that she wants or needs around her prior to the wedding ceremony. Using your venue’s bridal suite cuts the cost of having to hire the bridal party’s transportation and completely minimizes the chance of anyone seeing the bride before the ceremony.

 An effective bridal suite will provide sufficient mirrors and lighting, comfortable furnishings, a bathroom and often refrigeration. If you intend to use a bridal suite, arrange to spend time there to get a feel for the space of the room(s), the temperature, the arrangement of furniture, etc. 

 Remember to inform your photographer, hair dresser and makeup artists of the arrangements. Confirm with each of them that they are willing to work within the bridal suite and whether or not this will incur additional expense.

Sometimes, it's necessary to seat guests together who may be complete strangers to each other. A great way for everyone to break the ice and make everyone feel more comfortable is to place a variety of humorous items on each table. Wigs, fake noses and glasses, medallions, fake cigars or inflatable items will not only make everyone laugh out loud, you'll get some great photographs that people will treasure for years to come.

 A flower-themed wedding can be made even more gorgeous when you use large faux leaves or petals for place markers. Simply use a metallic pen of a complimentary colour and write your guests' names on the leaves. For a dreamy, romantic finishing touch, scatter live flower petals and diamantes around a candle at the centre of each table.

We all know that our bridesmaids come in a variety of shapes, sizes, skin and hair colours. To make sure each and every one of your bridesmaids looks and feels beautiful on your special day, get everyone together and plan an afternoon shopping trip. You'll all have a great time trying on different styles of dresses and as a group you can decide which dress looks the best on all the bridesmaids.

With your invitations include a slip of paper titled, "Food Allergies/Dietary Requirements. Guests can simply jot down any allergies or special requirements and you'll be able to compile a list of these well in advance. Remember to take the list to meetings at your venue and during discussions about food during the reception. 

Purchase a large, spiral bound sketch pad and coloured pens. Assign one of your bridesmaids the job of asking guests to add personal messages to you and your partner. Be sure to leave randomly spaced blank pages so that later you can decorate them with pictures, confetti, even dried flowers. Using decorative items from your wedding day will make the book that will be treasured for a lifetime.   

  Place single use disposable cameras on each table. Guests can use these to take some truly unique and memorable pictures of your reception. Place a large box, in a prominent location for the used cameras to be left in. The added cost of processing will be worth it when you see the finished pictures. Send a copy of the pictures to your guests and use others to make an extra wedding album.  

Ask your guests to name three of their favourite songs and return them with their RSVP. Make the job easier for them by including a slip of paper, with the invitation, titled "My Favourite Songs". When the lists are returned, you'll have a music list for the evening party that's guaranteed to have everyone on the dance floor. 

Chris was an avid gardener and had spent years tending the numerous Hydrangea bushes that lined the front edge of his garden. Now, years later, they were breathtakingly beautiful mature plants. 

This morning, Chris had been working in his garden several hours. He was admiring his work when a couple stopped to say hello and to compliment him on how beautiful the Hydrangeas were. As they chatted, they couple told Chris that their daughter's wedding was tomorrow. Chris congratulated them, but the couple seemed so stressed, that Chris felt like he had to ask what was bothering them.

"Our daughter called this morning in tears. The florist has failed to fulfil her flower order and we simply can't afford to buy more flowers at such short notice. Even if we could afford it, we doubt that any florist could fulfil another order by tomorrow afternoon." Chris wanted to know if he could help and the couple said they were wondering if they could cut a few of his beautiful Hydrangeas. 

Chris couldn't have been happier to be able to oblige and went to get his clippers. With great care, he started cutting single Hydrangea blooms from his bushes. When there were just two blooms left, Chris told the couple, "I want to keep these two. They will remind me of your daughter and her new husband. I wish them years of happiness."

Why Not…

• Make beautiful and personal bouquets and centre pieces? Ask your neighbours, friends and family for flowers from their gardens. What a good way to let everyone participate in your wedding even if they can't be there.
• Grow your own flowers for bouquets and centre pieces? Start early and by the time your wedding day arrives, you'll have beautiful flowers ready to be crafted into floral arrangements.
• Dry flower petals and use them as confetti? Flower petals are biodegradable, colourful and an inexpensive alternative to confetti. 

  Potted plants make excellent table centers and are an economical alternative to cut flowers. Decorate the pots with organza and ribbon in your chosen colours. Not only does this dress up and coordinate the tables, the center piece is less likely to spill dirt onto the table should it get knocked over. Fragrant herbs, such as Lavender, make fantastic center pieces and people will enjoy the scent and the colour. As an added bonus, why not give the center pieces to key family and friends at the end of the evening?