Some Helpful Hints Weddings don't have to be all that stressful, but they are. The first thing you have to do is relax. That's easier said than done, but calm down. Everything will go fine. If it doesn't, nobody really cares anyway. What they care about is helping you celebrate one of the most important days in your life.

Following are a few simple little hints. Make a to-do list, with a timeline, if you haven't done so already. Check off each item as it's done. You'll be surprised how much you've gotten accomplished in a short time. Allow yourself plenty of time for everything, but don't do anything too early. If you do, you'll find yourself obsessing over the whole wedding. Ask other people to do some things. Don't try to do it all yourself.

When you're making your list, start a list of the wedding pictures you want. The day of the wedding, you won't be thinking of that when the photographer is shooting the pictures. After the wedding is over, you don't want to be looking at the pictures and realize you forgot to get a picture of your mom. Not that she would let you forget anyway, but you get the point. Have the photographer check off the list as he/she is shooting so they don't forget either. As you think of people you want in the pictures, add to the list. Before the actual wedding, cross off any pictures you can live without if you're trying to save money on the pictures. Don't forget to add the minister into one of the pictures, esp. if you know them personally.

If you're doing your own catering, use the 6" plates. It'll save money, (you won't have to buy two different sizes,) and the 6" are cheaper. If you have one of the warehouse places like Sam's, they have really nice clear plates. I use them. It'll save on food, also. If people have a large plate, they fill it up all the way.

At the wedding shower, bachelor/bachelorette party, reception, and any other time, be very sure you or someone else makes a list of the gifts. There is more confusion here than anyplace else, and if someone cares enough about you to give you a gift, you don't want to hurt their feelings by forgetting the thank-you card. After you get back from the honeymoon, make doing the cards your first priority. Here's a neat little idea. If someone gives you a gift certificate or money, take a picture of what you used the money to buy. Enclose it with the thank-you card. "Thank you for the money--we used it to buy this lovely cookie jar" is so much nicer than "Thanks for the money." Also, for your friends that sent a gift but couldn't come to the wedding, try to enclose a ribbon, or matchbook, or program, if you had them at your wedding.

After the wedding, turn your bouquet into a wall hanging. Take a straw broom from a craft store (not the cinnamon kind--they stain), wrap the handle in ribbon, and attach the bouquet. Push the groom's boutonniere into your bouquet so they stay together. If you've bought one of our bouquets, the boutonniere will match so it'll blend in with the bouquet. The pictures on this page are some I've made. Also, the craft stores now have a plastic "bubble" that fits inside an oval picture frame. They come in several different sizes. You can put your bouquet inside there. If you do, you might also put one of your invitations. Hang it in a prominent position if you do so the hubby can't forget your anniversary date.

Can't find a decent Guest Book? Use your mother's. That's what I did, and she was thrilled. I just added our information behind hers. What you end up with a family heirloom that can be passed down until you run out of space in the book.

Weddings can be terrible or terrific. Your choice! Don't hesitate in getting assistance. You can use a "regular" wedding coordinator, family, or friends. On your wedding day, the couple should focus on themselves and not on other things, so leave the last-minute "stuff" to someone you trust to tie all the pieces together. There is no place for frustration on your wedding day, just flexibility, and lots of it!

Remember: Relax! Enjoy your day. Don't get so stressed you ruin your wedding.