A small detail: Gratitude for your vendors

Calculate all of the tips before the wedding day. Place the cash in separate labeled envelopes for each vendor. Designate someone (you trust) to distribute the tips on the wedding day. The host of the reception, the wedding planner, best man or maid of honor are all excellent choices to tackle this task for you.

Create a dramatic entrance

Skip the traditional aisle runner and create a dramatic path by laying down thick rows of rose petals, leaves or other colorful plants. Photo courtesy of Thoughtfully Simple.

Or, decorate the aisle with meaningful items like shells from the beach where you got engaged. Photo courtesy of Style Me Pretty.

Use leaves from a tree in your backyard. Photo courtesy of Pop the Questions.

Joining as one

The unity ceremony symbolizes the bride and groom joining as one. This is usually an integral part of every wedding ceremony. You need to determine what type of ceremony you want to do. Here are few of my favorite unity ceremony traditions:

Warm the rings: Warm the rings by passing a length of ribbon through the rows during the ceremony. Have the rings threaded into the ribbon and allow each of your guests to bless the marriage before you slip them on. Or, set up a station at the entrance of your wedding that has the rings attached to a ribbon. *Photo courtesy of With the Rings Handmade

Unity candle: The bride and groom each have a single taper candle. They use that one candle to light a large unity candle. Leave individual tapers still lit to put emphasis on your individuality. All three lit candles stand as a celebration of the bride and groom as individuals as well as their union. *Photo courtesy of Romantic Italian Weddings

Oh, Holy Night: Have ushers light two candles in the back of the room and then everyone lights their neighbors candle filling the church with candlelight. The bride and groom's mothers come forward and light their children's individual tapers. Then, the bride and groom light the large unity candle. *Photo courtesy of Shelley Paulson Photography

Sand ceremony: The groom has a jar filled with one color of sand while the bride's jar is filled with a different color sand. The two combine the colors into one larger vase. *Photo courtesy of Poems, Candles and More

A small detail: Update your registry

The majority of wedding gifts are bought two Fridays before the wedding so make sure your registry is ready to go. Make sure any last minute additions are added and any items that have been discontinued or unavailable are replaced or eliminated. 

A small detail: Use postcards for RSVPs

Save money by using reply postcards instead of tiny reply cards with envelopes. Postage rates for postcards are about 13 cents less than the rate for stamping envelopes. Simply print the response information on one side of the card and your address on the other side. *Photo courtesy of PrintHouse

Share your love with a day of gift

The majority of brides are familiar with traditions and rituals associated with planning a wedding. Many grooms find themselves lost during the preparation. The giving of gifts between the bride and the groom is a longstanding tradition that started in the Victorian Era. This gift should be something special that can be cherished for years to come.

Ideas for bride 

Jewelry to wear on your wedding day

A heart locket with the groom's photo and a personal engraving on the back

Jewelry box

Bottle of perfume

*Photo courtesy of GlowWish

Ideas for groom

Boudoir pictures of the bride

Watch engraved with "Loving you all the time," or the wedding date

Cuff links to wear on your wedding day

Engraved picture frame with the wedding date  or a personal note

A monogrammed handkerchief

An engraved money clip with his initials

*Photo courtesy of Estate Weddings & Events

For either

Plane, helicopter or balloon ride for two

Hand written love letter

An original poem or song

Personalized stationary

Tickets to a performance or sporting event

Personalized CD of love songs

Basket filled with wine and cheese 

*Photo courtesy of Leanne Pedersen

Recruiting wedding assistance

 It's OK to ask for help. There are hundreds of tasks to complete, projects to tackle and lists to check off. Don't be afraid to ask your friends and family to pitch in.

You can ask someone to:

Check for personal belongings left behind after the ceremony and reception.
Move ceremony flowers and gifts to the reception site.
Coordinate place cards and seating chart at the reception.
Emcee reception activities.
Assist the photographer so candids of important people are captured.
Cut the cake.
Tend to the guest book.
Hand out programs, maps, favors and umbrellas.
Gather the top tier of the wedding cake and all the cake utensils and topper.
Take the groom's tux back to the rental location.
Retrieve any leftover favors, disposable cameras and programs.
Return any rental items or anything unopened.
Thank and pay hired vendors.
Conduct any necessary cleanup.
Have your wedding gown cleaned and preserved.
Develop any film from your camera.

*Photo courtesy of Love Hudson-Maggio

7 tips for finding a signature cocktail

Selecting a signature cocktail for your reception can be an easy process. Follow these 7 tips for finding the perfect drink.

1. Follow the theme of your day. For a Hollywood themed wedding serve a Shirley Temple. *Photo courtesy of Coupon Clipping Cook

2. Use a color. If color is a big factor for your wedding consider it for your cocktails. Pink, green, silver, purple and yellow can all be recreated in liquid form. *Photo courtesy of United With Love

3. What liquor? Ask yourself what your favorite spirits are and then select a drink. *Photo courtesy of It's a Bride's Life

4. What about garnish? Use your favorite fruit or flower (just make sure it's edible). Garnishes serve two purposes: to look pretty and add flavor. *Photo courtesy of Hostess with the Mostess

5. Save cash: Only offer one or two specialty cocktails instead of a full bar of liquor. To save more money only offer them during cocktail hour. *Photo courtesy of Bridal Guide

6. Keep it simple: Use a simple, ready-made or easily prepared drink. Catering bartenders usually don't have much experience with creating elaborate cocktails.*Photo courtesy of The Nichols

7. Don't forget about your non-drinkers: Offer non-alcoholic versions of your signature cocktails.*Photo courtesy of Wedding Elation

How sweet it is

Do you have a sweet tooth? Then, I have a wedding trend that you should build into your plans. Brides and grooms across the U.S. are setting up self-serve candy buffets for their guests. You set up a tower of sweets in 8 to 10 heaping bins. Most brides order bulk candy in their wedding colors, but I have seen buffets with a rainbow of colors. *Photo courtesy of Homeketeers

I love using apothecary jars that can be purchased at any crafts store. Make sure you select jars will wide enough mouths to allow for easy access. And, Party city has adorable metal candy scoops with a tiny heart that your guests can use to retrieve their favorite candy selections.

Provide small bags or boxes for your guests to grab their personal favorites. Add a personal touch by attaching a sticker with your wedding date. *Photo courtesy of Beau Coup