It is so fun to watch the shows about weddings on tv.
The brides are amusing, the wedding planners witty, and the festivities are larger than life.
Okay, but that is television - most girls can't afford the $100,000+ galas that are featured in the wedding shows.
However, it is possible to get a lot of look for less money if you keep a few simple tips in mind.
The time of the year and the day of the week can affect the price of everything from venues to caterers to florists.
If you have your wedding on a Saturday in June, expect to pay top dollar for everything.
On the other hand, if you change your wedding to a Friday night, some vendors will offer a lower price.
Being flexible on the day can also help you score one of the very popular sites that normally book a couple of years in advance.
Hosting your wedding on a Thursday evening will increase your chances of getting a good deal, as will having a winter wedding in a cold climate (unless it is New Year's Eve or Valentine's Day).
The brides on television all seem to wear fabulous designer gowns that cost a fortune.
To get the same look for less, keep your eyes peeled for designer sample sales.
Most salons will have them in January to make room for the new gowns that are arriving.
You would be amazed by how drastically a well made gown can be adjusted to fit different shapes and sizes, so do not assume that you have to be a perfect sample size to go this route.
To accent their designer gowns, the women in the wedding shows are usually dripping in diamonds.
(I recently saw a show where the bride picked out a $40,000 pair of diamond earrings for her wedding, plus another pair for the rehearsal dinner!) If you do not have an open account at Harry Winston, do not despair - you can still wear spectacular jewelry on your wedding day.
Look for handcrafted bridal jewelry made from Swarovski crystals and sterling silver.
The crystals will be dazzling in sunlight or by candlelight, and the silver is sleek and elegant.
For a great classic look, have your handcrafted bridal jewelry created with pearls and crystals; for a more dramatic flair, go with all crystals.
A very expensive wedding is no guarantee of happiness.
(And going deeply into debt to pay for an extravagant reception is a stress that no marriage needs.
) All brides want to have a very special wedding (and certainly deserve to!), but remember - in the end it is the marriage that matters even more than the wedding.