#tipsfromthepros

Whether you choose to go big (dinner!), small (cocktails and light bites), casual (no shoes!), or fancy (killer shoes), just make it your own.

Design a rehearsal dinner that is nothing like your wedding while still adding personal touches that makes the evening about yourselves and the day to come.

Begin on the early side, so everyone can get to bed at a decent hour, and still be ready to go for the next day.

Signature cocktails are always hits, as are interactive setups, like Champagne pyramids at a cocktail party or do-it-yourself Bloody Marys for a brunch.

Without a doubt, foods that are indigenous to the area are always high quality and big crowd-pleasers. 

To speed the friendship building process between family members and friends who have never met, offer an activity that takes the cocktail-conversation pressure off and lets them mingle naturally, like a scavenger hunt, horseshoes, cornhole, or bocce. A crossword puzzle, using your history as a couple for clues, will spark conversations.

Consider showing a photo slide show or a video of funny interviews with friends.

Who Pays: The Bride

The groom's gift

The groom's ring

Gifts for the bridal party

Wedding beauty (hair, nails, spa treatments, etc.)

Who Pays: The Groom

The bride's gift

The bride's wedding ring (and engagement ring)

Gifts for the groomsmen

The marriage license

His tuxedo and accessories

Who Pays: The Happy Couple Together

The marriage license

Flowers for both mothers

The honeymoon (unless the groom's family pays)

The wedding officiant fee

Photography and video

Transportation for the bridal party to the ceremony and reception

Who Pays: The Bride's Parents

The bride's dress

Bridal accessories

Venue expenses (the ceremony site, reception location, floral and decor, rentals, music and entertainment, catering, etc.)

The wedding cake and the groom's cake

Wedding stationary (save the date's, announcements, invitations, etc.)

The bridal bouquet and the bridesmaid's bouquets

The bridesmaid luncheon/tea

Who Pays: The Groom's Parents

The rehearsal dinner

The honeymoon (if not handled by the couple)

Who Pays: The Wedding Party

Formalwear and bridesmaid dress

Travel accommodations

Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties

There are many ways that social media can be an advantage to brides-and grooms-to-be during the planning process, while also being tastful:

1. Get in Touch With Vendors

Social media makes it easier to see vendors' work and get recommendations from wedding veterans.  For one thing, most vendors keep their social media channels more up to date than their websites or brochures.  There are also online opportunities to read reviews from past brides and grooms to get their perspective on vendors you may be considering.

2. Communicate With Guests Before the Wedding

Make a Facebook Page or wedding site where you can put all the details of your wedding such as lodging information, registry information and informations about the wedding party, etc.  This keeps all the information on one online place which can help guests make their plans for your big day.

3. Get Inspired

Follow your favorite photographers, planners or vendors of any kind on Facebook, Twitter - even their blog.It's a great way to follow your wedding inspiration makers - see their ideas and adapt it to your own creation. 

4. Share Your Memories

Ask your photographer to share photographs on Facebook

Ask your guests to give their photos to a particular tag on Flickr

Live stream your wedding

Be openminded about flower types.

Personalize your wedding flowers.  Wrap your bouquet with a loved one's handkerchief or include snippets from your mom's wedding dress.

Flower colors are never exact.  Rely on your florist to help you understand the undertones of different varieties.

Make your wedding bouquet a priority.  Never skimp on your bridal bouquet.

Stick to a single hue.  A monochromatic color scheme looks more organized.

Find a florist you really love.  You should feel that your florist is as excited as you are.

If you want to preserve, have a plan.  Ask your florist for recommendations about which flowers press well and best hold their live color.

Know your budget.  The most difficult and least productive meetings are the ones where no budget is given. 

Find your inspiration.  Pick on thing you love - whether it's grandma's antique brooch or a swatch of fabric - to give you and your florist a starting point.

Break tradition.  There's no need to limit yourself to roses and calla lilies.