It is only natural that, when faced with the task of planning for your very own wedding. You might feel some trepidation and anxiety. Your wedding is, after all, a day that you and your family will forever remember for years to come. Wedding preparations, however, need not be loaded with stress.

When purchasing your wedding cake, think about the options that could save you money. If you want a fancy wedding cake, purchase a small one for just the wedding party and buy a large sheet cake for the rest of the guests. Your guests will still enjoy it just as much as your smaller wedding cake.

When having an outdoor wedding, be sure to plan for bugs. Bugs are everywhere outside and could ruin a wedding ceremony. If you are in an area that has a high number of bugs, have citronella candles or bug zappers to prevent the bugs from bothering your guests and ruining your wedding.

Keep transportation in mind when planning your wedding. You should have taxis and limos to take people home when it’s over. Transportation is also helpful for those who have drank too much at your wedding.

Designer candles, jewel-encrusted candelabras, and crystal decor can add up quickly when multiple tables are used for the wedding reception or rehearsal dinner. To save money, purchase large, unscented pillar candles of varying sizes. You can then use adornments and embellishments from bulk craft supply stores, such as stick-on colored crystals or textured, sheer ribbons to tie around each of the pillars.

If you’re really worried about guests at your wedding drinking too much, you can only offer a cash bar. When people are forced to pay for their alcohol, they’re less likely to drink as much. You could also make the bar cash-only, forcing people to go to an ATM if they run out of money which, when your drunk, isn’t easy.

Treat yourself or another bride-to-be with a memorable, unique keepsake: a sculpted cake topper or paper sculpture of the bride’s wedding dress. Send in a detailed photograph of the bridal gown, and a talented mixed-media artist will replicate it using archival glue and acid-free paper. The creation will last for decades and can be easily displayed at the reception or in the home.

When talking to your DJ, let him know the songs you like as well as the song you don’t like. Perhaps you want to avoid country crooners or hard rock tunes. No matter what you don’t want to hear, tell your DJ.

If you and your soon-to-be significant other decide to register for gifts, do not forget to indicate on the registry whether or not the two of you are open to gift cards. Some friends and family members prefer to give gift certificates or gift cards in lieu of selected items, but are unsure of the bride and groom’s stance. Including this information can make others aware of your preferences.

When getting quotes from vendors for your wedding, avoid mentioning that you are planning a wedding if you don’t have to. Some vendors mark up the price of services for weddings, so you may pay more in the end than you would for a similarly sized event with the same needs.

Send your wedding guests off with a sweet treat to thank them for their support by handing out small takeout containers of warm cookies paired with small glass bottles of organic vanilla, chocolate, or soy milk. You can use twine and small stamped or embossed name tags with the couple’s name and wedding date.

Before you get married, try to meet with your vendors ahead of time. The best vendors will let you try different dishes and cakes or have you look at decorations to have you select what you like best. You should also show the location to the vendors so they can plan ahead for delivery.

You should do your best to help your guests get to your wedding. Even if they are paying for the trip themselves, you can have transportation waiting for them at the airport and pay for their accommodations. Make sure they have a pleasant traveling experience and will enjoy the wedding.

Planning is everything in weddings. Make sure that you have everything taken care of months in advance, or you may find you’ve missed something silly like flowers and can’t find anyone to provide it at the last minute. It’s very important to have the wedding set and scheduled far in advance so that unexpected hitches can be dealt with in time.

By doing a productive research, you will find stress-free ways to plan for your wedding. You will be able to organize a special day that is meaningful to you without turning into a bridezilla! Your wedding is, after all, a celebration of the rest of your lives together as a couple.