wedding

If you are combining beach and activity or safari, plan some relaxing beach time at the beginning to unwind.

Be brave and haggle negotiate with the venue challenge them on corkage, catering, bedroom packages and room hire all of which should be flexible in some way. They want your business as much as you want to have your day there.

The night before the wedding and the day after (and throughout your honeymoon, if you can be bothered), write a diary. Its amazing the things you forget that mean so much in a funny way like the fact that the revered who married us had a small plaster on his index finger that I kept staring at wherever I felt myself getting emotional, or that my six year-old nephew spilled a glass of red wine down my dress the night before the wedding. In years to come, all those little details will help you form a clear picture of those days. Celia Walden

Ever feel like you wedding day is taking over your life? Dont let it be everything you talk about - you do not want to become a bridal bore!

When packing for your honeymoon think of few clothes but plenty of accessories that way you can pack light but still transform your look to fit whatever happens!

After the big day be sure to pack your morning with a healthy breakfast and smoothie to put right all the toxins and excesses of the night before - your head will thank you later!

Less is more when it comes to a wedding reception, so consider ditching the 30 minute video montage or the fireworks display for something less elaborate. Even a gesture as simple as distributing sparklers at the nights end can charm guests and keep them from feeling overloaded.

We all hate staged photos, but make sure you take time to get a snap of just you and your mum its a picture you will both treasure forever.

Pack a small essentials bag with lipstick, face powder, tissues, nail polish, cash , mobile phone and mints. Ask your maid of honour to carry it for you when you cant.

Not all of us can afford a wedding planner to sort out the lilies and playlists, but we can all get a dedicated notebook or file to write down all you wedding ideas and inspirations. It is the perfect place to stick in tear sheets from magazines, and print outs from the web. It will help you define themes, colour etc and keep your receipts, contracts and suppliers phones in order.