This month's featured tips:
Real Brides & Grooms Share Things They've Learned

This month, real brides and grooms offer a variety of tips for saving money, stress and hassle.

From Lauren, a bride from Tiburon, CA:

Best tip I've gotten so far: have your wedding gifts sent to your office or a parent's house, instead of your home address. This way, if gifts arrive while you're gone, they won't be temptation for thieves. (I heard this from a friend who came home from a two-week honeymoon to find dozens of wedding gifts left outside her door!)

From Melissa, a bride from Sacramento, CA:

A big mistake I made was declining my bridal shop's pressing service. At $60, I thought it was just too expensive. But, when the "big day" came, my dress was full of wrinkles ... and no amount of steaming, careful ironing, etc. (with the help of a bridesmaid for coordination) could get the wrinkles out! Thankfully, we found a local cleaner who could do it same-day ... but, it's not the kind of stress I'd wish on any other bride!

From Laura, a bride from Portland, OR:

If you're asking your brides to pay for their bridesmaids' dresses, consider telling them that you consider their participation in your day their wedding gift, and that no other gifts are expected. Many of our bridesmaids are in their early 20s and just starting their careers ... and when I told them this was the plan, they gratefully accepted!

From Joanne, a bride from Los Angeles, CA:

Try not to set a strict budget until you find out how much what you want to do really costs. We wound up budgeting only half what we ended up spending ... and, every other couple we know had the same experience. Many things -- especially photography, your gown, the site, and "incidentals" can end up costing much more than you would think. If you allow yourself to "get the lay of the land" before making decisions, you might find you allocate your dollars more effectively -- and can get a realistic idea of what it would cost to get exactly what you want.

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Looking for wedding stuff? Visit our new sister site, Classifieds ... For Brides!(tm) It's an easy, organized way to find what you need. Post for the things you're still missing. Use email alerts to be notified immediately when something you need is posted. Shop for great deals! Even sell wedding-related stuff that you don't need. Do it all at Classifieds ... For Brides!(tm)   Postings are free!

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Featured Tips Newsletter: How to have MORE wedding for LESS MONEY!

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Looking for great wedding books and planners? Visit our new sister site, Wedding Books, Etc. It's chock full of great wedding books, software and other media -- and nothing you don't want!

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