From my experience, these are some points I should pass along to future married couples:

* Don't go into the wedding process believing you will make a financial profit from it (unless you're Italian or Greek)

* When planning for guests, allow room (both financially and seating-wise) for at least 10 more people that you might need to invite last minute.

* Try to gather as many addresses as soon as possible and keep them on file in a text document. This is much quicker than paper as there is the "Find" feature.

* We printed all our envelopes through our computers, taping the envelope to the top left hand side of a piece of paper and feeding it through the printer. Much better than cramping your hand with addresses for four or five hours. Although it was a long process to tape and re-tape envelopes, the option to have a nice font on the envelopes was worth it. We got many complements! (Do tests first though, before you start using your good envelopes!)

* Get a friend to help you stamp the envelopes, and try to use the sticker kind instead of the lick kind.

* People tend to be bad with RSVPing, so cold call as many people as you can to guarantee your seating number.

* Buffet style weddings are much easier for picky eaters and vegetarians.

* Try to book a place where the smoking area isn't too far away from the reception. This will allow your smoking guests to still feel a part of the party.

* Keep the ceremonies short. (Sorry, Catholics)

* Let your bridesmaids decide the dresses, that way they can decide how much they want to spend and find dresses in that price area. They will appreciate you for it.

* No black dresses, unless you're into industrial. Sorry, but black is for funerals and everyone is whispering behind your back that black bridesmaid dresses suck.

* Go away if possible. Going to an island or on a cruise is much less stressful and more financially sound than having a traditional wedding. You will also walk away with a bit of a profit from it, no doubt.

* I know I stress the financial woes of having a wedding, but that's how I think. Overall getting married should be very memorable. The less negativity that surrounds it the better your memories will be. If you find it becoming too much stress, why don't you come up with alternative ways to do it?

* DJs suck. Rent the equipment and get a friend to do it. Seriously. (We did and it was SO much funner)