I used a few checklists that I found in magazines and websites to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything, but mostly we stuck to things that <i>we</i> wanted to have. If we couldn't see any use in having something in, we threw it out!

A lot of so called 'must haves' are just part of the whole wedding industry. We didn't pay for expensive cars, just borrowed some beautiful ones from family. We didn't have a professional dj, we used a jazz playlist on my iPod set up with a friends speakers. We didn't have a full sit down meal, we had an afternoon tea and chocolate fountains with fruit. We didn't give guests bonboniere or gifts, we had bowls of chocolate coins. We didn't hire waitstaff, we asked friends to volunteer. They loved being involved and we knew we could rely on them.

Don't feel like obliged to do anything, choose what you want to have as it's YOU who has to pay for it, and who will remember it more than any of your guests.

And importantly, make sure you take a few moments throughout the day to look into each others eyes and realise what the day is about - your joy in your commitment to each other! Ahh, bless :-)