You're getting married - congratulations! Whether you choose to do all of the wedding planning yourself because you like being hands-on and in control or because you can't afford the services of a wedding planner, fitting these plans into your work schedule can be stressful if you approach it without a lot of thought. Here are some tips for the average working woman to use to make the time leading up to your wedding less stressful:

* Give yourself plenty of time to plan: Few things will stress you out like waiting until the last minute to do things: order cake, find a dress, choose a venue, etc. As soon as you pick a date, you need to make a list of what needs to be done in order of importance and date so that time doesn't creep up on you and leave you scrambling at the last minute.

* Delegate: Remember that guy you're engaged to? Your future groom? Yeah, him. He can actually help you out, in case you thought his only contribution was showing up on the big day. The two of you should work together and divvy up tasks so that all of it doesn't fall on you. Does your mom want to help? Chances are, she does. Even if she doesn't do things exactly as you want, appreciate the extra hands.


Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Sven Hoppe



* Be organized: Blackberry? Notepad? Computer program? It doesn't matter how you organize yourself, it only matters that you organize. If you're naturally disorganized, this is one time when you need to overcome those tendencies, even if you have to enlist the help of a more organized friend or family member.

* Scale things down: If having 500 guests is too much in terms of expense and planning, you may have to cut your guest list down. I know this can be difficult, especially when half the guest list is made up of your parents' friends, but the smaller the wedding, generally, the less stress it causes.

* Talk to your boss: Your desk shouldn't become Wedding Central, but chances are, your co-workers know you're planning a wedding. While your plans should mostly be relegated to non-work hours, you can communicate with your employer so that if you have to leave early one day or take a long lunch for a fitting, she'll be more willing to work with you.

The less stress you have, the better. Happy planning!

My favorite Soprano, married again. In case you haven't yet heard, Sopranos star James Gandolfini married former model Deborah Lin in her exotic hometown of Honolulu, Hawaii this past weekend.

The "intimate ceremony" took place at Central Union Church among the couple's closest friends and family. Gandolfini's 8 year-old son, Michael, from his first marriage, served as his dad's best man. After the brief ceremony, the couple made their way to the reception, held at a nearby resort.

Befitting their setting, bride and groom were adorned with long, green leis and Chinese lion dancers provided some spectacular entertainment. Reportedly, the couple looked very happy and the event was described as "elegant" and "tasteful."

Congratulations to the happy newlyweds!

Photo and source: People

Your hairstyle will be a large part of your bridal ensemble and it may take a lot of thought before you choose the perfect 'do for your big day. Consider these do's and don'ts when looking at style ideas so that you end up picture perfect.

Do:

* Consider the dress and setting: How formal or informal is your wedding? Your hairstyle should fit in accordingly. If you're getting married barefoot on a beach, your style should be decidedly different than if you're getting married in a centuries-old cathedral.

* Consult your stylist well in advance: Hopefully, you have a hairdresser who listens to you, but also lets you know when a style isn't right for you. You should be able to work with him to select a 'do that's flattering and befitting your wedding.

* Take your veil or headpiece with you: It'll be much easier for your stylist to consider which styles will work if she can see your veil or whatever headpiece you plan to wear.

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 6611123
Updos are always popular

Don't:

* Get major chemical services or cuts done the day of: Sometimes, brides want to be especially dramatic and show up with a serious makeover at the wedding. Don't.do.it. Sure, it can work out at times, but four hours before you're set to say your vows is not the time to tell your stylist "Oh, just surprise me."

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Don Bayley

* Try to fight your hair type: If your hair is curly and you're getting married outside in any kind of humid environment, just let your hair do what it naturally does. There's no point in flat-ironing your hair until your arms ache only to have your pouffy little 'fro return at the slightest hint of moisture.

* Go with a popular style if it's not "you": Although updos are always going to be a popular bridal style, you don't have to go with that if it's not your particular style. If you see a 'do that you really love and it works with your veil, dress and setting, then go for it.

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Jennifer Trenchard
Try a style that's half up/half down

Here's some other wedding day hair ideas for you to check out.

In today's current economy, not many people are pursuing celebrity-type weddings where exotic birds are flown in from Pacific islands to be set free at the reception. As a matter of fact, even the latest celeb pairings have been pretty low-key and casual, so don't think you have to go into debt to get married.

With the average price of weddings soaring just as much as everything else, a lot of couples get caught up in the hoopla and think that they have to spend ridiculous amounts of money to get hitched. I can tell you that you do not want to start your marriage off being thousands of dollars in debt.

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Laura Beach

Instead of thinking that everything has to go a certain way or that you have to go with this caterer over that one, explore your options. If you're set on a particular cake, that's fine; maybe you can negotiate on another area, such as the photographer.

A great article I found a while back highlights 10 tips for simple weddings. In general, simpler weddings with smaller parties are less expensive, but no less beautiful or meaningful. Probably my favorite tip is #1: "Set your budget with money that you already have in a bank account."

Do that and you can start your marriage off on the right foot: debt-free and in love.

Now here's an idea I really like. This works better for those couples who are planning smaller, intimate weddings. If you're trying to save money and you're into DIY projects, why not make your own wedding favors? Walk into any craft store and you'll probably see an entire section devoted to wedding paraphernalia. You can also order wedding-related items online.


Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Selin Damar

Even if you're not Martha Stewart, there are very easy ideas just about anyone can pull off. When you make things for your own wedding, it can be a lot more personal and sentimental. Maybe no one will remember the matchbook they received (if they still keep it!), but when they know the bride and groom put forth an effort to make the day truly memorable, chances are this will stick in your guests' minds long after you say your "I do's."

Need some ideas? Here's a few unique wedding favors you can try, or at least use to spark your creativity.

I spotted this idea at the Celebrity Wedding Blog and thought it was too great not to share. When we reported that Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller got married earlier in the summer, we also mentioned that the couple asked guests to donate to charities, one of which was Pugs 'N Pals, a doggie rescue group.

Asking guests to donate to your charity of choice is not only good for you, especially if you already have a home and don't need another single appliance/vase/piece of clutter to add to it, but it's also great for the charity.


Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Teresa Guerrero


So the ASPCA is now in on the wedding favor/gift market for all of you animal lovers out there. You can direct your guests to the website, where they can donate directly and you can also create your own ASPCA wedding page. In exchange for a donation, you have the option to receive wedding favor place cards.

I know how some people dread shopping for wedding gifts, so if animals are your passion and you want to do something beyond having your dog as a ring bearer, this is a good way to support a worthy cause, not clutter up your house and save your guests the time to shop (although not everyone complains about shopping!).