You need flowers for the setting of your wedding ceremony. If you're using a large church or synagogue, flower and ribbon decorations on the pews can really add up in cost. Decide whether you want to have a decoration on each pew, every other pew, or none at all. Figure out the cost differences between simple and elaborate choices, and then you'll know which you want.

Personal Flowers

Don't forget to budget for corsages for the mothers and grandmothers. Many brides order corsages with flowers similar to those in their bridal bouquets, but if you know your mother or your fiancé's mother loves a particular flower, you might want to incorporate it if it's not too expensive or out of season.

Be sure to find out whether any members of your wedding party have an allergy to certain flowers. You don't want to spend all that money and end up with them sneezing and red-eyed on this important day!

“When my mom found out we were ordering a silk corsage for my mother-in-law who's allergic to many flowers, she wanted one, too,” said a recently married friend. “They look so pretty in little shadow boxes on the wall in their bedrooms.”

Boutonnieres can be expensive if you get too fancy with the variety of flowers or with the arrangement. Most men generally prefer just a small, simple flower — one like those from the bride's bouquet — pinned to their lapel, anyway.

A Tisket, a Tasket

Kylie wanted a ring bearer, but thought that $35 was excessive for a ring pillow. “My aunt who loves to sew made one from a quarter of a yard of satin fabric she found marked down. She used some scraps of vintage lace she already had, and it was darling. It cost $4.98.”

Susan found a similarly economical solution for the flower girl. “We found a white basket at Wal-Mart, hot-glued silk daisies around the rim, and filled it with silk rose petals for the flower girl,” said Susan. “The cost? Under $10. The look was perfect for our outdoor wedding at the college.”

Lynn doesn't want a ring bearer or a flower girl at the wedding. “We plan on having a nice reception dinner and lots of dancing. I don't think most of my friends would want to bring their children. Instead, it will be like a night out for them.”

But a unity candle is something she's wanted as an extra touch at her wedding. “Everywhere we looked, they were so expensive. Just because I'm spending a lot on the wedding doesn't mean I want to waste money. What were we talking about — a pillar candle and some decoration?”

Instead, Lynn decided she'd try doing it herself. “I'm what you call ‘craft-impaired’ — all thumbs. But I figured if I messed up, I'd just lose a few dollars. I found something I could use at a craft store and then decorated it myself.”

Remember that for your invitations and your flowers, as with everything else for your big day, setting your priorities is the first step in determining your budget. Be willing to spend money on what's most important and be more conservative with nonpriority items.