1. Keep it Local – Choose a wedding venue that is local to you or to the majority of your guests, which reduces carbon monoxide and other car emissions and saves money on fuel. When it comes to researching suppliers and venues think local and use the internet and telephone to do most of the research for your shortlist.

2. Potted Decorations – Instead of cut flowers that are generally imported from Holland or Africa and die a few days after your wedding, source potted plants & flowers that are grown locally thus reducing your carbon footprint and ensuring fair trade. Consider having organic non-genetically modified plants, which can be used both for decoration and given as favours or gifts at the end of the day. If you prefer the idea of candles adding to the ambience opt for those made from soyawax rather then beeswax.

3. Stationery & Communications – Using the internet and telephones to invite your guests reduces the need for paper, ink and postage. E-reply cards should also make for quicker responses. Where invitations need to be sent in hard copy choose a simple design on chlorine-free paper with organic inks or opt for a postcard design saving paper and money and don’t forget to recycle stationery such as Orders of Service. Consider a wedding website to provide details, directions and a gift list without doing any printing.

4. Gifts – If you have already set up home have an ethical gift list so that your guests can make donations of time or money to charity.

5.Transport – A romantic horse-drawn carriage is a very eco-friendly way to travel to your venue or you might want to walk if it is nearby. Imagine how beautiful a procession of your guests led by you and new husband would look strolling through town. If you want to arrive by car consider using a regular car rather than a limousine or vintage car, which only do about ten miles to the gallon.

6. The Honeymoon – You don’t have to go abroad to enjoy a wonderful honeymoon so consider honeymooning in the UK or if you do want to head abroad use public transport to reach your destination. Some travel agents will actually calculate the carbon footprint resulting from the honeymoon so you can plant trees to offset the carbon emissions.

Many couples are choosing a Friday evening ceremony and reception in order to reduce costs. Others are choosing to eliminate meals and have desserts and drinks after their ceremony. Wedding “high teas,” brunches or luncheons are other lovely options and can be elegant and extremely enjoyable for guests as well as the bride and groom.

Many couples recruit help from family and friends to put together flowers and centerpieces. The flowers need not be elaborate to be attractive. Masses of monochromatic cut carnations are beautiful in a shallow vase. Peruse magazines and books to find some centerpieces that you absolutely love and can replicate with ease.

Plan something really unique for your wedding that will make it stand out from the rest. One example would be to hire costumed Victorian style Christmas Carolers for a winter or holiday wedding. The carolers could serenade the guests as they enter the ceremony site as well as in the reception area sign in. They could stroll and sing carols while the dj or band is on break. They could even sing a custom carol to the bride and groom or to special guests of honor.

The simple and refined strapless column dresses that have been popular over the past few years are blooming with adornment, appliqué, beading and trims on everything from necklines, to accentuated waists and hemlines.

Dresses are becoming more about romance than elegance and floral motifs will feature heavily. Fans of simple shapes need not worry, there will still be plenty of clean and graceful lines, but there are more opportunities to express your personality through detailing or adding accessories to your outfit.

There is also more colour in bridal gowns in 2012. Influenced by the catwalk, more contemporary oyster shades, elegant cloud greys, nudes and the palest pinks are all features of the couture bridal collections this autumn, which will inevitably filter down to the high street.

No self-respecting bride will be bareheaded in 2012! The wedding shows have been jam packed with chic headwear. From glittering tiaras to headbands trimmed with extra large flowers in contrasting tones and sweet 50′s style half veils, the embellishment and detailing trend is finished off with headwear. Many bridal specialists are happy to sell you just accessories, so you can have fun putting your bridal outfit together from different designers in much the same way you would a new outfit for any occasion.