Booking direct with the wedding planner who actually organises your wedding will save you time and money. They can get you the best deal on all aspects of the wedding, and best of all you pay no commission to a tour operator or other third party

Some hotel chains offer "free" weddings if you stay for a certain number of nights - this is especially popular in the Caribbean

If you have more than 15 guests staying at a hotel you may qualify as a group and receive a free room or other discount

Send out "save the date" cards to your guests well ahead of the wedding date. The more notice they have the more likely they are to be able to join you.

Make sure you have all the visas and paperwork you need well before the wedding day. Sometimes it can take several months to obtain the correct documentation from the relevant authorities.

Check the weather for the time of year in which you want to get married. You may not dream of exchanging your vows in a monsoon downpour.