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Once upon a time, a wedding ceremony was a simple affair, intended to honor the love and commitment between two people.mont blanc penne , Today, wedding celebrations can last for several days as the bride and groom revel in showers, bachelor/bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinners and other special events.montblanc ,



Unfortunately, extended festivities can take a toll on a poor secretary's wallet.mont blanc , You may feel pressured to purchase several gifts for the different occasions or attend events where you're expected to pick up the bride/groom's tab as well as your own. If you're been invited to be a part of the wedding party, you may also be expected to purchase your own dress or rent your own tuxedo. Before you know it, you're out several hundred dollars!

Take a moment to step back and breathe. The purpose of a wedding is to honor the lucky couple, not create anxiety or drive up the balance on guests?credit cards. It's perfectly acceptable to politely decline events you can't afford to attend. If your actions ruffle feathers, explain your situation if you feel comfortable doing so or fabricate an excuse if you don't. Instead of spending your life savings on several gifts, purchase (or create) one special gift for the wedding and bring cards to other occasions.

You don't need to spend lots of money to get a fabulous wedding gift. The couple will probably receive the fancy china and major appliances from someone else, so think about buying or making a personalized gift that will remind them how special they are to you. Here are a few gift ideas to get you started:

Make your own spa basket. After all the stress of planning the wedding has worn off, the couple will need a way to relax as they get back to their normal lives. Stop by your favorite discount retailer or dollar store and pick up a basket, washcloths, candles, bath and body lotions and other fun items. Make your own CD of romantic music and include a bottle of wine if you're feeling generous.

Create a keepsake box. Check around your favorite thrift stores/consignment shops for a fabulous box that's large enough to store wedding mementos. Leave a note instructing couples to store things like dried wedding flowers, place cards, copies of the vows and wedding pictures in the box ?or collect these items yourself and present the box as a gift to the couple when they return from their honeymoon.

Get crafty with a picture frame. Purchase an inexpensive, plain picture frame and stop by the craft store to pick up stickers, pens and other trinkets to personalize the frame for the couple. Having visions of your 3rd grade cousin's art project? Don't worry! Look for supplies intended for scrap-booking ?you'll be amazed at the quality. Look out for small bouquets of ribbon flowers that can be hot glued to the frame and fancy letter stickers to spell out the date of the wedding.

Give them a gift to go. Take pictures of the ceremony and all the major events early in the reception (the champagne toast, cutting of the cake and first dance) using a disposable camera. As the reception goes on, sneak out to a 24-hour pharmacy with 1-hour photo development, build a quick photo album and present it to the couple at the end of the reception. They'll be able to take the album on their honeymoon and enjoy the pictures they won't otherwise see until their return.

Customize your gift to the couple's tastes. Whether they're into NASCAR racing or lace doily-making, bringing a personal element into your gift creates a one-of-a-kind present that stands out. After all, anyone can pick an item of a wedding registry. By creating your own special gift, you'll highlight how much the couple means to you, without taking out a second mortgage to do so.