Brides-to-be, brace yourselves. Among all the pre-wedding organisation (and, no doubt, money hemorrhaging) have you given any thought to wedding gifts?
No, we're not talking about yours. We're talking about the gifts you're expected to give to others. Which, in case you didn't know, you definitely are.
"The bride gets so much help on the big day, there's definitely loved ones she'll want to buy pressies for -- it's the perfect way to say 'thank you, I love you' to her nearest and dearest," Managing Editor of Cosmopolitan Bride Magazine, Alexis Teasdale, told The Huffington Post Australia.
"'The big ones are the groom, her bridesmaids, the groomsmen -- though technically the groom would do this but a lot of brides will organise it -- parents and special helpers like aunties or friends who contributed."
Depending on your bridal party and those involved in your big day, this could amount to quite a few gifts, so it's advised the bride and groom set aside some of the wedding budget in anticipation.
"This is one of those costs that sneak up on you," Teasdale said. "By factoring it into the budget you won't blow all your cash at the end.
"'The bridesmaid and groom gifts will probably cost the most, but if you're on a budget, get crafty. You don't have to spend a fortune, it's all about the sentiment."
The Groom
Some brides and grooms decide to give each other a present on the big day (normally prior to the ceremony) while others save their pennies for the honeymoon.
"A lot of brides do buy their groom a gift, and have it dropped off to him on the morning of the wedding," Teasdale said.
"It could be extravagant like a watch with the date engraved that he'll keep forever or something crafty -- I made my groom a coffee table book of all our photos pre-marriage because it was sort of a chapter closing and a new one beginning."
Another (wallet-friendly) idea is to write each other a romantic letter to have delivered on the morning of the nuptials, though it's up to you how fancy you want the actual letter to be.
"One of my clients wrote this beautiful letter and sent it to these calligraphy artists in Queensland," wedding planner Cathrin D'Entremont told HuffPost Australia.
"It was made using this handmade marble paper imported from America, and it was written in gold letters. I think the idea is he'll keep it forever.
"I have no idea what he’s doing for her."
Bridesmaids And Groomsmen
"The groom will buy something for his groomsman," D'Entremont said. "A popular gift is a silver flask with their initials on it or something like that."
And as for the bridesmaids...
"This is the big one," Teasdale said. "Those girls will have listened to your wedding talk for months -- even years -- and deserve a treat for all the love, sweat and tears (hopefully only happy ones) they have put into your big day.
"Personalised pressies are always a hit -- it says 'I love you so much, I had this made for you'. Think engraved necklaces or bracelets, a tote with their initial on it, awesome matching pjs to wear the night before, or something beautiful for the day like a ring or beautiful clutch."
Mother Of The Bride
Sentiment is important for mother of the bride gifts, so photos or anything personalised is a good bet.
"This one will be meaningful like a hand stitched hanky (for her tears) and a box full of photos of the two of you, or something fun that makes her feel extra included like a tote bag full of her 'big day essentials' like tissues, lippie, mints, bobby pins -- mums need a kit too," Teasdale said.
"One of my clients is giving both of the mothers a gift while they are getting ready," D'Entremont said. "She is giving each of them a clutch with a special photo of them inside each. So for her own mother, it's a photo of the two of them together.
"For the mother-in-law, there is a photo of her hugging her son. It really depends on each individual."
Which brings us to...
Mother-In-Law
"'It's definitely not a must to buy something for your in-laws but it's a nice gesture, especially if they've been really involved in the wedding," Teasdale said.
"It's a pretty amazing thing becoming a part of someone's family,so even a nice hand written card to your in-laws would be a lovely idea. You could even have it on their plate at the reception, as something sweet for them to find."
Other Helpers
As a final touch, anyone who has been particularly helpful with your wedding preparation should be given a little something as a thank you.
"You will probably have some 'helpers' like friends that sat up crafting with you, stringing flowers, folding invites, making the cake, laying out the tables, driving you to the church -- who need a thankyou too," Teasdale said.
"A bottle of bubbly and a note would be a nice touch and no doubt totally unexpected which they'll love."
Here's to your perfect day.