Leashed cats make awful ring bearers. Don't forget the seasickness pills if your ceremony's on a sunset sailing cruise. Always check for raptor nests if you're releasing doves after your vows. These are words of wisdom shared by brides who've experienced—first-hand—the pitfalls of poorly-planned weddings. There will always be surprises, but most are avoidable. You can keep Murphy off your guest list by laying down some laws of your own.

Set a rock-solid budget

Set a budget, and stick with it. Sit down with your partner and discuss your spending priorities well before you begin touring venues and creating guest lists. You might want to take a quick survey of local vendors to get a feel for local rates and services, but don't be tempted to set up any consultations until you know what you're willing to spend.

Don't forget to budget for post-wedding expenses such as wedding albums and prints. Do you plan to preserve your dress and bouquet? Earmark those expenses now, because after your honeymoon "bridal burnout" has likely set in and you'll be focused on getting back to post-wedding reality.

Don't assume DIY is cheaper

There's a lot you can do on your own to save money, but if you don't factor in time and the stress of pulling everything together, you might regret taking too much on yourself. And so might the friends and family you recruit to help, especially if things don't go as planned.

• Do you have a reliable source of fresh, in-season flowers? How will you store and transport them?
• Your cousin has your playlist loaded up on an iPod, but do they have the right sound monitor equipment and setup? Can you trust them to be ready for glitches?
• What if your friend's camera breaks, or their SD card fails? Are you willing to rely on your guests' phone pics for your album?
• Your sister is highly-organized, so you've asked her to be the "day-of" coordinator. Is she assertive (and tactful) enough to manage vendors and high-maintenance guests on your wedding day?
• Professional vendors and wedding planners can actually save you money—and social karma. Most professionals offer options to suit any reasonable budget, or they can recommend reliable and talented up-and-coming companies.

Be aware of your venue's limitations

You might fall in love with the farm's rustic barn, or the grand ballroom's vaulted ceilings. The lapping waves and "magic hour" coastal sunlight on will make for a gorgeous beach wedding. When you tour potential venues, be as objective as possible:

• Will mobility-restricted guests have good access?
• Are there enough restroom facilities?
• Will the electrical circuits support sound systems and lighting? Are there enough outlets?
• Is there sufficient parking and guest transportation? 
• Most venues have restrictions, and more than a few require that you use their approved or in-house vendors. Ask their coordinator to e-mail you a contract and a list of all limitations before you set up a walk-through.

Plan for "lucky" weather

Don't worry, it's good luck to have rain on your wedding day! Not so much if you don't have a contingency plan! We thought that this aspect of venue choice is important enough to warrant its own entry. Wedding tents provide shade as well as shelter for those mid-summer squalls, and they provide intimate spaces for people to congregate and interact.

Also, make sure there's plenty of solid footing outside. High heels and mobility aids don't do so well in soggy grass!

Take advantage of inexpensive wedding website services. Here, you can link to your registry and post any updates to your wedding day schedule. Include the link in your Save-the-Dates and formal invitations. Be sure to make it very clear on all your communications if yours will be a child-free wedding. Parents will need to make arrangements for their kids.

Here's what your guests want to know:

• Suggested hotels with arranged discounts (and options for less-expensive accommodations)

• Pre- and post-wedding activities: Maps, times, estimated costs, suggested attire

• Responsible childcare resources

• A note for those you want included in formal portraits, with instructions for where and when to meet

• Avoid drama and unnecessary stress. Choose a few responsible friends or relatives to serve as local liaisons, whom out-of-town guests can contact if they're stranded, lost, in need of local services. Add their names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses to your website and invitations.

Accommodate special diets... to a point

Include a card for your guests to indicate whether they require vegetarian or gluten-free dishes. You can mention that the alternative options will be both vegan and gluten-free. If you're hosting a buffet, place a placard in front of special-needs dishes politely reserving them for your diet-restricted guests. Be sure to order extra servings, though as today's wedding caterers have fantastic vegan menus, and all your guests might want a taste!

Set up self-serve "hydration stations"

Make it easy for your guests to access refreshing, non-alcoholic beverages. Set up several "hydration stations". These reduce the likelihood that people will overdo it at the bar or get overheated on those hot summer days. And this is key: If you provide clear plastic cups, you'll prevent unsightly water bottles and soda cans from ruining your aesthetic and your wedding photos!

Roll with it!

This is YOUR day. You'll hear a lot of advice from well-meaning friends, family, co-workers, and complete strangers, and some will even expect you to make unreasonable compromises for their benefit. Your wedding is your day, and you and your partner have the final say. Healthy boundaries make happy couples and there's better time to practice them than when you're planning your big day.

Having done all that, once your day arrives it's time to let go and enjoy the moment. No wedding is absolutely perfect! Ask your attendants or your wedding planner to handle any conflicts or hiccups and, as one of our favorite wedding consultants once said, "just smile, have some champagne, and dance your butt off".

And that's where Music Garden comes in. Call us as soon as you've booked your venue! Our live wedding bands and DJs can keep you and everyone at your party focused on having fun. We even have entertainment for the kids, from balloon animal artists to magicians.

But—we regret to say—there's not much we can do about seasick grooms, or that drift of fluffy white feathers blowing across the lawn.