Yet there is something in using fake flowers for a wedding, particularly if you are on a tight budget – as so many are in this recession period. Real flowers are a real extravagance, with the average bill for flowers running easily into thousands of dollars. Yet when the wedding is over, these flowers are more often than not thrown away. While they may have looked spectacular on the day, this is in essence like throwing money down the drain; fine if you have money to spend, but if things are tight it does begin to seem like an unnecessary expense.

The difference in cost between real and faux flowers is staggering, with the fake version of an arrangement often costing less than a third of their genuine counterparts. While some would say that the expense is worth the difference in quality, many arrangements – such as those at the church or around the altar – and not going to be viewed closely, therefore it is more than possible to substitute for fake arrangents without anyone even knowing.

There are some arrangements involved in a wedding that should, wherever possible, be kept real. The bridal bouquet is an intrinsic part of the day for many, and space should usually be made in a budget to accommodate this. Everything else, however, can be fake and only the most fastidious of guests will ever be aware of it.

Another great advantage of using fake flowers is that you can keep them with you following the big day. Many couples who have used fake flowers pack and store them, bringing them out for anniversaries and enjoying being surrounded by reminders of the day. So while you may naturally shy away from the idea of a false arrangement, it is nevertheless something to consider, and you will be surprised at the quality of fake flowers in the 21st century.

It is completely understandable that people about to get married experience a little fluttering of nerves, even if they are marrying their soul mate. Getting wed is a huge, life changing decision – both morally, emotionally and legally. It is tying yourself to someone else forever, quite literally for better or for worse. A lack of some apprehension at such a big commitment would almost me strange.

If you are experiencing cold feet, it is not your mind trying to tell you you’re doing the wrong thing. It is the body’s natural defense, the fight or flight mechanism, that is kicking in – a natural instinct that warns us of danger. While there is no actual danger, the mind cannot help but panic a little over a commitment that is set to last a lifetime. After all, almost everything else we do in our lives is only set for a short time. Very rarely do we make decisions that are meant to last until the day we die; even most mortgages only run for 30 years.

The most important aspect of dealing with cold feet is to keep the feeling in perspective. Many brides find that, despite nerves in the week leading up to the wedding, they find themselves calm and serene on the day of their wedding. Cold feet allows a bride to get through her fears and worries, and then be free to enjoy the day itself. When you reach the day of the ceremony, there’s almost no going back – the decision has been made by then, which the vast majority of brides find comforting rather than disturbing.

If you are days away from your wedding and are feeling decidedly uneasy, just tell yourself this: you decided to get married for a reason. At some point, as a clear headed adult, you have made the decision to marry your boyfriend because you feel you are right together. Don’t let these last minute ticks of worry ruin the lead up to your wedding, as you will only do it once. This, of course, is the root of many of the fears themselves, so try and turn that positive into a negative. Tell yourself: I am only feeling like this because I know this marriage will last, and this is a decision that will last my lifetime. Suddenly, it won’t seem so bad anymore.