Photo: Courtesy of Lisa Berry Photography

Throughout the wedding-planning process, your mom can be your biggest ally and, let's be honest, slightly difficult. We thought we would turn the question to our biggest fans and followers on Facebook and Twitter to give us the best advice for all you 'MOB's out there (yes, that's short for Mother-of-the-Bride). Let's face it, you guys know best!

Allison Giddens: "Get a wedding planner! They can help mediate touchy subjects so you, as the bride, aren't 'the bad guy!'"

@mariamacd: "@brides I just hope my mom doesn't drink too much and she makes a speech at my wedding.. It's not just for dads! #motherofthebride"

Bloomed to Last, Inc: "I always suggest to my clients that their Mothers dress in a color consistent with the wedding color palette, only to ensure they are unique choosing a slightly different hue or shade. I unflattering are the wedding photos if Mom's dress sticks out like a sour thumb?!"

@perfect_bound: "@brides just make sure you feed them enough! #motherofthebride"

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for questions like this and more!

—Gray MacDonald

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Photo: Courtesy of Conde Nast Digital Studio

According to a survey conducted by American Express, 29% of people send flowers on Valentine's Day. Not terribly original, but a much better option than say, a gift card (shame on you, 19%!). Jewelry is the third-most popular—and our personal favorite— way of showing your loved one he/she is adored. Electronics, which can be anything, ahem, battery-operated, are the fourth on the list.

Surprisingly, only 10% of people said their Valentine's Day gift of choice is lingerie. Follow the jump to see the total breakdown by percentage of the most popular Valentine's Day gifts.

Caterering by Marcey Brownstein Catering & Events; photo by Karen Mordechai

Saving money without sacrificing quality is always a challenge in the wedding-planning process. We asked four independent caterers to offer up advice on how to shave the price of one entrée from a typical wedding menu.

Did you know that substituting polenta fries for regular potato fries can cut cost? Baking a tray of polenta, sliced in strips like fries, takes less time and manpower than hiring multiple cooks to deep-fry potatoes.

Fish or beef? How about both? Serving a "duet plate" (above) that features smaller portions of both proteins costs 30 percent less than offering options because the caterer can purchase the exact number of entrées, rather than ordering extra of each option so that each guest can have the entrée of his or her choice.

Courtesy of James Bass

Cyd Converse (thesweetestoccasion.com) shares money-saving strategies for getting the most out of your wedding-day essentials.

1. KEEP THEM COOL WITH PROGRAMS

If you're celebrating during a warm-weather month, print your ceremony information on paper fans.

2. REPLACE RICE WITH RIBBONS

Put ribbon sticks at the end of each row as funky ceremony decor; guests can grab them on their way out and wave 'em in lieu of rice or flower petals as you and your man make your grand exit.

3. THINK ELEGANT AND EDIBLE

Skip the traditional floral centerpiece, and display an assortment of colorful confections (mini cakes, small tarts, fondant-iced cookies) at each table. After the entrée, it's dessert time!

4. FIND YOUR SEAT AND EAT

Have the menu work overtime. Print each guest's name at the top instead of having separate place cards.

5. SNAP AND SAVE

Set up a DIY photo booth using a digital camera and a printer. Friends and family snap one pic to take home and paste a second into a scrapbook—instant guest book!

6. SNAG A TRIPLE THREAT

Find an aunt with a piece of jewelry in sapphire, blue topaz, or turquoise and you've covered your somethings old, borrowed, and blue.

Photo by Halley Ganges

7. BESTOW TABLE BLOOMS

Another centerpiece idea: Cluster mini vases as table decor, along with a note inviting guests to take one home at the end of the night. (Remember: You'll need enough for every couple or single at each table.)

8. CELEBRATE IN ONE SPOT

Get the most out of your venue by holding your ceremony and reception in the same place. You'll save major cash, and there's less chance out-of-towners will get lost.

9. TOAST WITH WINE...OR A MOJITO

You don't need champagne to say, "Cheers!" Attendees can order a cocktail from the bar and raise that beverage come speech time.

10. REUSE CEREMONY FLOWERS

The blossoms that decorate the pews can be hung from chair backs at the reception. Also, altar arrangements can take center stage on either side of the dance floor, and your bouquet can add style to the cake table.

—BRIDES magazine

Photos: Harrison Studio

When our feature story "How Much Does A Wedding Cost?" splashed across Facebook and Twitter last week, we received waves of feedback from readers wanting to see couples who spent less than the national average ($24,066). So, in an effort to give ya what you want, we're asking readers to tell us about their cost-saving celebrations. To possibly be featured, send us your budget breakdown, your contact info, and a link to your photographer or wedding photos to contact@brides.com.

Photo by Gertrude & Mabel

The reception can take a big bite out of your budget. We surveyed wedding-industry experts (and a few brides) to find out how you can trim the fat without losing the flavor.

Skip the seafood: "I nixed shellfish, since my husband, mom, and MIL are all allergic. It saved us so much that we were able to add a wedding cake into our package at no extra cost." —Leba A., 24, Brooklyn

Eliminate choices: Offer just one meat or fish entrée instead of giving guests two or three options (but make sure you have a vegetarian alternative available for noncarnivores), says Annette Babich, a New York-area wedding planner.

Do a different dessert: Instead of a pricey wedding cake, create a sweets table or a cupcake, cookie, or brownie bar. "These budget-friendly options always wow the crowd," says Laura Ekker of Blue Plate Catering in Chicago.

Ask for a better price: Don't be afraid to negotiate, says Amy Aversa of Sweet Basil Catering in New York. If the caterer's deal is eight hors d'oeuvres for $20 per person, ask if you can have six for less money. If you're respectful and fair, no one will be offended.

Go ethinc: By choosing a nontraditional menu, like Chinese, Greek, or Indian, you can bring your food budget down, says Amy Nichols, a San Francisco-based event planner. Contact your favorite local ethnic restaurants and discuss catering options and prices.

Change the meal: Choose brunch over dinner. Since the meal runs at least an hour shorter, you'll spend less on space rental and waitstaff, says Babich. Also, guests will likely drink far less than they would at an evening event, so you'll save on the bar.

Glam the greens: A simple green salad—maybe the most economical first course ever—becomes special when you dress it up with one or two fancy ingredients, such as candied walnuts, hearts of palm, avocado, or pumpkin seeds, says Ekker. This will instantly upgrade the look, too.

Think before you drink: French champagne can overwhelm your wallet. For the toast, swap in sparkling wine, such as prosecco or cava. It's still bubbly, but it's more reasonably priced.

Play with basics: "We stuck with simple, local food, like pecan-crusted fried chicken and slow-roasted pork. No crazy, high-end items. The result was comfort food with a gourmet twist that my guests raved about." —Michelle D., 30 Asheville, NC

Take a stand: Cocktail receptions continue to gain in popularity, says Nichols. Rather than having a formal seated dinner with multiple courses, serve a variety of appetizers&mdsah;from spring rolls to mini veggies with dip&mdashand you'll cut down on the cost of tables, chairs, and centerpieces.

—Lauren A. Greene, BRIDES Magazine

Photo Courtesy of Ashley O.

Coupons aren't just for saving money on cereal and toilet paper. Our real bride, Ashley O. from St. Louis, saved more than $2,000 using Groupon, the deal-of-the-day website that features certificates that are redeemable at local and national vendors.

Ashley—along with her fiancé, family, and friends across the country—spent 10 months collecting Groupons for wedding expenses, including adorable save-the-dates, gifts for her bridal party, and a photo-digitization service to help create a slideshow for her rehearsal dinner. She was even able to afford beauty treatments like teeth whitening and monthly facials—all on her teacher's salary. "It's all about being creative and using the deals to help you stay within budget," Ashley says.

For the newly wed on a budget, just this week the discount site hooked up with Expedia to launch Groupon Getaways. The new site will offer trips to handpicked destinations and unique activities at deep, deep discounts. The latest deals? Half-off Vegas, baby.

—Arielle Silverman, BRIDES Magazine

Photo by Romulo Yanes/BRIDES

BRIDES magazine scopes out the best and worst ways to trim the bar bill:

DO limit the liquor. "You'll save big if you reduce the main ingredients to just, say, vodka," says Chris Harkness, food and beverage director for Great Performances, a New York caterer (greatperformances.com). Stock an assortment of mixers.

DON'T blow your budget on a champagne toast; swap in a less pricey sparkler instead, like a Spanish cava or an Italian prosecco.

DO ask your bartenders to use bottle pourers, which dispense a set amount of alcohol.

DON'T go nuts with rentals. If you want more than one all-purpose glass, Harkness suggests renting three at most: a water goblet, an all-purpose wineglass, and a rocks (or old-fashioned) glass.

DO cater to your crowd. If you have big drinkers, go for an unlimited bar, for which you pay a set fee. Otherwise, pay by consumption, meaning only for what guests drink. (Regardless of which option you choose, ask that servers clear only empty glasses.)

—Lexi Dwyer, BRIDES Magazine

Photo by Getty Images

BRIDES magazine suggests some big ways to save without having to compromise (too much) or getting that "sensible" wedding dress (is there such a thing?)

1) Trimming the guest list. If you haven't socialized with someone in a year or more, cross them off the list. (Sorry, Facebook pals.)

2) Serving wine, beer, and a signature cocktail rather than a full bar.

3) Picking a predecorated, fully furnished site. You won't need to spring for rentals and decorative items to make it look photo-ready.

4) Having a lunch reception.

5) DIYing your wedding stationery.

6) Scheduling the event during the locale's off-season and/or on a quiet day—in most places, any but Saturday.

—Barrie Gillies, BRIDES magazine

Illustration by Edwin Fotheringham

Every bride wants to save. But there are good ways—and bad. For those in doubt, BRIDES magazine has the playbook.

INVITATIONS

DO print a single card with both ceremony and reception details.
DON'T text the invites.

FLOWERS

DO decorate with potted bulbs, herbs, or fresh produce instead of just-cut stems.
DON'T skip centerpieces altogether: Bare does not equal beautiful.

DRINK

DO give your guests a limited menu for drinks, such as a signature cocktail, beer, and wine.
DON'T have a cash bar or, worse, make the reception BYOB!

FOOD

DO serve a pasta buffet for an informal wedding.
DON'T do chips, pretzels, and baby carrots and hope that people will show up having already eaten.

WEDDING CAKE

DO order a cake for just two-thirds of your guest list. (Some people will skip dessert or leave before you cut it.)
DON'T ask Mom to make her Jell-O molds. Everyone may have raved about them when you were growing up, but this is a wedding, not a playdate.

NEGOTIATING

DO ask vendors for a discount, but expect to compromise. (Maybe that means shortening the cocktail hour.)
DON'T ask vendors to donate stuff.

—Barrie Gillies, BRIDES magazine

Courtesy of Kelly Chan Photography

Photo by Diane Fields

THINK DRINKS!
Try coasters or bottle openers stamped with your "I do" date.

SPILL YOUR FAMILY'S SECRET RECIPES.
Your guests will dig a cute card printed with the instructions for making your aunt's "world famous" popovers or Grandma's mind-blowingly delicious marinara sauce.

DO DOUBLE DUTY.
Choose escort cards that double as favors. Having a destination wedding? Luggage tags will get your guests to their tables and back home again. Got a sweet tooth? Attach cards to gourmet lollipops.

TELL YOUR STORY.
Did you and your fiance see a movie on your first date? Dole out big boxes of Junior Mints or Raisinets, along with a note card with the tale printed on it. (Two thumbs up!)

HIT THE KITCHEN.

Browse the farmer's market with your fiance, then head home to whip up some country-spun goodies. Tried-and-true ideas: jam, pickles, even jerky!

MAKE YOUR BUDDIES COMFY.
In the summer, decorative fans will cool guests' brows. If it's chilly outside, opt for a basket of inexpensive wraps and scarves to keep them cozy at the reception.

SAY "CHEESE."
Set up a digital camera and printer, and have guests each snap a pic. Have them use double-sided tape to attach it to cut-to-size card stock with your wedding date written on it. (Put magnet tape on the back so they can stick it on the fridge!)

TAKE A CUE FROM THE CANDY BAR.
Instead of chocolates and jelly beans, have folks fill muslin pouches with their choice of coffee beans or loose-leaf teas.

THINK LOCAL.
Give presents that capture the spirit of your big day's location. A small tin of Old Bay seasoning is perfect for a Maryland wedding, while a bottle of barbecue sauce works for a Texan affair. If you're heading to the beach, send friends and family home with saltwater taffy or peanut-butter fudge.

MAKE DONATIONS IN YOUR GUESTS' HONOR.
Pick causes that you and your friends are passionate about, then label fishbowls with the name of each charity. Guests can each drop a "token" into the bowl of their choice to help determine how much moolah goes where.

—Cathy Schroeckenstein, Wedding Bee