Planning the Perfect Honeymoon...

Cruise lines originally offered an incredible value in an all-inclusive vacation. Over the years, in an attempt to increase on board spending, they are presenting upgraded and additional items to entice you.

Remember, once on board a cruise ship, you exist in a cashless society. When you purchase an item not included in your fare, your key card is swiped and your signature taken as proof of purchase. These purchases can include a baseball cap or shawl in the boutique, a massage in the spa, or a bottle of Dos Equis in a lounge.

Spending money is very easy when you are not using cash. Of course, you can dispute any charge you really haven't made, but the object here is to refrain from purchasing these items in the first place.

First, avoid drinking alcoholic beverages all day long.

Cocktails, wine and beer on board cruise ships are very easy to consume plus there is a 15% service charge added to those bills. From 10 am on the Lido deck by the pool, the waiters are offering you the Drink of the Day.

What most people don't know is that those specialty drinks in special glasses cost more but are also refillable at a reduced cost. So although you might spend more, the next time you order, it costs less. Most passengers just leave them on a table--therefore not taking advantage of the available savings.

The bucket of beer offers are interesting but they don't have to be consumed all in one sitting. The bucket can be taken back to your stateroom and enjoyed over the week at your convenience. Your cabin steward will even keep them on ice for you. Or if you would like to have a bottle of wine with dinner, you don't have to finish the bottle before you exit the dining room. This gives you a drink at dinner and one later in the evening. If you do drink, please do so responsibly.

Second, you may be seriously addicted to sodas; consider changing to fruit juices while on your honeymoon.

Sodas can cost up to $2 each. On board cruise ships, juices are free. (I've noticed some ships don't keep the juices available all day in the buffet.) But juice is always available from the room service menu. And on most cruise lines, room service is free all day and all night.

If you really need soda pops on a daily basis, review the cost of a "soda card." On some cruise lines, a card for 7 days of unlimited sodas will run you only about $25. But if the card is going to cost you over $40, it may not be very cost effective. The only way to know is by doing the math.

Third, do not use your cell phone on board.

Roaming charges from the middle of the Caribbean or Mediterranean Seas are exorbitant—these are some of the highest telecom fees in the world. Since you are on your honeymoon, are there really people you need to be in touch with while you're away? Certainly, you can leave your respective families with the ship's phone number in case of emergencies, but don't call anyone just to say how sweet your cabin is.

Fourth, you should pack enough clothes for your entire honeymoon and be prepared to take dirty ones home with you.

Your cabin steward may suggest you to fill a bag with your laundry. He or she can have it cleaned and back to you in less than 48 hours. And everything in the bag will be cleaned for one flat rate.

You have two choices here. Either find the self-service laundry (if there is one available) or take your dirty laundry home with you where it will cost you much less to clean. If you opt for the former, you may have to ask more than one person--your steward, someone at the front desk, and possibly other cruisers—for the location of self-service laundry. But this will allow you to avoid the overpriced bag of laundry your steward is pushing.

Fifth, take a camera with you onboard to capture your holiday.

The cruise lines have several photographers on board per sailing. These photographers start snapping photos of you before you actually board the ship, while you are on the gangplank boarding. Every time you stop, in the pool, during dinner, in the lounges and on shore excursions, cruise line photographers are taking your picture. On average these photos run about $10 each. That can certainly add up over 7 nights.

One of the best things you can do is to have your travel agent or cruise specialist look for a ship board credit. This is money that either the cruise line or your travel company gives you as an incentive to book. It appears as funds in your account upon boarding.

These credits are usually dependent upon the length of your cruise as well as the category of cabin you purchase. A ten-night suite usually gives a larger shipboard credit than a 3-night interior cabin. These credits can help defray the cost of your wine with dinner.

Also, most passengers don't realize that they can go to the front desk anytime and ask for an up-to-date accounting of their bill—this can be done as often as you want to check. On some cruise lines, you even can review your account on the in-room television. This way, there are no surprises. You can control the amount of on board expenses you amass during your honeymoon and come out painless while enjoying your "almost" all-inclusive.

Emma McKnight is travel agent specializing in cruise vacations. View her website at: Cruise With Emma or contact her.

So often the real meaning of a wedding gets lost in the planning process. You pay so much attention to the details (How many chairs do we have to rent? Does that shade of purple match the bridesmaids’ dresses exactly? Do the groomsmen know they’re not allowed to wear sunglasses during the ceremony?) that you almost forget what the day should really be about: you and your soon-to-be spouse.

With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to focus on details that relate to the two of you. Very often, the groom’s look plays off the colors of the flowers or the bridesmaids’ dresses. But why not play off each other instead? I found a few fun little pieces that create a cohesive look for the bride and groom.

Play with patterns! A striped tie makes any suit look classic and a little preppy. This 100% silk tie from Rabbit Stop is no exception. It adds a hint of sophistication to the look. Once you put it next to this fun clutch  by Amarie however, it becomes much less traditional and much more playful. The black and white play off of each other sort of sweetly, while the zebra print and the strawberry margarita pink bow bring an unexpected punch of wildness. Together, they add a fun, cohesive touch to your photos.

Another way to weave your looks together is by wearing similar metals. Brenda’s Expressions’ gorgeous, intricately designed, golden headband adds sparkle and a wow factor to any bride’s look. To have your groom play off of that, have him wear a cool gold accessory too. These incredible steampunk cufflinks by New York City-based artist edmdesigns are a fantastic option. Skillfully made and a total conversation piece, the champagne color of the cufflinks would play off of the blush silk in the headband so beautifully.

Infusing a motif that you’re using everywhere (say on your invitations, programs, centerpieces, etc.) into your looks is another great way to not only bring cohesiveness to your looks, but to the whole day. The bright pops of color found in peacock feathers are a lively way to brighten things up. Peacock Pixys makes this beautiful bridal hair fascinator. I love how the white feathers and the peacock feather work together so flawlessly. The pearl and crystal jewel at the center adds the perfect amount of femininity. Pair this beauty with Nyjole Jewellry’s more masculine boutonniere (which, by the way, is also offered as a hair fascinator) and you have a winning combo! I love the addition of the black and blue feathers on the boutonniere. It would look stunning on just about any lapel!

While we’re on the subject of feathers, I’ve been seeing them everywhere lately (from invitations to jewelry and everywhere in between). Dreamy and possessing a certain fairy tale-like quality, they make perfect sense to add to a wedding. This incredible 20s-inspired purse is stunning and totally unique when the world seems to be full of so many boxy, white satin bridal purses. Pair it with this boutonniere by Pixel and Hank and you will be one super stylish pair. Both pieces manage to be both chic and whimsical—which means the two of you will too!

There are so many ways to unite your looks! The few I’ve listed here are just the beginning. So hunt around a little on your own and find some fun pieces that bring your looks together. It’s a really fun way of saying that the two of you are ready to become one!

Jennifer Garry is a writer and accessories designer living in Westchester, NY with her husband and daughter. When she's not up to her ears in kiddie crafts, you can find her swimming in a pool of beads. Her obsessions include tea, chocolate, sarcasm and her daughter's giggle--any of which can be used to coax her from her little jewelry-making fantasy world.