To better understand the preferences and attitudes of today's brides and offer the most relevant wedding planning advice, the second annual "What's on Bride's Minds?" survey was conducted by Leflein Associates, Inc. for David's Bridal, the nation's leading bridal authority. Following are some up-to-the-minute planning tips to help each woman achieve her own wedding unique style, without breaking the bank:

Keep an Eye on the Bottom Line
First and foremost, establish a budget. Determine which aspects of the wedding are most important, and scale back on items that are not a top priority. Almost two-thirds of survey respondents said that the wedding dresses they found were too expensive. To keep finances in check without sacrificing quality or style, shop at a store that offers a wide selection of designer looks and matches your budget.

Online Oasis
The Internet is a wonderful planning tool and a great time-saver, so it's no surprise that 53 percent of brides-to-be ranked wedding Web sites as a top resource for useful wedding planning advice, tips and ideas. Today's brides shop for a variety of wedding products online; invitations were cited as the most popular item, followed by favors, bridal accessories and jewelry and bridal gowns. Among the top Web sites catering to brides, is davidsbridal.com, which offers more than 4,000 unique wedding related items and services. Check out the new db Online Collections featuring stylish bridal and bridesmaid dresses to suit any size, budget and timeline. Or, use the unique Dress Your Wedding tool to create your own virtual wedding party online.

Consult the Experts
When searching for that dream dress, take advantage of bridal consultants' advice, as they provide great insight into the gowns' quality, fit and construction. In fact, more than four out of five brides agreed that their consultant positively affected their shopping experience. In addition to these gown gurus, it's a good idea to bring along a trusted friend or family member to provide honest feedback.

Time is On Your Side
Sixty-three percent of recently engaged women give themselves less than six months before their wedding to purchase their gown, while 38 percent wait until the final three months. If you are planning on getting married under a tight timetable, visit a bridal shop where you can try on the dress in your own size and take it home that day. David's Bridal stocks a wide array of affordable bridal gowns ($299 - $1200), including designer collections from Oleg Cassini, Monique Luo and Galina, in sizes 0 to 26W, as well as select styles in petite sizes, so you can tell exactly how your dream dress looks and feels on you.
  
Obliging Bridesmaids
Searching for the perfect bridesmaid dress? The top issue brides found with dressing their bridal party was agreeing on one style to fit all different body types. Coordination remains in vogue, with almost three-quarters of respondents wanting their bridal party to wear the same color or color scheme, and thirty-four percent planning to have their bridesmaids wear the same dress in the same color. It's a good idea to select a national retailer that carries a large assortment of bridesmaid styles, in a wide range of sizes and colors, for ease of shopping and to ensure everyone looks and feels their best.

Customization is Key
If you're looking for ways to personalize your look without paying a hefty custom price tag, you're not alone. Over 60 percent of brides said they would like to customize their gown to reflect their personality, but 40 percent felt it would be difficult to do so without costing a fortune. To solve this all-too-common dilemma, look for cost-effective solutions for personalizing your wedding dress. Try adding optional sleeves, a colorful sash that matches your wedding color scheme or a sparkling brooch. Don't forget to ask your consultant about coordinating accessories, such as tiaras, veils, handbags, shoes and jewelry; you can never go wrong by selecting pieces that complement your dress and personal style.

Showcase Your Style
To create a seamless look, visit a one-stop-shop and choose a personalized color scheme that makes it easy to coordinate every aspect of the big day. From save-the-date cards and invitations to ceremony and reception items, right down to the icing on the cake, David's Bridal offers an amazing assortment of options, available both in-store and online, to create a perfectly coordinated event.

While finding the love of her life is up to the bride, following these simple steps will help ease the wedding-planning process and make it more enjoyable. So when the big day finally arrives, her only responsibility will be to enjoy herself as she dances the night away.