Of the three most popular wedding months — May, June and October — wedding coordinator Debbie Donze of Fairview Heights likes October best.

“There are so many other conflicting things in May and June,” she said. “October is a calmer month for guests.”

There’s a good chance of good weather and lots of choices.

“Anything goes,” she said. “You can stick to the summer vibrant colors, hot pinks and yellows, use fall orange and red, or go right into the holiday colors with cranberry, hunter green and sparkle.”

“I have been doing weddings and flowers for 28 years. No two are alike.”

For an October wedding two years ago, dresses were celery green. Attendants carried Gerber daisy bouquets in mixed bright colors. The centerpieces were pumpkins.

“With tops removed, they make instant and cheap flower vases,” said Debbie. “Leave the inners. It works as floral foam would. Check around your yard, sometimes there are flowers or bushes you can cut for decorations. I have been known to stop at strangers’ houses and offer to buy their flowers.”

Here are a few of Debbie’s tips for anyone planning a wedding.

Visit the wedding and reception sites when other weddings are going on. Just a quick peek will give you certain ideas of what you like and dislike.

Dare to be different. Buy dresses off the rack and from resale shops. They don’t have to match. “It’s your day and your personality should show through,” Debbie said. “When else in your life do you get to be queen and surround yourself with flowers and friends? I remember a special outside wedding where the mother was the maid of honor — what an honor. And the groom’s father was his best man.”

Don’t forget the dollar stores and clearance racks. “Once we got bolts of ribbon marked down to 25 cents from $9.99. It was gray velvet. We turned it inside out and it was taupe silk, which went perfect with the celery green wedding.” If they want to do silk flowers, try to talk them out of it. “When else in your life can you get this many real flowers,” she said. “If you’re using silk, add a touch of real to soften.”

Fruits and vegetables aren’t just for eating. “They appeal to all of the senses, sight, touch, smell and can be added for dimension. “Grapefruits make great tea light holders. They smell good and you can throw them away at the end of the event.” Don’t be afraid to spray-paint fruits and vegetables copper, gold and silver.

A place for small children. “I loved the idea at a recent wedding held inside a hotel. A room was rented just for small kids and teenage cousins were paid to care for all the tired and sleeping babies. At this wedding, the flower girl was 1 and arrived in a white wagon.”

Give away the centerpieces or use them as attendance prizes. “At one wedding I attended, they sold raffle tickets and gave the money to a charity, that was near and dear to their heart.”

Remember to schedule helpers at the end of a special day. “I have seen the mother of the bride stuck with cleanup or gathering up rented items at midnight in her beautiful gown because everyone else has left.”Be flexible. Things will happen. “I have seen groomsmen lost, brides stuck in traffic, cakes fall over, cupcakes melt, wax spill. Try to laugh.”

To contact Debra Donze, call 407-5969.