Wedding planning dilemma: pick your stars

Like lots of people who are in the throes of wedding planning, Simon Cowell's mates are weighing in with their – perhaps unsolicited – advice.

Piers Morgan has offered his services as best man and promised a wedding speech that would make Simon squirm. Piers told The People he would be honoured if Simon asked him to perform the best man duties and added – rather immodestly - "I know I would make his day."

Choosing a best man and the rest of the bridal party could be a bigger headache for some brides-to-be than deciding on their wedding dress, cake and stationery.

If I were Simon I would keep well away from a best man who plans a cringeworthy wedding speech. While everyone expects the best man speech to contain some embarrassing anecdotes, the tales should not paint the groom in a bad light in front of his new bride and in-laws.

When choosing a maid of honour and bridesmaids, bear in mind the role you want each of them to fulfil. A forgetful or anxious maid of honour may not be the best option if you need a calming influence on the big day. And while your friend in Australia may want to involve a friend who lives on the other side of the globe as a bridesmaid, consider the logistical difficulties of sorting out her outfit.

Many of us don't have just one best friend who is an obvious choice as maid of honour, which may complicate matters further. One way in which you can involve a number of women who are important to you is by seating them all along the aisle and giving them each a flower which is then handed to you as you walk towards your groom. Getting your mum to tie the flowers together in a satin ribbon as your loose bouquet at the end of the aisle adds a special touch.

How did you choose your best man or maid of honour?