Gift lists are usually sent inside your invitations, about three to six months before your wedding. It’s common practice these days so I wouldn’t worry about seeming rude! It is actually helpful for guests to receive a gift list, as they’ll know they’re choosing a present you actually want. Sending them out with your invites means that everything is kept together, people have plenty of time to buy the gifts, and it’ll save you postage costs too!

I would concentrate your efforts on your table settings. The red chairs can be covered in white chair covers and wrapped with a silver or pink sash, and the tables and chairs will cover up the majority of the carpet. Use crisp white linen and add pink and silver to your table centres and place settings. Candlelight will detract attention away from the paintings.

There is no reason why this colour needs to be overbearing. Perhaps now that you have co-ordinated the key components, ensure that the rest of the styling is both simple and complementary. Go for white or ivory table linen and tableware and have simple flowers such as red roses. Don't indulge too much in overstyling or it could ruin the look. I think you should have confidence in your own choices and not let others undermine you with their own agendas.

More and more couples are doing this now and it’s perfectly acceptable to ask for money towards your honeymoon. You can either word this yourself on an insert to go with your invites (something like ‘We are lucky enough to have everything we need for our home, but if you would like to buy us a gift we would love you to contribute towards our honeymoon. We have set up a PayPal/bank account for any donation you’d like to make towards our holiday of a lifetime.’

Or, make use of online honeymoon gift lists sites such as www.buy-our-honeymoon.com. For a set-up fee of around £50, you can have your own web page, upload pictures of where you’re going, and guests can make payments on the site. You’ll also be provided with cards to place in your invites.