Prior to the wedding, you have to sort out a few things including legal issues, determining who pays for the wedding, deciding what type of attire the bride and groom will wear and possibly even dealing with having your own children involved in the process if either of you already have children from a previous marriage. Don't get so caught up in the planning that you forget to enjoy yourself.
It is the maid of honor who will know best what type of party the bride is looking forward to, what she will enjoy and what types of gifts are most appropriate for the bride's taste. The best man could also choose to give a verbal toast with a few new twists. The bride's parents typically pay for a first marriage but if this is the second marriage for the bride, the parents may not be willing or able to pay for a second wedding.
Cupcakes can be used in place of the traditional wedding cake. While the issue of how a couple intends to deal with their religious differences in their married life is nobody's business but their own, there are many friends and relatives who would be offended by a wedding ceremony that is not true to their religion. Instead of putting together a book, why not all each guest to write out their advice on a piece of parchment paper and then affix it to a bottle of wine.
The traditional of the bride and groom exchanging gifts on their wedding day appears to be fading fast. Some simple ideas for decorations include using pressed white table clothes and simple floral arrangements on the tables.