Unless you're Elizabeth Taylor, the idea is that marriage is for life - which means you only get to do it once. And while most of us can't afford to blow tens of thousands of dollars on a wedding day, there are always plenty of options for those who can.

For most brides, finding the 'perfect' wedding dress is one of the most daunting tasks in the lead up to the big day. But these days you needn't be alone, given the many wedding experts willing to charge you a princely sum for their advice on what to wear. Having provided the setting for many a romantic wedding reception, the Mandarin Oriental New York has launched a Bridal Dress Quest package with wedding planner to the stars Marcy Blum.

For US$5,350 a Mercedes-Benz will transport you around the Big Apple in search of your dream dress. Stops at Vera Wang, Selia Yang and Mark Ingram's the Bridal Atelier are included in the programme. Lunch at the SoHo Club provides fuel for more shopping in the afternoon before you return to the Mandarin for pampering.