If you will be married soon, you probably have many questions about planning a wedding. Wedding planning should be fun and stress ought to be avoided. That is why this advice is available to show you a few tips to avoid unnecessary stress.
When planning a wedding, alcohol needs to be a consideration as to what type you want to serve, as well as what the costs are going to be. For example, an open bar can cost you an arm and a leg, especially if it’s open throughout your reception. Wedding venues will have different options, such as a limited open bar or a offering fewer options to help keep alcohol costs down.
Prior to your big day, practice walking down the aisle. Practice at your wedding venue, so you can see if the flooring works well with your footwear. It can also better the flow when the actual wedding takes place.
You can make great use of big box stores, like Costco, when planning your own food service for your wedding day. If you shop wholesale, you will be able to get lots of food at much better prices. Also, ask friends and family members to help cover the cost of the food.
Wedding Season
A wedding dress is a big expense. When you shop for a dress, try dresses that aren’t categorized as wedding dresses. A bridesmaid dress, for example, could look stunning on your figure and will typically be less than half the price of an actual wedding gown. You can also make additions and changes to these dresses to make them more wedding appropriate and still come out ahead financially.
Getting married in the peak wedding season can cost a small fortune. Wedding season runs from May through September. Wedding venues can be pricier at this time. If you want to book your wedding at those times, make sure you are booking far enough in advance so you get a great deal.
You save large amounts of money by purchasing your wedding dress online. However, it is crucial that you do it far in advance, should it need any alterations. Even though a gown can be fairly cheap, having it altered to fit your perfectly can sometimes be more costly. Make sure to allow for additional expenses in your total budget.
When planning speakers for your wedding, they need to rehearse the speech prior to the day in front of you so that you know everything is appropriate. There will be a lot of different generations at your wedding, and a joke that young people can relate to might not be good for elders to hear.
Use a friend’s property to host your wedding. For example, a large backyard could be the perfect setting, and you will save a lot of money this way. You can make sure the cleaning and setup is done, of course, but that is the only thing you should have to pay for regarding the wedding venue.
Spice up your wedding reception by choosing an ethnic inspired menu. Chicken and steak are a little boring, so how about going for a variety? Variety is important and will make the dinner memorable.
By going international with your food choices, you not only make the event different but also exciting and fun. This will add to the specialness and memories of your reception. Variety is the spice of life and it is sure to make your wedding dinner something to remember!
When you are looking for a wedding makeup artist, look at examples of what has been done for other clients. Do you like their style? So choose a makeup artist carefully and consider having them do your makeup in a test session weeks before the wedding. You do not want to be an hour before your wedding with a make up artist who does your make up in a way that you dislike.
Your main concern when getting married is, of course, the individual you are going to marry. Don’t rush into this decision. Your decision to get married should take into account everything that you love–or can’t stand–about your potential mate.
Transportation is something you should consider for the wedding. Try having taxis or limos ready for people that don’t have rides back to the hotel after it ends. Also, this will get people who drank alcohol during your wedding home safe and sound.
Look at the portfolios of any makeup artist you are considering for your wedding day. Do you like the style of the make up? You need to be sure you’re going to really like the style. You don’t want to find out an hour before the ceremony that your makeup artist has a look planned that you hate.
Try talking to local and specialty boutiques and bakeries about individual-sized portion cakes if you don’t want a fatty and expensive cake. Many bakeries offer beautiful cupcakes with a variety of healthy fillings.
You could get help from someone else who is attending the wedding. They could help you carry your gear. Your assistant can also be useful when it comes to group shots and rounding up all the required family members.
Consider how many people will be dancing at your reception when you look at the dance floors of your possible reception venues. It’s very uncomfortable to have your guests crowded onto a dance floor that is too small. Move unneeded furniture out of the way so that everyone can dance comfortably.
If it possible for you to afford it, consider having your wedding on a cruise and invite only your closest family and friends. This means you can start your honeymoon immediately. Most cruise ships even have special prices for wedding parties and all of the guests in the party.
Instead of spending a fortune on a wedding cake, get a bunch of mini-tarts or cupcakes. Times have changed and despite the oddness you may feel based on tradition, guests tend to prefer this and it saves not only money but also prevents waste. Guests can just grab one or two cupcakes on their way out, putting them inside an embellished cardboard box.
You can have a loved one go online to become ordained so that they can officiate over your wedding. This adds a personal touch to your ceremony, and also saves you on the costs of an officiant. First, make sure your area allows this to happen.
See if you can find a willing helper who can assist you with looking after your equipment and moving it when necessary. They can assist you in getting the family together for group shots, too!
One way to help remain in budget is to search Craigslist for items or services needed for your wedding. Prior to giving them a dime, meet them personally, but have your groom along for safety.
Don’t postpone the reception while you have photographs taken. Photos of the bride and her party and the groom and his groomsmen should be taken ahead of time. Additionally, photographs of the bride with her parents and the groom with his parents can be taken before the wedding.
If your wedding meal is long and involved, be sure to have appetizers on the table to keep your guests occupied between courses. Offer sweet sugar roses or flavored crackers.
If you find it in your budget, you can have your wedding booked on a cruise with your close friends and family. Doing this will allow you to start your honeymoon immediately after your wedding is done. There are cruise options that carry special rates for couples looking for this kind of wedding and honeymoon option.
Perhaps you could borrow something from a friend. You`ll be able to look stunning on a budget while your guests will feel proud that they could help.
If one of your friends or relatives becomes ordained over the Internet, he or she can preside over your wedding ceremony. Your ceremony will have a more personal tone, and you can save money by not needing to hire an officiant. Before committing to this plan, check your local ordinances to make sure that it is not against the law in your area.
If you and your spouse love a similar thing such as travel, incorporate it into your wedding theme and decorations. Their are artistic ways to make wedding invitations distinct, so that they reflect the couple’s personalities and interests. Perhaps use an old, leather suitcase as a display case for the programs and families involved in the wedding.
When you are planning a multi-course meal for your guests, offer some sort of appeasement on the tables to keep people occupied during the change in courses. Whet their appetite with sugar roses in the colors of your wedding, sugared edible flower petals, or tasty thin crackers.
For example, consider a contemporary fusion menu filled with popular dishes. Add an unusual twist with ethnic fare and edible wedding favors.
Silk Flowers
If your wedding is held outside, make sure you have another plan for bad weather. You can rent a couple tents or look for a venue with a hall and a park. Also, make sure that there is something covering the ground so your guests don’t get muddy shoes.
Consider silk flowers for your wedding instead of spending a lot of money on luxurious floral arrangements. You can buy silk flowers well in advance to avoid the stress of getting fresh flowers a few days before the wedding.
Hire a photographer that will help make your wedding a memorable one and not just a pile of pictures. When you are interviewing your photographer, ask questions about how they see the day going. Be sure you understand the process they use to capture all the important moments. You have to determine his style and how that will affect the experience you will have on your big day.
If you have an outdoor wedding, make sure you have a plan B in case it rains or there are other unforeseen conditions. Make sure you have some tents installed or a backup hall nearby, in addition to the planned outdoor venue. Many tent companies also offer planking or other flooring choices for their tents to keep guests feet clean and dry.
Include your guests in your wedding day activities. Do not let your guests simply wait for the end of the nuptials. You can have all kinds of activities, from contests to volleyball. It can be an unforgettable wedding if everyone is able to interact with one another and have some fun.
Hire a professional wedding photographer in order to create memories, not only to take photographs. Therefore, it is essential you ask the right questions when interviewing photographers. Ask how they will capture those precious moments. It is important to know what their style is and how it will impact your wishes for the events of the day.
For your bridesmaids, make sure that you already know the gowns they will wear ahead of time before your ask them to join you on your big day. Disagreement over the bridesmaid’s gown can strain a friendship. Pick something affordable, matches any theme you have for your wedding, and that your bridesmaids love. This will help ensure there aren’t any misunderstandings.
Make your floral arrangements more complex by incorporating different heights. Try using vases that are tall for more compact heads with long stems. Inside the taller vases, to keep them from looking bare, you should use full arrangements to fill in the gaps around the opening. Have the shorter flowers be lighter in hue than the taller blooms.
Families are all too willing to push family traditions on you for your wedding, but gently remind them this is your wedding and try to compromise. Thank them for their concern and affection but firmly remind them that you and your spouse ultimately make the decisions. When you follow your own instincts and plans, you will have no regrets in regards to your wedding day.
Silk Flowers
Plan ahead of time, as early as you are able. A year in advance is not at all unreasonable when you think of all the details you will need to plan. Begin planning the very soonest you can.
You can save a lot of money by using things other than flower arrangements at your wedding and reception. Use a ribbon for the flower girl instead of a wreath. Beautiful your ceremony by using silk flowers in place of the typical fresh ones. Silk flowers are not only more affordable, they can be kept forever. Go one step further, and make the silk flowers pull double duty by using them at the reception too.
A rewards-based credit card can help you recover a little bit of the cost associated with your wedding. Since you’re likely to run up a good bill footing your wedding, getting miles and other perks out of the whole shebang is a good idea. Charge all wedding expenses to this card, and you can enjoy witnessing the dividends rack up fast.
Now that you understand many of the things to, and not to, do during your planning, you can feel peace of mind as you plan. Treasure each minute prior to your big day and enjoy being married.
Be sure that you don’t have unsightly tan lines showing during your wedding. This is important as many women want a glowing tan before their wedding, but tan lines showing in your wedding dress can be distracting.