It can be easily said that organizing a wedding is a challenge, filled with options and compromises. Fortunately, this article provides many helpful tips and tricks for wedding planning and will help you plan a great and memorable wedding.
When wedding planning, think about what alcohol you want to serve, how you want to serve it, and try to be cost efficient. For example, an open bar can cost you an arm and a leg, especially if it’s open throughout your reception. If holding the wedding at an outside venue, they may have alcohol serving options available that can control costs.
Choose a less popular month to get married if you want to save money. The traditional season for weddings is May through September. During this time, wedding venues will be more expensive. Should you have to book during the season, do so well in advance to garner your best deal.
If you are making the food for your wedding, try shopping at stores like Costco. This is no secret but buying your foods from the big club stores will save quite a bit of money over retail grocery chains and that is considering the membership charge. It is acceptable to ask others to assist with these costs in lieu of gifts if finances are tight and you do not want to run out of food at the reception.
When someone is going to talk during your wedding, be sure to have them rehearse what they’re going to say in front of you so that you know what they’re saying is appropriate. If there are going to be different generations there, you don’t want to offend anyone.
Your wedding dress could be one of the most expensive items included in your wedding, but there are ways to save money on this purchase. Look at dresses that aren’t actually classified as wedding dresses. They are usually much less expensive but they can be just as beautiful. A simpler dress may suit your needs and will be less expensive than a typical wedding dress. The money you save by choosing a cheaper dress can be used to alter it and add some stylish details.
Don’t starve yourself to fit in your wedding dress! Like a fighter getting ready for a big fight, you will wind up light headed from dehydration by rushing to lose a little weight. The last thing you want is to faint while saying your vows. Buy a dress that has a corset back instead for more flexibility.
Purchasing a wedding gown online may save you several hundred dollars initially. In fact I spent $300 in total, $100 for the gown itself, and only another $200 for the tailoring. Include this additional cost when you plan for your budget.
It is obvious that that most important aspect to think about in a marriage is the one whom you will marry. You should never rush into a marriage just because others are pushing your or because you are caught up in wedding planning. Take care to consider the person’s characteristics–both the things that you love about them and the aspects that are challenging.
If you do not want a traditional wedding cake, consider individual-sized cakes. Some specialty bakeries also ship fresh, low-cal cupcakes and healthy fare, like gluten-free options if you so desire.
You need to provide the DJ at your wedding with some songs you want to hear, but you also need to give him a list of all the songs you do not want to hear on that day. It doesn’t matter what type of music. Whatever the case may be, be sure the DJ does not play it, and avoid becoming upset at your wedding.
You could ask from any friend or family member that is capable of carrying your gear. They can help you to gather the family and get the perfect photo.
Ever wonder what you will look like gliding up the aisle at your wedding? Set up a large mirror and practice walking toward it. If you plan to wear high heels with your dress, this is especially important. If you fear turning your ankle awkwardly, think about flat heels instead. Having footwear that isn’t exactly what you wanted is a good trade-off.
Receptions are best held in the early afternoon. People don’t tend to overdo it on the alcohol during this time of day, which saves you money on beer. Post-lunch receptions usually cost less, too. The money saved here can be used elsewhere.
Your guests shouldn’t have to hang around while your pictures are taken. These photos should be taken in advance. Even pictures with parents can be shot in advance, reducing the time that guests must wait for you to arrive at your reception.
Ensure that all guests understand the scheduling of events by emailing everyone involved an itinerary of events; include maps for those who may be unfamiliar with the area. Include events such as the rehearsal, dinners, fittings and anything else they might need to appear at.
A nice present to give to your wedding guests at a wedding in a different town is a gift basket full of vacation items that you can have sent to their room. Include maps, cameras, hats, disposable cameras, or guides on local attractions that they may want to visit. One piece that will really make this idea a hit with everyone is to include a restaurant guide so that all your guests are able to find options that they enjoy.
If you can, it’s a good idea to have a cruise ship wedding with just your family and close friends. This will allow you to get your honeymoon started when you’re done with the ceremony. Some cruise ships offer special wedding and honeymoon packages.
If you’re able to afford this kind of a wedding, take a cruise and have your closest relatives and friends come with you. This will allow you to get your honeymoon started when you’re done with the ceremony. Some cruises will offer discounts if you are getting married.
For instance, you may plan your menu around ultra-modern fusion cuisine, including popular dishes from both cultures. You can also offer desserts, drinks, or edible favors with an ethnic twist.
If you plan to serve your guests a meal with multiple courses, keep them entertained during the serving process by placing small dishes of appetizing sweets on each table. Just about anything will do, even crackers with a bit of flavor.
If you have children involved in your ceremony, be sure to outfit them in comfortable clothes. Try using soft fabrics that are loose enough to not be uncomfortable. If they are going to have new shoes, you should let them wear them a few times before the ceremony to break them in. Attention to this detail will give the children a chance to focus on their role in the wedding as opposed to fidgeting with their outfit.
For a wedding couple who especially enjoy travel, look for opportunities to work travel-inspired elements into the wedding decor. You can make invitations and save-the-date cards to resemble vintage postcard or boarding pass. Get a vintage suitcase and use it as a display for your pictures or programs.
Do your research before meeting with your wedding planner. You can plan the perfect wedding by accumulating all of your ideas into one look book. The details will involve mounting images of bridal dresses, hair styles, music, foods and anything else you wish to include in order to show your wedding specialist exactly what you want.
Large centerpieces are unnecessary on your tables as they not only eat away at your budget, but serve as an unneeded distraction. Even though ornate centerpieces are very pretty, there is beauty in simple designs as well. This will allow people to converse without any distraction, improving the experience for your guests.
No matter what type of reception you want, keep your caterer informed; for example, if you want an outdoor reception, help your caterer understand that. This will allow the caterer to ensure that food and container choices work well with any weather-related issues such as heat, humidity, or wind. Perhaps you can use fancy covers on your dishes. Perhaps a small fridge could be used to keep drinks chilled.
Plan everything for the wedding, from reception activities to the food. By ensuring that your guests are comfortable and enjoying themselves, you are expressing your gratitude for their presence.
Make sure that you take others into consideration when making travel arrangements. Some guests may have conflicts with the timing or with the costs of attending. About eight months before the wedding, send out cards alerting guest to save the date; that will provide ample time for anyone to plan.
Different countries have plants that are not always native to where you live and may not be easily accessible, or be able to tolerate an extremely humid, or dry environment. It is best to call ahead to a professional in the area where you are planning on being married, to see which blooms are plentiful, and what they suggest for your specific taste.
If the bride is to have a memorable wedding day, then all the details need to be held to her exacting standards. The worst thing for a bride to endure is having a wedding that is stressful or less than ideal. Be sure to allow the bride to make all important decisions to prevent a disaster.
If dinner isn’t being served at your reception, you should consider renting comfortable furniture instead of having tables for everyone to sit at. Things like cushy sectional couches, chaises and lounges can provide a great way for your guests to interact. Comfortable seating will make your guests feel relaxed and at home, permitting them to enjoy lounging areas around your location.
Consider writing your wedding vows. While traditional vows are perfectly fine, writing your own vows reveals the special qualities that you and your future spouse love about each other. Writing the vows yourself can add more romance and meaning to your wedding and make you feel more connected to one another. This will help your event become very happy and emotional.
For an outdoor wedding, have an backup plan in case of rain or other unforeseen conditions. Look into renting a couple of tents, or find a location that has a community hall in addition to an outdoor space. You can put boards on the ground, which will help your guests keep their shoes clean when they walk over a muddy area.
When you choose a videographer for the wedding, try interviewing as many as you can to see their work examples. The quality in the editing and sound is important when it comes to videographers. The days of VHS tapes and grainy film are long gone, and you can now choose from digital or DVD formats. Also, don’t forget about first impressions; they can help you choose the best person for a job.
Inform the caterer that you would like a reception outdoors. There are some food choices that will not be appropriate for an outdoor wedding as they may spoil easily in heat or wind, for example. One way that these weather issues can be dealt with is to use sturdy covers for the food. Another consideration is to have a refrigerator available to keep beverages at their desired temperature.
Whilst you may feel guilty for not following family traditions or recommendations, you need to remember that your wedding day is yours, not theirs. Be appreciative of their love and interest, but be firm, if you know their ideas go against what you and your fiance have planned together. This way you get exactly what you want for your wedding day.
Try not to become overwhelmed with any part of the wedding planning process, and use the suggestions outlined above, when you need a little advice. The information you found here will help you to keep a level head and focus on the most important things so your wedding will be exactly what you want it to be.
Plan well ahead of time. A year may seem like a long time for planning a wedding, but waiting can make your services and venues cost more and they could get booked completely with short notice. Start planning as soon as possible so that more choices are available to you.