There are few moments more memorable for a romantic couple than that when they became engaged. Planning your wedding can be very far from romantic, in fact, it can be very stressful. Here are some tips to help you make your wedding planning as stress free and enjoyable as possible.
For a more reasonably priced wedding, consider a date that’s not in the traditional wedding season. The most expensive period will be between late spring and fall. Wedding venues can be pricier at this time. If you plan on getting married during these months, plan as early as you can for the lowest cost.
Set a date outside of the wedding season. Wedding season runs from May through September. It is at this time that wedding venues will cost the most. If you’re set on booking during this season, book as far in advance as possible.
Try to make your wedding day more personal by using elements that symbolize you and your future spouse’s relationship and personalities. Select a theme that corresponds to you as a couple, and evokes things you have done together.
When you plan your wedding, be sure to think about cost effective alcohol options. If you have an open bar that is available for long intervals of time, the bill can run up really hard really fast. Speak with the people at the venue about any alcohol serving options.
It is important to get high quality wedding photos so that you can truly cherish them throughout your life and hand them down to your descendants. Make sure that you hire a professional photographer and spend a little extra money on this if you have to so that you can document your experience wonderfully.
You can save a lot of money by purchasing your wedding gown online. However, remember to give yourself plenty of time for alterations. A certain person claims to have spent only $100 or her gown, but had to spend another $200 to get it altered. Make sure the additional costs are allowed for in the budget.
Have your wedding at a location owned by friends or family. Instead of booking a ballroom, try holding your wedding in a backyard or field instead. Make sure you hire someone to set up and clean up, but even that cost will be minimal.
Your wedding should be as unique as your relationship is, so add a few touches specific to your personalities or relationship. Find a theme or topic that reflects your time as a couple.
Add special little decorative touches to all of the element in your wedding. For example, use the same ribbon that is in your centerpiece on your bouquet. These little details make all the difference in the effort you make in creating the perfect day.
DO not select a dress that requires you to go on a starvation diet. You may not feel good on the big day if you haven’t eaten enough. You wouldn’t want to pass out. The best idea is to purchase a dress that has a corset back. This will allow you to adjust if necessary before walking down the aisle.
When picking out a makeup artist, make sure you see what looks they have created previously. Do you like the style of the make up? They must be able to deliver the precise look you want. Don’t be one of those people who is stuck with makeup they don’t like an hour before they walk down the aisle.
The single most important factor when you are getting married is also the most obvious, your choice in bride or groom. This lifelong decision should not be rushed. Give this person’s habits and peccadilloes a great deal of consideration.
Your vows are very important for a very momentous occasion so make sure you take time to write them to perfection. Marriage is a life long commitment that requires love, sacrifice and the art of compromise and forgiveness. Express your love for the other person in your vows.
Choose one item to incorporate into all the different aspects of your wedding. Whether it is a certain color used, or a special flower or even a special item such as doves, special touches help pull everything all together. The little details like this help you pull all of the various aspects of the wedding together into one coordinated event.
Practice walking down the aisle in front of a full-length mirror to make sure you know what you’re doing, especially if you’re going to be wearing heels. If you’re worried that you will twist your ankle, you can wear flats instead. Having footwear that isn’t exactly what you wanted is a good trade-off.
When choosing a makeup artist, ask to see a sample book of makeup the artist has done. Is the style they do to your liking? They must be able to create the exact type of look you want. You certainly would hate to be minutes from walking down the aisle only to discover that you hate your makeup.
When having pictures taken, don’t force guests to wait. Many photographs, including the bridal part and the groomsmen, can be taken before the ceremony. Pictures with the couples respective parents should also be taken in advance to cut down on wait time for the guests arriving at the reception.
You don’t have to overwhelm yourself with an expensive and high calorie cake; contact your local specialty bakeries and boutiques and inquire about getting smaller, individual portions made instead. Bakeries can offer options, such as sugar free cupcakes or a gluten-free cake, if you want a healthier option or if you have guests with special dietary needs.
Noon is the best time for a reception. Most people will drink less at this time, which can cut down on your bar needs. Also, lunch receptions will typically be cheaper than dinner receptions and allow you to either increase the quality of food or allocate the rest of your food and alcohol budget to another need for the wedding.
Brides that have sensitive skin can get less stressed before their wedding by caring for their skin so that it looks great and won’t cause them to have a breakout when the time comes. Seek out soothing facial treatments that utilize sea salts, rose hips and oatmeal scrubs.
Make sure the lights at your reception venue have dimmer switches. While this might seem like a little detail, a lower light for the first dance is always preferable, while you will want things a little brighter during the speeches part of the ceremony. Check out the lighting available at different venues before picking one.
When talking to your DJ, let him know the songs you like as well as the song you don’t like. There is probably one song from your past that you no longer like. Whatever it is, let him know so you don’t end up cringing at your own wedding!
If one of your friends or relatives becomes ordained over the Internet, he or she can preside over your wedding ceremony. While having someone special officiate makes the ceremony truly yours, it also has the additional perk of allowing you to redirect the money for something else, such as flowers. Make sure to use caution by asking the local officials, to make sure doing this isn’t against the law where you are.
Employ a good friend or relative, as long as they can haul your equipment and gear through the evening. They can help you get group shots of the family too!
You can ask a cherished friend or family member to loan you a special jewelry piece for your wedding, which can be your “something borrowed”. This jewelery can help you get a great look for your special day!
While you are taking your wedding photos, do not let your guests wait. Try to take as many photos as you can before the ceremony begins. Pictures with those being wed and their parents should also be taken beforehand if possible.
Silk flowers are a great alternative to some of the different types of flowers that you can purchase for your wedding. Silk flowers can be chosen and bought months in advance which will save you time and energy.
When you plan out tables at the wedding, be sure that there’s even numbers of guests sitting at them. Try grouping tables by age groups so that they can talk about similar things.
For instance, you may plan your menu around ultra-modern fusion cuisine, including popular dishes from both cultures. You can add little twists in different food items, from drinks to dessert options.
See if you can get your wedding on board a cruise ship. If you do this, you can start your honeymoon immediately after the ceremony ends. Many cruise companies offer a special rate for a combined wedding/honeymoon package.
If there will be no dinner served for the guests, you can use that free space for renting various furniture to ensure a comfortable evening among the crowd. Furnishing the location with chaise lounges or comfortable sectionals can lead to a greater level of interaction between your guests. Plush seating arrangements encourages comfort and relaxation among your guests, meaning you can even partition differing lounge environments through your reception site.
Craigslist is a good place to check out local talent to assist with your wedding. However, you should always meet a prospective vendor before committing to payment.
Meeting a wedding planner? Do your homework. Start your project by using imagery, fabric swatches and other pieces of inspiration to make mood board and “look books” like the stylists and fashion designers use. Putting as many items on the board as possible to convey your desires will help your wedding planner understand what it is that you exactly want.
You don’t have to go all out when it comes to purchasing things like centerpieces for the tables in your wedding. Instead of going all out and putting an elaborate centerpiece at each table, keep them small. Smaller centerpieces allow your guests to converse and interact without something blocking their view.
Be sure to select your videographer with care. Begin early and interview several. Remember that the editing and sound quality are especially important. People used to get great VHS tapes of a wedding, but these days you’ll want a digital video or DVD that will last you quite a while. Use your intuition when choosing a videographer, because after all, they will be capturing your most memorable day.
Make your caterer aware that the reception will be outdoors. Some foods won’t keep in the heat, and some food might not weigh enough to stay in its dish if there are strong winds. You might want to use fancy covers to protect your food. If you can, use a small fridge for keeping drinks cool.
You always want to do your homework about any vendors you will be hiring for your wedding and that is especially true when it comes to the music. Check references before you hire. Have the band or DJ sign a contract for the planned date. This contract will help ensure the band or DJ shows up on your wedding day.
Gift registry is a tried-and-true wedding tradition. Let your guest know, they don’t need to bring anything. Allow them to choose from numerous items and be sure they range in price. Your guests should be comfortable bringing gifts they can afford.
Your family or future in-laws may be stodgy traditionalists, but if they make demands, tell them to pound sand. Be generous in your thanks for their assistance and concern, and let them know that you will keep their thoughts in mind when making your own decisions. This way you get exactly what you want for your wedding day.
Determine in advance if you want kids at your wedding. If you want to save a little money and stress, you can avoid inviting children. However, there may be people who will not be able to attend unless they are allowed to bring their children.
Plan for your wedding far in advance. You may think that planning a year in advance is silly, but if you put it off, you may find the venues you want are already booked on the date you want to get married. The sooner you start planning, the more choices you will have.
Any couple that works together to put these tips into action will undoubtedly learn more about each other in the process, and find themselves even closer. If you plan your wedding together you can help build a base for your marriage. These tips are geared not only towards making a couple’s wedding great, but also their relationship going forward.
You want to begin all wedding preparations very early on. This will give you better selection, service and prices. This will also allow you to book the vendors you want to use for your wedding.