Perhaps the most romantic moment in the lives of young couples is the one that culminates in engagement. However, actually planning the wedding can sometimes be far from romantic and often, it can be downright stressful. Here are some ideas for couples who want to make planning a wedding, just as enjoyable as the thought of the wedding itself.
Religion will play a big role not only in your wedding ceremony but in your marriage as a whole. It may help to discuss this with your families so that they understand how you plan on handling dual faiths in your marriage.
Try for a date that is not in the middle of wedding season. The traditional season for weddings is May through September. Wedding venues are more expensive during this time. If you plan on getting married during these months, plan as early as you can for the lowest cost.
One thing to take into consideration is when you get married. The off seasons can save quite a bit of money that can be used elsewhere. The wedding season is traditionally from May through September. You can expect to pay more if you schedule your wedding during this time. If you need to book during this time, make sure you book far in advance to get the best deal.
As you plan your wedding, you must consider the type and amount of alcohol you wish to serve, especially if you’re working with a budget. Having an open bar can be very expensive if it stays open for hours. Inquire at your venue what your alcoholic beverage serving options are.
If you’re taking care of the food yourself, shop at a wholesale store, like Costco. When shopping wholesale, you can get large amounts of food for cheaper than you could if you did not wholesale shop. See if your friends can split some of the cost.
You can save a lot of money by purchasing your wedding gown online. However, remember to give yourself plenty of time for alterations. In fact I spent $300 in total, $100 for the gown itself, and only another $200 for the tailoring. When deciding how much to spend, remember to include the cost of alterations.
Typically, a wedding dress costs a lot of money. Don’t limit yourself to considering dresses that are marketed specifically as wedding gowns. A bridesmaid dress might strike your fancy as an option, and it would be cheaper than a dress designated for the bride. Even if the dress needs alterations, it could still be cheaper than an actual wedding dress.
Your wedding photos are of the utmost important, since you will view them forever. 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.
The pictures that are taken at your wedding are very important as you will look at these for the rest of your life. Hire a professional. Don’t be shy on spending money in this area as they can document this magical day to perfection.
Ask local boutiques about having small, individual portions of cake for the guests as your wedding. Some bakeries are able to make healthier cupcakes that contain less than 100 calories in each serving providing you with healthier options such as fruit- fillings in replacement to frosting, calorie-free sweeteners and gluten-free ingredients.
Have your wedding at a location owned by friends or family. If you’re in touch with people with a farm or a big backyard, this can be a cheap place for you to host a wedding ceremony. Saving money on the venue will allow you to hire people to set up and clean up.
Instead of traditional floral bouquets, brides can adorn their bouquet with diamonds, rhinestones or other gems. This is achieved by adding in a few adhesive or heat-fixed crystals, a small piece of costume jewelry, or even a treasured heirloom piece. The bouquet should not clash with your overall look, so pay close attention to the colors, cut and size of each stone.
You can add small decorative items to your entire wedding theme. For example, the bow in your hair can be the same as those used in the floral arrangements on the tables. Your wedding will be perfect when you add in the small details.
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. Even pictures with parents can be shot in advance, reducing the time that guests must wait for you to arrive at your reception.
If you cringe at the thought of purchasing an extremely expensive yet incredibly unhealthy wedding cake, there are other options available. You should consider getting in touch with local bakeries and specialty boutiques to inquire about individual portions that are healthier. Some specialty bakeries also ship fresh, low-cal cupcakes and healthy fare, like gluten-free options if you so desire.
A sweet treat between meal courses is a great way to keep your guests happy. Flavorful crackers will get the job done well.
While you should always let your DJ know what songs you want played for your reception, it is just as important to alert him to any songs you do not like or want played. An old song from your past may no longer be a favorite. No matter what it is, make sure the DJ knows so that you don’t have any unpleasant surprises playing at the wedding.
If the future newlyweds enjoy traveling, display decorations that portray a sense of wanderlust. Invitation can be designed to resemble a travel brochure, boarding pass or vintage postcard. A vintage leather suitcase can be propped open to display wedding programs, family photos, or favors.
If you want to dance during the reception, make sure there is enough room! There are few things that can suck the fun out a reception like not having the room to bust a move can, so do what you need to do to give you and your friends the space you need to boogie!
Plan everything for the wedding, from reception activities to the food. You want to make sure that every person who is sharing in your special day has as wonderful a time as you do.
Practice your walk for when you walk down the aisle. If you are worried about a twisted ankle, choose attractive flats instead. It’s a pretty simple exchange there to ensure you’re not going to fall.
Your caterer needs to know if you are planning on having a reception outdoors. Some foods will not keep well in the heat or might be too light to stay in dishes if the wind is blowing strongly. There are, however, good covers available to protect the dishes. If possible, consider having a small fridge on hand for keeping beverages chilled.
If money isn’t an issue, you may want to get married on a cruise ship with close members of your family and close friends. This would make the honeymoon begin immediately following the ceremony. Some cruises have specific rates for couples who get married and honeymoon on their ship.
When you are beginning your wedding plans, make a list of your priorities. For example, some may feel that great food is more important than having a DJ or dance floor. Making the lists will allow you to establish a budget. Once you know how much you have to spend, you will be able to set a specific amount of money to each item on the list and be able to stay within your designated budget.
If both parties who are to be married are from very different cultures it is important to incorporate both sides beliefs into the ceremony. This helps make sure that everyone is satisfied, and that helps them feel involved and part of the big day.
If dramatic floral arrangements are out of your budget, you can use a variety of different potted plants instead. Use colorful, glazed ceramic pots, or dress up earthy terracotta stoneware with ribbons, decoupage, or decorative paint effects. When the wedding is over, the bride and groom can plant them at their new home, or the guests can bring home as wedding favors.
If you want seasonal flowers that grow near your home to decorate your wedding, you should keep in mind that they may be extremely difficult to acquire near your wedding location due to differences in climate. Contact florists near the destination and you can find out which flowers are available.
Think about whether children will be allowed at your wedding. Many times you can save money by not inviting children to the wedding. However, your choice not to allow children may cause many guests not to attend if they are unable or unwilling to find someone to look after their children.
If you are having a wedding outside, you need to have a plan in case it rains. Rent a few tents or find a venue that has a hall, as well as a park. You can put boards on the ground, which will help your guests keep their shoes clean when they walk over a muddy area.
Find a few group activities to occupy your guests. Don’t make your loved ones just stand around and wait for the wedding to be over. There can be a variety of games and activities. The more fun your guests have, the better the entire event will be for everyone.
As a first step of planning your wedding day, make a list of all the things you want in order of priority. Many people feel that flowers are a higher priority than the wedding cake or the guest list isn’t as important as the venue. If you prioritize your wants, you can budget your funds to ensure your wedding is just what you planned.
If you’re wearing a tuxedo at your wedding, take the time to get one that fits well. Ask for opinions from family and friends about how well the tux fits and looks on you before you choose the one you’ll wear. Aim to look even better on your wedding day than you do the rest of the time so that you can show yourself off in the wedding pictures.
Gift registries come in handy when planning a wedding. For a pleasant atmosphere, you should make your guests understand that they do not have to bring anything. Give them several gift options at a wide range of prices. Guests should feel okay with their gift, no matter how much it costs.
Silk Flowers
Make sure everything is perfect for the bride so she is happy on her wedding day! Once the bride starts worrying about her wedding, if the fear of a poorly planned wedding sets in, she will quickly start to feel devastated. In order to avoid a potentially catastrophic situation, you should make certain that every decision is reviewed by her.
One money saving idea is to consider alternatives in lieu of flowers arrangements. Use a ribbon for the flower girl instead of a wreath. Consider silk flowers in the place of live ones. Silk flowers are not only more affordable, they can be kept forever. You can also use it at your reception too.
When selecting a videographer, be certain to interview multiple candidates, and always ask to view sample videos. Also, look at how the person edits their videos as well. Many years ago, people wanted to get the VHS videotape of their wedding, but today make certain you will get a digital video or DVD so that you are able to see your wedding for years. Prioritize the things that are important to you to have in a photographer and make sure your photographer knows about them.
Make sure you know what the weather is going to be. If your wedding is outside, always have an alternate site in mind. Always have a alternative site to use in case of bad weather.
You certainly can plan your wedding on a tight budget. A wedding should not put you into serious debt. Creating invitations yourself, asking loved ones to contribute and making flower arrangements on your own can lead to massive savings.
A couple that will use these tips will find that they can be closer by carefully planning their wedding. Planning a wedding together can help build a successful marriage and life with each other. The ideas and insight from this article will make it easier for a couple to start their new life together with a personal, memorable wedding.
When you are thinking about decorations, especially the flowers, remember your wedding’s location. An example might be an elaborate arrangement that does well indoors, but would not be suited for an outdoor venue where wind might be an issue. There might be a need for special equipment when it comes to certain outdoor wedding locations.