The whole process of a wedding can cause a lot of stress. To reduce stress, you must think positively. It is also the first big test of a couple planning for a life together. Ahead are some tips that can help you do just that.
Practice your walk down the aisle many times on the days leading up to the wedding. Do this at your actual wedding site to make sure you’re familiar with the floor there. Doing so helps to ensure a smooth and confident walk when your wedding day comes.
Wedding Season
Make sure you hear everyone rehearse their speeches before you if they are appointed to speak at your wedding. This way, you will know that it is all appropriate for your big day. For example, you would want to eliminate any jokes that apply to a very specific group within your guests in order to avoid anyone feeling excluded and to make sure the speech is well-received by all who attend your wedding.
Getting married in the peak wedding season can cost a small fortune. The wedding season is traditionally from May through September. When this is going on, it will cost more to have a wedding. If it is imperative that your wedding be at this time, be sure to make your reservations far ahead of the date.
The wedding pictures are amongst the most important wedding mementos. It might cost a littler extra to do so, but hire yourself a professional photographer so that on your big day you can get the quality of photographs you desire for your momentous occasion.
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. Open bars are typically very expensive, especially when they are open for long time-periods. Ask about which alcohol serving options are available through your venue.
Make sure that transportation is taken care of at your wedding. For people without a ride, be sure a taxi or limo can bring them to their destination after the reception. Transportation is also helpful for those who have drank too much at your wedding.
Your wedding pictures are very important since they capture images that you will want to view again throughout your life. Choose the best photographer you can, even if it costs you extra. You want to be sure that your wedding will be remembered fondly.
Brides should de-stress their skin before walking down the aisle. Asking about a bridal spa treatment that contains skin soothing ingredients such as oatmeal proteins, sea salt and rose.
Booking a venue for your wedding can be extremely expensive. If someone you know has a large yard or farm, you can get rid of a big wedding expense. Offer to pay a person to do the clean-up before and after the wedding, which would be the only cost for you.
This person might be a dedicated friend or family member; he or she will be tasked with toting your gear. Your assistant can help you round up the family members for the group pictures to make things run even smoother.
Consider an ethnic or exotic flair for your reception dinner. Let’s face it, the menu at these events is pretty standard so why not take it in a direction that makes it more memorable. Variety will give your guests yet one more way to remember your wedding.
Try to plan your reception for the afternoon. People drink less during this time and you will not spend as much on alcohol. It will also be cheaper if you have a lunch time reception and you can have better food or use the money saved to invest in your honeymoon!
It is obvious that that most important aspect to think about in a marriage is the one whom you will marry. Do not rush this life altering lifelong decision. Carefully think about that person and the things you cannot live without and the things that might drive you crazy.
See that the lighting at the reception venue has the ability to be dimmed. You may not think this detail is important; however, consider the effect of low lights on parts of your reception. For example, you may want to dim the lights for your first dance or other important dances and brighten them when you want everyone to participate in dancing. Ask the folks running your venue if you have that option.
If you cannot justify the cost of a thousand-dollar wedding cake, consider contacting a local bakery and inquiring about single-serving portions, like cupcakes or cake pops. Many bakeries will offer healthier options, such as 100-calorie cupcakes, fruit fillings, meringue toppings, or gluten-free ingredients.
Even if your dress has been selected and paid for, you may want to store it with the bridal boutique until the day of your wedding. Your dress may get damaged or become a wrinkled mess in your closet. It will stay fresh and unwrinkled at the store.
If you’re a bride that has sensitive skin, then you want to pay close attention to your skin care regimen when your big day is approaching. Find a facial treatment with brightening and skin-soothing ingredients like sea salts, rose, creamy scrubs and oatmeal proteins.
If you are going to use a wedding cake with vibrant colors, opt for a coordinating tablecloth. A pretty tablecloth made of textured fabric, velvet, shiny satin or a lace that matches the wedding dress are all nice choices.
Your guests shouldn’t have to hang around while your pictures are taken. Try to take as many photos as you can before the ceremony begins. 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 want to serve more than one course at the reception, use small dishes of candies to keep guests amused while they wait. Offer sweet sugar roses or flavored crackers.
When planning table seating arrangements, try to assign your guests so that there are an even number at each table. Facilitate conversation by making table arrangements according to age groups.
A nice menu combining contemporary with fusion dishes may be just what you need. Change it up by including ethnic desserts, drinks, or any other foods that are being served.
Give your guests a schedule of events in order for all of your guests, including those from out-of-town, will know what events they should make time for and attend. Make sure that you tell people if they need to attend events, like the rehearsal, so that everyone shows up promptly at the correct location.
Plan everything for the wedding, from reception activities to the food. You want to draw everyone in, and make all of your guests remember this joyous occasion.
You should probably keep your wedding dress at the store until the last minute. If you keep it inside your closet, the dress might get stained or wrinkled. If the bridal shop takes care of it, you can be sure that it is going to be in perfect condition for your wedding.
If you will not be serving a meal at your reception, consider ditching the tables and renting comfortable lounge furniture instead. Furniture like chaises, sectional pieces, or a lounge chair can often get your guests to interact more. Also, seating that is plush can make your guests feel more at ease and comfortable, and you can create separate areas for socializing in your location.
Online communities, like Craigslist, are ideal for locating talented musicians, photographers and caterers. Don’t pay any of your responders a penny until you meet with them personally, and always have your betrothed accompany you, for safety’s sake.
If you are having an outdoor wedding, include a contingency plan for inclement weather or any other unforeseen problem. Rent some tents, or choose a venue with indoor shelter in addition to its outdoor setting. Another thing you can do is install planks, so guests don’t get their shoes muddy.
For couples that enjoy traveling, look for wedding items and decorations that reflect this interest. You can make invitations and save-the-date cards to resemble vintage postcard or boarding pass. An interesting travel bag decorated with colored bows and ribbons can be set up as a decoration alongside the guestbook or pictures of the bride and groom.
If you plan on having a destination wedding, do not forget about your guests. You may have guests who will make vacation plans around this day and they should have adequate time to prepare. Invitations or a “save the date” card ought to be sent out eight months prior to your wedding day so guests can make plans.
For the bridesmaids, be sure that they are aware of the gowns that they will be wearing before you ask them to be in the wedding party. Disagreement over the bridesmaid’s gown can strain a friendship. Find something affordable and loved by all your bridesmaid’s. This will ensure that everyone has a good time and no ill feelings are bred.
If you want the bride to be happy on her wedding day, it is important that everything meets her standards. If she is left to worry about all of the planning, reservations and meals, and the wedding doesn’t live up to what she has been hoping for, it could be a disappointing day for the both of you. A Bridezilla will be on your hands if you do not let her make decisions.
You can save money when planning your wedding by thinking of flower arrangement alternatives. Use a ribbon for the flower girl instead of a wreath. Consider using silk flowers to avoid costly, live flowers. Not only will this save you some money, but you will have them forever. You can keep them for another occasion.
As far as bridesmaids go, select the gowns that will be worn before asking them to be a part of your wedding party. Disagreements over bridesmaid’s gowns have been known to shatter friendships. Pick something affordable that goes with your wedding theme and that all the bridesmaids like. This will ensure that everyone has a good time and no ill feelings are bred.
Be wary about rainy conditions. If you’d like to have your wedding outdoors, just have a plan in place for inclement weather. No matter if the forecast is calling for clear skies for the whole month, something can always happen.
Plan your wedding well in advance. Perhaps you think one year is enough time to plan your wedding. However, it will be hard to find the right venue and services if you wait too long. The sooner you start planning, the more choices you will have.
The bride’s mother, as well as any bridesmaids, should be ready to go far before it is time to get into your wedding gown. Right before the ceremony, all attention should be focused on you, the bride. If they have to worry about getting ready, they are not focused on helping you.
As you prepare to be the blushing bride, remember to practice smiling. Look in the mirror to catch your best and most winning smile. This will help you to find a smile that you love and keep it consistent throughout your wedding day. When you practice enough you can smile exactly the way you want.
Many brides go tanning before their big day, but this can lead to problems sometimes. Many brides do not consider how tan lines can distract from their wedding dress.
You will surely want to be photographed with a number of your wedding guests. If you have a large wedding, it can be quite hectic trying to find all these people for photographs if you do not have a special dedicated time for taking pictures. Before the wedding, designate an area and time for pictures and inform your guests.
Customized jewelry makes a great present to your bridal party. This gives each girl a very special way to remember your big day.
Make sure there is a time cushion between the wedding and your reception. Weddings tend to run late. You want your reception to begin at the correct time. Receptions are booked for a certain amount of time and must begin and end when scheduled to avoid extra charges. If you run late, you will be paying for it in most cases.
The above tips can help you plan your wedding and prevent it from going sour. Hold on to your positive attitude and know that things really will fall into place for a wonderful wedding day.
Perhaps you could print your own invitations to save money. You can find affordable invitation kits and save money while creating personalized invitations.