The process of wedding planning can be complicated, detailed, and frustrating. The following advice will make it easier for you to create a memorable wedding that will come off without any snags.
It is important to practice walking down the aisle as often as possible before the ceremony. Be certain to practice at the wedding venue while wearing your wedding-day shoes. This makes sure you’re comfortable during the big day.
If you will be preparing the food for your wedding, shop at wholesale stores. Wholesale shopping will let you get food for cheaper. Ask friends to help on food, too.
Choosing your favorite gown online can be faster and cheaper, but do so well in advance to allot extra time for alterations. In fact I spent $300 in total, $100 for the gown itself, and only another $200 for the tailoring. Make sure the costs are included in your budget.
Purchasing a wedding dress can be expensive. When you are shopping, try getting a dress that might not be traditionally thought of as one made for a wedding. A dress for other occasions, such as holiday parties, can sometimes work for a wedding dress, and will usually cost a lot less. Even if you need the dress to be altered, it will probably be less expensive than buying a wedding dress.
Select ethnic catering for a truly memorable event. Choose a variety of dishes to add flair and flavor to your reception. Your wedding dinner can be very memorable when it includes interesting variety.
One way you can cut hundreds of dollars from your wedding budget is by purchasing your wedding gown online. However, make sure you do this early enough that there is time to make any needed alteration to the gown. In fact I spent $300 in total, $100 for the gown itself, and only another $200 for the tailoring. Budget in this additional cost.
Make sure you view examples of work from any makeup artist you’re considering hiring. Is this style of makeup suitable for you? They must be able to deliver the precise look you want. You don’t want to find out an hour before the ceremony that your makeup artist has a look planned that you hate.
Use the property of a friend or a member of the family for your wedding. For example, a large backyard could be the perfect setting, and you will save a lot of money this way. You can even have someone come in and clean it up before the big day.
If the idea of a thousand-dollar, thousand-calorie wedding cake leaves you with cold feet, contact local boutiques and specialty bakeries and ask about smaller, individual-sized portions. Some bakeries will even ship fresh cupcakes with fewer than 100 calories per serving as well as healthy options like gluten-free ingredients, fruit-filling instead of frosting, no-calorie sweeteners, or even tart meringue toppings.
For a high-impact look that won’t drain your budget, consider renting diamonds for your big day. This helps you turn heads during the ceremony without turning your bank balance into a bunch of zeroes.
Don’t leave your guests waiting while you, your new spouse and the wedding party have an hour long photo shoot. Take the bridal party photos ahead of time. You can also take your pictures with your respective parents in advance of the wedding. This will leave you more time to spend with your guests.
Spend some time writing your vows. These words are important for your new spouse. Marriage is supposed to mean the rest of your life, including both ups and downs. Use your vows to publicly declare the love and dedication you feel for your beloved.
“Destination” wedding guests will appreciate a thoughtful gift of vacation items awaiting them in their rooms. The basket should contain useful items such as a map, sunglasses, disposable cameras and a hat. You may want to include a food guide to some local restaurants so that they can eat.
Ask local boutiques about having small, individual portions of cake for the guests as your wedding. There are some bakers who are able to prepare elegant cupcakes that contain less than 100 calories each. They can also use healthy ingredients like fruit fillings, no-calorie sweeteners, and even meringue toppings.
During your wedding planning, arrange for even numbers of guests at each table. To keep table conversations flowing, group the people you have sitting at the tables by their age.
Place a full length mirror at that head of the aisle and practice walking toward it. This will help insure a trip-free wedding day. If you worry about twisting your ankle, wear pretty flats instead. Having footwear that is less sexy but will keep you from falling is an easy decision to make.
An ordained relative or friend can step in to officiate your wedding. This ordination can take place quickly and easily online. This saves you money, and makes your wedding feel more personal. You should check the legality of this option in your area before you make a decision.
The lighting in your venue should be able to be dimmed. It may sound insignificant, but you are probably going to want to dim the lights for the first dance and turn them back up for the remainder of the reception. Before giving the venue the thumbs up and your money, ask them about this detail.
Craigslist is a good outlet for locating local talent for your wedding. However, before giving them any money, meet up with them in person as a couple.
Bridal Shop
If you’re going to give a multiple course meal to your guests, they need to be entertained until it comes out with small appetizers like sweets on the tables you have set up. Some good examples are tasty crackers, sugar roses, and other dainty tidbits designed to blend with your wedding decor.
Keep your wedding dress at the bridal shop until the big day. Having it inside of a closet could cause stains or wrinkles. If it’s in the bridal shop, it will stay pressed and fresh for the wedding day!
A fusion menu with a few traditional dishes is a good choice. Make the menu unique by adding ethnic desserts, beverages and wedding favors that are edible.
If you can afford it, consider a cruise ship wedding, inviting only close family and friends. If you do this, you can start your honeymoon immediately after the ceremony ends. You may even get a great wedding deal.
Remember that you’ll be in a different environment than you’re used to–you might not be able to find your favorite flowers if your wedding destination’s climate is very different than the climate in your home state. Consult with a florist to see which flowers are in season or most readily available at the time of your wedding.
Try Craigslist for finding local talent to help you with your wedding. To ensure your safety, meet the interested party in a public place before giving them any money.
Make sure the theme of your wedding extends to all decor, including the flowers you choose. Vintage themes are great to make your wedding look classy. These may include peonies in yellow or pink, bright daisies, and red poppies.
If you’re going to give a multiple course meal to your guests, they need to be entertained until it comes out with small appetizers like sweets on the tables you have set up. Get sugar roses that go with the color palette or your wedding. Or, opt for some thin crackers.
Gift registries are traditional parts of weddings. Let your guests know that they are not obligated to buy anything from the registry. Give them options if they insist on bringing something. People should be comfortable to give you what they are able to afford to give.
Ask to borrow something from a friend to wear on the day you get married. This “something borrowed” will enhance the way you look and feel and add a special touch to the day.
Try adding some depth to the centerpieces and floral decor by placing elements at differing heights. Tall vases can be used for long-stemmed blooms and those with compact heads. Shorter flowers of greater volume an be used to surround the tall vessels. Make the shorter flowers lighter in hue than the taller blooms.
If you are involving children in the ceremony, ensure that they are dressed comfortably. Make sure all their clothes are not scratchy or binding. If they are going to have new shoes, you should let them wear them a few times before the ceremony to break them in. This small detail can ensure that the children remain focused on their part in the wedding, instead of fidgeting with uncomfortable clothing.
Think carefully before inviting children to your wedding. Having children attend can be aggravating, and it can run up your costs. But, there may be many folks who will be unable or unwilling to attend without their kids.
Hire a photographer that will help make your wedding a memorable one and not just a pile of pictures. When interviewing them, ask them about their vision for your day. Inquire about the way in which they participate in each aspect of the day. It is imperative that you understand their personal style and how it works with your plans for the day.
Think of rain if there is a chance of it interfering with your plans. Should you be planning a wedding outdoors, you will want a plan B in place in case of inclement weather. Even if you’re thinking that rain isn’t going to happen, it could occur anyways because weather is kind of random. You can be prepared for this by having another place for everyone to go.
If dancing isn’t your forte, you should prepare yourself for the first dance by donning a long skirt and taking a few practice runs around the living room. You may already be comfortable moving about in long skirts, but your fiance may not be. You might feel better about dancing in a very fancy dress.
A credit card that offers a rewards program may be your best bet, as you pay for your wedding and reception. Weddings can be quite costly, but having a credit card with miles or other perks can at least give you some relief from the costs associated with your big day. Put all of your wedding purchases on the card and watch the rewards accumulate quickly.
Choose group activities to fill your special day with fun. You don’t want all of the guests simply watching and waiting for the vows to come to a close before leaving. You can plan any number of fun games, from wedding couple trivia to musical chairs. You can make your wedding more memorable by planning activities that allow your guests to have fun and interact with each other.
Once you’ve decided on a wedding date and your theme, next on the list is invitations. Invitations generally include at least the color scheme of your wedding to show to your guests. Consider every option available when making your final selection for wedding invites.
As far as bridesmaids go, select the gowns that will be worn before asking them to be a part of your wedding party. In this way, you can let them know exactly what they are in for before they accept your invitation to participate. Choose something that is affordable, matches your whole wedding theme and is sure to be a hit with all of your bridesmaids. This will make sure there are no problems or hurt feelings because of the event.
Avoid asking a friend to take your wedding photos for you. Unless they are a professional, they cannot film your moments adequately. You need photos that are emotional, high-quality and able to capture the feel of your day. One of your friends might capture a few of such elements, but not all.
Now that you’ve come to the end of this article, you’ve learned some principles you can take to heart and use to produce the perfect wedding. Applying these tips can make your wedding planning hassle free, and give your guests, and yourself, an experience you will treasure forever.
One part of a successful wedding reception is having the right music that sets a great mood. Be certain that the folks you hire are able to get the party going in style. The last thing you want is a boring wedding reception ruining what should be a memorable day.