Weddings can be a very delicate and stressful process; however, you have to go in with an optimistic mindset so things can fall into place. By learning as much as you can in advance of planning, you will save a lot of time and energy. Here are some key pointers to help you.
Have your wedding at a friend’s home. If someone you know has a nice backyard or a large farm, this can save a lot of money. The only real cost would be to hire someone to clean beforehand and afterwards.
When you are planning on who will be giving the speeches at the wedding, have them rehearse the material before you so that you can make sure everything is appropriate. Remember that you’ll have people there from all generations, so keep the jokes appropriate.
If you will have a makeup artist, make sure that you have seen their previous work and like it. Do you like the style of the make up? Make sure you love it. You do not want to be an hour before your wedding with a make up artist who does your make up in a way that you dislike.
Avoid cluttering tables with too many flowers at your reception. In many cases, it will just prevent guests from talking to each other. Not only that, but you may have some guests who are allergic to flowers. One classy alternative to flowers is unscented candles.
Transportation is something you shouldn’t forget. If anyone needs a ride to or from their hotel for the event, you should arrange limos or taxis. This helps those who have drank too much.
Let your DJ know what he absolutely should not play. Maybe it’s country music, or heavy metal, or even your “special song” from an old lover. Tell your spouse-to-be so that he knows too.
You know to provide the DJ with an idea of all the right music to play, but you should also give a list of all the wrong things he might play. It could be heavy metal or country, or even a song that reminds you of someone not-so-special. Make sure to tell your husband-to-be what type of music won’t be played.
Brides who want to sparkle might like to add some flashy stones to their bouquet, including rhinestones, Swarovski crystals, and even diamonds. 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. Consistency is important in regards to stone sizes, cuts and the colors that sparkle, as all this needs to coordinate with your overall ensemble.
Before choosing a photographer, you should interview several talented persons. You don’t want to end up with a photographer that you’re not going to be happy with. If you would like good tips on finding the best local photographers, make sure you read all the reviews online, and solicit advice from family and friends.
Rent a venue, with lights that are capable of being dimmed, for your wedding reception. You will want to have the option to dim the lights during dances or have bright lighting during the ceremony. Be sure to ask the if the venue has this feature before you commit to it.
You want to practice that wedding day aisle walk, especially if you plan to wear heels. Should you be worried about a mishap, consider some nice flats. Reducing the risk of falling is better than going with the best-looking footwear.
Consider placing your colorful cake on a piece of fabric or tablecloth in a coordinating color. To make things interesting, fabric can be solid, patterned or heavily textured materials of silk, satin or velvet.
Think about asking your family if they want to stay for the honeymoon. You can get some great deals on hotels if you need group accommodations. This can help them have a memorable day and a great vacation.
Do you want to serve many courses during your wedding meal? If so, be sure to place appetizer dishes for them to try. You may even want to put some treats on them. Flavorful crackers will get the job done well.
Your guests shouldn’t be kept waiting during your lengthy photo sessions. Have pictures of the couple and groomsmen in advance. This means that your guests won’t have to wait as long at the reception for you to get there.
Floral Arrangements
Send a planning and an itinerary to your guests to help them schedule their activities and find their way. Include relevant information about the rehearsal dinner, reception and so on, so that each person knows where to be.
Silk flowers are an attractive alternative to expensive floral arrangements at a wedding. You don’t have to purchase these fresh so you can buy them months ahead, and you don’t have to be concerned with huge floral arrangements.
If you have the budget, consider a cruise as the venue for your wedding and just invite those who are dearest to you. This will allow you to enjoy your honeymoon as soon as the festivities are over. Most cruise ships even have special prices for wedding parties and all of the guests in the party.
If you are having a wedding outside, you need to have a plan in case it rains. You can rent some large tents, or book a outdoor venue that includes a hall that is available in case of bad weather. Mud can ruin footwear, so for the convenience of your guests it is a good idea to lay down planks of wood for them to walk on.
A fun way to add a personal touch to your wedding is to ask a friend or family member to officiate the ceremony. This will give your loved one an important roll in the ceremony, while also saving you a bit of money. Before you do this, check with your city or town to make sure they recognize online ordinations.
Make your caterer aware that the reception will be outdoors. 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. One way to address the wind issue is to use decorative covers for the dishes. Another consideration is to have a refrigerator available to keep beverages at their desired temperature.
Put sweet appetizers at the dinner table between meal courses. Think about sugar roses that enhance your wedding colors.
Destination weddings can be a lot of fun, but try to keep your guests in mind. Some of your guests may plan a vacation around your big day, so be sure they have enough time to make preparations. Send out your save the date and invitation cards at least six to eight months ahead of time to allow your guests the most time possible to make preparations.
You may want to consider getting silk flowers for your wedding. Silk flowers can be chosen and bought months in advance which will save you time and energy.
As you begin to plan your wedding, make a prioritized list of your wants. For most brides, where they are having the wedding takes precedence over who they are inviting. The flowers they are going to carry is often more pressing than the cake they will be cutting. As you delegate the priority for each item, you can budget accordingly and have a wedding that perfectly meets your particular dream.
If both bride and groom have a love for travelling, then incorporate a wedding theme that includes this passion. Invitation can be designed to resemble a travel brochure, boarding pass or vintage postcard. You can use old luggage to display things like photos, wedding favors, or wedding programs.
See to it that your tuxedo fits you, if you’re the groom. Before making a final decision on your tuxedo, ask others for their opinion. You want to be looking your absolute best at your wedding, keep that in mind as you think about what tuxedo you want to be wearing.
The menu is an excellent place to reflect cultural diversity. Make it different by including a selection of ethnic desserts, beverages, or wedding favors that you can eat.
When planning out your wedding music, you definitely want to look into the different DJ’s or bands in the area. Tell them you would like references prior to hiring anyone. When you have decided, double check all the details before signing a contract. The music is an important element to your wedding so ensuring you make the right choice is vital.
If you have planned a wedding outdoors, include a backup plan just in case there is rain or any other unexpected weather conditions on your wedding day. Either find a venue with an inside area, or rent some tents in case of bad weather. One helpful trick if it’s wet, but you can still stay outdoors, is to use boards as walkways through wet or muddy areas.
Floral Arrangements
When planning your destination wedding, be mindful of all your guests as well as their travel plans. Your guests should have enough time to get ready. So, you should start asking months in advance if they would be able to or be interested in attending, but don;t take it personal if they cannot make it.
Your wedding venue should play a role in decisions about your theme, decor, and floral arrangements. Delicate floral arrangements may not be suitable for a hot or windy outdoor wedding. There may be a need for special items to keep your decorations tied down at outside venues.
Avoid planning a destination wedding until you look into legal requirements. Whether it comes down to fees, red tape or residency issues, you need to address all these things first before beginning to book services and hotels.
Make sure you know what the weather is going to be. Outdoor weddings are beautiful but you always want to have a plan B for inclement weather. Rain can happen at any time, so be sure there is another option.
It’s tempting to do things the way your family has always done them to keep the peace. Keep in mind that your wedding is about you and your partner, not your extended family. If it’s a choice between pleasing your relatives or pleasing yourself and your partner, you have to do what pleases you. Thank them for their concern and affection but firmly remind them that you and your spouse ultimately make the decisions. That way, you won’t have any regrets about how the wedding day goes.
Brides ought to practice their smile in their mirror. You can ensure you’re sporting the smile you wish to capture for your wedding photos. A bit of practice will ensure you get the effect you most desire.
Think about serving a small meal for your wedding reception. This is especially true if a lot of people will be attending your wedding. A less elaborate or smaller dinner can help you stay within your budget. If you prefer to serve a larger meal, you may need to cut down the number of guests you invite.
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. You need to be the central focus during the final moments prior to the ceremony. They cannot focus on helping you if they are still trying to get ready themselves.
Be careful of rain. If you want an outdoor wedding, have an alternate plan ready in case it rains. Even if you think that the likelihood of bad weather is very small, you never know what can happen; be prepared and have an alternate site ready to go for you and your guests.
Now, you can ensure your wedding happens as planned, thanks to the tips that have been discussed. But just remember that even proper planning doesn’t mean a perfect day, so expect a few surprises and don’t let them ruin your spirit on your wedding day.
Pictures are an important part of a wedding, and there will likely be many people you would like to capture in photographs on your big day. If you have many guests, it can be difficult finding everyone you want for pictures unless you have a time devoted for picture taking. Tell your guests before the wedding where and when you’d like to take pictures. Also, make sure your photographer knows.