Will you marry in the winter, spring, summer or fall? Will there be red roses or white carnations? There are so many things to consider and decisions to be made when you are planning a wedding. It does not matter if you are tying the knot, or helping plan it, you can use these suggestions to have a happy day.
One of the major things that impacts your wedding day and married life will be religion. Speak about religion with the person you’re engaged to and the close family members on each side so that everyone feels comfortable at the ceremony.
You can get a better rate on almost any venue by booking during an off period. Wedding season runs from May through September. Venues tend to be pricier during these months. If you need to book during this time, make sure you book far in advance to get the best deal.
In your wedding plans, make sure you consider what types of alcohol you wish to serve, and which ones are most cost effective. If you have an open bar that is available for long intervals of time, the bill can run up really hard really fast. The folks running your venue may have affordable bar services, so be sure and ask them about it.
If you choose to take care of your own food serving at your wedding, try going to wholesale stores, such as Costco. If you shop at a wholesale store, you will get much more for your dollar than the regular supermarket. You may want to ask your friends to chip in with buying food.
Going online to purchase your wedding dress can save you a small fortune. However, you should make sure that you order it well before the big day in order to allow time for any alterations to be carried out should they be needed. It is perfectly possible to purchase a gown for a few hundred dollars and have it altered for as little as $200. Be sure to work the additional cost for alterations into your overall budget.
Gown Altered
If you are assigning any guest to give a speech at your wedding, have him rehearse the speech with you beforehand to ensure that it is appropriate. There will be a lot of different generations at your wedding, and a joke that young people can relate to might not be good for elders to hear.
Buying wedding gowns online can save you hundreds of dollars, but be sure to do it very early to allow you time to get your gown altered when you receive it. You want to make sure that you think about other expenses that you might not commonly think of, like having the wedding gown altered, which can cost extra money. Figure in this additional cost while making your budget.
You may want to utilize ethnic dishes for a unique reception. Chicken and steak are over-served, so why not pick some other foods in your desired cuisine? Variety is essential to a wedding dinner to make it memorable for all the right reasons.
Have your wedding on the property of friends or family. 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.
The most important thing when considering marriage is the person you will be marrying. Don’t rush into this decision. Weigh everything you know about your loved one, and think about everything involved with living with this person forever.
You may want to utilize ethnic dishes for a unique reception. Chicken, steak and such are served at weddings all the time. Why not do something different? Variety is important and you want everyone to remember your wedding dinner.
Take your time when writing vows, and spend as much time as you need to write something meaningful. It’s important to understand that a marriage is a strong commitment that takes both of you making sacrifices. Express your unconditional love for your future spouse in your vows.
Avoid starving to get into your dress. Starving yourself will just dehydrate you and make you feel sick. You have spent so long planning for your big day, the last thing you want to do is pass out at the altar. Instead, choose a dress that has a corset back that can be taken in and out as needed on the big day.
You don’t need a big, expensive, flashy wedding cake. Talk to your local bakery owner about something smaller, or pre-cut into individual portions. Many bakeries offer small tarts or mini-cakes that come in healthier options, like fresh fruit-filled, gluten-free or vegan options.
Makeup Artist
When talking to your DJ, let him know the songs you like as well as the song you don’t like. It doesn’t matter what type of music. Let the DJ know to avoid any cringe-worthy moments at your wedding!
When you choose a makeup artist to help you with your wedding, you definitely want to check out prior work. Is this style of makeup suitable for you? Make sure it is something you can see yourself wearing. You don’t want to discover right before the wedding that you do not like the way your makeup artist does things.
It might be a friend or a family member. All that’s needed is someone who can happily carry your gear during the ceremony and photo sessions. They can help you get group shots of the family too!
Take the time to think about what you want to say in your vows since these words mean so much and will heard by all of your guests. Realize that both you and your spouse-to-be are about to make the strongest commitment you can and it will require sacrifices of both parties. Express your love for the person you will marry when writing your vows.
Rent a venue, with lights that are capable of being dimmed, for your wedding reception. 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 committing to the venue, ask them about this.
Instead of one large, expensive wedding cake, consider serving cupcakes or several small cakes. Alternatively, consider something like low-fat cupcakes, gluten-free cake, fruit-filled low calorie cakes, or other such healthy alternatives.
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. Why not look for sugar roses that match your wedding theme.
Brides who have sensitive skin can have a stress free wedding day by using skincare products that will give a glowing look without causing hives, irritation, or a breakout. You can use sea salts and other all-natural soothing scrubs and skin care products for a brighter complexion.
Think about getting silk flowers as an alternative to real ones. 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.
Make a detailed itinerary with directions, so guests know when and where the wedding and reception will be held. If you share your schedule with your guests, it helps them understand where they are expected to be and when they need to be there, so they can manage their travel time appropriately.
Honor diversity in the relationship by incorporating traditions from both the bride’s and the groom’s family, including foods, rituals, and decor. This will give lots of contrast and make it memorable.
See if you can borrow a special item of apparel from a friend for your wedding ceremony. When you do this you save money, you can make yourself look way better and even form a closer bond with people who become more involved with the wedding.
If you are planning a wedding outside, always make sure that you have a ‘plan b’ in case mother nature does not cooperate. Make sure you have some tents installed or a backup hall nearby, in addition to the planned outdoor venue. Many tent companies also offer planking or other flooring choices for their tents to keep guests feet clean and dry.
Dress any children attending your ceremony in comfortable attire. Choose softer fabrics that fit loose enough to prevent discomfort. Shoes need to be broken in and comfortable. With an entire ensemble of comfortable clothes, the children can put their energy into their designated roles and leave the outfits alone.
Ensuring you do your own homework can help you make the most of your time with a wedding planner. Try to follow the example of stylists and fashion designers who make “look books” or even “mood boards” featuring inspirational design elements that can lead you towards your dream ceremony. You can clip magazine photos, song lyrics, or photos that help you convey what you want to your wedding planner.
Get more out of your wedding planner with research done ahead of time. Take a tip from stylists and fashion designers. Create a look book and/or a mood board of inspirational tidbits, imagery and fabric swatches that will help you envision the big day. In addition to swatches, take photographs, newspaper clippings and song lyrics and place in your look book.
Grooms should ensure that the tuxedo is tailored to fit perfectly. Ask others for an opinion before choosing a tuxedo. Keep in mind that photographs are going to be taken during the wedding, and you will want to look your best in those mementos.
Inform the caterer that you would like a reception outdoors. There are some food choices that will not be appropriate for an outdoor wedding as they may spoil easily in heat or wind, for example. You may consider using decorative covers for your dishes. You may want to have a refrigerator or some coolers on site to keep the drinks cold.
For bridesmaids, be certain you know exactly what you want them to wear before you ask them to be in your wedding. It may seem petty, but a hideous bridesmaid dress has strained many a bridesmaid’s relationship with brides. Unless you know for sure that money isn’t a problem, choose a relatively wallet-friendly dress, a color that complements your wedding palette, and a flattering style. This allows you to get a wedding put together that people will all enjoy taking part in.
Always consider the arrangements for guests that will be invited to a destination wedding. It may be that guests will already have vacations booked for the days, and they need lead time to accommodate your day. Try to send out invitations roughly eight months ahead of time to let them make the appropriate arrangements for work and family.
Check out the previous work of your videographer. Look at the sound and quality of the video as well as the editing. You should get a DVD of your wedding or you could get a digital video. Make choices based on your impressions and other factors mentioned.
Avoid planning a destination wedding until you look into legal requirements. There may be fees to pay or other red tape to get through. You do not want to book a hotel or pay for a flight until these are taken care of.
When planning your wedding music, research your DJ or band to ensure that they know the music that you want the most. You want references regarding all people you consider, and you need to contact them before you make a hiring decision. After you have made a decision, get a signed contract with the band or DJ. These steps can help you avoid having your wedding ruined.
After reading these tips, it’s safe to say that you probably weren’t aware of even half of these ideas. And that’s because no one ever realizes just how much goes into planning a wedding until they’re actually staring at it in the face. A wedding is perhaps the most detail-oriented celebration out there, so be sure that you’re using these tips to help you out.
Instead of shopping for an engagement ring, be creative! Perhaps using rings that were continually passed down through the generations of either family. This kind of keepsake invites the bride into the family and offers a classic reminder of the marriage.