A wedding only really needs a groom, a bride, love, and a minister. Everything else is merely additional pleasures and distractions, so it’s a good idea to understand why you are including the things you do. This article provides valuable advice that will help make your wedding planning more manageable, so that you can focus on the things that truly make your wedding important.
Make sure you view examples of work from any makeup artist you’re considering hiring. Is the style they do to your liking? Be absolutely certain that you are happy. 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.
When wedding planning, think about what alcohol you want to serve, how you want to serve it, and try to be cost efficient. An open bar is very costly and can become extremely expensive if open for long periods of time. Ask your venue about the different alcohol serving options that they have available.
Instead of traditional floral bouquets, brides can adorn their bouquet with diamonds, rhinestones or other gems. This is easy to do at home; you can just use some heat-fixed crystals or adhesives, some costume jewelry or even attach a heirloom piece. To ensure that it coordinates with the rest of your ensemble, be consistent in terms of sparkling colors, cut, and size of the stones.
Should you want to cater the food yourself, look to wholesale stores like Sam’s. You’ll get better deals on large quantities of food if you shop wholesale. You may even ask for help with food costs from family or friends.
See if your family wants to come 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.
Wedding Dress
If you have a destination wedding, offer a basket full of goodies delivered to guests in their rooms. Include items that will be useful, like a tourist map, disposable camera, sunglasses, a hat, and pamphlets from fun places to visit in the area. You could also include flyers and coupons for local restaurants.
Buying your wedding dress may 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 after some alterations to spruce it up, it can still prove a more affordable alternative to a dress that says wedding on the label.
When making plans for table sitting, make sure the number of guests is even at each table. Also group the tables by age, this will give people things they can talk about.
Personalize your wedding by including things that represent your spouse-to-be, and the bond between the both of you. Select a theme that best represents what you mean to each other.
Even if you have your dress picked out and purchased, it is smart to keep it at the bridal shop until your wedding day. If you keep it in a closet, you run the risk of wrinkles or stains. If you keep it at the shop until the big day, it will ensure it is in pristine condition when you wear it.
Have your wedding on the property of a family member or friend. If someone you know has a nice backyard or a large farm, this can save a lot of money. Pay someone to clean for them before and after your wedding.
If you can afford it, have the event on a ship and just invite your closest friends and family. This will allow you to get your honeymoon started when you’re done with the ceremony. Some cruise companies even have special rates for those getting married and honeymooning on their ships.
Don’t starve yourself silly just to fit in a wedding dress. You are going to find yourself dehydrated and lightheaded if trying to lose weight too quickly prior to your wedding. You would hate to faint while standing at the altar. Instead, buy a dress with a corset back so you can take it in or out as necessary on the day of your vows.
When the wedding party is from different backgrounds, flexibility is important when planning the big day. This will satisfy the family traditions of both the groom and bride’s family.
Of course, the focus of your wedding should be on the person whom you plan to marry. Absolutely do not make this life-changing decision in haste. Consider the things you need in a relationship, the thing you’d prefer to do without, and how all this applies to your potential partner.
If you are going to be giving a wedding speech, make sure that you practice and plan appropriately. Without taking the time to plan and prepare, you may lose the attention of your audience, say something awkward, or deliver the speech poorly, prompting confused looks, and probably some embarrassment on your part.
Incorporate small decorative items throughout all your decor. For instance, the ribbon on your bouquet can go with ribbon for your hair, dress, or centerpiece. It’s the little details which will make your wedding look superior as it shows you’ve put a real effort into make it your perfect day.
Renting different styles of seating for your wedding is a great idea, instead of traditional tables if you are planning to not serve food at your reception. You can witness far more social interaction among your guests if they are seated in chaises, lounges and maybe even comfortable sectionals. Perhaps you could create different lounges and add plush seating to allow your guests to relax.
When you choose a makeup artist to help you with your wedding, you definitely want to check out prior work. It would certainly ruin your day to have you and your bridesmaids looking harsh in makeup that does not suit the colors or the styles you have chosen. Make sure it’s to your liking. 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.
If you have an outdoor wedding, make sure you have a plan B in case it rains or there are other unforeseen conditions. You can rent some large tents, or book a outdoor venue that includes a hall that is available in case of bad weather. Many tent companies also offer planking or other flooring choices for their tents to keep guests feet clean and dry.
Guest Tables
Meeting a wedding planner? Do your homework. Create a look book or board with fabric swatches, magazine clippings and other interesting items. Use photographs, magazine clippings and the lyrics of a special song to describe your perfect wedding to your planner.
Too many flower arrangements on the guest tables at your reception are usually an interference and an extra unnecessary expense. The flowers will often just get in the way when your guests are trying to eat. Excessive flowers can also be inconvenient for any allergy sufferers who are attending your wedding. A romantic alternative to floral centerpieces at guest tables is the use of fragrance-free candles.
When you are making plans for a destination wedding, take the needs of your guests into account. You do not want to give your guests extra anxiety. About eight months before your wedding, send out invitations to allow ample time for travel arrangements.
Always hunt for skilled, experienced photographers prior to making a final choice. You never want to hire a photographer who doesn’t fit your style. For good local photographers, look at online reviews or ask loved ones for recommendations.
Make sure you know what you are doing when it comes to a destination wedding. There may be red tape you need to address, such as fees or residency requirement, and you should get these ducks in a row before taking care of anything else.
When you choose to invite family members to join you at your destination wedding, ask them if they would like to stay for the honeymoon, as well! There is a lot of money to be saved when lengthening the stay because of hotel discounts for longer periods. Your guests will have a memorable trip as well.
When starting out with plans for your wedding, create a list of what you want in a prioritized order. For example, many people place greater importance on the location of the wedding; others choose to focus on the floral arrangements. If you make your budget in accordance with your preferences, you can guarantee that your money is spent in a way that best reflects your desires.
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. Bringing it home could expose it to dust or dirt, getting it stained or other damages. If the bridal shop holds it, you will have a clean, pressed dress for your ceremony.
Be sure to hire a professional wedding photographer who has the ability to create beautiful memories rather than simply snapping photos. When scouting out photographers, always check out their prior work and their references. Talk about how they move through the big day. You will also want to know their photography style and make your wishes known.
If you are going to use a wedding cake with vibrant colors, opt for a coordinating tablecloth. You can also try solids, patterns and heavily-textured fabrics like satin, velvet or silk for more visual interest that helps bring everything together.
It would be a good idea for you to practice your dance moves in a longer skirt prior to your wedding. While you may be accustomed to the art of dancing in a dress, your groom may not be quite so confident in his abilities. This allows him to be more comfortable and to avoid stepping on the hem of your gorgeous dress during the dance.
If you can afford it, have the event on a ship and just invite your closest friends and family. If you do this, you can start your honeymoon immediately after the ceremony ends. There are cruise options that carry special rates for couples looking for this kind of wedding and honeymoon option.
Know what your bridesmaids are going to wear prior to the wedding. Many friendships end over a disagreement about the bridesmaids’ gowns. Also, try to get something affordable for them. This will help ensure there aren’t any misunderstandings.
Incorporate all rituals and traditions in your wedding. This creates a memorable and intriguing contrast that is sure to satisfy family traditions on both the bride and groom’s sides.
When you select your wedding decor, and especially your flowers, do so with the layout of your venue in mind. For example, a flower arrangement featuring complicated elements may work well indoors, but could be destroyed by a gust of wind outside. You will need to set up special equipment if you are having your wedding on the beach.
If you will not be serving a supper at the reception, think about using other furniture instead of tables and chairs. Lounge chairs, chaises and comfortable sectional pieces will help encourage interaction between your guests. Plush seating can also make guests feel more comfortable and relaxed; this also allows you to create separate lounge areas throughout the site.
Be cautious of the weather on your big day. If the weather is going to be very hot, your guests will likely want to leave early instead of staying longer and celebrating. Similarly, they may leave early, if they are too cold at your winter party. Make sure you keep your guests as comfortable as possible; for example, get some fans in the event that it is a hot day.
Clearly, there are very few things that are actually essential for a successful wedding. So much of the pomp and circumstance is truly optional for the happy couple. Of course, many of these things can make you feel extravagant, but they can also add to the stress. Use the advice from this article so that your wedding will be perfect for everyone involved.
Be prepared for rain. Outdoor weddings are beautiful but you always want to have a plan B for inclement weather. Even if bad weather doesn’t seem probable, you just never know. You should prepare another site for you and the ceremony to move to just in case.