Would you prefer to have a winter wedding or a summer wedding? Torn between roses and daffodils? A lot of thought goes into wedding planning. There are hundreds of small decisions you need to make. It doesn’t matter if you’re the person getting married, or just the person planning the wedding, these tips below can help you pull off a great event.
Take into consideration that you will want to address the topic of religion since it will be a part of your wedding day and the life you’re building together. Discuss religion with both your future spouse and their family members so that you can develop a strong understanding of their beliefs.
Practice your walk for your wedding day. Try to do this on location to ensure accuracy. This will lend confidence to your walk when your wedding day arrives.
Practice walking down the aisle before the wedding. Practice at the wedding venue in your wedding shoes to be absolutely certain you will not encounter any surprises. This is how you will perfect your flow as you make the big walk.
If you will be preparing the food for your wedding, shop at wholesale stores. When you shop this way, you can buy your food cheaper than at regular retailers. Also, ask friends and family members to help cover the cost of the food.
A wedding dress is a big expense. When you go shopping for your wedding dress, think outside the box and look at dresses that are not typically considered wedding dresses. A bridesmaid dress could be perfect and not as costly as a wedding dress. Even if this dress is not perfect and you need some adjustments made to make it your dream dress, it could still run you quite a bit less then an actual wedding dress.
Wedding Dress
When it comes to the decor of your wedding, spice things up with small, but meaningful decorative items. Make sure that some of the accessories you have are included in the wedding. 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.
Finding your perfect wedding dress might be an expensive activity. When you go shopping for your wedding dress, think outside the box and look at dresses that are not typically considered wedding dresses. A Bridesmaid dress can be a good fit, and it doesn’t cost half as much as a wedding dress does. With the lower base price, you can likely also afford alterations to the style of the dress and still come in under the price of a traditional wedding gown.
Invest time in writing vows that will be truly meaningful to your intended spouse. It’s important to understand that a marriage is a strong commitment that takes both of you making sacrifices. Use your vows to publicly declare the love and dedication you feel for your beloved.
If you will have a makeup artist, make sure that you have seen their previous work and like it. 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. Also, ensure that the makeup artist has the ability to do your makeup the way you want it done. Don’t be one of those people who is stuck with makeup they don’t like an hour before they walk down the aisle.
Be certain that your reception venue has a good-sized dance area. It’s very uncomfortable to have your guests crowded onto a dance floor that is too small. Move unneeded furniture out of the way so that everyone can dance comfortably.
Let your DJ know what he absolutely should not play. Maybe you loved a song once but no longer do. Just let him know beforehand so you don’t have any sad moments at your wedding.
You can include some embellishments in your bouquet of flowers including rhinestones or Swarovski crystals! This can be done with the addition of adhesive or thermally attached crystals, smaller pieces of costume jewelry and maybe even a cherished heirloom. To make sure it goes with your ensemble, remain consistent with the cut, size and colors of the sparkles.
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!
Instead of spending a fortune on a wedding cake, get a bunch of mini-tarts or cupcakes. Arrangements like these are loved because they offer versatility, convenience and are budget friendly Guests can take cupcakes with them as they are leaving.
Do not make guests stand around when you are taking photos. Pictures of the bride, groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen can be snapped in advance. You can also take pictures with both newlyweds’ families at this time.
It is a good idea to plan for an even number of guests at each table, since people tend to pair off in conversations. Grouping your tables according to age is one way to seat people with others that they will have things in common with.
Make sure your wedding reception lighting can be dimmed at the venue. This small detail allows for little things like low lights on the first dance, and bright for the duration of the event. Be sure to ask the if the venue has this feature before you commit to it.
Maintain an online event itinerary for all your wedding guests, so they know the exact day and time everything is scheduled. It is important that you let people know about events, such as the rehearsal they need to attend; this ensures that they show up at the appropriate time, when they’re needed.
When you are planning table seating, try to set guests in pairs, so you can ensure every table has an even number of those sitting at it. To keep table conversations flowing, group the people you have sitting at the tables by their age.
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. It can get damaged or wrinkled while hanging in your closet. Keeping it at the bridal shop ensures that it will be fresh and pressed for your big day!
Part of the wedding tradition is to wear “something borrowed,” so don’t hesitate to borrow jewelry from a friend. This jewelery can help you get a great look for your special day!
If you wish to have a wedding cake that stands out and is a focal point in your reception, you may want to consider a matching piece of fabric. To make things interesting, fabric can be solid, patterned or heavily textured materials of silk, satin or velvet.
One idea is to offer a fusion menu, comprised of contemporary versions of popular menu items. Add a little twist with ethnic drinks, desserts or wedding favors that are edible.
If you’re giving your guests multiple meal courses, give them sweets to nibble on in between the courses. Try sugar roses which subtly match your decor, or thin crackers that whet the appetite.
If you plan to give a speech at a wedding, write out and practice what you will say beforehand. If you don’t bother to prepare, or your preparations fall short, you’ll find that your speech could end up being a disaster.
Ask your family and friends if they have any heirloom pieces you could borrow which would match your hairstyle and dress. You will look your best while creating a close connection with your friends.
Be sure to prepare well for your first meeting with your wedding planner. Use fashion designers as inspiration and create a look book of inspiration that can be used as a starting off point. Your planner will be able to tune into your personal vision by hearing your favorite songs, and looking at photos and magazine clippings that you have gathered.
If a bride and groom are from a different culture, be sure that you have both of the traditions represented in the wedding. Then try to get a reception set up that shows the other side of the marriage if possible. This will not only satisfy both sides of the family, but it will also make for an interesting ceremony.
If you are planning to hold your reception outdoors, it is important to inform your caterer. Some food are unsuitable for outdoor receptions, as they will spoil in 90 degree heat or blow around in the wind. Or maybe you could put fancy covers over your dishes. Another consideration is to have a refrigerator available to keep beverages at their desired temperature.
If you plan to have an outdoor ceremony, be sure to take weather (sun or rain) into account to ensure happy guests. Book a location that also has a inside building or rent some tents. Planks can also be installed to prevent your guests from getting mud all over the their shoes and clothes.
If dramatic floral arrangements are out of your budget, you can use a variety of different potted plants instead. You also have several choices for pot decorations. For example, two common pot options are ceramic pots and terracotta stoneware. You can also decorate the pots yourself by painting them, or dressing them up with ribbons. When the wedding is over, the bride and groom can plant them at their new home, or the guests can bring home as wedding favors.
Create a list of what you want to have at your wedding, ranking items by importance. For example, if you care more about where you’re having the wedding than who is attending it, put your desired venue ahead of your guest list. As you delegate the priority for each item, you can budget accordingly and have a wedding that perfectly meets your particular dream.
When you pick someone to take a video for a wedding, be sure you speak with a few different people and ask for examples of the work they’ve done. Also, find out what kind of editing sound he or she uses. Many couples use to have their wedding put on a VHS tape, but these days, DVDs are the common choice. Your decisions should be made on these factors, in addition to the first impressions you get of the different videographers.
Be sure to hire a professional wedding photographer who has the ability to create beautiful memories rather than simply snapping photos. When you interview them, ask them what their vision is. Ask about how the photographer will navigate throughout the event to capture the essence of your wedding. You need to be sure that their work style is compatible with your needs.
You may be tempted to go with family tradition or suggestions, but this is your day not theirs. Thank your family for wanting what’s best for you, but let them know that these decisions are up to your spouse and yourself. This will ensure that you have no regrets when you look back on the day you got married.
To make sure you are ready for your special first dance, consider practicing your dance before your wedding while wearing a long skirt. Even if you regularly wear long skirts or suit pants, your future spouse might not be used to dancing with you while you’re in this type of clothing. This can help with awkwardness, particularly if your dress’s skirt is puffy.
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.
Your wedding venue should play a role in decisions about your theme, decor, and floral arrangements. For example, a tall, complicated arrangement may get toppled over on a windy day. If however, you are having your wedding indoors, you can go as elaborate as you want.