Marriage involves two people joining together for the rest of their lives. However, sometimes your wedding can turn into a nightmare. Have your dream wedding by using some great tips.
Religion is most likely going to be a significant factor in not only your wedding, but your future marriage. Of course, by this time, the two of you should have it worked out how things will operate on that level, but getting the families on the same page may be more difficult.
You can make great use of big box stores, like Costco, when planning your own food service for your wedding day. 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.
When you decide who you want to give the speeches during the reception, ask them to read them to you so you know they are appropriate. Many generations and people of differing viewpoints will attend your wedding, so your speech makers need to make their speeches geared to everyone and not just play to their own friends.
Purchasing a wedding gown online can save a lot of money. If you decide to go this route, purchase the dress early so you will have time to get it altered. While buying a dress online may be less expensive, alterations can quickly add to the cost. The cost of an alteration should also be included in your budget.
Try to make your wedding day more personal by using elements that symbolize you and your future spouse’s relationship and personalities. Pick a theme that symbolizes the time you two have had together.
Take your time in writing your vows, they’re personal and meaningful and must have effort put into them. Your vows are a reflection of the strength of your commitment to your partner. Concentrate on the sacrifices you are happy to make for the sake of the marriage when writing your vows. Write your vows so that they express your love for your spouse and remind you of why you love them.
Use the property of a relative or friend to hold your wedding. This will help you to significantly reduce the costs. The only real cost would be to hire someone to clean beforehand and afterwards.
If a wedding cake with a high price tag or high calorie count doesn’t appeal to you, check around at local bakeries for beautiful individual portions. Many bakeries can provide wedding cupcakes that come in at 100 calories or less per serving. Other healthier options include gluten-free pastries, no-calorie sweeteners, and icing alternatives, such as meringue or fruit spreads.
When you are planning your wedding don’t forget that people are going to need to get from your venue back to their hotel. It is good to have taxis or limos to help guests get back to their hotels or lodging after the reception. Also, this will get people who drank alcohol during your wedding home safe and sound.
Tell your DJ about songs you like and songs you dislike. Perhaps it’s heavy metal, country music or special music from an ex. No matter what it is, make sure the DJ knows so that you don’t have any unpleasant surprises playing at the wedding.
Do not place too many flowers on the tables at your wedding reception. Flowers can be distracting for your guests and get in their way. Plus, a few of your guests could have flower allergies that you were not aware of. Opt for using non-scented candles instead of flower arrangements for a romantic and luxurious look.
Dance Floor
The music ranks up there with the videographer in terms of importance. Make sure the person you hire knows what type of music you do not want played. This is far more important than getting every tune you want to hear played, as a song from a genre you and your guests hate can kill the entire mood. Perhaps this includes heavy rock, country music or a song that reminds you of an ex. Whatever you choose, be sure they know about it so you don’t get mad about the song choices.
Keep in mind all things when considering a venue for your receptions, like having adequate dance floor space. Nothing is worse than a tiny, crowded dance floor where there is no room to move around. To make the dance floor larger, clear out some chairs and tables.
Instead of paying for a pricey cake, look into mini-tarts or cupcakes. These arrangements are typically much cheaper and convenient. Your guests can help themselves to a couple of cupcakes in a to-go box on their way out the door.
Rather than break the bank for a towering wedding cake, opt for multiple tiers of decadent, sweet cupcakes or mini-tarts. These arrangements are convenient and affordable. Each guest can just grab a cupcake or tart, then put them into special take-out inspired box.
Avoid having your guests standing around waiting while you have your pictures taken. Have pictures of the couple and groomsmen in advance. Even pictures with parents can be shot in advance, reducing the time that guests must wait for you to arrive at your reception.
A relative or friend can serve as your assistant, as often the only requirement for the job is being able to haul your gear. They can help you with other stuff, like gathering the family for group shots, also.
If you want to serve more than one course at the reception, use small dishes of candies to keep guests amused while they wait. You could consider sugared flower petals, sugar roses or maybe some bite size crackers to tide them over.
Many locations will permit you to choose your own officiant if you have a loved one become ordained online. This will not only save you money by not having to pay for an officiant, but will also make your wedding very special. Before committing to this plan, check your local ordinances to make sure that it is not against the law in your area.
See if a friend has something they wouldn’t mind letting you wear for your wedding. This can provide you with the look you wish to achieve, and make your wedding stand out.
Of the various kinds of flowers you can choose for your wedding day, silk flowers offer a unique and practical option. 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.
Silk flowers can be a good alternative to fresh flowers in some cases. You can buy your silk flowers well in advance of the wedding whereas fresh flowers have to be selected, arranged and delivered on the wedding day, which can be more stressful and problematic.
Any children in your ceremony need to be dressed comfortably. Choose soft fabrics that are not stiff or uncomfortable. The shoes need to be comfortable, and if they are new, they need to be broken in. Making sure that the shoes aren’t bothersome will let the children focus on their job in the wedding, and they won’t be messing with their outfit.
Table centerpieces at your wedding might have a tremendous budgetary and aesthetic impact. Try small, elegant decorations to accent tables, and create a nice ambiance. This will enable your guests to talk amongst each other without any interference, which will provide a better experience for them.
If you aren’t planning a reception meal, choose comfortable furniture for seating instead of tables and chairs. Soft sectional furniture, lounges and chaises can make it easier for guests to interact with each other. Comfortable seating will make your guests feel relaxed and at home, permitting them to enjoy lounging areas around your location.
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. Lounge chairs, sectional sofas and loveseats can be arranged into groupings that encourage your guests to intermingle. If you use plush seating, the guests may also feel more at ease. This may also create more areas to relax where you’re staying.
If you are having an outdoor wedding, include a contingency plan for inclement weather or any other unforeseen problem. Look into renting a couple of tents, or find a location that has a community hall in addition to an outdoor space. One helpful trick if it’s wet, but you can still stay outdoors, is to use boards as walkways through wet or muddy areas.
If the bride is to have a memorable wedding day, then all the details need to be held to her exacting standards. You could cause her a lot of stress if she’s doing all of the planning or if there are any surprises that might disappoint her. The bride’s wishes must be followed or you will be facing an angry bridezilla!
If you’re having an outdoor reception, tell your caterer. Some foods do not last in the heat, or may not stay on plates if it’s too windy. It might be possible to cover the dishes. Another consideration is to have a refrigerator available to keep beverages at their desired temperature.
When you are thinking about decorations, especially the flowers, remember your wedding’s location. For example, a flower arrangement featuring complicated elements may work well indoors, but could be destroyed by a gust of wind outside. You may also need special supplies to decorate for an outdoor wedding.
Use floral arrangements of varying heights. If you have long stemmed flowers that are compact in bloom, select a tall vase. Then add in smaller flowers with shorter stems to fill in empty spaces and to fluff out the arrangement. The shorter full flowers need to be lighter than the taller and more prominent flowers.
Ask vendors about service recommendations for whatever else you need. Ask your photographer if they can recommend a good band. See if the band has suggestions for other vendors. You can find some great people this way, and you may increase the likelihood that everyone works well together since they already like one another.
Consider your wedding location when choosing decorations like floral arrangements. For instance, intricate flowers arrangements might look great at indoor venues; but they will likely not withstand windy outdoor settings. You may have to have specialized tools and equipment in order to secure your decorations in outdoor venues.
A good thing for the bride to keep in mind when it comes to weddings is to practice your smile in front of the mirror. That way, your pictures will reflect a radiant bride, rather than one who seems uncomfortable or hesitant. Take the time to get it down pat and before long it will become second nature to you.
Before you start purchasing anything for your event, sign up for a credit card that offers incentives and rewards. Weddings often cost thousands of dollars, so getting 1% of that back in rewards can accumulate quickly. Any time you need to buy something for the wedding, charge it to the card. You’ll see your rewards build up in no time.
A nice gift to give to your bridesmaids is a piece of jewelry customized in a way that connects you with your bridal party. This will give a lifelong memory to them.
If you have found your lifetime partner, and are set on saying “I do,” then this article was the perfect read for you. This day can be the most memorable and magical day you ever share together, and the right advice always helps. This article was designed to steer you towards a wonderful day.
Don’t fear trusting others with your wedding planning. Weddings can require a large investment emotionally, and you’ll probably want to play a large role through the planning process. If you try to do everything, however, you’ll stress yourself out. You’ll need to rely on people with professional expertise to help you plan parts of your wedding.