Getting married is a time full of magic and wonder, but it can also bring on more stress than you have ever experienced. There are a million things to take care of from flowers, to the cake, the gown and more. The tips provided below will help you to plan your wedding in an organized and stress-free manner.
Choose a less popular month to get married if you want to save money. Most weddings take place between May and September. These are the times when wedding venues are most expensive. If you need to book during this time, make sure you book far in advance to get the best deal.
Practice your walk many times. Be certain to practice at the wedding venue while wearing your wedding-day shoes. This will help to improve your flow when the big day comes.
If you decide to cater your own wedding party, go to the big wholesale stores, like Costco. You will get more food for a better price if you shop wholesale. You may even ask for help with food costs from family or friends.
Alcohol can be a big expense at a wedding, so consider limiting the types of drinks and opt for cost efficient choices. Open bars can be expensive and can be more so if they’re open a long time. Inquire with your wedding venue as to what their alcohol options available are.
When picking out a makeup artist, make sure you see what looks they have created previously. Do you like their style? It is critically important that you know they can meet your needs. It can be helpful to do a practice run before the big day so that you will be happy with the results.
Don’t starve yourself to fit in your wedding dress! This will only make you lightheaded and dehydrating, and it could even make you ill. The last thing you want is to faint while saying your vows. Rather, get a dress with an integrated corset so that it can be easily adjusted.
Tall flower arrangements can be the perfect idea for round tables at the wedding reception so guests are able to see and speak to each other. Flowers can be obstructive to guests a lot of the time. There might be a few of your guests that are also allergic to flowers. One classy alternative to flowers is unscented candles.
You should put a great deal of thought into writing your wedding vows. Marriage requires sacrifices from both sides, keep this in mind as you make the strongest commitment of your life. When you are saying your vows ensure your spouse knows and understands that you love them with all of your heart.
Try to practice walking down your aisle before a mirror that is full-length to see what you’re doing, especially if you plan on wearing heels. If you are worried about a twisted ankle, choose attractive flats instead. This will help you to feel comfortable on the big day.
Instead of one large, expensive wedding cake, consider serving cupcakes or several small cakes. There are boutiques that will bake fresh cupcakes with very few calories specifically for your event, and deliver them. These boutiques also often have healthy options available such as gluten-free, fruit based fillings instead of frosting, and healthier alternative toppings.
Sweet cupcakes are great alternatives to an expensive cake. These arrangements are typically much cheaper and convenient. Guests can choose a couple cupcakes when they leave and put them in the embellished takeout containers.
Check around for photographers who have glowing credentials. You don’t need wedding photos taken that you end up disliking. It is smart to look online for user reviews of photographers or seek personal recommendations from those you trust.
Employ a good friend or relative, as long as they can haul your equipment and gear through the evening. Your assistant can help you corral the wedding party for great photographs.
Instead of spending a bundle on a monolith wedding cake, consider a multi-tier design with mini-tarts or cupcakes. Such ideas are great for their affordability, adaptability and ease of use. Guests can even take a cupcake home.
When having pictures taken, don’t force guests to wait. The pictures with the groom’s and bride’s parties should be shot ahead of time. Pictures with those being wed and their parents should also be taken beforehand if possible.
Schedule your reception for midday. Since most of your guests won’t be interested in drinking much alcohol during this hour, you can save money on your bar costs. Also, dinner receptions tend to be more expensive than lunch receptions, and you’ll be able to spend your savings on something else.
When making table assignments for your reception, ensure that even numbers of guests will be at each table. If you put people of the same age together at tables they will have more to talk about.
Bridal Shop
One way to help remain in budget is to search Craigslist for items or services needed for your wedding. Meet up with them in person, do an interview, and discuss your needs and wishes before you pay anything.
Although you may have found and purchased the perfect dress, it is a good idea to have the bridal shop hold it until the big day. If you keep it inside your closet, the dress might get stained or wrinkled. Having the bridal shop keep it will ensure that it’s pressed and fresh for your special day.
Finely crafted flowers made of silk can be a good selection for some of your needs, such as table centerpieces. Since they can be chosen months in advance, you won’t have to worry about their freshness, which will be one less thing to worry about as your big day approaches.
Ask your close friend if you are able to don their items for your big day. 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.
Inform your caterer if you’re going to be having your wedding reception outdoors. Some foods will not keep well in the heat or might be too light to stay in dishes if the wind is blowing strongly. One way to address the wind issue is to use decorative covers for the dishes. Furthermore, consider hiring a refrigerator to keep beverages cool.
Large centerpieces are unnecessary on your tables as they not only eat away at your budget, but serve as an unneeded distraction. Even though ornate centerpieces are very pretty, there is beauty in simple designs as well. Simple centerpieces help keep the table from feeling cluttered and make it easier for guests to talk to each other.
You want to think about your guests and any travel involved when you are thinking about wedding plans. Your guests should have enough time to get ready. Invitations or a “save the date” card ought to be sent out eight months prior to your wedding day so guests can make plans.
If the culture of the bride’s and groom’s family are very different, plan the wedding ceremony in the tradition of one side and follow the traditions of the other side at the reception. This will ensure that all parties are happy and satisfied.
Plan group activities for those who are sharing your special day. You do not want all of your guests simply biding their time until the wedding is complete. Examples of activities could include a volleyball game, or a contest of who can get to know the most people prior to the wedding. If you set up activities for guests to participate in, your wedding reception will be more fun for everybody. Your guests may even make new friends by playing games together, and everyone will be talking about your wedding for weeks to come.
You need to make lists that are priority based when you start planning your wedding. Some people place a greater importance on the flowers over the cake, or consider the guest list less important than the venue. As you delegate the priority for each item, you can budget accordingly and have a wedding that perfectly meets your particular dream.
Choose a tuxedo that fits you perfectly. Before you pick a tuxedo you should get some opinions. People will be taking a lot of pictures: make sure you look your best for this important day.
Silk Flowers
Consider your bridesmaids needs when choosing their gowns. The choice of dress can often lead to disgruntlement between bride and bridesmaid. Be sure to select comfortable dresses that match your theme and look good on your bridesmaids. This will help ensure that they are truly happy on your big day.
A great way to save money on your wedding is by using other alternatives to flower arrangements. Use a ribbon for the flower girl instead of a wreath. Use silk flowers in lieu of fresh ones. Using silk flowers not only saves you money, but you are able to keep it forever. Keep them in a safe place as you never know when you might need them again.
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. Make sure that you also keep in mind the quality of the sound and editing that your videographer provides. You could get wedding on VHS tapes a long time ago, but getting them on digital video or DVDs can help you enjoy them for years. Look for a videographer who meets all technical requirements. Beyond that, listen to your heart.
Before committing to a DJ or band for your wedding, do your due diligence first. Require references before you hire them. Once you decide, make sure they know the date, and make sure there’s a signed contract binding them to an agreement. This contract will help ensure the band or DJ shows up on your wedding day.
It is definitely possible to plan a wedding within a tight budget. You do not and should not go into debt with a wedding. You can do many things on your own, like printing invitations, creating floral arrangements, asking family and friends to help, and having one venue for the ceremony and the reception.
Floral Arrangements
When you decide on decorations for your wedding, especially floral arrangements, try to keep your venue in mind. For instance, complex arrangements can be great for indoor events, but they can be problematic when placed outdoors. If you are having an outdoor wedding, you may need certain equipment to be sure your decorations hold.
When you decide on decorations for your wedding, especially floral arrangements, try to keep your venue in mind. Elaborately detailed floral arrangements and displays can be very striking indoors but lose their majesty in the windy weather. You must also take into account any equipment that will be needed for securing decorations when outdoors at parks or beaches.
Your family might encourage you to follow tradition or make certain choices, but this day is about you and your spouse-to-be. Thank them for any suggestions and kindly decline their ideas with an explanation that it is your turn to make these decisions. This will ensure that you have no regrets when you look back on the day you got married.
Be alert about the weather. An extremely hot day is not going to lend itself well to a wedding, where your guests have to stand. In the same vein, people may ditch your wedding if the heat isn’t turned up high enough, during a winter event. Do what you can to make sure your guests are comfortable; provide fans in the summer or small heaters in the winter.
Think about minimizing the meal portion of your wedding reception. Accommodating numerous guests on a limited budget may require spending less in certain areas. It will be easier to stay within your spending limits if you opt for a less lavish dining option. If this is unacceptable, you may need to trim your guest list.
A lot of people dream of their wedding for their whole lives, right up to the moment it happens. This gives weddings an almost ethereal feel. But planning an actual wedding can be complicated and daunting. Hopefully, after you read this guide, you will have an easier time in handling and planning your own wedding and you will be able to breathe a little bit easier.
Open a savings account solely for your wedding once you have decided on the date. Wedding expenses can get out of hand quickly, so make a budget and stick to it. If you want to have an extravagant wedding when you are older, start saving now.