Weddings are wonderful. People often think that weddings must cost a significant amount of money, but they don’t have to be so costly. You don’t need to go into debt to have a nice wedding. In this article we will provide thrifty, yet creative ideas to help you have a memorable wedding day.
One consideration in wedding planning is alcohol service. You’ll want to determine the way that meets you needs, including the cost and the way to serve the kinds of alcohol that you prefer. Just letting people drink all they want can really add up, especially if the reception lasts a long time. Inquire at your venue what your alcoholic beverage serving options are.
For a more affordable wedding, consider setting a date outside the traditional season for weddings. Wedding season runs from May through September. Venues are usually more expensive then. If you still want to have your wedding during this time, be sure to make all your arrangements well in advance so you receive the best possible deal.
Choosing your favorite gown online can be faster and cheaper, but do so well in advance to allot extra time for alterations. While buying a dress online may be less expensive, alterations can quickly add to the cost. Be sure to add the additional cost of alterations in your budget.
Never go on a strenuous weight loss diet in order to look your best. This will only make you lightheaded and dehydrating, and it could even make you ill. You have spent so long planning for your big day, the last thing you want to do is pass out at the altar. You would do better to choose a dress that has a corset back, as this allows you to adjust the fit with out the need for tailoring.
Make your wedding personal by including elements that embody you, your soon-to-be spouse, and your relationship. A theme should be selected that matches the time that you’ve had together.
Don’t forget about transportation! You should have taxis and limos to take people home when it’s over. This allows people to enjoy themselves and not have to worry about drinking and driving after the reception.
The pictures that are taken at your wedding are very important as you will look at these for the rest of your life. Be certain to hire the best photographer you can to get a clear and touching record of your special day.
An overabundance of flowers on reception tables causes trouble. Often, flowers interfere with guests being able to converse across the table. In addition, some guests could be allergic to flowers. Candles without scent are a romantic and beautiful centerpiece.
The most critical factor to keep in mind when you are getting married is of course the person you are marrying! Don’t rush this decision, as it alters your life like no other. Consider the person and what about them you can’t live without, and also the things about them that might irritate you.
You can include some embellishments in your bouquet of flowers including rhinestones or Swarovski crystals! You can add some crystals that have been glued on, some costume jewelery, or an heirloom of your own. To create a cohesive look, be sure that the colors, cut, and the size of any stones you use match or compliment each other.
You don’t have to overwhelm yourself with an expensive and high calorie cake; contact your local specialty bakeries and boutiques and inquire about getting smaller, individual portions made instead. There are many bakeries that will prepare low-calorie cupcakes for you, or can find ways to cut the calories from a cake. Whether they use gluten-free ingredients, a healthy fruit filling, a calorie free frosting, or something else, it’s sure to be better for you than the alternative.
Perhaps enlist the help of a friend to help you to carry all your camera gear around. They can help you with other stuff, like gathering the family for group shots, also.
Flowers look beautiful as centerpieces on the dinner tables, but don’t overdo it. Oftentimes, those flowers are simply in the way for your wedding attendees. 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.
Once you have your dress paid off and all ready, it is wise to leave it at the store so it can be properly stored until the big day. It can get stained or wrinkly inside your closet. Having the bridal shop keep it will ensure that it’s pressed and fresh for your special day.
Make sure to shop multiple photographers before picking the right one to shoot your wedding. Having your wedding ruined by bad pictures isn’t what you’re aiming for. To find some talented photographers near you, look for reviews online or see if friends or family can recommend anyone.
A sweet treat between meal courses is a great way to keep your guests happy. Just about anything will do, even crackers with a bit of flavor.
When choosing the location for your reception, make sure you have enough room for a dance floor. Nothing is worse than everyone being crammed together during a dance, so move things out of the way to help create extra space.
See if you can borrow a special item of apparel from a friend for your wedding ceremony. This will not only fill a gap in your wedding jewelry ensemble, but will also add a special touch to the day that you will remember fondly in the years to come.
Instead of spending too much for a large wedding cake, opt instead for one that is comprised of multiple layers of mini tarts or sweet cupcakes. They taste great, are easy to eat and are affordable. Guests are able to take a cupcake when they leave, if you put them in a fancy take-out container.
If you are going to give a speech at a wedding you should always practice. Without the right amount of planning and practice, you can easily lose the audience, get caught with your foot in your mouth, or just bomb the speech with nothing but stuttering and a confused look on your face.
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 also be of assistance in rounding everyone up for the group photographs, and this will make sure no one is left out.
It’s important to have a backup plan if you want your wedding ceremony or reception to be held outdoors. You can rent several tents or look for a location that has a community hall, in addition to an outdoor space. Planks can be used on wet ground so guests do not soil their shoes.
As you plan out table arrangements, you should avoid seating an odd number of guests at each table. Instead, each table should seat an even number. Grouping your tables according to age is one way to seat people with others that they will have things in common with.
Do your research before hiring a wedding planner. Use fashion designers as your guide to help inspire you in creating the look you want. Incorporate pictures, songs, magazine clippings and other details that will help your wedding planning really understand your vision.
Once you have your dress paid off and all ready, it is wise to leave it at the store so it can be properly stored until the big day. If you keep it in a closet, you run the risk of wrinkles or stains. If the bridal shop takes care of it, you can be sure that it is going to be in perfect condition for your wedding.
If you are planning to hold your reception outdoors, it is important to inform your caterer. If the weather is hot, some foods won’t keep well, and if it’s windy, some lighter foods might actually blow away. One way to address the wind issue is to use decorative covers for the dishes. You may want to have a refrigerator or some coolers on site to keep the drinks cold.
If you choose a wedding cake full of vibrant color that stands out as a focal point in your reception, you can enhance it further by presenting it on top of a fabric swatch coordinated with the cake itself. Your fabric could have patterns or solids and range from heavy textures to silk or satin. All of this can play up visual interest and tie various facets together into a cohesive aesthetic.
Potted Plants
Have your wedding while on a cruise with your close family and friends. This means you can start your honeymoon immediately. Some cruise ships offer special wedding and honeymoon packages.
Costly wedding floral arrangements can be replaced with ornamental potted plants for an aesthetic and exotic effect. You can choose pots with colorful glazes or add a little pizzazz to plain terracotta pots with decoupage, ribbons, or creative paint applications. When the wedding is over, the newlyweds can either plant the potted plants in their yard, or the guest can take them home.
If the cultural backgrounds are different, have the wedding with one tradition and the reception with the other. This will help create a festive atmosphere and help make the event enjoyable for both families.
A common wedding tradition is having a gift registry. It is always suggested to inform guests they are not required to gift you as this will make them feel more at ease about the amount they should give or spend. So, set up a registry that have items of all prices so that everyone can afford to buy something that they know you will love. People need to be comfortable giving what they are able to afford bringing.
If you plan on giving a wedding speech, plan the speech and practice it. If you don’t prepare accordingly, you can lose all of your audience in mid-speech, and be forced to finish an awkward moment in front of a confused crowd.
Floral designs that vary in height can help improve your decor. Use vases that are tall for long stem and compact head flowers. Peonies and hydrangeas are wonderful flowers to incorporate. Short and tall blooms can help to distinguish your wedding.
Get more from a wedding planner by researching wedding material before meeting them. Look at the creations of fashion designers for options in fabric and styles that can provide inspiration for a starting point. Photographs, song lyrics and magazine clippings can be used to display your ideas in such a manner that your wedding planner can get a visual image of your ideas.
Group Activities
If you plan to wear a gown to your reception, make sure to practice dancing in a full skirt until you perfect the moves. You personally may be fine moving in a longer dress, but your fiancee may be very happy for the practice. This will help prevent any awkwardness your partner might experiences from maneuvering around a large, full dress.
Choose group activities to do on your wedding day. Do not just have your friends and family stand around waiting for your nuptials to end. You can plan any number of fun games, from wedding couple trivia to musical chairs. By including group activities into your wedding day, your guests will have fun and fondly remember your wedding.
Decide upon the matter of inviting children to the wedding early in the planning process. Banning children from your wedding can help make things go smoother as well as save some money. However, a lot of your guests might not be able to attend because they are unable to find childcare.
Interview numerous videographers prior to picking one for the wedding. Also, be sure to ask for samples of their past work. Inspect the sound quality while you’re at it. The days of VHS tapes and grainy film are long gone, and you can now choose from digital or DVD formats. Your decisions should be made on these factors, in addition to the first impressions you get of the different videographers.
Always be aware of Mother nature and how she can cause the most unexpected weather related problems. When planning a wedding outdoors, ensure you have an alternative venue. Rain can happen at any time, so be sure there is another option.
It is quite possible to have a fabulous wedding on a reasonable budget. These ideas will help to make your special day memorable.
Brides should try to avoid showing distracting tan lines. You may want a nice tan prior to your wedding, but tan lines can distract from the dress.