Wedding should focus on the two people, not how much is spent on the event or every little detail put into the single event. Whenever you feel the focus skewing off to one side, bring it back to the happy couple. This piece can help you keep your focus on things that are really important.
As your wedding day approaches, practice walking down the aisle as many times as practicable. This needs to be done where the wedding is going to be held so that you’re familiar with the specific area and flooring as well as how your shoes react. It can also better the flow when the actual wedding takes place.
Use the property of a friend or a member of the family for your wedding. This will help you to significantly reduce the costs. You can make sure the cleaning and setup is done, of course, but that is the only thing you should have to pay for regarding the wedding venue.
When you are planning your wedding festivities, think hard about the kinds of alcoholic beverages that are going to be available, and also how much of a price tag they will carry. Open bars are typically very expensive, especially when they are open for long time-periods. Ask about which alcohol serving options are available through your venue.
For a high-impact look that won’t drain your budget, consider renting diamonds for your big day. At a mere fraction of the cost, you can add that perfect touch of glamour to your wardrobe for the big day.
If you are assigning any guest to give a speech at your wedding, have him rehearse the speech with you beforehand to ensure that it is appropriate. If there are going to be different generations there, you don’t want to offend anyone.
Makeup Artist
Use the property of a friend or a member of the family for your wedding. Having your wedding in someone’s yard or even farm can reduce wedding costs. Your only cost will be hiring someone who can come in before the wedding to set up and stay after to clean.
When picking out a makeup artist, make sure you see what looks they have created previously. Evaluate the makeup artist’s techniques. Also, ensure that the makeup artist has the ability to do your makeup the way you want it done. Your appearance on your wedding day is important, so you don’t want to regret your decision later.
Before choosing a photographer, you should interview several talented persons. You don’t want to end up with a photographer that you’re not going to be happy with. See if your loved ones know of a good photographer or look at online reviews.
If the thought of a cake that costs thousands of dollars and packs on thousands of calories ruins your appetite, check with local and specialty bakers and inquire about individually sized 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 having pictures taken, don’t force guests to wait. Take photos of the groomsmen and bridesmaids with the happy couple ahead of time. Even pictures with parents can be shot in advance, reducing the time that guests must wait for you to arrive at your reception.
Too many flower arrangements on the guest tables at your reception are usually an interference and an extra unnecessary expense. Often, flowers just get in your guests’ way. Not only that, but you may have some guests who are allergic to flowers. Instead, you could place candles (non-scented) on the table tops to add a romantic feel to the reception.
Even if your dress is picked and already paid for, it is a good idea to keep it safely at the shop until the big day. If you keep it inside your closet, the dress might get stained or wrinkled. Keeping it at the bridal shop ensures that it will be fresh and pressed for your big day!
Make certain that the reception area you choose has enough dancing space. It can be a horrible experience to feel crammed while everyone around you is trying to dance; move chairs and tables out of the way to give everyone some extra breathing space.
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.
Fashionable brides can add a touch of luxury to their bouquet by applying some sparkle through the use of Swarovski crystals, diamonds or rhinestones. Crystals come in adhesive and heat-fixed varieties, or brides may choose to add pieces of costume jewelry or heirloom pieces to their bouquets. The bouquet should not clash with your overall look, so pay close attention to the colors, cut and size of each stone.
Look on Craigslist for talent to make your wedding special. Meet up with them in person, do an interview, and discuss your needs and wishes before you pay anything.
Sweet cupcakes are great alternatives to an expensive cake. These arrangements are more convenient, versatile, and more cost effective. Instead of eating cake off a paper napkin, you can give your guests the option to nab a sweet treat on the way out. A decorative container, such as a takeout box, is far more convenient.
Silk flowers are a great alternative to some of the different types of flowers that you can purchase for your wedding. You can get these way in advance because they aren’t fresh and then have them on hand and reduce one thing to do right before the big day.
If your wedding includes a colorful cake that will be its own focal point, use rich, coordinating fabric beneath it to set it off. Good options include designer prints, novelty fabrics or special occasion fabrics like satin, velvet or silk.
If the couple likes to travel, find decorative elements that incorporate their love for it. You could also send out invitations that look like postcards or boarding passes, for instance. Family photographs and wedding programs could be displayed inside a propped open vintage leather suitcase.
If you plan to serve your guests a meal with multiple courses, keep them entertained during the serving process by placing small dishes of appetizing sweets on each table. You could consider sugared flower petals, sugar roses or maybe some bite size crackers to tide them over.
Do your homework before meeting your wedding planner. Follow stylists with look books to get better ideas for your wedding. 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.
If children are to be a part of your ceremony, pay special attention to the comfort of their clothes. Pick soft fabrics that are not too tight, and will bring comfort are important. Shoes, especially if new, should be comfortable and broken in. Thinking ahead about small details like this can make all the difference on the wedding day and will cut down on fidgeting and fussing over uncomfortable clothing.
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.
Potted Plants
A great way to place live flowers around your wedding without spending an arm and a leg on flowers that will end up in the bin is to use potted plants. You can decorate terracotta stoneware using lacy ribbons and paint or by purchasing already glazed ceramic pots in coordinated colors. The guests will be able to take the plants home with them as wedding favors or the lovely couple can use them in their new yard.
An affordable alternative to fancy floral arrangements is to place several potted plants of differing sizes in various areas of your reception and wedding sites. There are a number of options for decorative pots, ranging from glazed ceramic to terracotta. Consider adding custom details, such as ribbons or decoupage. You can even used the potted plants as a favor for guests after the wedding or plant them in your yard as a memory of the wedding.
Find a wedding day photographer who is able to capture memories. Ask the photographer how he sees the day unfolding. Question how they envision the wedding day flowing. You want to understand their style to make sure it meshes with your own.
Add flowers of all different heights. Use tall vases and have some short and some tall flowers. You can then surround the vases using flowers with more show and volume but that are shorter. The shorter flowers should have more prominent blooms and be more lightly colored.
Your wedding venue should play a role in decisions about your theme, decor, and floral arrangements. An example might be an elaborate arrangement that does well indoors, but would not be suited for an outdoor venue where wind might be an issue. Special equipment and fasteners will likely be needed to secure your decorations at outdoor venues.
Pick out a few special activities for the day, and use them to spice up the mood when needed. This is a wonderful change to having your guests simply loitering around between the nuptials and reception. There are all kinds of fun activities to plan, such as games, contests and informal gatherings. Your wedding day will be much more memorable when everyone interacts by having fun with each other.
Families are all too willing to push family traditions on you for your wedding, but gently remind them this is your wedding and try to compromise. Be kind and loving if you have to reject your extended family’s suggestions, but don’t let them dominate or manipulate you. Firmly assert that you (and of course your partner too) have the final say when it comes to your wedding plans. This will ensure that you have no regrets when you look back on the day you got married.
If you’re wearing a tuxedo at your wedding, take the time to get one that fits well. Ask for different opinions before choosing your tuxedo. Remember that people will be taking pictures, try to look your best.
Reducing the portion sizes at your reception is one option. The more money you save, the more people you can invite. If there are many people attending, you might have to cut back. If you cannot do this, you may want to limit how many guests can come.
Make sure your bridesmaids know what they are wearing. Many friendships have been strained by issues between brides and their bridesmaids because they did not communicate openly. Look for something affordable, goes well with the theme and will suit the bridesmaids you choose. This will ensure a great wedding day free from hurt feelings and misunderstandings.
Before you pay for services for your wedding, make sure you have a credit card that has a rewards program. The expenses of a wedding quickly add up, so using a credit card can earn you a lot of benefits if you use one with a reward program. Pay for all wedding expenses with the card, and you’ll rack up some nice rewards.
One money saving idea is to consider alternatives in lieu of flowers arrangements. Instead of floral wreathes, use ribbons. You can also use silk flowers instead of decorating with real ones. Not only will this save you some money, but you will have them forever. Plus, silk flower arrangements can be made weeks or months in advance so that you can be sure you have exactly what you want.
You might feel silly but practice smiling before your wedding. This can help you find the ideal smile for your photos. With just a bit of practice, you’ll get the desired look.
Weddings are about the people who are getting married, not how much they spend on it. Your wedding can very well be wonderful due to the love you share. Use the advice that you have learned to have a magical wedding.
Open a special savings account for your wedding funds. Wedding expenses can get out of hand quickly, so make a budget and stick to it. Start a bank account to save money for a wedding later on in your life.