A wedding is a momentous occasion for a new couple and their families. Most people think you need a fortune to have a wedding; this isn’t true. You can have a great wedding and you don’t need to go broke. All it takes is a little inspiration, a few ingenious measures, and the ability to do so without sending yourself to the poorhouse.
Personalize your wedding by including things that represent your spouse-to-be, and the bond between the both of you. A theme should be selected that matches the time that you’ve had together.
Religious practices will be a part of your wedding, and also an important part of your marriage. It is important to talk openly about religion not only with your future spouse but also with both families.
Getting married soon? Don’t even think about crash dieting to fit into your dress. Starving yourself will just dehydrate you and make you feel sick. The last thing you need is to pass out as the vows are being given. Instead, choose a dress that has a corset back that can be taken in and out as needed on the big day.
Alcohol can be a big expense at a wedding, so consider limiting the types of drinks and opt for cost efficient choices. If you have an open bar that is available for long intervals of time, the bill can run up really hard really fast. Speak with the people at the venue about any alcohol serving options.
One of the things to consider for your wedding is transportation. Limos should be booked well ahead of time. This is a great idea for people who drink.
It is a good idea to hear the speeches of those who will be speaking at your wedding so you know that their comments will be appropriate. There will be people of all ages present, and what may seem funny to a younger person may not be humorous to an older crowd.
When choosing the location for your reception, make sure you have enough room for a dance floor. You can make room by moving some chairs and tables around when it’s time to dance, just make sure you find enough space for people to get their groove on.
The wedding DJ needs a list of the songs you want played at the reception, but make sure they know what you dislike. If you hate a specific song or a genre, such as heavy metal or country, you don’t want that played at your wedding reception. Whatever music you hate, you don’t want to hear it at your wedding!
Instead of choosing an expensive, towering wedding cake, choose several tiers of mini tarts or decadent cupcakes. This will make things very convenient for you. Your guests can help themselves to a couple of cupcakes in a to-go box on their way out the door.
Dance Floor
For a destination wedding, one wonderful present for your guests is a basket brimming with vacation goodies delivered to each room. Have items in them like disposable cameras, hats, sunglasses and tourist maps of the exciting places that they can visit. Furthermore, a Zagat guide or other culinary guide is useful for any gift basket of this theme!
Don’t rent a reception venue that has little room for dancing. 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.
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. In this way, you can be certain it will be properly stored and protected from damage. If you keep it at the shop, that means it will remain pressed and fresh for your wedding.
Brides who love fashion will perhaps want to add a dash of sparkle to their bouquet; think rhinestones, Swarovski crystals or even some diamonds. You can use small pieces of costume jewelry, heat-fixed or adhesive crystals, or perhaps a treasured heirloom. To make sure it matches your entire ensemble, use consistency with the sparkly colors, size and cut of the stones.
Try to incorporate interests from both the groom and the bride when decorating. For example, if both enjoy traveling, then include little decorative touches that are reminiscent of their travels. Their are artistic ways to make wedding invitations distinct, so that they reflect the couple’s personalities and interests. An interesting travel bag decorated with colored bows and ribbons can be set up as a decoration alongside the guestbook or pictures of the bride and groom.
Don’t wait until your wedding day to try walking in your shoes and gown. Practice going down the aisle until you feel comfortable. If you have difficulty walking in heels, opt for a pair of ballerina flats. Comfortable footwear is a wonderful trade off to protect you from falling.
You don’t have to go all out when it comes to purchasing things like centerpieces for the tables in your wedding. Instead of going with a huge table centerpiece that uses up almost the entire table, keep it simple. People will find it easier to converse across the table without a huge centerpiece getting in their way.
See if you can find a willing helper who can assist you with looking after your equipment and moving it when necessary. They can also help get together family members for group shots!
Be sure that children who are appearing in your wedding are dressed in comfortable, well-fitting clothing. By utilizing softer fabrics, the children in your ceremony will look great while feeling quite comfortable. New shoes should be worn enough to ensure they are comfortable. 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.
Avoid having your guests standing around waiting while you have your pictures taken. Have pictures of the couple and groomsmen in advance. You can also take your pictures with your respective parents in advance of the wedding. This will leave you more time to spend with your guests.
Have a set plan for everything at the wedding. You want to make sure that your wedding is enjoyable for everyone who has agreed to take part in your special day.
Rent a venue, with lights that are capable of being dimmed, for your wedding reception. This may seem like a minor factor, but many couples like dimming the lights for a first dance, and switching to brighter lights for the remainder of the event. Before giving the venue the thumbs up and your money, ask them about this detail.
It’s important to have a backup plan if you want your wedding ceremony or reception to be held outdoors. You can rent a couple tents or look for a venue with a hall and a park. Another thing you can do is install planks, so guests don’t get their shoes muddy.
Perhaps you would consider a cruise ship wedding, with only a few close friends and family. Doing this will allow you to start your honeymoon immediately after your wedding is done. Many cruise companies offer a special rate for a combined wedding/honeymoon package.
Tell your caterer if you plan on having an outdoor reception. Some foods do not last in the heat, or may not stay on plates if it’s too windy. One way to address the wind issue is to use decorative covers for the dishes. If you have to, use a small fridge for keeping drinks cold.
Plan everything for the wedding, from reception activities to the food. You want all your guests to be excited and constantly interacting with what you have planned on your special day.
Always understand the legal requirements for your location when planning a destination wedding. Before you start booking hotels, make sure they will meet your needs.
If you will not be serving a supper at the reception, think about using other furniture instead of tables and chairs. Lounge chairs, sectional sofas and loveseats can be arranged into groupings that encourage your guests to intermingle. Plush seating can make your guests feel a lot more relaxed and comfortable. In addition, it lets you make separate lounge areas all through the reception site.
Make your floral arrangements more complex by incorporating different heights. If you have long stemmed flowers that are compact in bloom, select a tall vase. Surround those vases with more voluminous flowers that are shorter, like sweet peas and peonies. Also, opt for darker shades for your long stem flowers and lighter shades for the shorter flowers.
If you plan to have an outdoor ceremony, be sure to take weather (sun or rain) into account to ensure happy guests. Rent a few tents or find a venue that has a hall, as well as a park. You might also think about putting wood planks down to prevent guests from stepping in mud caused by rain.
As you consider a videographer for the event, always interview each candidate and request samples of their previous work. Note the editing and sound quality that the videographer provides. VHS wedding videos were popular years ago, but make sure you get either a DVD or digital video which can be played for many years. Also, don’t forget about first impressions; they can help you choose the best person for a job.
Don’t plan destination weddings without considering the destination’s legal requirements. Before you start booking hotels, make sure they will meet your needs.
When you need to put together a wedding on the cheap, you can! It is imperative that you not fall into debt because of your wedding. You can make some things yourself, such as invitations, and ask loved ones to help. You can also make wedding favors, flower arrangements and save money on the venue by having the affair at someone’s home.
Make a list of the things you want for your wedding, and list each thing by level of importance. Some people will have the venue as the most important item while others might list the guest list. Put the most important things for you at the top. By having a plan of what is most important to you, you can set aside funding for each item and ensure you get the wedding of your dreams.
Consider a buffet or having delicious bite size foods for your guests if a traditional dinner is too expensive or elaborate. The more money you save, the more people you can invite. Cutting down on the food at your wedding is one way to save money. If this is unacceptable, you may need to trim your guest list.
When selecting a videographer, be certain to interview multiple candidates, and always ask to view sample videos. Look at the sound and quality of the video as well as the editing. Get your wedding on the latest technology so that the memories last a lifetime. Consider the facts and your impressions of the videographers available to make a decision.
Your wedding planning should take weather into account. The guests may be uncomfortable if it is outdoors and very hot out. If your wedding takes place in the winter, no one may stay long, if the day is quite cold. Try your best to make accommodations to fit individual and small group needs for people in your wedding.
Silk Flowers
Realize that rain may become a factor at your wedding. If you want to have an outdoor wedding, make sure you have a backup plan in the event that it rains. Even if there is a small chance, you will still have an alternative.
Flower arrangements can end up eating a large portion of your wedding budget, but they don’t have to. Instead of a floral wreath on your flower girl, try using ribbons for a look that is elegant but still cost effective. Silk flowers are great because they do not die and have to be thrown away. Using silk flowers not only saves you money, but you are able to keep it 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.
Secure vendor recommendations from other service providers you have hired. If you are happy with the photographer you hire, see if they can recommend good wedding bands. Likewise, the band members may know other wedding resources that will help you. This will help you find the best individuals for your day.
Though it takes time and some effort to plan, you don’t need to spend lots of money to have a happy, enjoyable wedding. Use the advice you’ve just been given to create a wonderful wedding day full of joy and happiness.
Create your wedding ring with a metal other than gold. This could be silver, stainless steel, or titanium. These can be more cost effective and unexpected when you combine them with what you wear. You should take time to try out something different.