The first concern that most have after getting engaged is their wedding. This is a great time to invite everyone you know, but it takes some work. Follow the tips we present here to have a wonderful, stress-free wedding day.
Consider getting married outside of wedding season. The wedding season is traditionally from May through September. Venues tend to be pricier during these months. If you’re going to want to marry in this time period, be sure you’re booking in advance so you can still attract a good deal.
Select ethnic catering for a truly memorable event. Choose a variety of dishes to add flair and flavor to your reception. Variety is the spice of life and it is sure to make your wedding dinner something to remember!
If you decide to handle the food for your wedding, Costco and other wholesale stores are the way to go. You will get more food for a better price if you shop wholesale. See if your friends can chip in for food costs.
Do not make all your guests wait around while you’re taking your pictures. Take photos of the groomsmen and bridesmaids with the happy couple ahead of time. Also, pictures of the couple with their parents can be taken in advance; this reduces the waiting time for guests coming to the reception.
When someone is going to talk during your wedding, be sure to have them rehearse what they’re going to say in front of you so that you know what they’re saying is appropriate. At a wedding, there is normally a collection of different generations present, and you need to remember that a joke that young people find funny may actually offend older guests.
If you conduct your wedding in a vacation spot, have a basketful of themed goodies delivered to each guest’s room. Some examples of items that you should put in the basket include: disposable cameras, sun hats, sun glasses and tourist maps and guides. You could also include flyers and coupons for local restaurants.
Of course, the focus of your wedding should be on the person whom you plan to marry. You should never rush into a marriage just because others are pushing your or because you are caught up in wedding planning. Be sure you carefully take into account the traits that you require in a mate, and which ones will drive you insane.
Find out if the lights at your reception venue are the type that can be dimmed. This may seem like a trivial detail, but this will allow a romantic, low-light setting for your first dance, while still retaining the bright lights you desire for the remainder of the evening. Before you sign any contracts with the venue, make sure this is an option.
You can coordinate your wedding decorations with your wedding garb with simple and charming touches. Use a similar ribbon for your bouquet as that on your gown or your centerpieces. Those little details make all the difference when it comes to your whole wedding day coming together.
One key consideration when setting up seating for your wedding meal is to avoid having an odd number of guests at any table. Grouping your tables according to age is one way to seat people with others that they will have things in common with.
When you are planning your wedding don’t forget that people are going to need to get from your venue back to their hotel. For people without a ride, be sure a taxi or limo can bring them to their destination after the reception. In addition, this benefits those who drank alcohol during the festivities.
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 in a closet, you run the risk of wrinkles or stains. It will stay fresh and unwrinkled at the store.
Really consider your vows, as this is one of the central parts of a wedding ceremony. Keep in mind that the union of marriage is a long term commitment and will require both parties to make some sacrifices. Don’t just make a list of promises, however. Your vows are also your opportunity to express your deep love for your partner.
Have your wedding while on a cruise with your close family and friends. Your honeymoon will start right after the ceremony. Some ships will give special deals to people who get married on board.
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. 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.
If your meal entails several different courses, make sure you add in little sweets between the plates. Get sugar roses in colors that match your theme, or perhaps some crisp crackers.
Too many flower arrangements on the guest tables at your reception are usually an interference and an extra unnecessary expense. In many cases, it will just prevent guests from talking to each other. There might be a few of your guests that are also allergic to flowers. Opt for using non-scented candles instead of flower arrangements for a romantic and luxurious look.
As an example, why not try a fusion menu with contemporary dishes that everyone enjoys? Make the menu unique by adding ethnic desserts, beverages and wedding favors that are edible.
Employ a good friend or relative, as long as they can haul your equipment and gear through the evening. They can also help you track down family members, and get them together for group photographs.
If you will not be serving a meal at your reception, consider ditching the tables and renting comfortable lounge furniture instead. Lounges, sectionals and cushy chaises can encourage social interaction. If your seating is soft and comfortable, it’ll be easier for guests to relax, and having plenty of furniture will let you set up several different lounging areas across the site.
While you are taking your wedding photos, do not let your guests wait. Photos of the bride and her party and the groom and his groomsmen should be taken ahead of time. You can also take pictures with both newlyweds’ families at this time.
Ensure your flowers look great. You can use a vintage theme for a classy look. Pink peonies are a great choice to use at your wedding.
Be sure you place an an even numer of guests at each table at your reception. If you group your guests together by age, they will have more in common in terms of conversation topics.
Potted Plants
If you plan to give a speech at a wedding, write out and practice what you will say beforehand. If you don’t bother to prepare, or your preparations fall short, you’ll find that your speech could end up being a disaster.
Instead of elaborate and pricy floral arrangements, consider placing various potted plants around the ceremony and the reception venues. Colorful pots can be decorated with paint, ribbon, or decoupage to make the arrangements even more lively. You can offer the potted plants as wedding favors or if the new couple chooses, they can use them in their landscape.
For example, choosing which flowers you want to have in your bouquet or table settings will rely on what’s available in your new location. Make contact with professionals who reside near your destination site to inquire which flowers are in bloom and available to use for your ceremony.
Different heights for your floral arrangements and accessories is going to turn out to be more visually appealing. Try using vases that are tall for more compact heads with long stems. Put hydrangeas or other flowers with volume around these vases. The full flowers should be a lighter color than the tall flowers.
If you don’t want to serve a formal dinner at your reception, try replacing traditional table seatings with rented furniture. Soft sectional furniture, lounges and chaises can make it easier for guests to interact with each other. You can create special lounge areas with plush seating throughout the venue to make guest feel comfortable and special.
Choose group activities to fill your special day with fun. It is unfair to expect your friends, or even your family members, to stand around bored to tears on this important day. Include a variety of activities, like contests, photobooths, karaoke or miniature golf. You can make your wedding more memorable by planning activities that allow your guests to have fun and interact with each other.
You always want to do a lot of research before actually booking your destination wedding. Even the slightest hitch can derail your big days, so it’s best to book your venue, caterer, and transportation arrangements well in advance.
Create your wedding vows yourself. It is pretty easy to copy directly from a source, but you are the one who knows your betrothed the best. Self-created vows create deeper feeling and meaning for your wedding, and shows your partner how much they matter. You can use other sources for inspiration and build your own touches into them.
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. You can decorate terracotta stoneware using lacy ribbons and paint or by purchasing already glazed ceramic pots in coordinated colors. The plants can be distributed as gifts for guests, or the bride and groom may choose to take the plants home.
There are many ways to have a wedding that is lower cost but very beautiful. It’s not advisable to take on lots of debt for your wedding. Create invitations yourself, having loved ones help. Also, make favors and floral arrangements yourself, and have your wedding at a place in which you can have both the ceremony and reception.
Are you planning on inviting children to your wedding, and how many are there going to be? Banning children from your wedding can help make things go smoother as well as save some money. On the other hand, some people might not be able to come if you don’t let their children come with.
When planning for decorations, think about the location. For instance, complicated arrangements that have several parts look great indoors, but they may not be best for outdoors when it’s windy. You may also need fasteners to ensure decorations don’t fly away at places like parks or beaches.
As you consider music for the ceremony and reception, it is a good idea to fully research whomever will be providing the music. Ask for a list of references and call those references before booking the band or DJ. After you know who you are going with, sign a contract so you are guaranteed to have them on your big day. This is the safe thing to do.
You don’t have to have a traditional wedding if that isn’t what you desire! Politely thank them, but remind them it is up to you and your new spouse to make the decisions. By making all your own decisions about your wedding day, you will be able remember the special occasion without any regrets in the future.
Be prepared for rain. When planning an outdoor wedding be sure to also plan an alternate indoor venue in case of inclement weather. You may think it won’t rain on your wedding day, but you really never can tell.
Start planning ahead of time. A year-long lead-time might seem sufficient, but you will soon find that many venues and vendors will already be booked. Start your wedding plans as soon as you can if you want the most choices to be available.
Gold is extraordinarily expensive, yet there are many other attractive metals you may choose for your wedding bands. For example,you might use sterling silver, tungsten, platinum, titanium or even stainless steel. These can be just as attractive and much cheaper for you to use at your wedding. Change it up a little bit to show your personal style.
Wedding planning is hard, but the end result makes it worth it. The key is to keep your mind on the overall goal and make sure to have fun. Use the helpful tips provided above to enhance your planning and help provide the wedding you have dreamed of.
When you have selected your wedding date and theme, one of the first things to tie your wedding together will be the invitations. Invitations usually include your wedding colors and give your guests a sense of what the theme is going to be. Look at many different styles and colors prior to choosing your wedding invitations.