Your wedding day is upon you. You may have been dreaming of this for years and finally, your time has come. Identifying the best is simple, but the cost can be daunting. Do you know how to plan a perfect wedding and stay within your budget? You’ll find that this article is packed with tips to help you make smart decisions about your wedding and reception.
Booking a venue for your wedding can be extremely expensive. If someone you know has a nice backyard or a large farm, this can save a lot of money. Make sure you offer to hire help to prepare and to clean, though. Do not leave this up to the homeowner.
Prior to your big day, practice walking down the aisle. Do this at your actual wedding site to make sure you’re familiar with the floor there. This will help to improve your flow when the big day comes.
If you cringe at the thought of purchasing an extremely expensive yet incredibly unhealthy wedding cake, there are other options available. You should consider getting in touch with local bakeries and specialty boutiques to inquire about individual portions that are healthier. A variety of healthy alternatives are available for a wedding cake that won’t cause sugar shock.
Wedding dresses can be very expensive. Don’t limit yourself to considering dresses that are marketed specifically as wedding gowns. A simpler dress may suit your needs and will be less expensive than a typical wedding dress. The money you save by choosing a cheaper dress can be used to alter it and add some stylish details.
Only place a few flowers in the centerpieces at your reception tables. Oftentimes, those flowers are simply in the way for your wedding attendees. There are some guests that have allergies to flowers, as well. A romantic alternative to floral centerpieces at guest tables is the use of fragrance-free candles.
When selecting a makeup artist for your wedding, be sure to see the makeup that they have done in the past. Is the style they do to your liking? They must be able to deliver the precise look you want. The last thing you want is to walk down the aisle with a last-minute makeup job.
Fashionable and luxury-loving brides can choose to embellish their bouquet with a touch of sparkle; think Swarovski crystals, rhinestones, and even a sprinkle of diamonds. You can do this by applying some crystals, costume jewelry, or maybe even an heirloom piece. To create a cohesive look, be sure that the colors, cut, and the size of any stones you use match or compliment each other.
Don’t overcrowd your wedding reception tables with excessive flowers. A lot of the time flowers in the middle of the table are an annoyance. Plus, a few of your guests could have flower allergies that you were not aware of. Because of this, you should think about putting candles that are non-scented onto the table in order to achieve a more romantic look.
Practice your walk for when you walk down the aisle. If you don’t wish to risk twisting your ankle, choose stylish flats instead. A sensible pair of shoes is better than injuring yourself by wearing high heels.
Instead of an expensive wedding cake, get cupcakes or mini-tarts. These arrangements are beloved for their affordable price range, versatility, and convenience. Guests can simply pick up a cupcake or two as they leave, placing them in a takeout-inspired, embellished cardboard container.
Instead of going bankrupt for a wedding cake, try getting multiple tiers of mini-tarts or cupcakes. 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.
When you invite your family to your destination wedding, see if they’d like to stick around for the honeymoon, too! Everyone will enjoy a discount for the longer stay, and that will save everybody money. Then you can have a memorable wedding and your guests will enjoy a mini vacation.
When you choose to invite family members to join you at your destination wedding, ask them if they would like to stay for the honeymoon, as well! Longer stays at hotels are often discounted so it’ll save you money in the long run. Not only do they get to share in your special time, they can create their own memories as well.
Make sure the lighting at your wedding reception venue can be dimmed. Certain occasions throughout the evening will call for their own separate mood and lighting, such as a first dance or cutting of the cake. Before you sign any contracts with the venue, make sure this is an option.
Try to plan your reception for the afternoon. Your bar tab will be significantly less as people drink less in daylight. It will also be cheaper if you have a lunch time reception and you can have better food or use the money saved to invest in your honeymoon!
Keep your dress at the shop in which you have purchased it until the wedding day. It can get stained or wrinkly inside your closet. 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 money isn’t an issue, you may want to get married on a cruise ship with close members of your family and close friends. This will allow you to have your honeymoon directly afterwards. Many cruise companies have special deals for wedding and honeymooning couples.
Having someone close to you get ordained online allows them to preside over your wedding. This will give your loved one an important roll in the ceremony, while also saving you a bit of money. You should check the legality of this option in your area before you make a decision.
Multiple course receptions should have treats on the table for guests to consume between servings. Try sugar roses which subtly match your decor, or thin crackers that whet the appetite.
If the future newlyweds enjoy traveling, display decorations that portray a sense of wanderlust. You can make invitations and save-the-date cards to resemble vintage postcard or boarding pass. An old-style suitcase can be set open on a table as the backdrop for wedding programs or favors.
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. You will then allow people to have a conversation without unnecessary distractions; this will bring your guests closer.
Plan your speech ahead of time if you want to give one. 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.
Do your research before hiring a wedding planner. Create a look book or board with fabric swatches, magazine clippings and other interesting items. Include photos, magazine clippings, and songs lyrics if you like.
Consider renting couches and chairs instead of tables if you aren’t planning on serving a meal at your wedding reception. Lounge chairs, chaises and comfortable sectional pieces will help encourage interaction between your guests. Plush seating can also make guests feel more comfortable and relaxed; this also allows you to create separate lounge areas throughout the site.
If the cost of extravagant floral arrangements is too high, one cost effective alternative that you should consider is potted plants. You can obtain potted plants in various sizes and place them throughout the ceremony area and reception. Glazed ceramic pots in colorful hues will look great, or you can opt to paint and adorn the pottery yourself. After the wedding, guests can take the potted plants home as a wedding favor, or the new couple can plant them in their yard.
Be sure to inform the caterer that your reception will be outside. Some foods won’t keep in the heat, and some food might not weigh enough to stay in its dish if there are strong winds. You might be able to use fancy or insulated covers for dishes. Furthermore, consider hiring a refrigerator to keep beverages cool.
Write your own wedding vows. While it may be easier to copy from a different source remember that no one knows your future spouse better than you. When you write your vows yourself, you add a bit more meaning and depth to this special day to remember. Draw on inspiration when looking at sources, but put things into your own words and speak from the heart.
To get ready for the first dance, try practicing dances in long skirts in the days leading up to your wedding. You could be used to dancing or walking around in a long skirt, but your future husband might not be used to it. This can get your soon-to be-husband used to any awkwardness he might feel, which can really happen with full-skirted dresses.
When planning your wedding music, research your DJ or band to ensure that they know the music that you want the most. Tell them you would like references prior to hiring anyone. Also, get a legal contract in place. These things are of utmost importance in making sure there will be music instead of silence for your wedding.
Always take into consideration whether or not you want children invited to your wedding. Not having kids can actually save you a lot of frustration. Conversely, you may have potential guests who won’t attend because of difficulty with arrangements for their children.
Think about applying for a credit card to get rewards on your purchases. Weddings cost a lot, so it is a good idea to use a card that offers miles or other good incentives. If you use the rewards card for everything related to your wedding, you should soon earn substantial rewards.
Silk Flowers
Ask the vendors you’re using for more recommendations. For example, if you are really impressed with the photographer, ask them if they know of any good bands. The band you hire can possibly then recommend another service for a different purpose. You see how this works? You’ll find people you love, and the vendors will be happy, too.
You can save a lot of money by using things other than flower arrangements at your wedding and reception. Substitute a ribbon for the flower girl instead of a large wreath. Another way to save money is to purchase silk flowers rather than real flowers. Silk flowers save you money and will last forever. You will also be able to move the flowers to different places.
A good thing for the bride to keep in mind when it comes to weddings is to practice your smile in front of the mirror. You can better guarantee you’re showing the beautiful smile you wish to have for posterity. With enough practice, you will be able to get the look you want.
Before you start paying for your wedding, obtain a credit card that offers a rewards program. Weddings can get expensive, but you can offset some of this cost by paying with a cash back or other incentive-based credit card. Use the card to make purchases related to your wedding and you will quickly accrue points towards rewards.
The bride’s mother and bridesmaids who are planning to assist you in preparing should be dressed and ready long before the time comes for you to slip on your gown. This will ensure that you are the only thing they need to worry about at the last minute. If they are worried about getting themselves ready, they can’t help you.
Now that it’s time to plan your actual wedding, you may not know how to accomplish everything on your budget. You want everything to be perfect, but not if you have to go bankrupt for it. In this article, we have provided you with some cost saving tips that can help any wedding work with any budget. Follow these tips to have an excellent wedding day and stay within your budget.
Tan lines are a no-no for brides. Perhaps you want a nice tan for the wedding, but tan lines don’t look good with your dress.