Getting married is usually in the top three memorable events of a person’s life, due to both the excitement and the stress that comes with it. A wedding involves so many choices about budget, food, the cake, the venue and guest so that it easily becomes overwhelming. Our advice here can help you take on this task, and plan a successful wedding without becoming stressed.
Your wedding dress could be one of the most expensive items included in your wedding, but there are ways to save money on this purchase. You might want to consider a dress which is not categorized specifically for the bride. A bridesmaid dress could be perfect and not as costly as a wedding dress. Many times, you can alter the dress to make it look like a wedding dress for a fraction of the cost of an actual wedding dress.
To garner a better price on your wedding venue, look for a date that won’t fall during wedding season. This would be anytime other that May through September. You can expect to pay more if you schedule your wedding during this time. If it is imperative that your wedding be at this time, be sure to make your reservations far ahead of the date.
Choosing your favorite gown online can be faster and cheaper, but do so well in advance to allot extra time for alterations. I spent $100 on the gown I purchased for my wedding, but spent another $200 for altering it. Budget in this additional cost.
One thing you need to think about during the wedding planning process is what alcohol will be served, and how much you want to spend on it. Keeping an open bar doesn’t come cheap, but keeping it open for an extended time can be even more costly. See what other serving options are available for your alcohol.
Your wedding photos will contain the memories of a lifetime. Have someone highly experienced help you with the pictures if you have the money to afford it. It will be important later in life.
Incorporate small decorative elements into all your wedding decorations. For example, use the same ribbon that is in your centerpiece on your bouquet. The little details like this help you pull all of the various aspects of the wedding together into one coordinated event.
Never go on starvation diets just to fit into a dress. If you rush the weight loss process, your health will surely suffer. You wouldn’t want to pass out. Instead, choose a dress that has a corset back that can be taken in and out as needed on the big day.
Do not crowd tables with too many flowers. Frequently, these flowers are a nuisance to your guests, since they get in the way. Some people attending your wedding may have pollen allergies, as well. Think about putting candles that aren’t scented onto the table. This can create a romantic look.
Consider asking someone you know to become ordained and preside over your wedding. They can do so online. Your ceremony will be less formal, and you will save money. You should check the legality of this option in your area before you make a decision.
You need to tell your DJ what you do want to be played, but also make sure he or she understands what not to play. It could be heavy metal or country, or even a song that reminds you of someone not-so-special. Just let him know beforehand so you don’t have any sad moments at your wedding.
If the culture of the bride’s and groom’s family are very different, plan the wedding ceremony in the tradition of one side and follow the traditions of the other side at the reception. This will help create a festive atmosphere and help make the event enjoyable for both families.
For any stylish and fashion forward bride, there is always the option to add some flare to a bouquet with a splash of diamonds, rhinestones or Swarovski crystals. Add heat-fixed crystals or adhesive ones to your bouquet, or tie a piece of jewelery to it. To make sure it matches your entire ensemble, use consistency with the sparkly colors, size and cut of the stones.
It’s important to have a backup plan if you want your wedding ceremony or reception to be held outdoors. It can be as simple as renting tents to accommodate the wedding party and guests, or choose a location where either an indoor or outdoor wedding is possible. You might also think about putting wood planks down to prevent guests from stepping in mud caused by rain.
If you are having a destination wedding, a good gift to get your guests is a basket filled with vacation goodies sent to their room. Have items in them like disposable cameras, hats, sunglasses and tourist maps of the exciting places that they can visit. You could also include flyers and coupons for local restaurants.
Be sure to inform the caterer that your reception will be outside. Some foods are not suitable for an outdoor reception because they may not keep well or they may fly away in heavy wind gusts. One way that these weather issues can be dealt with is to use sturdy covers for the food. A mini-fridge may be useful for keeping your drinks chilled.
When you are planning your reception set the time for the afternoon hours. You will find that people are not so ready to drink heavily during the day, which will cut back on the costs of an open bar. Lunch receptions tend to be cheaper than dinner ones because of a possible lower need for alcohol. That money can then be used for other wedding expenses.
Prior to deciding on a destination wedding, be sure you know of the laws of the location. Things such as residency requirements, blood tests and fees should be addressed before you book your venue.
Even if your dress has been selected and paid for, you may want to store it with the bridal boutique until the day of your wedding. Having it inside of a closet could cause stains or wrinkles. By storing it at the shop, you will ensure that you get it after it is freshly pressed and hung.
Make sure that your flowers are beautiful Vintage themes are great to make your wedding look classy. Try pink peonies to spice up the flavor in your wedding.
If you can, it’s a good idea to have a cruise ship wedding with just your family and close friends. Doing this will allow you to start your honeymoon immediately after your wedding is done. Some cruises will offer discounts if you are getting married.
Make a list of the things you want for your wedding, and list each thing by level of importance. Everyone has a different idea of what is most important to have a beautiful wedding, so you and your fiance should decide these things before you start planning to keep things from getting out of control. This will help you put your priorities first on your budget and the optional things can be worked out if the budget allows.
Silk Flowers
Place a number of different-sized potted plants throughout the venue in lieu of costly floral arrangements. You can put them in decorative pots, or decorate their pots yourself with paint and ribbons. When the wedding is over, the bride and groom can plant them at their new home, or the guests can bring home as wedding favors.
If you don’t want to have real flowers in your wedding or don’t have the budget to do so, silk flowers can be a fantastic alternative. Silk flowers can be chosen and bought months in advance which will save you time and energy.
The arrangements should stand out quite a bit adding to the atmosphere. You can do this by adding flowers of varying heights or floral containers that are similar in appearance yet not identical. Tall vases can be used for long-stemmed blooms and those with compact heads. Then add in smaller flowers with shorter stems to fill in empty spaces and to fluff out the arrangement. The taller florals’ will always be vibrant and full of color while the short ones should be more of the spring type colors like pastels.
A fusion menu with a few traditional dishes is a good choice. You might even want to consider expanding your culinary options with wedding favors that are ethnically identifiable.
Think about whether children will be allowed at your wedding. If you want to save a little money and stress, you can avoid inviting children. However, there may be people who will not be able to attend unless they are allowed to bring their children.
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. Always make sure that shoes are broken in before they are worn for the big day. Attention to these details will help the children focus on their part in the wedding instead of fussing with their clothing.
If the bride is to have a memorable wedding day, then all the details need to be held to her exacting standards. You could cause her a lot of stress if she’s doing all of the planning or if there are any surprises that might disappoint her. Be sure to get the bride’s approval for all major arrangements well in advance of the big day to avoid last-minute meltdowns.
If there will be no dinner served for the guests, you can use that free space for renting various furniture to ensure a comfortable evening among the crowd. Chaises, comfortable sectional pieces, and lounges can encourage more guest interaction. 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.
Before you approach a prospective bridesmaid, it’s best to know which dresses you will expect them to wear. A lot of friendships are strained because of different opinions about the gowns for the bridesmaids. The bride should look for something affordable, comfortable and flattering to every bridesmaids. This is part of your wedding making everyone feel important and involved so that things go smoothly.
One important thing to consider is a gift registry. Tell your guests that they are not required to bring anything. Offer suggestions that span a wide array of price points. People should be comfortable to give you what they are able to afford to give.
You might want to think about serving a smaller dinner for your reception. Accommodating numerous guests on a limited budget may require spending less in certain areas. A smaller meal can help you stick within your budget. If you cannot do this, you may have to reduce your guest list.
Think about whether children will be allowed at your wedding. This point is very important in regards to budget and stress should you allow children to attend. But, there may be many folks who will be unable or unwilling to attend without their kids.
Your wedding planning should take weather into account. If it’s excessively hot, guests might not be comfortable at a long outdoor wedding. The same goes for cold winter celebrations. Do make sure that your guests are provided for during weather extremes at a wedding, such as having fans available if the heat is high.
It is better to select your bridesmaids gowns before you select your bridesmaids. In this way, you can let them know exactly what they are in for before they accept your invitation to participate. Choose something that is affordable, matches your whole wedding theme and is sure to be a hit with all of your bridesmaids. In this way, you can have an enjoyable wedding with no disagreements about the dresses.
If you are paying for your own wedding, you might consider opening a bank account exclusively for wedding-related expenses. If you plan out the amount of money you will use, you will have a simpler time staying within your budget. If you want to have an extravagant wedding when you are older, start saving now.
A beautiful wedding is a dream come true, that most girls have been waiting for their entire lives. A typical wedding involves so many details that planning for it all can overwhelm even the most romantic. Fortunately, this article can help you get a handle on your wedding plans and make your wedding memorable and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Be sure to hire a professional wedding photographer. Your friend won’t do an adequate job unless they’re also a professional. These memories need to be high quality and spontaneous so that you can watch them for years to come. A friend might be able to do some of this, but they probably will miss the mark on some things.