Weddings are meant to be a once in a lifetime event and the most fortunate people stay together forever. Marriage is a major commitment, and you must make sure you have planned your wedding accordingly. Use the super tips in the article below to help you put together a wonderful wedding.
If you’re doing your own catering, Costco is a place that can save you a lot on wedding food. If you shop wholesale, you will be able to get lots of food at much better prices. See if your friends can split some of the cost.
Getting married in the peak wedding season can cost a small fortune. The wedding season runs from May until September. Wedding venues are costly during these months. If you must book during this period, schedule many months in advance to save money.
Purchasing wedding gowns through the Internet can help save you a lot of money, but see to it that you do it early in order to have enough time to alter it if needed. Keep in mind that sometimes the alterations will cost more than the gown itself. The cost of an alteration should also be included in your budget.
You can make great use of big box stores, like Costco, when planning your own food service for your wedding day. Shopping wholesale when it comes to food helps you get the necessary items at a much cheaper cost. Also, ask family or friends to help offset the cost of the food.
Brides that have sensitive skin can get less stressed before their wedding by caring for their skin so that it looks great and won’t cause them to have a breakout when the time comes. Get a bridal facial that incorporates oatmeal, rosewater, sea salt and a good scrub.
Make your wedding personal by including elements that embody you, your soon-to-be spouse, and your relationship. Pick a theme that relates to who you are as a couple!
If you are inviting your family members to your wedding at an exotic location, wee if they want to stay for the honeymoon as well! This saves people money based on hotel discounts for guests that stay longer, and it also helps maximize the fun. Also, this will increase the quality of memories that you have.
Makeup Artist
Vacation goody baskets make great delivery presents to guests at your destination wedding. Include maps, cameras, hats, disposable cameras, or guides on local attractions that they may want to visit. Furthermore, a Zagat guide or other culinary guide is useful for any gift basket of this theme!
When choosing a makeup artist, ask to see a sample book of makeup the artist has done. Are you comfortable with the makeup they’ve done before? They must be able to create the exact type of look you want. You don’t want to find out an hour before the ceremony that your makeup artist has a look planned that you hate.
A reception held around lunchtime is a great idea. Alcohol consumption will be less during a day reception, which could help to reduce costs. The costs of lunch are far more affordable than catered dinners. Therefore, you can afford to step up your menu or divert that part of your budget to another area, such as floral arrangements or wedding favors.
Luxury-loving and fashionable brides could choose to make their bouquet sparkle; try adding rhinestones, Swarovski crystals or even some diamonds. This can be done with the addition of adhesive or thermally attached crystals, smaller pieces of costume jewelry and maybe even a cherished heirloom. To create a cohesive look, be sure that the colors, cut, and the size of any stones you use match or compliment each other.
Keep your wedding dress at the bridal shop until the big day. Having it inside of a closet could cause stains or wrinkles. Keeping it at the bridal shop ensures that it will be fresh and pressed for your big day!
See if your family wants to come for the honeymoon. Everyone can save if you stay longer, as you will likely get a great discount from the hotel. This will help give them a vacation they’ll never forget as well!
A fun idea is to invite your family and friends on a cruise for your wedding. By doing this, you can be on your honeymoon as soon as the ceremony ends. Some of these cruise companies have special prices for weddings and honeymoons on the ship.
If you are having a destination wedding, surprise your guests with a basket chock full of goodies delivered to their hotel room. Include maps, cameras, hats, disposable cameras, or guides on local attractions that they may want to visit. You may want to include a food guide to some local restaurants so that they can eat.
If the guests are going to enjoy a meal consisting of multiple courses, make sure they are entertained by keeping little candies in a dish at the table in between the serving times of the courses. You could consider sugared flower petals, sugar roses or maybe some bite size crackers to tide them over.
Rent a venue, with lights that are capable of being dimmed, for your wedding reception. While this might seem like a little detail, a lower light for the first dance is always preferable, while you will want things a little brighter during the speeches part of the ceremony. Check out the lighting available at different venues before picking one.
Ask a friend to borrow something from them to wear at your wedding ceremony. This “something borrowed” will enhance the way you look and feel and add a special touch to the day.
Don’t take your dress home right after buying it. If you keep it inside your closet, the dress might get stained or wrinkled. Having it at the shop means it will be unwrinkled for the big day.
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 create an intriguing and memorable contrast that will satisfy both sides of the family.
Ask a close friend or family member if they’d be interested in becoming ordained online to be able to officiate your ceremony. This will give your loved one an important roll in the ceremony, while also saving you a bit of money. Just be mindful of all legalities in your local area, so check with an official who handles these sorts of issues.
Take the time to plan all aspects of your wedding, including food, seating, schedules and who is responsible for overseeing each of these, so there won’t be unpleasant surprises. You want your guests to feel comfortable and as though they are a special part of your wedding.
Keep your guests happy while waiting for food by giving them a tray of sweets. Consider sugar roses which match the wedding colors.
To aid in preparation for the first dance as a married couple, practice dancing together while you are wearing a long skirt or dress. You might be used to walking around or dancing in your skirt, but it will feel different to your future husband. You might feel better about dancing in a very fancy dress.
You can incorporate different cultural backgrounds and religious preferences into your big day in many different ways. This will not only satisfy both sides of the family, but it will also make for an interesting ceremony.
Include your guests in your wedding day activities. Avoid having everyone sit in boredom waiting for your wedding ceremony to be over. You can choose to have a lot of different kinds of things to do, from volleyball to contests. This will make your wedding more memorable while letting others enjoy themselves by interacting with one another.
If you’re planning a wedding outdoors, you better have a plan B in case of any nasty surprises by Mother Nature. You can rent a couple tents or look for a venue with a hall and a park. Set up planks to prevent your guests from getting mud or dirt on their shoes.
Make sure the bridemaids know what type of gown they’ll be wearing before asking if they will be in your bridal party . Many friendships have been strained by issues between brides and their bridesmaids because they did not communicate openly. By choosing an affordable, cute dress that matches your wedding theme, you can rest assured your choice will be a hit. This will keep the tension really low at the wedding.
Investigate the legalities of a destination if you are planning an event away from home. Before you start making travel arrangements and booking accommodations, be sure all the nuts and bolts (e.g. license fees, residency requirements, etc.) are attended to.
Check out the previous work of your videographer. Look at the sound and quality of the video as well as the editing. People used to get great VHS tapes of a wedding, but these days you’ll want a digital video or DVD that will last you quite a while. Prioritize the things that are important to you to have in a photographer and make sure your photographer knows about them.
Do some dancing in a very long skirt with your betrothed prior to the wedding so that you’re prepared for the first dance. While you may be accustomed to dancing in a full skirt, chances are your soon-to-be spouse is not used to working around one. This will help prevent any awkwardness your partner might experiences from maneuvering around a large, full dress.
Your wedding location is important when you are planning details like flowers. For example, a complicated floral arrangement with many parts will work well at any indoor venue; however, it is probably not the best idea in a windy outdoor venue. Special equipment and fasteners will likely be needed to secure your decorations at outdoor venues.
Vows Yourself
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 sure to let them know that you thank them for the love and affection they offer, but this day is for you and your future husband or wife in the end. By doing this, you can reflect back, with no regrets, on the day you were wed.
Write your vows yourself. Though you might find it easy to copy vows from somewhere, you are the one who knows your intended spouse best. When you write your vows yourself, you add a bit more meaning and depth to this special day to remember. Your own words will be the words you remember throughout your life.
Your vendors are a great source of referrals for other wedding services. Photographers have another ability that you can take advantage of. When you find one you are comfortable with simply ask if they can recommend a few D.J.’s they have enjoyed, or even bands, at other weddings. Ask the band that you are hiring to recommend a different service. You are likely to have a great team of professionals this way.
Save money on your wedding by using an alternative to flowers. But you can get creative with ribbon, silk flowers and other decorative items to cut costs. Silk flowers are great because they do not die and have to be thrown away. In addition to saving money, silk flowers can be saved forever. You can move the arrangements from your wedding to your reception.
As you prepare to be the blushing bride, remember to practice smiling. Look in the mirror to catch your best and most winning smile. This will ensure that you get the smile you want on all of your wedding photos. By practicing regularly, you will not be disappointed with the results.
Consider your wedding location when choosing decorations like floral arrangements. For instance, intricate flowers arrangements might look great at indoor venues; but they will likely not withstand windy outdoor settings. Make sure to take all of the elements into consideration when planning your outdoor wedding.
Make sure you don’t have tan lines. Tan lines can cause distraction with your dress.
You may be tempted to go with family tradition or suggestions, but this is your day not theirs. 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. As you reflect on that day when you had your wedding, you will not regret it.
You should open a bank account to use to save for your wedding. This will ensure that you don’t spend more than you have, helping you to stick to your budget. If you want to have an extravagant wedding when you are older, start saving now.
When you are committing yourself to one person for a lifetime, it is important that your wedding be treated just as importantly as this commitment. The tips in this article can help you plan a wedding that is all that you have ever wanted.
Create a special bond with your wedding party by getting customized jewelry. This will give your bridesmaids something to remember this special day by.