Planning a memorable, modern wedding is a major undertaking–just ask anyone who has ever tried! Fortunately, the information found in this handpicked selection of wedding tips and tricks is sure to leave you more informed and better prepared to plan a memorable event.
Consider your different options to find the right type of alcohol for your wedding. If there is one thing people like more than alcohol, it is free alcohol, and an open bar can quickly become a huge expense, especially the longer it remains open. Wedding venues will have different options, such as a limited open bar or a offering fewer options to help keep alcohol costs down.
Getting married in the peak wedding season can cost a small fortune. The traditional season for weddings is May to September. Many venues cost more at this time. If you really want your wedding during this season, book as far in advance as possible for a great deal.
For food, consider going to a store such as Costco. Shopping wholesale when it comes to food helps you get the necessary items at a much cheaper cost. Think about asking friends to assist with the food costs.
You can make great use of big box stores, like Costco, when planning your own food service for your wedding day. This will allow you to save loads of money. You may want to ask your friends to chip in with buying food.
Going online to purchase your wedding dress can save you a small fortune. However, you should make sure that you order it well before the big day in order to allow time for any alterations to be carried out should they be needed. A certain person claims to have spent only $100 or her gown, but had to spend another $200 to get it altered. Keep in mind any additional costs, and include it in your budget.
Wedding Dress
Don’t forget the small stuff when decorating. Maybe choose the tiny crystals from your veil to also be sprinkled on the tables. Those little details make all the difference when it comes to your whole wedding day coming together.
Wedding dresses can be quite an expense. If you are not looking for a traditional, princess type ballgown, consider looking into other types of dresses. A simpler dress may suit your needs and will be less expensive than a typical wedding dress. Even if you need the dress to be altered, it will probably be less expensive than buying a wedding dress.
Before hiring someone to do your makeup, examine their previous work to be sure it suits your preferred look. Is the style of make up look attractive to you? Also, ensure that the makeup artist has the ability to do your makeup the way you want it done. Don’t be one of those people who is stuck with makeup they don’t like an hour before they walk down the aisle.
When you’re planning on who to give the speeches at your wedding, have them rehearse the things they would say in front of you so you can determine if everything they say will be appropriate. Remember that your guests will include people across a wide range of ages, and a joke that younger generations find amusing might be offensive to older guests.
Take a long time to write your vows, as this is something that is very important towards your husband or wife. Understand that marriage requires an endless commitment from both parties and that sacrifices often have to be made. Express your love in your vows.
Of course, the most important aspect of getting married is choosing the right intended! Don’t rush into this decision. Consider the things you need in a relationship, the thing you’d prefer to do without, and how all this applies to your potential partner.
If you cannot justify the cost of a thousand-dollar wedding cake, consider contacting a local bakery and inquiring about single-serving portions, like cupcakes or cake pops. Some bakeries can ship lower calorie cupcakes and also offer gluten-free options like no-calorie sweeteners, fruit-filling, and meringue toppings.
Keep transportation in mind when planning your wedding. It is good to have taxis or limos to help guests get back to their hotels or lodging after the reception. In addition, this benefits those who drank alcohol during the festivities.
Be sure to browse around for experienced and skilled photographers, before you commit to one for your wedding. Having your wedding ruined by bad pictures isn’t what you’re aiming for. If you’d like to learn about the photographers around where you live, you can look to the Internet for reviews or ask people you know for references.
Take the time to think about what you want to say in your vows since these words mean so much and will heard by all of your guests. Keep in mind that getting married is a commitment that might require some sacrifices. Express your love for the person you will marry when writing your vows.
Rather than spend a bunch of money on a huge cake, you may want to opt for a few tiers of great cupcakes or small tarts. People love these arrangements because they don’t cost a lot, are versatile, and convenient. Guests can serve themselves or even take one home as a party favor of sorts.
Tall flower arrangements can be the perfect idea for round tables at the wedding reception so guests are able to see and speak to each other. Often, flowers interfere with guests being able to converse across the table. It’s possible that there might be a few guests with flower allergies. One classy alternative to flowers is unscented candles.
You should probably keep your wedding dress at the store until the last minute. Having it inside of a closet could cause stains or wrinkles. When the big day arrives, your dress will still be in brand new condition.
Make certain that the reception area you choose has enough dancing space. People love to dance at weddings and no one wants to be crammed in a small space. If needed, move tables and chairs to free up some room for dancing.
If you have children in the ceremony, dress them comfortably. By utilizing softer fabrics, the children in your ceremony will look great while feeling quite comfortable. It’s important that any shoes they wear are comfortable, which means new shoes, will need to be broken in. Attention to these details will help the children focus on their part in the wedding instead of fussing with their clothing.
A reception held around lunchtime is a great idea. You can cut down on bar costs when you have a reception during the day, when people tend to drink less. Also, lunch receptions will typically be cheaper than dinner receptions and allow you to either increase the quality of food or allocate the rest of your food and alcohol budget to another need for the wedding.
It is critical that you carefully plot out every aspect of your wedding and the reception. You wedding day should be special to those in attendance.
If you plan to serve your guests a meal with multiple courses, keep them entertained during the serving process by placing small dishes of appetizing sweets on each table. Crackers or sugar roses are excellent choices.
If you aren’t planning a reception meal, choose comfortable furniture for seating instead of tables and chairs. Chaises, lounges and even sectionals can encourage your guests to mingle like old friends. You can create special lounge areas with plush seating throughout the venue to make guest feel comfortable and special.
For example, consider a contemporary fusion menu filled with popular dishes. You can a unique touch by offering cultural favorites, such as desserts, drinks or and edible wedding treats.
If you’re planning a wedding outdoors, you better have a plan B in case of any nasty surprises by Mother Nature. Either find a venue with an inside area, or rent some tents in case of bad weather. One helpful trick if it’s wet, but you can still stay outdoors, is to use boards as walkways through wet or muddy areas.
When young children are in the wedding party, make sure they are dressed in clothing that is comfortable for them. Use soft fabrics that have a somewhat loose fit for comfort. Shoes should be broken in and 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.
As you consider a videographer for the event, always interview each candidate and request samples of their previous work. Also, find out what kind of editing sound he or she uses. It used to be popular to get videos of your wedding on VHS, but ensure that you are receiving a DVD or a digital video that you can play for years to come. Make choices based on your impressions and other factors mentioned.
Be sure you consider how to take care of the guests and their method of travel when a destination wedding is being planned. Some of your guests may need to schedule their vacation around this day, and they require enough preparation time. So, you should start asking months in advance if they would be able to or be interested in attending, but don;t take it personal if they cannot make it.
Can you really organize a great wedding on a minimal budget? Absolutely. A wedding should not cause you to go into debt. There are many things you can do to save money, including making your invitations, decoration and food.
Investigate the legalities of a destination if you are planning an event away from home. Before you start booking services and hotels, make sure everything is taken care of, from fees to residency requirements.
When you decide on decorations for your wedding, especially floral arrangements, try to keep your venue in mind. Detailed floral arrangements may be fine for an indoor wedding, but would not be suitable for windy or outdoor ceremonies. There may be a need for special items to keep your decorations tied down at outside venues.
Make sure the theme of your wedding extends to all decor, including the flowers you choose. Retro and vintage themes containing bright colors require robust, wistful flowers that give the feeling of nostalgia. Bright daisies, red poppies, and pink peonies are some good ideas.
Your friends and family will have many well-intended suggestions, and some may be quite good; however, in the long run, your decisions must win out. Thank them for any suggestions and kindly decline their ideas with an explanation that it is your turn to make these decisions. This allows you to look upon your wedding and reception with fondness.
One of the first things you should do when planning your wedding is to create a list of priorities. Some people place a greater importance on the flowers over the cake, or consider the guest list less important than the venue. As you delegate the priority for each item, you can budget accordingly and have a wedding that perfectly meets your particular dream.
Talk to vendors about recommending other services. Once you have picked the right photographer, have them suggest a band or DJ they may like. You can then ask the D.J. or band to point you in the direction of others whose services you may require. This will help you find the best individuals for your day.
Determine in advance if you want kids at your wedding. Having children attend can be aggravating, and it can run up your costs. If you are not going to allow children at your wedding, be prepared for certain guests to not be able to make attendance.
Practice the smile that you are going to give. That way, your pictures will reflect a radiant bride, rather than one who seems uncomfortable or hesitant. With enough practice, you will be able to get the look you want.
It can be tempting to honor family traditions or suggestions, just remember, this is your special 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. That way, you could look back at the day of your wedding without any regrets.
Your mother, and any bridesmaids that are going to aid in helping you get ready, should be dressed and ready to go by the time they are needed to help you with your wedding gown and accessories. During the last several minutes before the wedding ceremony, you need to be the main focus. If they have to worry about getting ready, they are not focused on helping you.
Instead of becoming intimidated by the various options related to planning a wedding, use this article to organize it. You will have the information you need and an opportunity to have a wonderful wedding.
If you are expecting a baby, look for a dress that corresponds to your body. It might sound like simple common sense to choose a dress that accommodates your growing stomach, but many brides underestimate how their body will grow and change shape.