As for relationships, the engagement is often the most romantic moment. That said, the wedding planning that follows the engagement is often extremely stressful, not to mention expensive. This article is packed with ideas and inspiration for anyone who wants to plan a wedding that will capture the true romance and love of a relationship.
If you’re catering your own event, try purchasing the food from wholesale stores. If you’re shopping wholesale, you are able to get a lot of food for less money than shopping retail. It is acceptable to ask others to assist with these costs in lieu of gifts if finances are tight and you do not want to run out of food at the reception.
If there will be toasts or speeches given at your wedding reception, ask the speakers to practice in front of you to ensure that the material is appropriate for those attending your wedding. Otherwise, there may be a joke told that may be inappropriate to the youngsters or elderly in the crowd.
Purchasing a wedding dress can be expensive. When looking for a dress, consider dresses that aren’t necessarily in the wedding dress category. For example, a bridesmaid dress is typically much less expensive and may be just what you’re looking for. Even if you think you would like to change it in some way, it should be less expensive than if you bought a wedding dress.
Use someone’s property for the wedding. This will help you to significantly reduce the costs. Make sure you offer to hire help to prepare and to clean, though. Do not leave this up to the homeowner.
Don’t starve yourself silly just to fit in a wedding dress. You can dehydrate and get dizzy by rushing weight loss. You want to stay on your feet during the ceremony and reception. The best idea is to purchase a dress that has a corset back. This will allow you to adjust if necessary before walking down the aisle.
Your main concern when getting married is, of course, the individual you are going to marry. Don’t be in a hurry to get married. Marriage changes your life forever, and if you truly want your marriage to last a lifetime you need to move slowly towards this step. Take the time to make sure you are ready to make a lifetime commitment to your fiance and consider the things that you love about them, as well as the things that drive you crazy.
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 achieve this look by using heat-fixed or adhesive crystals or small pieces of costume jewelry. To create a cohesive look, be sure that the colors, cut, and the size of any stones you use match or compliment each other.
When you are choosing a makeup artist for your ceremony, always look at samples of their previous work. Is the style pleasing to you? Be sure they can create the look you want. Your appearance on your wedding day is important, so you don’t want to regret your decision later.
Don’t wait until your wedding day to try walking in your shoes and gown. Practice going down the aisle until you feel comfortable. If you think you might twist your ankle, wear nice flats instead. Sexy footwear won’t do you any good if you wind up falling on your bum.
You should let the DJ know what is okay to play and what isn’t okay to play. It could be heavy metal or country, or even a song that reminds you of someone not-so-special. This will help you to avoid discomfort on the big day.
If your family joins you for a destination wedding, have them join your on your honeymoon as well. Everyone can save if you stay longer, as you will likely get a great discount from the hotel. They will have great memories from this too.
Instead of traditional floral bouquets, brides can adorn their bouquet with diamonds, rhinestones or other gems. You can achieve this look by using heat-fixed or adhesive crystals or small pieces of costume jewelry. To avoid clashes with other parts of the bride’s wardrobe, ensure that the size, color, and cut of the stones are consistent.
Don’t make guests wait as you take photos. The pictures with the groom’s and bride’s parties should be shot ahead of time. Pictures with the couples respective parents should also be taken in advance to cut down on wait time for the guests arriving at the reception.
If you have a destination wedding, offer a basket full of goodies delivered to guests in their rooms. Fill the basket with useful, fun items like a map, camera, sunblock and brochures from local attractions. You may want to include a food guide to some local restaurants so that they can eat.
Try having your reception midday. Doing this, people will likely drink far less alcohol and keep your bar tab lighter. Also, dinner receptions tend to be more expensive than lunch receptions, and you’ll be able to spend your savings on something else.
One detail to consider is that the venue lighting can be dimmed, if necessary. While this may appear trivial, you want to have this option, perhaps for your first dance, then brighter for the remainder of your ceremony. Talk to the venue owner about the light settings. Don’t rent a venue that doesn’t have the settings you want.
Consider silk flowers for your wedding instead of spending a lot of money on luxurious floral arrangements. You can get these way in advance because they aren’t fresh and then have them on hand and reduce one thing to do right before the big day.
When making plans for table sitting, make sure the number of guests is even at each table. Try to group tables according to age, so that they could find similar things to talk about.
For instance, consider a menu of contemporary fusion with popular dishes. Add an unusual twist with ethnic fare and edible wedding favors.
See if you can get your wedding on board a cruise ship. The wedding itself will almost feel like the honeymoon. There are cruise options that carry special rates for couples looking for this kind of wedding and honeymoon option.
If you plan on giving a wedding speech, plan it and practice enough. If you don’t bother to prepare, or your preparations fall short, you’ll find that your speech could end up being a disaster.
If you would like a relative or a friend to perform your wedding ceremony, you can ask that person to become ordained via an online program. This saves you money, and makes your wedding feel more personal. Take caution, however, to make sure that doing this is a legal option in your community.
If you want to get married outdoors, make sure you have a backup plan. 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.
If you’re giving your guests multiple meal courses, give them sweets to nibble on in between the courses. Some good examples are tasty crackers, sugar roses, and other dainty tidbits designed to blend with your wedding decor.
Before meeting a wedding planner for the first time, do your homework. Use fashion designers as inspiration and create a look book of inspiration that can be used as a starting off point. Photographs, song lyrics and magazine clippings can be used to display your ideas in such a manner that your wedding planner can get a visual image of your ideas.
One of the most costly parts of a wedding reception are the centerpieces, which also have a big impact on your overall aesthetics. Rather than buying huge centerpieces that obstruct your guests’ view, consider simpler centerpieces that can be taken by guests as a keepsake. This will allow your guests to talk at the tables with no distractions, improving their experience.
Be considerate of your guests and their travel arrangements when planning a destination wedding. Remember that some of your guests may plan their vacations around your wedding, so make sure they have plenty of advance notice. You want to send out your save the date notes about nine months before the wedding to make sure everyone can make arrangements to come.
Dependent on the state where the wedding is to occur, certain popular flowers, such as those that bloom in your state, might not be easily available especially if they are not in season. Contact professionals near the destination site to find out which blooms are readily available.
If you want to avoid allergies or the expense of floral arrangements, consider using potted plants to decorate your wedding space. Glazed ceramic pots in colorful hues will look great, or you can opt to paint and adorn the pottery yourself. Once the wedding is over, it is possible for guests to take home the potted plants as a memento of the wedding, or the newlyweds may want to plant them around their new home.
If you don’t plan on serving dinner for reception guests, think about eschewing furniture in lieu of renting multiple tables. Luxury chaises, lounges and plush sectional seating can encourage your guests to interact with each other. Comfortable seating will make your guests feel relaxed and at home, permitting them to enjoy lounging areas around your location.
One important thing to consider is a gift registry. For a pleasant atmosphere, you should make your guests understand that they do not have to bring anything. Give them multiple options for gifts and a very wide price range. Your guests should feel welcome no matter what their budget can afford.
Plan group activities for those who are sharing your special day. Don’t just let everyone stand around tapping their feet, waiting for something to happen. You can have all kinds of activities, from contests to volleyball. It can be an unforgettable wedding if everyone is able to interact with one another and have some fun.
Be sure to hire a professional wedding photographer who has the ability to create beautiful memories rather than simply snapping photos. When interviewing them, ask them about their vision for your day. Inquire about the way in which they participate in each aspect of the day. You must know their process and how it impacts what you want for your wedding.
Grooms should be just as meticulous about getting your tuxedo fitted as the bride is with her gown. Show your favorite tuxedo choices to your close friends and family, so that you can get some objective opinions before settling on a tuxedo. Keep in mind that photographs will be taken during your wedding, so you should look your best, in the way that you would want to be remembered.
If you care about the bride, you will definitely be looking for ways to make sure her wedding is everything she has dreamed of. She will not be happy if she must do the planning or there is something wrong. In order to prevent your fiancé from being upset, ensure that you run everything by her.
You can save money on a wedding by using flower arrangement alternatives. A flower girl does not need a large flower wreath. Rather than using real flowers for decorations, use silk ones. Silk flowers are not only more affordable, they can be kept forever. They can be used for all sorts of special moments in the future.
When selecting a videographer, be certain to interview multiple candidates, and always ask to view sample videos. Look at samples of the videographers work to be sure it is high quality in every way. Though VHS used to be the popular go to, now you want to make sure you are getting a digital version or DVD that can be viewed for years. Refer to the factors we have listed and trust your first impression of each videographer.
Anyone who is willing to use these guidelines is sure to enjoy a smoother, more hassle-free planning process. Jointly planning a successful wedding provides a good foundation for planning the actual marriage and life together that follows. These tips should help couples have a great wedding and enjoy their married life together.
Do not allow yourself to be weighed down by obligation to traditions; this is your wedding and should be planned accordingly. 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.