For any new couple, getting married is a significant event. Many people think a lot of money is the best way to make a classy, memorable occasion, but that is false. You can have a beautiful wedding without debt. All it takes is a little inspiration, a few ingenious measures, and the ability to do so without sending yourself to the poorhouse.
Before your wedding day be sure to practice walking down the aisle multiple times. Practice at the wedding venue in your wedding shoes to be absolutely certain you will not encounter any surprises. It can also better the flow when the actual wedding takes place.
If you choose to take care of your own food serving at your wedding, try going to wholesale stores, such as Costco. Wholesale prices are generally lower. See if your friends can chip in for food costs.
In your wedding plans, make sure you consider what types of alcohol you wish to serve, and which ones are most cost effective. Having an open bar can be very expensive if it stays open for hours. Speak with the people at the venue about any alcohol serving options.
Avoid over-dieting just to fit your dress! Starving yourself or resorting to unhealthy weight loss tactics causes you to feel dizzy, weak, and light-headed. Avoid doing that and fainting before you say your vows! Rather, consider a corset style dress that you can tighten or loosen on your wedding day.
Buying wedding gowns online can save you hundreds of dollars, but be sure to do it very early to allow you time to get your gown altered when you receive it. Keep in mind that sometimes the alterations will cost more than the gown itself. Include this additional cost when you plan for your budget.
You can coordinate your wedding decorations with your wedding garb with simple and charming touches. Whether it is a certain color used, or a special flower or even a special item such as doves, special touches help pull everything all together. These little details will add up to create one giant aesthetic.
The wedding pictures are amongst the most important wedding mementos. In order to be able to document this magical occasion, hire a professional and spend extra if necessary.
Before hiring someone to do your makeup, examine their previous work to be sure it suits your preferred look. Are you comfortable with the makeup they’ve done before? 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.
Take your time when writing your wedding vows; this shows that you care about your significant other. Your vows are a reflection of the strength of your commitment to your partner. Concentrate on the sacrifices you are happy to make for the sake of the marriage when writing your vows. Express your love for the person you will marry when writing your vows.
Transportation is something you should consider for the wedding. Make sure your guests will have ways to be transported back to wherever they’re staying. This is also good for the people who have alcoholic drinks during your wedding.
Think about your guests when planning flower arrangements for the reception. In many cases, it will just prevent guests from talking to each other. Not only that, but you may have some guests who are allergic to flowers. Opt for using non-scented candles instead of flower arrangements for a romantic and luxurious look.
Wedding Cake
Ever wonder what you will look like gliding up the aisle at your wedding? Set up a large mirror and practice walking toward it. If you plan to wear high heels with your dress, this is especially important. Avoid twisting your ankle as you walk down the aisle by wearing flat, comfortable shoes. Having footwear that is less sexy but will keep you from falling is an easy decision to make.
Instead of one large, expensive wedding cake, consider serving cupcakes or several small cakes. A variety of healthy alternatives are available for a wedding cake that won’t cause sugar shock.
A relative or friend can serve as your assistant, as often the only requirement for the job is being able to haul your gear. They can help to gather up the family for group shots as well.
Use a mirror to visualize and practice when you walk down the aisle, especially if you plan to wear heels. If you’re scared of turning your ankle, go with attractive flats instead. No one can see your shoes under your gown anyway, but if you fall on your rear end, they’ll see a lot more than shoes.
Avoid having guests wait while taking the photos. Take photos of the groomsmen and bridesmaids with the happy couple ahead of time. You will want to respect everyone at the ceremony and reception.
Don’t postpone the reception while you have photographs taken. These pictures should be done beforehand. The pictures for the bride, groom and immediately family can also be done in advance.
Aim for a mid-day reception. During the day most people drink less alcohol, which can greatly reduce your bar needs. In addition, you can save money by serving lunch instead of dinner at your reception. You may be able to purchase a higher-quality menu at lunch time for the price you would have paid for dinner. Keep in mind that if you spend less on food, you can use the savings to pay for another service your wedding requires.
If you are holding a destination wedding, have a basket filled with useful items for their trip delivered directly to their room. Also include practical items such as maps of the area, disposable digital cameras, sun protection, and tourist information. You could also toss in a few suggestions for local eateries and cafes.
If you want to discover local talent to assist with your wedding, try Craigslist. Prior to giving them a dime, meet them personally, but have your groom along for safety.
A sweet treat between meal courses is a great way to keep your guests happy. Think about sugar roses that enhance your wedding colors.
Consider borrowing a special piece of jewelry from a friend or family member. This can allow you to look the way you want to and add an element of charm to your wedding.
Ask a friend to borrow something from them to wear at your wedding ceremony. When you do this you save money, you can make yourself look way better and even form a closer bond with people who become more involved with the wedding.
For a wedding couple who especially enjoy travel, look for opportunities to work travel-inspired elements into the wedding decor. You can make invitations and save-the-date cards to resemble vintage postcard or boarding pass. Vintage luggage, post cards and vacation photos can be part of your wedding decor.
One of the most costly parts of a wedding reception are the centerpieces, which also have a big impact on your overall aesthetics. Choose a simple, small and elegant centerpiece with pizazz. It won’t block the conversation of your guests, will save you some money and yet will still look amazing in your photographs.
Inform the caterer that you would like a reception outdoors. Certain foods do not do well in extremely warm temperatures; others are not heavy enough to withstand the wind. You could use covered chafing dishes, or keep the food inside a tent. Keep a small refrigerator around to cool drinks down.
It is important that every part of your wedding is well planned, from the food that shall be served to the specifics of the reception. You wedding day should be special to those in attendance.
Instead of using expensive, elaborate flower arrangements, opt for various inexpensive potted plants. Ceramic pots that have been painted or decorated with ribbons make a wonderful table centerpiece. Once the wedding is over, the plants can be taken home as wedding favors by the guests, or they can be planted by the newlyweds in their yard.
Wedding Planner
One tradition associated with weddings is registering for gifts. Tell your guests that they are not required to bring anything. Give them a wide range of options and price ranges when it comes to gifts. By selecting different priced items, people can find items they can comfortably afford to give.
Ensuring you do your own homework can help you make the most of your time with a wedding planner. Follow those stylists and designers who make mood boards and look books from imagery, swatches of fabric and other inspirations that may provide the starting point for a finished look. You can clip magazine photos, song lyrics, or photos that help you convey what you want to your wedding planner.
To be certain of having a happy bride on the wedding day, be sure that all arrangements are of a type and quality she will appreciate. If she is forced to plan and then handle a bad wedding, she will be mortified. To avoid this, run everything you’re planning through her first.
Plan group activities for those who are sharing your special day. Don’t make your loved ones just stand around and wait for the wedding to be over. Examples of activities could include a volleyball game, or a contest of who can get to know the most people prior to the wedding. Your wedding will be a more memorable event when everyone has fun and interacts with each other.
Consider your bridesmaids needs when choosing their gowns. Disagreement over the bridesmaid’s gown can strain a friendship. Make sure the dresses are affordable while matching your wedding theme and that they look good on your bridesmaids. This will help ensure there aren’t any misunderstandings.
The task of choosing the individual who will record the event is at the top of the importance list and you should ask to see his past work and for references. Ensure that the individual is not relying solely on the video recorder for his editing abilities. They need to have the necessary equipment to do the job and fix any issues from the recording stage. You should get a DVD of your wedding or you could get a digital video. Go with your gut and the factors above when making the choice of which videographer to hire.
Write your own vows. It is pretty easy to copy directly from a source, but you are the one who knows your betrothed the best. Writing your own vows is a perfect way to add a very personal touch to your wedding, and to help guests see just how much there is between you. You can use other vows as inspirations, but you need to add your own special touch.
It can be tempting to honor family traditions or suggestions, just remember, this is your special day, not theirs. Let them know in no uncertain terms that the two of you are in control and that they have no say in the matter. This way, your wedding day will have good memories for you, and not one filled with regrets on things you wish you had done.
You need to make sure you plan everything well ahead of time. A year in advance is not at all unreasonable when you think of all the details you will need to plan. Planning early means more choices.
Start early with your wedding preparations. Advance planning gives you options that you just don’t get at the last minute. This enables you to pick the vendors who best meet your needs.
Start planning for your wedding early on. When you begin your plans well before your wedding date, the selection of venues and related services will be much larger. You will have first choice of vendors so can choose exactly the ones that suit.
It takes effort and time, but you do not need to have a lot of cash for a beautiful wedding. So, use the tips in this article to get you started on planning the wedding of your dreams.
You might want to think about serving a smaller dinner for your reception. If you have a large guest list, then you might need to lower the budget in other areas. You will better be able to stay on budget if the dinner offered your family and friends is smaller. If you must have an elaborate menu then you may have to eliminate some of the guests from the list.