Weddings require months of planning to go smoothly. Those few weeks before the wedding can be really stressful. With good planning though, you can have confidence that everything will all work out, even though there may only be a couple small things that go wrong. Below are a few tips to help you plan this huge event.
As you plan your wedding, you must consider the type and amount of alcohol you wish to serve, especially if you’re working with a budget. Open bars are typically very expensive, especially when they are open for long time-periods. See what other serving options are available for your alcohol.
Consider getting married outside of wedding season. The traditional season for weddings is May to September. Wedding venues are costly during these months. If it is imperative that your wedding be at this time, be sure to make your reservations far ahead of the date.
Online wedding gown purchases can be easy on your wallet, but give yourself enough time for alterations as needed. For example, you may purchase your dress for $100, but you need to spend an additional $200 on alterations. Include the additional cost in your budgeting.
By going international with your food choices, you not only make the event different but also exciting and fun. This will add to the specialness and memories of your reception. Variety will give your guests yet one more way to remember your wedding.
The photographs of your wedding will build your book of memories to look back on for years to come. Choose to hire a professional who can photograph your day in a way that is going to document all of your special moments, even if it means spending a little extra.
Do not starve yourself just to fit into the wedding dress you want. Just like an athlete who is training, starving yourself could cause dehydration. You wouldn’t want to pass out. If weight is a concern or you are having a tough time with the dress, simply have it let out a hair to accentuate your body more comfortably.
Try ethnic-themed catering to add some spice to your reception. Chicken, steak and other common choices are overused, so you should go with a unique menu. Ethnic foods and decor will help your reception be memorable.
You can add small decorative items to your entire wedding theme. Take the ribbon you use in a bouquet for instance, and use the same ribbon for table centerpieces, your hair or your gown. These little details will elevate your wedding since it will show all the effort you put into it.
Use decorative items for every part of your wedding theme. For example, use the same ribbon that is in your centerpiece on your bouquet. Those little details make all the difference when it comes to your whole wedding day coming together.
When you are planning your wedding don’t forget that people are going to need to get from your venue back to their hotel. For people who need a ride back to their hotels at night, arrange to have taxis and limos ready for them. Transportation is also helpful for those who have drank too much at your wedding.
An overabundance of flowers on reception tables causes trouble. The majority of the times, the flowers just get in the way. Plus, some guests may be allergic to flowers. To give the tables a romantic look, consider using non-scented candles as a centerpiece.
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. Take this opportunity to express your love for your betrothed so that will always be a part of your wedding ceremony.
Before choosing a photographer, you should interview several talented persons. You wouldn’t want bad wedding pictures. It is smart to look online for user reviews of photographers or seek personal recommendations from those you trust.
Instead of having a single, huge cake baked, set up tiers in the shape of a wedding cake and fill them with delicious cupcakes. Many people like these sorts of arrangements because they are convenient, versatile and affordable. Allow guests to pick a couple out and place them in a personalized cardboard container.
Practice walking towards a full length mirror to ensure you know how to do it, especially if you are not used to heels. Find attractive flats if you find the walk difficult. Sexy footwear won’t do you any good if you wind up falling on your bum.
Employ a good friend or relative, as long as they can haul your equipment and gear through the evening. They can also help round up family members for group portraits.
Try having your reception midday. People drink less during this time and you will not spend as much on alcohol. It will also be cheaper if you have a lunch time reception and you can have better food or use the money saved to invest in your honeymoon!
Consider being married on a cruise ship surrounded only by family and friends. This means you can start your honeymoon immediately. There are even packages available for people wanting to marry and honeymoon on the ship.
If your meal entails several different courses, make sure you add in little sweets between the plates. You could consider sugared flower petals, sugar roses or maybe some bite size crackers to tide them over.
Online classified websites are a great place to seek out local talent for your wedding. Don’t pay any of your responders a penny until you meet with them personally, and always have your betrothed accompany you, for safety’s sake.
Choosing centerpieces for your reception tables can be a difficult and costly decision. Instead of going all out and putting an elaborate centerpiece at each table, keep them small. This will allow your guests to talk at the tables with no distractions, improving their experience.
If your wedding meal is long and involved, be sure to have appetizers on the table to keep your guests occupied between courses. Whet their appetite with sugar roses in the colors of your wedding, sugared edible flower petals, or tasty thin crackers.
If you and your intended come from vastly different backgrounds, find ways to blend both of your heritages into a unique fusion that honors both families. Everyone will be happy with this compromise.
If travel is a common bond between the groom and bride, incorporate this into a theme for the day. Invitations and RSVP cards can be written in old script and yellowed to imitate antique postcards. On the date, a vintage suitcase can be used as a display piece. Simply fill it with favors, photos, or wedding programs and prop it open in a prominent location.
Children who are participating in your ceremony should have comfortable clothes. Choose fabrics that are soft against the skin and that fit without bunching or pinching. If they are going to have new shoes, you should let them wear them a few times before the ceremony to break them in. With an entire ensemble of comfortable clothes, the children can put their energy into their designated roles and leave the outfits alone.
Maximize your first session with a planner by doing some research first. 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 add photographs, magazine clippings or perhaps song lyrics in order to show your wedding planner your vision.
Gift registry is a tried-and-true wedding tradition. This helps guests understand that they need not bring anything, thereby easing up the atmosphere of your guests at the wedding. So, set up a registry that have items of all prices so that everyone can afford to buy something that they know you will love. Your guests should feel welcome no matter what their budget can afford.
Don’t neglect to take into account any legal requirement of the location of your destination wedding. Things such as residency requirements, blood tests and fees should be addressed before you book your venue.
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 are strained because of simple disagreements on the subject of bridesmaids dresses. Be sure to select comfortable dresses that match your theme and look good on your bridesmaids. This will ensure a great wedding day free from hurt feelings and misunderstandings.
Potted Plants
Think about using flower alternatives to save money. For the flower girl, you can use ribbons instead of a floral wreath; it looks simple and elegant. Use silk flowers rather than fresh flowers. You can keep silk flowers forever, and they will not cost you as much. You can save the flowers and use them at different times in your wedding or even after the event is over for other occasions.
If dramatic floral arrangements are out of your budget, you can use a variety of different potted plants instead. You can dress up potted plants by using a variety of beautifully decorated containers. 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.
You need to make sure you plan everything well ahead of time. A year is not really a long period of time to prepare when there are so many details to take care of. Start planning as soon as possible so that more choices are available to you.
As a groom, you should make sure that your tuxedo is a perfect fit. Before you pick a tuxedo you should get some opinions. Keep in mind you and your bride will be the main focus at the wedding, so the appearance you present should be the best one possible.
Beware of rainy days. If you’d like to have your wedding outdoors, just have a plan in place for inclement weather. Even if you think that the likelihood of bad weather is very small, you never know what can happen; be prepared and have an alternate site ready to go for you and your guests.
Consider your bridesmaids needs when choosing their gowns. Many friendships have been strained by issues between brides and their bridesmaids because they did not communicate openly. Pick something affordable that goes with your wedding theme and that all the bridesmaids like. By choosing the dress yourself, you can avoid misunderstandings.
A rewards-based credit card can help you recover a little bit of the cost associated with your wedding. Since you’re likely to run up a good bill footing your wedding, getting miles and other perks out of the whole shebang is a good idea. Put all of your wedding purchases on the card and watch the rewards accumulate quickly.
When thinking about a videographer, be certain to see clips from prospective candidates, and do a lot of interviews. Sound quality and video editing are just as important as capturing the shot. Get your wedding on the latest technology so that the memories last a lifetime. Use your intuition when choosing a videographer, because after all, they will be capturing your most memorable day.
Trust in others to help you with your wedding plans. You will more than likely want to control every aspect of your wedding, but it is important to be able to let go of some aspects so that you do not get overly stressed during what should be the happiest time of your life. If you try to do everything, however, you’ll stress yourself out. You’ll need to rely on people with professional expertise to help you plan parts of your wedding.
The most essential part of any wedding is two people who are fully prepared to be married. Even if you are sure you know your partner, life will still be difficult, meaning you will need to draw closer to your partner in tough times as opposed to letting them pull you apart. These tips will help you plan the perfect wedding.
Always have a time buffer between the wedding and reception. In that way, it won’t matter if your wedding runs a little overtime. Receptions usually must start on time. Most reception venues are booked from beginning time to end time. Should your reception run late, you still may be paying for something no one is enjoying.