All too often, wedding planning deteriorates into a stressful and miserable experience that depletes joy from the wedding day. Here are some pointers for you to use to get the most out of your wedding.
The wedding dress may be a major expense. You might want to consider a dress which is not categorized specifically for the bride. A bridesmaid dress might strike your fancy as an option, and it would be cheaper than a dress designated for the bride. Even if this dress is not perfect and you need some adjustments made to make it your dream dress, it could still run you quite a bit less then an actual wedding dress.
You can not serve everyone’s favorite top-shelf drink or you would quickly exceed the price of the dress, so consider what you like, and what will keep you within your budget. An open bar is very costly and can become extremely expensive if open for long periods of time. Check with your venue to find out the alcohol options they have for you to choose from.
Personalize your wedding by including things that represent your spouse-to-be, and the bond between the both of you. Choose a theme that matches your time together!
If you prefer to handle the refreshments and foods on your own, save money by shopping at wholesalers, such as Sam’s Club and Costco. You’ll get better deals on large quantities of food if you shop wholesale. Think about asking people you know to assist with the food costs.
The pictures you will have taken on your wedding day are meant to be a memento of your happy day for a lifetime. Hire a professional. Don’t be shy on spending money in this area as they can document this magical day to perfection.
Your wedding photos are important as they will be the memories you carry with you for the years to come. Therefore, it is very important to hire the best professional you can afford.
Use a friend’s property to host your wedding. If someone you know has a nice backyard or a large farm, this can save a lot of money. Pay them in advance to do this for you.
Select your makeup artist carefully. Be sure to view his or her work before hiring. Is the style of make up look attractive to you? Be sure that it is exactly what you want. You don’t want to find yourself with makeup that doesn’t appeal to you right before you are about to start your wedding.
Consider how many people will be dancing at your reception when you look at the dance floors of your possible reception venues. It can be a horrible experience to feel crammed while everyone around you is trying to dance; move chairs and tables out of the way to give everyone some extra breathing space.
Brides should focus on getting down a skincare regimen that makes their skin flawless for the wedding. Look for facial treatments that soothe and brighten with ingredients like sea salts, oatmeal, rose, and creamy scrubs.
Practice your walk for the aisle when you’re standing by a mirror so that you can be sure of how to walk right, especially when you want to wear heels. Avoid twisting your ankle as you walk down the aisle by wearing flat, comfortable shoes. Not having fancy heels is much easier to deal with than falling on your butt.
Wedding Photographer
You don’t want to have your guests waiting as you have your wedding photos taken. Photos of the bride and her party and the groom and his groomsmen should be taken ahead of time. You can also take pictures with both newlyweds’ families at this time.
Even if your gut tells you otherwise, you should never commit to a wedding photographer without considering several other options. You would not want to be stuck with a wedding photographer that does not meet your high standards. There are online reviews readily available to you, and you can also ask people you know that might have planned a wedding recently.
If the bride and groom share a fondness for travel, look for decorative elements that convey a shared sense of wanderlust. You could fashion your invitations to resemble boarding passes or vintage postcards. Perhaps use an old, leather suitcase as a display case for the programs and families involved in the wedding.
Your reception location should have a dance floor or room for dancing. 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.
For instance, you might want to use a menu of popular and modern fusion dishes. You can add personal touches and twists like culture specific desserts and beverages, or even edible wedding favors.
Employ a good friend or relative, as long as they can haul your equipment and gear through the evening. They can help you get group shots of the family too!
Your plans for a wedding outside should always include a solid backup plan, in case it rains, or other unforeseen problems occur. Make sure you have some tents installed or a backup hall nearby, in addition to the planned outdoor venue. Also, make sure that there is something covering the ground so your guests don’t get muddy shoes.
Plan an itinerary and post it online. Share this with your guests, so they are aware of what is happening when. Maintain an updated lists of all events, such as the rehearsal or a pre-wedding dinner, so your guests know exactly where they will be at all times.
Do some homework before meeting your wedding planner. Create a look book or board with fabric swatches, magazine clippings and other interesting items. You can add photographs, magazine clippings or perhaps song lyrics in order to show your wedding planner your vision.
Wedding Cake
If you are going to travel for your wedding, make sure you understand the local laws. You should be aware of things like fees, requirements in residency, and other logistics before you make hotel reservations and book services for the wedding day.
If you choose to use a wedding cake that is colorful, you might want to place it on top a coordinating piece of fabric. Whether you choose patterns or solids, the fabric should add another dimension of visual interest and help to tie your wedding cake in with your wedding theme.
To make sure you are ready for your special first dance, consider practicing your dance before your wedding while wearing a long skirt. Even if you regularly wear long skirts or suit pants, your future spouse might not be used to dancing with you while you’re in this type of clothing. This can get your soon-to be-husband used to any awkwardness he might feel, which can really happen with full-skirted dresses.
For instance, you may plan your menu around ultra-modern fusion cuisine, including popular dishes from both cultures. Another alternative is to offer ethnic dessert or drink options to the menu.
Make sure everything is perfect for the bride so she is happy on her wedding day! A stressed-out or disappointed bride may melt down or get depressed during the wedding. A Bridezilla will be on your hands if you do not let her make decisions.
Flowers seasonal to your region might not be readily available if your wedding environment is in a different climate with temperatures, humidity and distinct from what you are used to at home. Contact florists near the destination and you can find out which flowers are available.
The groom needs to make sure his tuxedo fits before the wedding day to avoid any unpleasant wardrobe malfunctions. Ask others for an opinion before choosing a tuxedo. You will surely want to look your very best at your wedding and in your wedding photos.
If you plan a destination wedding, consider your guests’ travel arrangements. You might have guests that plan their vacations around here, so they need time to prepare. 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.
Write your vows yourself. You can, of course, say the traditional words, but make it special. Self-created vows create deeper feeling and meaning for your wedding, and shows your partner how much they matter. Draw on inspiration when looking at sources, but put things into your own words and speak from the heart.
Tall Flowers
Plan well ahead of time. You will need 8-12 months in advance for planning. Begin planning the very soonest you can.
Add flowers of all different heights. Use tall vases and have some short and some tall flowers. Surround the tall flowers with short, stocky flowers. The shorter and smaller flowers should be paler than the main flowers.
A great gift for a bridal party would be some great jewelry that will help you connect to the girls. Long after your wedding, everyone in your bridal party will be able to relive the fun and excitement of the day.
To help you prepare dancing for your first dance, you should practice dancing in a long skirt a few days before your wedding. You could be used to dancing or walking around in a long skirt, but your future husband might not be used to it. This can get your soon-to be-husband used to any awkwardness he might feel, which can really happen with full-skirted dresses.
Don’t be fearful about letting other people help out with segments of planning your wedding. Your wedding is a major life event, so it’s natural to want to be part of the entire process to make sure it goes right. It is possible to go overboard and then you will need to seek professional assistance to get the proper planning for your wedding.
You don’t have to have a traditional wedding if that isn’t what you desire! 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. This will ensure that you have no regrets when you look back on the day you got married.
Don’t feel your engagement ring has to be the typical diamond solitaire just because that is what the commercials all advertise. You can use a ring that has been passed down in the family. Using a sentimental piece of jewelry like this, will truly welcome your significant other into the family. And they will have something antique and cherished that will have special emotions attached to it.
Know what type of weather is being called for on your wedding day. If it is hot outside, the day of your wedding, your guest might want to leave, if your reception is outside! Similarly, they may leave early, if they are too cold at your winter party. Try to make your wedding as pleasant and comfortable as possible for your guests. If it is a hot day, for instance, have fans available.
It is more than likely that you are going to want to have your photograph taken with many of the guests attending your wedding. If you don’t have a predetermined schedule, it can be very difficult to track everyone down for pictures during your event. Make sure your guests know where and when you plan on taking photos with them, and that you have your photographer booked long enough to get all the pictures you need.
Think of rain if there is a chance of it interfering with your plans. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, you need to have a Plan B in case the weather turns bad. Even if you’re thinking that rain isn’t going to happen, it could occur anyways because weather is kind of random. You can be prepared for this by having another place for everyone to go.
Avoid asking a friend to take your wedding photos for you. Your friend won’t do an adequate job unless they’re also a professional. Your wedding photographs should be top quality. A friend might capture a few of these moments, but not all.
For those that will be helping you get ready for your wedding, such as the bride’s mother or bridesmaids, should be dressed and ready to go long before it’s time to help you with your gown and anything else. During the last several minutes before the wedding ceremony, you need to be the main focus. If other members of your wedding party aren’t ready, then they might prevent you from getting ready.
Try wearing black tennis shoes to a wedding if you’re guy. Tennis shoes are generally more comfy than dress shoes, and most people won’t notice since your slacks are going to cover most of your shoes anyway. Of course you should wear only nice looking clean shoes to ensure they aren’t an eyesore.
These tips will help you create solid wedding plans and relax while doing so, which ensures that the focus will be where it should be come wedding day. If you have planned ahead, your wedding will be a smooth and memorable transition into the next phase of your life beside the person you hold dearest.
Procuring a wedding planner can help you immensely when planning your big day. Weddings are a hassle and dozens of different problems can crop up. If you hire a professional wedding planner, you can rest assured that emergencies and complications will be handled with ease. This will allow you, your spouse-to-be, your family and your guests to simply enjoy your special day.