An engagement can be the most cherished memory between a couple. That said, the wedding planning that follows the engagement is often extremely stressful, not to mention expensive. Read on to find out how you can make wedding planning as fun and exciting as the ceremony itself.

Practice walking down the aisle as much as you can right before the wedding. Make sure that you do this at the actual site of the wedding, as you will want to test out the floor with the shoes you are going to wear. This makes sure you’re comfortable during the big day.

You can save money by choosing an off season wedding date. The wedding season runs from May until September. This will be the time where the costs are the highest. If you must book during this period, schedule many months in advance to save money.

Consider your different options to find the right type of alcohol for your wedding. Open bars are typically very expensive, especially when they are open for long time-periods. Ask your venue about the different alcohol serving options that they have available.

The photos taken during your wedding are important as you’ll look at these a lot of times during your lifetime. Choose the best photographer you can, even if it costs you extra. You want to be sure that your wedding will be remembered fondly.

Use the property of someone you know. For example, a large backyard could be the perfect setting, and you will save a lot of money this way. You can make sure the cleaning and setup is done, of course, but that is the only thing you should have to pay for regarding the wedding venue.

Consider an ethnic or exotic flair for your reception dinner. Chicken and steak are over-served, so why not pick some other foods in your desired cuisine? Variety makes life exciting and will undoubtedly make your dinner unforgettable!

Flowers look beautiful as centerpieces on the dinner tables, but don’t overdo it. Frequently, these flowers are a nuisance to your guests, since they get in the way. Plus, some guests may be allergic to flowers. One classy alternative to flowers is unscented candles.

Avoid having your guests standing around waiting while you have your pictures taken. Pictures of the bride, groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen can be snapped in advance. Also, pictures of the couple with their parents can be taken in advance; this reduces the waiting time for guests coming to the reception.

For a destination wedding, one wonderful present for your guests is a basket brimming with vacation goodies delivered to each room. Have items in them like disposable cameras, hats, sunglasses and tourist maps of the exciting places that they can visit. You may want to include a food guide to some local restaurants so that they can eat.

A piece of fabric that matches your cake can be placed on a table and function as the focal point. You can choose to use solids, patterns or textured fabrics like silk, velvet or satin to create a visual interest that will tie all these elements together.

Silk Flowers

Think about getting silk flowers as an alternative to real ones. If you use silk flowers instead of fresh flowers, you can purchase them well in advance and eliminate the worry of having the right flowers delivered the morning of your wedding.

For aesthetic purposes, centerpieces are necessary, but they can really take a bite out of your budget. Avoid overbearing table decor; instead, opt for something simple yet elegant pieces. This will allow people to converse without any distraction, improving the experience for your guests.

Dress the children in the wedding party in comfortable clothing. By utilizing softer fabrics, the children in your ceremony will look great while feeling quite comfortable. The children’s new shoes should be broken in and comfortable. By doing this, the children will be less inclined to fuss with their outfits, and more likely to partake happily in whatever roles have been assigned to them.

A gift registry is often common with weddings. To ensure a more pleasant event, make sure your guests know that a gift is not a requirement. Give them varying price ranges and several gift options to choose from. People need to feel comfortable gifting what they are able to afford.

To make your wedding unforgettable, plan some activities for your guests. Instead of your guests simply waiting for you to come down the aisle, plan a contest or a game for your guests to partake in while waiting for the wedding to begin. Organize contests, games or even sports. You can make your wedding more memorable by planning activities that allow your guests to have fun and interact with each other.

It is better to select your bridesmaids gowns before you select your bridesmaids. Friendships can be strained by bridesmaid gown disagreements. Choose something that matches the wedding theme, it’s affordable and that your bridesmaids will like. This allows you to get a wedding put together that people will all enjoy taking part in.

Write your own vows for the wedding. Though it might be simpler to copy another source, keep in mind that you know your fiance better than anyone else. 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. Draw on inspiration when looking at sources, but put things into your own words and speak from the heart.

Use the above advice to make planning your wedding another memorable bonding experience. Learning to plan a wedding together is a great way to build the foundation for marriage and a life together. Follow these pieces of advice to not only create a wonderful wedding experience for yourselves, but also to lay the groundwork for a lifetime of cooperation and mutual support.