There are many thoughts that go through your head as you think about your wedding day and all the different aspects of your vision. Although planning a wedding can be very exciting, without the proper guidance it can be overwhelming.
Wedding Season
For a more reasonably priced wedding, consider a date that’s not in the traditional wedding season. The wedding season is traditionally from May through September. Wedding venues are costly during these months. Book in advance if you must schedule your wedding during this time.
You will need to make a choice about how much alcohol you want to pay for, and which type of serving will be most cost efficient. Having an open bar can be very expensive if it stays open for hours. If holding the wedding at an outside venue, they may have alcohol serving options available that can control costs.
You can plan a personalized wedding by choosing elements that reflect who you are. Pick out a theme fitting for the time the two of you have spent together.
Consider an ethnic or exotic flair for your reception dinner. Chicken and steak have been done to death, so you may want to branch out a little. Variety is essential to a wedding dinner to make it memorable for all the right reasons.
Take a long time to write your vows, as this is something that is very important towards your husband or wife. Keep in mind that getting married is a commitment that might require some sacrifices. Take this opportunity to express your love for your betrothed so that will always be a part of your wedding ceremony.
Look around before committing to a photographer. You do not want to have someone taking wedding pictures that you are not pleased with. Ask for recommendations and read reviews online when choosing a photographer.
A multi-tiered wedding cake can set you back well over a thousand dollars. You can save money by serving cupcakes, small tarts, or cake pops. Their affordability, convenience and versatility make these arrangements highly desirable. Guests can pick up their cupcake as they leave.
Gift Basket
A nice present to give to your wedding guests at a wedding in a different town is a gift basket full of vacation items that you can have sent to their room. This gift basket can include helpful items such as sunscreen, sunglasses, disposable cameras and tourist maps that add a nice touch of flavor to the vacation. You could also include flyers and coupons for local restaurants.
Check to make sure that you can alter the lighting of the venue where the wedding reception will take place. You may not think this detail is important; however, consider the effect of low lights on parts of your reception. For example, you may want to dim the lights for your first dance or other important dances and brighten them when you want everyone to participate in dancing. Verify this with the venue, before signing your contract.
You can look for local talent in many places; Craigslist is a great start to find people. Be sure you always meet the people who you are going to have provide you a service before the big day; you want to get a sense of who they are and what they’re capable of in advance.
For aesthetic purposes, centerpieces are necessary, but they can really take a bite out of your budget. Instead of going with a huge table centerpiece that uses up almost the entire table, keep it simple. You will then allow people to have a conversation without unnecessary distractions; this will bring your guests closer.
Dress the children in the wedding party in comfortable clothing. Choose fabrics that are soft and have just the right amount of looseness so they don’t cause discomfort. If the children are going to be wearing new shoes, make sure they are comfortable, and let them walk around in them a bit so that they can get broken in. This small detail can ensure that the children remain focused on their part in the wedding, instead of fidgeting with uncomfortable clothing.
If you plan on making a wedding speech or giving a toast, you should practice beforehand. If you are unprepared for the speech, this can become very obvious very quickly, and leave you feeling humiliated in front of the other guests.
Be sure to prepare well for your first meeting with your wedding planner. Follow the lead of fashion designers and stylists who create “look books” and mood boards comprised of fabric swatches, imagery and other inspirational tidbits that can serve as a starting point for the finished product. Include photos, magazine clippings, and songs lyrics if you like.
Be mindful of what guest may want to do if you’ve having a destination wedding. Some of your guests may plan a vacation around your big day, so be sure they have enough time to make preparations. Send out invitation cards well ahead of time to accommodate them.
One important thing to consider is a gift registry. Gifts should not be mandatory to attend your wedding. Give them varying price ranges and several gift options to choose from. People need to be comfortable giving what they are able to afford bringing.
Planning Process
It certainly can be tedious but it should not be unbearable. To make the most of your planning process you simply need to gain a little knowledge to relieve some of the pressures you may experience. You may even be able to enjoy the planning process once you know where to begin.