Many people have their wedding day planned in their minds or in scrapbooks far in advance of the actual day. While it is exciting thinking about your wedding, the planning part can turn out frustrating if you don’t have the right knowledge.
Your wedding dress could be one of the most expensive items included in your wedding, but there are ways to save money on this purchase. If you are not looking for a traditional, princess type ballgown, consider looking into other types of dresses. A bridesmaid dress could fit your needs and would not be as expensive as an actual wedding dress. Even if you need the dress to be altered, it will probably be less expensive than buying a wedding dress.
Select your makeup artist carefully. Be sure to view his or her work before hiring. Are you comfortable with the makeup they’ve done before? Make sure that you are completely satisfied. You do not want to be an hour before your wedding with a make up artist who does your make up in a way that you dislike.
Don’t forget about the transportation on your wedding day. Some guests might need a ride to their hotel, so make sure there are taxis available (at minimum). This is also a good idea for guests who have had too much to drink at the wedding.
You don’t need a big, expensive, flashy wedding cake. Talk to your local bakery owner about something smaller, or pre-cut into individual portions. Bakeries can offer options, such as sugar free cupcakes or a gluten-free cake, if you want a healthier option or if you have guests with special dietary needs.
Don’t use an overabundance of flowers as table centerpieces for your reception. The flowers will often just get in the way when your guests are trying to eat. Some people attending your wedding may have pollen allergies, as well. In order to provide a romantic look, you can place unscented candles centered on the table.
Luxury-loving and fashionable brides could choose to make their bouquet sparkle; try adding rhinestones, Swarovski crystals or even some diamonds. Add heat-fixed crystals or adhesive ones to your bouquet, or tie a piece of jewelery to it. To avoid clashes with other parts of the bride’s wardrobe, ensure that the size, color, and cut of the stones are consistent.
See if you can find a willing helper who can assist you with looking after your equipment and moving it when necessary. They may be able to help you as you gather the family for a group shot.
Your guests shouldn’t have to hang around while your pictures are taken. Take photos of the groomsmen and bridesmaids with the happy couple ahead of time. The pictures for the bride, groom and immediately family can also be done in advance.
Try to arrange to hold your reception in mid-day. Most people will drink less during the day, which will cut back on the cost to fill the bar. Also, lunch receptions will typically be cheaper than dinner receptions and allow you to either increase the quality of food or allocate the rest of your food and alcohol budget to another need for the wedding.
One detail to consider is that the venue lighting can be dimmed, if necessary. This may seem like it’s trivial, having the option to lower your lighting during the first dance will be nice, and then you can brighten it for the remainder of your event. Check with the venue about these specific options before booking anything for certain.
Perhaps you could borrow something from a friend. This can provide you with the look you wish to achieve, and make your wedding stand out.
Be sure to make wedding plans that incorporate the cultural and social backgrounds of both parties in the marriage. This will help create a festive atmosphere and help make the event enjoyable for both families.
If children are to be a part of your ceremony, pay special attention to the comfort of their clothes. Use soft fabrics that have a somewhat loose fit for comfort. 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. Thinking ahead about small details like this can make all the difference on the wedding day and will cut down on fidgeting and fussing over uncomfortable clothing.
Seasonal flowers that are native to your state may not be easy to find at your wedding location, especially if it’s a completely different climate. Contact florists near the destination and you can find out which flowers are available.
No matter what type of reception you want, keep your caterer informed; for example, if you want an outdoor reception, help your caterer understand that. Some foods will not keep well in the heat or might be too light to stay in dishes if the wind is blowing strongly. You may consider using decorative covers for your dishes. If possible, consider having a small fridge on hand for keeping beverages chilled.
With weddings, consider if you wish for children to be invited. If you are going to have children attending, there are certain details you’re going to want to plan out ahead of time. You may find that some guests will not be able to make it because of no one to watch their children.
Make sure you check with your bridesmaids on the subject of gowns before they arrive for the big day. Many friendships have been strained by issues between brides and their bridesmaids because they did not communicate openly. Unless you know for sure that money isn’t a problem, choose a relatively wallet-friendly dress, a color that complements your wedding palette, and a flattering style. This will ensure that everyone has a good time and no ill feelings are bred.
Proper planning can ease the stress of a wedding. It is possible that you will love the planning near the same amount as the wedding itself.