It can be quite stressful to plan a wedding; however, optimism can really help lighten the load. The best thing to do to get prepared for all of this is to learn whatever you can about weddings. Then you will be able to make sure that yours goes well. To start you on the path of knowledge, the following suggestions will give you the edge you need to educate yourself in a just short amount of time.
You can make great use of big box stores, like Costco, when planning your own food service for your wedding day. When you shop this way, you can buy your food cheaper than at regular retailers. Think about asking friends and relations to chip in on the food.
Hold a dress rehearsal for all members of the party that are giving speeches at the reception. This will give them a chance to practice, and you’ll also be able to make sure no inappropriate remarks are planned. Remember that your guests will include people across a wide range of ages, and a joke that younger generations find amusing might be offensive to older guests.
You won’t get a second chance to get your wedding pictures right, so make sure these memories are recorded the right way. Hire a professional. Don’t be shy on spending money in this area as they can document this magical day to perfection.
Have your wedding on the property of friends or family. If someone you know has a large yard or farm, you can get rid of a big wedding expense. Pay someone to clean for them before and after your wedding.
Be sure to have a place for your guests to wait and mingle while you are taking your photographs. Get as many pictures as possible before the ceremony. In order to reduce the length of time that the guests need to wait for the bride and groom to arrive at the wedding reception, the bride and groom should also be photographed with their parents in advance.
Try to plan your reception for the afternoon. Alcohol consumption will be less during a day reception, which could help to reduce costs. Having your wedding during the midday can also cut food costs and even get you a discount for booking during the day.
Send each guest an online itinerary, so that they know exactly when and where every important event will be. Let the guests know what they need to come to, so they can get there when you want them there.
Try Craigslist for finding local talent to help you with your wedding. However, you should always meet a prospective vendor before committing to payment.
If you plan on giving a wedding speech, plan it and practice enough. If you don’t plan and rehearse properly, you could embarrass yourself by talking too much, making an offensive joke, or simply forgetting what to say.
Dependent on the state where the wedding is to occur, certain popular flowers, such as those that bloom in your state, might not be easily available especially if they are not in season. Speak with people who are in the area where your wedding is located to find out what blooms are available to you.
If you are not serving dinner during your reception, try getting casual seating instead of renting tables. Lounges, sectionals and cushy chaises can encourage social interaction. You can use sectional pieces to create areas for relaxing throughout the reception venue. In addition, your guests will relax more when sitting on plush, comfortable seats and be more likely to have a good time.
It’s important to have a backup plan if you want your wedding ceremony or reception to be held outdoors. It can be as simple as renting tents to accommodate the wedding party and guests, or choose a location where either an indoor or outdoor wedding is possible. You might also think about putting wood planks down to prevent guests from stepping in mud caused by rain.
To get ready for the first dance, try practicing dances in long skirts in the days leading up to your wedding. You personally may be fine moving in a longer dress, but your fiancee may be very happy for the practice. This will help prevent any awkwardness your partner might experiences from maneuvering around a large, full dress.
Before settling on a videographer, view the quality of the work. Be sure you are aware of how good the sound quality and editing will be that the videographer is able to do. VHS wedding videos were popular years ago, but make sure you get either a DVD or digital video which can be played for many years. Decide on a videographer using the information located above.
Silk Flowers
One money saving idea is to consider alternatives in lieu of flowers arrangements. For your flower girl, instead of using a floral wreath, consider using ribbon instead for a simple, elegant and cost effective look. Use silk flowers rather than fresh flowers. Silk flowers are less expensive, and they last forever. Go one step further, and make the silk flowers pull double duty by using them at the reception too.
When planning the floral decorations of your wedding, consider where the venue is. For example, a tall, complicated arrangement may get toppled over on a windy day. There might be a need for special equipment when it comes to certain outdoor wedding locations.
Be mindful of the weather. The guests may be uncomfortable if it is outdoors and very hot out. They may also leave early, if it’s extremely cold at your wedding. To make sure your guests stay comfortable and happy, make small adjustments such as providing fans for an outdoor summer wedding.
Consider opening a credit card that offers a rewards program. Frequent flyer miles or other credit card rewards can help defray the cost of your wedding. Charge all wedding expenses to this card, and you can enjoy witnessing the dividends rack up fast.
Hopefully these tips have helped to prepare you for all of the planning that you are now going to do. Stay positive and keep learning all you can do to make your wedding easier.