Are you interested in a summer or winter wedding? Will there be red roses or white carnations? The decisions really begin to pile up when planning a wedding. Regardless of whether you are the bride or groom, or simply someone helping plan the event, the advice that follows is sure to aid in creating a wonderful day.
Wedding Season
To garner a better price on your wedding venue, look for a date that won’t fall during wedding season. Wedding season runs from May through September. Wedding venues can be pricier at this time. If you still want to have your wedding during this time, be sure to make all your arrangements well in advance so you receive the best possible deal.
In your wedding plans, make sure you consider what types of alcohol you wish to serve, and which ones are most cost effective. Just letting people drink all they want can really add up, especially if the reception lasts a long time. With only a quick question, your venue should be able to provide you with their alcohol serving options.
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. There are often prom dress or bridesmaids dresses available that can turn out to be a beautiful choice for a wedding dress. A simpler dress may suit your needs and will be less expensive than a typical wedding dress. The money you save by choosing a cheaper dress can be used to alter it and add some stylish details.
Choosing your favorite gown online can be faster and cheaper, but do so well in advance to allot extra time for alterations. Sometimes a gown can cost as little as a hundred dollars; however, you might spend twice that amount to have it altered to fit. Figure in this additional cost while making your budget.
Select ethnic catering for a truly memorable event. Steak and chicken can get boring after a while. Ethnic foods and decor will help your reception be memorable.
If you want a much better wedding day look but on a budget that is tight, consider renting diamonds. You will look stunning but won’t have to spend a lot, so your budget stays intact.
Transportation is something you should consider for the wedding. Make sure your guests will have ways to be transported back to wherever they’re staying. This is also helpful for anyone who was drinking at the reception.
If you do not want a traditional wedding cake, consider individual-sized cakes. There are many bakeries that will prepare low-calorie cupcakes for you, or can find ways to cut the calories from a cake. Whether they use gluten-free ingredients, a healthy fruit filling, a calorie free frosting, or something else, it’s sure to be better for you than the alternative.
Even if your dress is picked and already paid for, it is a good idea to keep it safely at the shop until the big day. When you put it in your personal closet, it may get stained or wrinkled. When the big day arrives, your dress will still be in brand new condition.
Silk Flowers
Silk flowers offer great alternative for many of the flowers that you would include in your wedding anyways. You can choose silk flowers far in advance, so you won’t have to fuss with them much on the day of your wedding.
Centerpieces can quickly cause your reception to be a dud financially and socially. As an alternative, try selecting a simple but elegant centerpiece that isn’t too large or overwhelming. It won’t block the conversation of your guests, will save you some money and yet will still look amazing in your photographs.
The menu is an excellent place to reflect cultural diversity. You can add personal touches and twists like culture specific desserts and beverages, or even edible wedding favors.
If you’re not planning on serving a meal at your reception, think about renting furniture instead of using the standard tables. If you use comfortable furniture like lounge chairs or fancy sectional pieces, your guests might spend more time socializing with each other. Also, seating that is plush can make your guests feel more at ease and comfortable, and you can create separate areas for socializing in your location.
If you are planning an outdoor reception, make sure that your caterer is aware of this. They will need to plan your meal knowing that the weather could be less than ideal for your food. Or maybe you could put fancy covers over your dishes. Regardless, make sure you have access to a fridge or a large amount of ice for cooling drinks.
Once you start the planning process for your wedding, it is important to have a list of items that you want, in order of importance to you. Some may think flowers carry more importance over the cake, where others may feel the venue carries more importance over the guest list. This will help you put your priorities first on your budget and the optional things can be worked out if the budget allows.
Gift registry is a tried-and-true wedding tradition. Gifts should not be mandatory to attend your wedding. Also give them a wide variety of possible gift options. People need to be comfortable giving what they are able to afford bringing.
After reading these tips, it’s safe to say that you probably weren’t aware of even half of these ideas. And that’s because no one ever realizes just how much goes into planning a wedding until they’re actually staring at it in the face. A wedding is perhaps the most detail-oriented celebration out there, so be sure that you’re using these tips to help you out.