Your wedding day will always be a special event, no matter what your budget or style, but that doesn’t mean that you still don’t want it to be a day that will impress your guests. All couples want to make sure that their wedding is memorable and that all in attendance have an amazing time while still making sure that they are getting everything that they want out of the experience, too. Planning a wedding can get overwhelming at times, as there are many details you need to remember. This can be stressful for couples, but there are ways you can make things easier for yourself and stay focused on organizing the kind of wedding that you are both happy with. If you have recently gotten engaged and are starting to think about making plans, here are some tips that you might find useful moving forward.
Make Sure You Are Both on the Same Page
The first place to start when you are beginning your wedding planning journey is to make sure that you and your partner are on the same page. You might have been dreaming about your wedding day for years, but both of you need to be represented when it comes to your wedding style. You might not agree on everything, but it is important to determine what details are important to each other and what you’re both willing to compromise on. Knowing this from the very beginning and being honest with each other about what you both want will make it easier moving forward and should help to reduce any tensions or miscommunication later down the line.
Talk Money
Weddings can get expensive very quickly, and no couple wants to start their married life with each other in unnecessary debt. You will both need to figure out a wedding budget that you are both comfortable with and consider what else you might like to spend your savings on for your future, whether that is purchasing a new home, making renovations to your property, or even saving up for kids if you plan to start a family. Once you have both agreed on a sum that you are happy with spending on your wedding, you can start breaking these costs down. You might find that creating a spreadsheet is a good way to keep track of your wedding budget as you move ahead with your plans.
Look for Venues Early
Your wedding day might feel like a long way off yet, but you shouldn’t leave it too late to book your venue as they can often have long wait lists, especially if you would like to get married during the spring or summer seasons, as they tend to be the most popular for weddings. When you are choosing a venue, you should think about what catering options they offer as part of the deal, how easy it will be for your guests to get there, and whether or not there are any on-site accommodation options or places to stay nearby. You should also think about how the venue reflects your taste as a couple and the style of wedding you want to have. If you would like something more unique, consider out-of-the-box options, such as getting married on a yacht, for example. This can be a great option if you want to add a touch of luxury to your wedding day, and it’s certainly not something everyone will expect. Look at this information if you do want a wedding on a yacht to see if it could be an ideal venue for you.
Choosing the Right Wedding Menu
It is important to make sure that your guests don’t go hungry, and if you are planning to serve alcohol, then you certainly don’t want people drinking on empty stomachs! However, it is important to carefully consider your wedding menu, and not only because you want to impress your guests with your culinary choices. You want to make sure that you’re choosing a selection of meals that will be palatable to most, so do include some crowd-pleasing options for those who might not have as much of an adventurous palate as you. If children are attending your wedding, you’ll also need to make sure that they are being served suitable dishes. You must also ask your guests to let you know if they have any dietary requirements so that you can pass this information on to your catering team. Pairing wines and other drinks with the food you are serving so that they complement the flavors is another thing to keep in mind. You might even be interested in having a bespoke cocktail created for a personal touch.
If your venue doesn’t offer catering, you will need to speak to them about whether or not they will accept you are bringing external caterers on-site. You should meet with a few different caterers to sample their menu options to find the right one for your wedding. Again, make sure you do this in advance so that you won’t find yourself struggling to find caterers that are available for the dates you want.
The Entertainment
Great food and flowing champagne are a good start, but you do need to think of other ways to keep your guests entertained throughout the day. Music is a must, and whether you choose a live band or DJ will be down to your preferences as a couple. However, if you want to offer your guests something more unusual in addition to getting them on the dancefloor, there are some additional options to explore. You could hire a novelty photo booth that guests can use, and this way, they will be able to take some fun mementos of your wedding day home with them. Illusionists are another interesting option, and they can mesmerize your guest with their clever tricks after dinner. Glitter stations have also been popular choices, particularly for weddings that might follow a festival theme or have a more bohemian feel to them. The entertainment you choose to have at your wedding will depend a lot on your budget, but if you can afford to include something a little more unique like this, it will be worth it.
The Décor
Although the wedding décor might not be on top of your priority list, it is a detail that does deserve your attention. How you choose to dress your venue and tables all, contribute to the overall atmosphere, and it can make a big difference to the space. If you are trying to stick to a smaller budget, you may want to consider making some of your decorations by hand to save money. This can also be a fun activity to do with your loved ones, especially if you do enjoy arts and crafts. It’ll also provide another personal touch to your big day, and you might want to keep some of the decorations as a keepsake. You can look online for inspiration for your wedding décor and for tips on how to decorate on a budget. If you are going to order floral arrangements from a professional florist, this is another detail you need to arrange in advance and look at some samples of what they can put together. Choosing seasonal flowers may also be a good way to save money, too.
Dress and Suit Fittings
Do not leave your dress/suit shopping until the last minute, as this can cause a lot of unnecessary stress and also limit your choices. It’s common for brides and grooms, as well as the rest of the formal wedding party, to need fitting to make sure their clothes fit them perfectly on the big day. This all takes time, so if you do leave it last minute to go shopping, you might find that your ideal outfit is unavailable to you. Try to purchase your dress/suit at least six months before your wedding day to allow time for any alterations or orders from dressmakers.
Personal Touches for Your Guests
Wedding favors for your guests are a great way to express your gratitude for their attendance, so this is certainly something you should consider if you want it to be a memorable night for them. Some popular options include handmade chocolates or small bottles of sparkling wine. Scented candles are another option, or pressed flowers in small frames. If you do want something more personal, however, make sure each gift includes the guest’s name and is something that they can keep.
If you and your partner are starting to think about making wedding plans, use this guide to help you plan a memorable day that your guests will love. Remember, it is important to create the perfect day that represents you both as a couple, too, so keep this in mind throughout your planning process so that you are both happy with the outcome. Keep all of your ideas in either a physical folder or a digital one to help you keep track of your progress and budget, and start getting excited about the countdown to your big day!