Getting engaged is one of the most magical times of your life. However, once the initial excitement has settled, it’s time to start thinking about the wedding.
While everyone knows the stereotypical idea of a perfect wedding – held in a stately church, hotel, or country manor, with two hundred guests, a famous band playing, and a huge white dress – that may not be your dream wedding day.
In fact, you may want to choose something quieter, more rustic, or more exotic – whatever fits most closely with your personality and your hopes and dreams for your special day.
Every couple should be able to have the wedding day of their dreams, and while planning that perfect wedding can seem like a daunting undertaking, with the help of these top tips, it doesn’t have to be!
Come Up With A Budget
Planning a wedding can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of ways to find budget-friendly solutions for all aspects of your big day – so it’s a good idea to set a budget before you begin the planning process.
Creating a detailed budget, with funds apportioned for each element of the wedding and reception will ensure that you know exactly how much you have available to spend.
Creating a realistic budget will also prevent you from accidentally burning through your savings, or taking out unanticipated loans.
Send Your ‘Save The Dates’ – With No ‘Wed-min’ Stress
Sending out your ‘save the date’ cards can be a time-consuming and frustrating task, particularly if you have dozens of people to post them to.
Fortunately, there are ways to make the whole process a great deal easier – from choosing the right wording for a save the date, to actually sending them out to everyone on your proposed guest list.
With the help of Greenvelope, you can select the ideal save the date wording, and create stunning personalized cards to send online. Not only is this method so much more convenient, but it also eliminates the possibility of making a mistake, or of a card getting lost in the mail and one of your relatives or friends thinking they haven’t been invited.
Find The Perfect Venue For You
The ideal wedding venue will vary from couple to couple; some may long for a laid-back beach wedding, while others may want to hold their nuptials in a grand church or even a museum or historic public library.
If there’s a particular place you’ve long dreamed of holding your wedding, consider the logistics of how it would work and whether or not your guests can easily access it. For example, if you have a number of elderly family members attending, you will need to take their needs into consideration.
Whatever the venue, it’s important that you book it as soon as possible, as many venues become fully booked months or even years in advance.
Find Your Dream Dress
Of course, one of the most important parts of being a bride is finding the perfect dress to make you look and feel like royalty. Whether you’re keen to keep with the trends, or you want to showcase your own unique and quirky style – such as these memorable celebrity brides – taking some time to try on different garments and find the one that suits you perfectly is a vital part of planning your wedding.
You will also probably want to select the outfits for your bridal party. When doing so, keep in mind that it’s important to make sure you all have at least a couple of fittings done, including one booked for a few weeks before the wedding, just in case a dress needs altering.
Pick The Perfect Caterer For Your Tastes
Aside from the clothing, one of the many enjoyable parts of a wedding is being able to delve into the delectable food dished up at the reception. Wouldn’t you agree?
Just keep in mind that a wedding meal doesn’t have to consist of haute cuisine; if heart-warming comfort food is what means the most to you, then don’t be afraid to opt for your childhood favorites.
With this in mind, planning your wedding banquet means finding a caterer. And, not just any caterer, but one who understands your vision for your wedding feast, and the kind of flavors, influences, and dishes you want to include.
Lastly, be mindful and take note of the dietary preferences and restrictions of your guests, to ensure that everyone sits down to a meal that they can enjoy with gusto.
Book The Photographer
Once the plans for your big day are beginning to take form, it’s time to arrange for a photographer to be there and capture the magic so you can have tangible memories to look back on for years to come. Really. What’s a wedding without a photographer?
Before settling on a particular snapper, take your time and do your research. Check out the portfolios of a number of different professionals, to help you choose the one whose style most closely matches your taste, as well as your budget.
Enjoy Your Big Day!
Last but certainly not least, the most important thing to remember when it comes to your wedding day is that you should simply do your best to relax and enjoy it.
Even if something does go wrong at the last minute – like the wrong flowers being delivered, or bad weather – it shouldn’t do anything to diminish the magic, connection, and abundant love of your special day. After all, this is the reason you are having the wedding in the first place!
