A lot of people resist the urge to pay thousands of dollars for a wedding planner and choose to go the DIY route and plan their own weddings. If you fall into this category and are planning your own ceremony, check out these helpful tips below and make that special day, one you can be proud of.
Keep your outdoor wedding decorations simple, at all costs. You will want to be the central of your wedding and too many decorations can take away from this. Keep your decorations very neat and ornate, but make sure not to go overboard, in order to allow your guests to maximize their experience.
Have your wedding on the property of friends or family. Instead of booking a ballroom, try holding your wedding in a backyard or field instead. Your only cost will be hiring someone who can come in before the wedding to set up and stay after to clean.
When thinking of what to give your guests as a wedding favor gift, consider who you’re inviting. If half your family are recovering alcoholics, then a bottle of wine is probably not a good idea. If they’re diabetics, then candy won’t work, either. Choose something they’re likely to keep as a memento and not throw out when they get home.
One of the most awkward moments at a wedding can be the bouquet toss. If women don’t want to get involved they shouldn’t be pressured to, so let the DJ know not to say anything to upset the guests. Take a poll before the wedding to see if anyone is really interested in participating and if not, skip it!
If you’re planning on having a cash bar at your wedding, consider giving your guests tickets for free drinks. You can place them with the guests’ name cards and then let them know what they’re for when they arrive to the reception. Also, hire a company to run the bar that will keep the drink price low.
Practice. Many weddings have a rehearsal and a rehearsal dinner. Gather the key members of your wedding party and practice several times before the big day, not just once. This is especially important if you have complicated or long choreography or special instructions that vary from the norm.
Do a lot of research about the weather if you are thinking about a destination wedding. Many romantic getaways have a hurricane season. Think about extreme heat, exotic bugs and diseases and perhaps even political unrest in certain countries. Have a backup plan in case your destination wedding becomes impossible.
When choosing what your first kiss in front of the priest will be think carefully. This kiss will represent your relationship before all that are gathered. Will it be soft, smooth, and compassionate, or will it be wild and risque? Make a decision that fits your taste, and doesn’t go overboard with both sets of in-laws watching.
Going the do-it-yourself route can really put a lot of pressure on you to pull off a stellar event, whether you’re the one getting married or just the one planning the ceremony. Always make sure that you’re seeking advice on how to simplify the process. Use what you’ve learned here and plan a great wedding.