The wedding ceremony can be one of the most important aspects of a couple’s big event. Opening remarks may include a recounting the couple’s story of love or thoughts on marriage, via details such as the decoration and groomsmen watches.
Guests can also give presents to the newlyweds and the families of the newlyweds during this part. This is a chance to show their appreciation.
Plan Ahead
A wedding is an important event. And it takes a lot of planning to pull off. Even if it’s a small affair, with only a few dozen people attending, you shouldn’t wait until the last moment to put things together.
Identify all the people who are willing to contribute to your wedding and the amount they are willing to pay. This will give you an idea of your budget and the extent to which it can be stretched.
Talk to your S.O. about your vision for your wedding. This is the chance for you to come up with a shared aesthetic. It can be difficult to reconcile different styles, but with an open-minded approach and a willingness for compromise, it is usually not as hard as you think.
It’s also a great time to track RSVPs, so you know exactly how many guests to invite. It might feel like an impossible task at first, but establishing some sort of structure early on will keep you from over-extending your guest list or missing out on any important relationships. Try creating categories for each of your family and friends, separating the people you will want to be there on your wedding day.
Once you’ve determined a budget and nailed down your guest count, talk to your pro vendors about what they can do within your price range. Prioritize working with venues, florists and caterers before contacting fashion designers, stationers, and niche entertainers.
It’s also around this time that couples often choose the songs they want to play on their big day, whether it’s for the first dance, parent dance or recessional song. Share these lists with your musician so that they are ready for the big event.
This is the perfect time to ask local friends and family about housing for your guests if you are hosting a destination marriage. It’s nice to give your guests the chance to spend time with you before they leave. This will prevent the post-wedding jitters that can occur if everyone has to get up too early for the flight home.
Set A Budget
Budgeting can help you get a better idea of the cost. Your budget should reflect the things that are important to you and your priorities. Once you’ve started the process, it’s important to have a candid conversation with your partner.
You should also discuss with your parents and other loved ones how much they will contribute. Next, come up a budget plan for the remainder of the wedding. This will prevent any future conflict if they feel their contribution has been spent in a manner they do not like.
Another way to stay on track is to shop around for the best deals on things you will need for the wedding, such as flowers, stationery and transportation. This will help keep the costs down without sacrificing the quality of your wedding.
There are also other hidden costs that you should consider, like a gratuity to your vendors or an extra cost for items which will make your wedding more memorable, such as ceremony decor or gifts for the bridal party. A wedding planner is a great tool for budgeting and planning your big day.
It’s a common mistake for couples to not set a budget at the beginning. It’s important to set a budget early so that you are aware of the costs and can set a limit you can’t go over.
To stay within your budget, you can also use a spreadsheet to track expenses. You should also be willing to compromise with your partner about what both of you want from your wedding. If you have certain things that are not negotiable (like your dream venue or imported peonies), be prepared to make cuts in other areas to balance the budget. Using credit cards to pay for wedding expenses can be helpful, but only use them if you have the money in reserve to pay them off quickly.
Create A Wedding Website
A wedding site is a great way to share with your guests important information about the day of your wedding. It also provides a fun and creative way to show off your personality and style. You can easily find a free or paid wedding website builder that is mobile-friendly and offers a wide range of templates to choose from, or you can even design your own custom site. Use a theme to inspire other design elements like signage and invitations.
Start by naming your page ‘wedding event’ with your and your partner’s names in possessive form, along with the word “wedding” (or something creative). Then add the date, time and location of the event and the full schedule, including any travel arrangements needed for out-of-town guests.
If you want, include a section about your engagement with photos or a short story of how you met. You can also include a photo gallery for your bridal party, or anyone else you want to invite to this event. This page will allow you to keep the names and titles of your guests off the invitations. This makes it easier for them to read, and reduces the amount of addresses that need to be printed.
Consider adding a guestbook to your wedding website so that your guests can leave you notes at any time in the lead-up to your big day. This is particularly useful if your event is at a location where people might not remember how to get back to the reception for a physical book.
Put Some Time Away
You may be allowed to take a couple of days off from work to make any last-minute wedding preparations, or to enjoy some extra time. Many couples will also use this time to pack their honeymoon bags and get everything ready for the big day!
It’s a great idea to create a wedding schedule and email it out to everyone involved with your planning. This includes the venue team and the photographer. This will keep everyone on the right track and stop you from answering the exact same question repeatedly!
Make a plan for how all of the decorations, food, and supplies that are going to be used at your wedding will get there. You may need to purchase additional vehicles for getting things back and forth or you may have kind friends and family members that will be bringing some of these items to the wedding site for you. It’s also a good idea to put together a “welcome bag” for your out-of-town guests that can be taken to their hotel rooms or guesthouses. This can include gifts and local treats that will make them feel welcome in your home town.
Ensure that you have enough room in your budget to cover any rentals or deposits needed for your wedding. These can be expensive and you should not ignore them. You should also set aside money to cover any tips or payments that need to be given to people on your wedding day. These should be put in envelopes with a clearly labeled recipient.
Last but not least, make sure you give your loved ones some time to say thank you for their support during the planning phase! It’s easy to lose track of the importance of your friendships and relationships during this busy time and it’s a good idea to make an effort to spend some quality time with these important individuals before your wedding.
Ask your fiance whether you would like to take a week off work before your wedding so that you have extra time to prepare for your wedding and any grooming or beauty preparations.