 |
|
Discuss your ”vision”Sit down with your fiancé and family and discuss your idea of a “dream” wedding. Cover as many details as you can: Will it be big or small? Formal or casual? Will the reception have a theme—say, all winter white, with glittering crystal everywhere? Don’t leave anything out, no matter how extravagant (you’ve always envisioned arriving at the church in a horse-drawn carriage). Prioritize what’s important to both of you and decide what’s feasible.
Secure good film coveragePhotographs and/or videotape will be the lasting memories of your wedding day. Hire people you trust, and give them lists of must-have shots—don’t assume they will just “know” what you want. Ask a close friend or family member to carry a hand-held video camera to take snippets of your day. .
Great way to keep cost downWedding expense is based on how many guests you have; cutting the guest list is a way to save money without sacrificing quality. You don’t have to invite everyone you know, such as all your work colleagues or all your parents’ country club buddies.
Create a budget.Unless you just won the lottery, then you need a written budget for your wedding. Divide that total among these categories: reception, including the site fee, and catering and alcohol costs (40%); honeymoon (13%); photography and videography (10%); bridal gown, tux and accessories (6%); music (5%); flowers (3%); invitations (2%); ceremony (5%); wedding rings (6%); and the rehearsal dinner, limos, attendants’ gifts, tips and miscellaneous costs (10%). The amounts will change slightly as you go. Try to not go above your total limit. You don’t want to start out your marriage feeling regretful that you overspent—and carrying debt.
Shake it up!Want to make your celebration stand out from all those cookie-cutter weddings you’ve been to? Think out of the box. It can mean incorporating family traditions into your ceremony, having your bridesmaids choose their own dresses so they don’t all look alike, inviting your beloved dog to the reception, asking your caterer to prepare a special family recipe for dinner or even having your cake decorated with your new married monogram. Feel free in your planning!
Be organizedKeep files of all your wedding details. The plan will grow in scope. You will have information overload if you don’t keep things organized. Having a good wedding planner to help you makes a big difference.
Get help.Bring in an expert. A wedding coordinator will do everything from finding you an excellent photographer based on your needs and budget to confirming the bouquet delivery time and arranging your train on the day of the wedding. Want to wow your guests with a themed event? Your pro can tell you what’s in—and out. She can even save you money. Successful planners get discounts from preferred vendors by giving them a lot of repeat business—breaks that, in turn, get passed on to you. So, you could end up earning back all or most of the planner’s fee, not to mention saving time and sparing yourself the hassles of orchestrating a big event.
Plan your destination wedding wisely.Whether you choose to wed in a chapel or in the Smoky Mountains , it’s crucial to pick the site carefully. First, work with a chapel that really wants your business. One that offers package deals and employs an on-site wedding coordinator is a good bet.
Pay attention to the flow!Weddings that people recall fondly tend to have a nice “flow.” This simply means that the event was carefully thought-out. Consider this: Is there a chance the taking of your formal photographs will delay the dinner hour? Well, it’s not cool to leave guests hanging. Think about having the pics taken before the ceremony. And be sure to ask the facility not to begin cleaning up until an agreed-upon time: Nothing clears a room faster than when the wait staff turns up the lights and buses the tables as guests are enjoying the last dance.
Be gratefulSure, you’ll give gifts to your bridesmaids and send thank-you cards to your guests, but how will you show appreciation during the wedding? Think how many weddings you’ve attended where the bride and groom seem to consider it a privilege that they’ve invited you, when in reality it’s a privilege for them that you’ve come to help kick off their life together. Come up with ways to say “thank you” throughout the day. For example, do you have a lot of out-of-town invitees? Put welcome baskets filled with bottled water, fruit, local maps and information on area attractions, and so on—in their cabins/rooms. Make a brief speech at your reception, in which you thank your families and everyone involved in the wedding.
Get the good news out earlyAs soon as you set your date, send out “save the date” cards. Tell them the dress code etc. This is especially true if you’re having a destination wedding, or if you will have a lot of guests coming to your town from afar, since people will have to arrange time off from work and book flights. Consider setting up a wedding web page so your guests can check out cabin rates and local sightseeing opportunities.
|
|
|
 |
