Are you getting married but are clueless as to where to begin planning?  It is possible to plan a successful wedding without drama or multiple mishaps. Using our advice and expertise, you can successfully plan the wedding you’ve always wanted.

Are You Planning a Wedding?

Find Advice on Wedding Planning at Bridalshops.com

Destination Weddings             

Some ideal locations for destination weddings are:

• Tahiti
• Hawaii
• The Caribbean
• Europe
• Mexico

If you’re planning on a destination wedding, there a few measures you should take to reassure things go smoothly. You should first create a website that will update guests on what they need to know for your wedding. The information listed on the website should include:

• Visa requirements
• Packing list
• Flight information
• Currency exchange rates

Wedding Budget

Regarding your budget for your wedding, it is sometimes difficult and frustrating to discern who should be responsibility for paying for each aspect of the wedding. Here is a breakdown of how a basic wedding budget should look, but each item is up to your decision:

Ceremony

• Church & music : bride & family
• Marriage license & officiant’s fee: groom & family

Apparel

• Dress, veil, lingerie, accessories: bride & family
• Tuxedo: groom & family

Flowers

• Reception arrangements, bouquets, corsages for bridesmaids & flower girls: bride & family
• Bride’s bouquet & corsage, boutonnières for men: groom & family

Honeymoon

• Honeymoon trip: groom & family

Photography

• All wedding photography: bride & family

Pre-wedding Parties

• Engagement party: bride & groom
• Rehearsal dinner: groom & family
• Bridesmaid luncheon: bride & family
• Bachelor’s dinner: groom & family
• Bridal shower: Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids
• Bachelor party: best man & ushers
• Bachelorette party: maid of honor and bridesmaids
• Reception:  bride & family

Rings

• Groom’s ring: bride & family
• Bride’s ring: groom & family

Invitations

• Wedding invitations: bride & family

Transportation

All wedding transportation: bride & family

Invitations:

Wedding invitations do a lot more than just provide the basic who, what, where, & when. The wedding invitation provides a sneak peak of what your wedding will be like. Here are a few tips regarding your wedding invitations:

• Only order your invitations when your guest list is finalized.
• It is best to come up with the design concept you’re interested in at least 7-8 months prior to your wedding date.
• Start looking for stationary at least 6 months prior to your wedding.
• It is best to order your invitations at least 3-4 months prior to your wedding date.
• Just to be prepared, order 20-30 extra invitations.

On the invitation itself, include the name of the wedding hosts (the bride & groom) & the wedding sponsors (the parents). Along with that information should be the day of the week, date, time, address, & RSVP information for the wedding. Invitations can cost anywhere from $1-$50/invitation. Even if you have the neatest penmanship, you are better off hiring a calligrapher to write out and address each individual invitation. If you are having a destination wedding, hire your calligrapher 10-12 weeks prior to your wedding. If you are having a local wedding, hire your calligrapher about 6-8 weeks prior to your wedding.

Wedding Reception

Seating: You should have your seating figured out by 1-2 weeks prior to the wedding.

Location:  Your wedding reception should occur in a roomy area with special areas designated for eating, drinking, and partying. When selecting a reception location, it is important that there will be plenty of electrical outlets available so that your entertainment can use their equipment. Also make sure your reception venue has a spacious parking lot for your guests.

Wedding Flowers

In order to find the right flowers to suit the décor of your wedding, you should interview several local floral designers. If you are worried about flowers affecting your guests’ allergies, anemones are beautiful flowers that come in a variety of colors and are entirely scentless. It adds a classy touch when your flower selection compliments your dress and décor.

Wedding caterers

When deciding on a wedding caterer, you should first schedule a tasting to see if the cuisine they offer is up to your standards.  It is important that although food is important in a wedding, it is even more important that you hire a caterer who is affordable. A caterer normally can cost about 45-50% of your entire wedding budget. Before hiring a caterer, ask him/her if they can adequately supply you:

• Will they bring in supplies such as tables, chairs, plates or table linens?
•  Ask the caterer if they will provide wait staff to serve your guests.  Server to guest ratio should be 1 server to every 8-10 guests.
• Depending on your guests needs, can the caterer supply separate vegetarian, kosher, Halal or children’s meals for specific guests?
•  Reassure that the caterer works with fresh food.
• Ask to see the catering company’s health license.
• Can they provide alcohol or a separate bar?
• Do they provide attractive displays?
• Will they supply nice china or will you need separate tableware?

Whether or not the caterer supplies adequate resources can play a major role in whether or not you hire them.

Wedding Planner

The wedding planner also known as the wedding consultant is basically your best friend through the wedding planning process. A wedding planner isn’t cheap, but can help you with every aspect of your wedding and will be well worth the money spent.  Wedding planners usually cost 10-15% of your budget ($2,500-$3,000). Your wedding planner is your go to person for such matters as:

• Organizing and hiring vendors (photographers, caterer, DJ, band) and negotiating vending contracts. The planner should be able to set up vendors for you and save you money.
• Helping you select a wedding venue.
• Handling your wedding invitations.
• Oversee that everything goes smoothly on your wedding day.
• Help you in planning and booking your honeymoon.

Wedding Cake

book your baker at least 4-6  months before your wedding.

Some creative ideas for wedding cake decoration include:

• Flowers
• Bows & ribbons
• Polka dot patterns
• Monogram
• Photographs
• Toppers elaborate simple cakes

Some classic colors for wedding cakes include:

• White
• Beige
• Crème

When selecting your wedding cake bakery, ask about:

• Customization: ask to look at photos of cakes they’ve previously completed and feel free to bring in your own photographs and fabric swatches for inspiration.
• Filling choices: some fruit filling or puree choices are strawberry or orange. Some richer filling choices include mocha or chocolate or butter cream.
• Ask your baker when they are making your cake. The earliest they should complete your cake is 4 days before the wedding.

Planning the Honeymoon

Some popular honeymoon locations are:

• Hawaii
• Mexico
• The Caribbean
• Italy
• Spain
• New York City
• California
• London
• Europe

If you’re having difficulty selecting your honeymoon location, feel free to ask your friends or family members for ideas. Here is a basic timeline for honeymoon planning:

6 months before the honeymoon:

• Find a travel agent
• Select a destination
• Figure out what your budget allots you
• Book tickets
• Reserve a hotel room
• Reserve a rental car
• Check if you need vaccinations

3 months before:

• Obtain passports/visas
• Sign up for travel insurance

2 months before:

• Purchase cameras & luggage
• Research activities at your destination

1 month before:

• Create a packing/shopping list
• Confirm travel & hotel reservations
• Create kennel reservations

2 weeks before:

• Pick up airline tickets
• Get travelers check
• Exchange $50 into the currency of the destination

1 week before:

• Make 2-3 copies of passports, credit cards, insurance papers, traveler’s checks & wills.
• Give 1 set of these copies to a relative
• Keep 1 copy of these documents at home
• Keep a copy of these documents with you on your trip
• Set out clothing to pack
• Purchase any necessities
• Ensure you have extra medication if necessary

3 days before:

• Arrange transportation to & from the airport
• Check the weather forecasts for your destination

1 day before:

• Reconfirm flights & reservations
• Make sure your baggage and luggage is labeled with your information.

Planning your wedding can be a relatively simple process if you follow our simple steps & guidelines.

Are You Planning a Wedding?

Find Advice on Wedding Planning at Bridalshops.com