| Author: Fine Wedding Favors |
Congratulations'you're getting married! Now take a deep breath and take off those rose-colored glasses'it's time to think about the wedding. If you want to plan a hassle-free wedding, here's some useful advice.
Set a budget. Think about money before you think about anything else. How much can you afford to spend on a wedding? Whose family will pay for what? Traditionally, the bride's family pays for the wedding and reception, while the groom's family foots the bill for the rehearsal dinner.
However, these rules are not as hard-and-fast now as they were a few decades ago. If the couple are older, established professionals'as opposed to young adults just getting started in life'they may be expected to pay for the wedding themselves.
Talk to your family. Is his family staunch Catholic? Are her parents insistent that their little girl get married at the synagogue? If either side of the family has strong views about the religious significance of the wedding, you'd better get it out in the open early on. If you're paying for the wedding yourself, you'll have a stronger position than if the families are footing most of the bill'but even so, if you disregard a family member's conviction, it could cause bad feelings for years to come. Try to settle on a solution that will come as close as possible to making everyone happy.
Pick a place. The venue contributes significantly to the cost of a wedding and reception. Hotels, resorts, and country clubs are often expensive'although they are most equipped to handle weddings, with professional staff and all the equipment. Outdoor locations such as parks and beaches can be cost-saving'but you'll have to bring in all the chairs and tables yourself. Churches are the most traditional settings'but make sure you understand their regulations.
Pick a theme. It can seem like your choices regarding color scheme, favors, food, music, and decoration are endless and bewildering. If you settle on a theme early on, it can help you to narrow down your choices. The date you pick can help you choose a theme'a winter wedding could have a Christmas or Valentines Day theme; a fall wedding works well with Halloween or foliage themes; summer can have a beach or 4th of July theme. Or consider your interests. If you love to play golf as a couple, have a love of 18th-century literature, or brew your own beer together'any interest you have might translate well into the perfect wedding theme.
Set a guest list. The amount of people you invite can make or break your budget. The more your family contributes to the wedding, the more say they have in who gets invited. Save money by inviting only friends and family'or by throwing a small and intimate wedding and reception, then a larger and more informal house party later on.
Planning a wedding doesn't have to be a high-stress event. With a little foresight and a lot of open communication, your wedding day will go smoothly'and the planning process won't have to be a nightmare. |
Author Bio:
David McCoy
Fine Wedding Favors
Wedding Favors Fine Wedding Favors provides a large selection of unique wedding favors, bridal shower gifts and wedding accessories. |
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