So, you have just been proposed to or done the proposing yourself and are now engaged to be married. This is a joyous time, and the start of a new chapter in your life as you and the person you love the most in this world make a life together and plan your future. Part of the future planning will be, of course, planning the wedding to end all weddings. The day you get married is incredibly special as it is a time you can get all the family and friends you love into the same venue, celebrate your love for each other, and have a damn good party. It is worth looking at where you can cut costs but still get the same end result, for example to buy a cheap table runner or borrow a friends car rather than rent one.
Given this is most likely the first (and hopefully last) time you will ever have to plan a wedding, it is important that you get it right. So, to help you out, this handy guide will take you through the essential things you need to think about and do, to make it the wedding of your dreams.
Affording the nuptials of your dreams
To cover what can become the mammoth price tag of your wedding day, there are two main ways you can ease the financial burden on you and your partner:
- Start saving
- Split the cost with a credit card
This first option is good if your wedding is happening in a year or so because this gives you the time to save up and budget accordingly, alongside taking the stress of getting everything together in a short period of time.
Using a credit card to cover some of the upfront costs is a great thing to do either at the start of your planning or as the day gets closer and you want to afford some finishing touches or cover some unexpected costs. Doing your research into a premier bank card to use for this purpose will ensure you get a good deal and can manage the repayments going forward.
The dress
One of the biggest choices associated with planning a wedding is finding the perfect dress to make you feel like a queen as you walk down the aisle and, let’s be honest, to try and make your partner cry at how beautiful you are. Getting some advice about how to choose the perfect wedding dress is vital to make sure you buy a dress that is unique, fits your personality and suits your body shape. A few starting points are as follows:
- Think about the neckline of your dress. If you have broader shoulders, opting for a V-neck is a strong choice as this will avoid you looking blocky. If you have a small chest, then going for a sweetheart neckline will add instant class to your look.
- White isn’t always right. Although white is a traditional color, more and more brides are opting to go for different, bolder colors which are worth giving some thought to. Just think how great you would look on your wedding day in a stunning red number or a cool, pastel blue?
- The devil is in the detail. When choosing a dress, be on the lookout for little details such as embroidery or jewels that will add the extra touch of glamor you need to look like a princess.
Is a dress not your thing?
Many women don’t want to wear a dress on their wedding day, and the good news is that if you feel the same, there are now lots of options for women who would rather wear trousers. For example, take a look at the gorgeous jumpsuit Christian Siriano designed for Lauren Morelli on her wedding day to see just how amazing trousers can look.
The perfect place
The venue will be how you set the tone of your wedding and has the power to either make to break your big day. Knowing how to narrow down your venue choices is essential to getting together a workable shortlist to choose from:
- How easy is the venue to get to for you and your guests?
- How expensive is the hire price?
- Is the venue licensed for weddings?
- How much freedom do you have with decoration?
When you have the answers to these questions, you will find there is a clear winner from your shortlist.
Want to make it posh?
No matter where you get married, using some of the most popular wedding flowers this year as centerpieces to decorate the room will add some classic glamor to the proceedings. Flowers to use include:
- Rose
- Ranunculus
- Peony
- Hydrangea
- Gardenia
- Calla Lily
Let your finance have a say too
In almost all relationships, gay or straight, there will be one of your that is more creative and romantic than the other. If you are reading this article, the chances are that you are this person and you have in your head the vision to create an incredible wedding day. However, it needs to be said that your partner, even if they are at first reluctant, need to have a say in how things are organized and the creative decisions you take to curate this incredible day for you both. There is plenty of advice on how to get your partner involved in wedding planning, but these following tips will be enough to get you started:
- Use past events as inspiration – Remember that great time you had seeing that covers band at your favorite bar? Why not hire them for your wedding? Including details from your past as a couple where you have made amazing memories will not only make the day more unique to you but will help to get your partner excited about planning.
Why is it so important?
If for no other reason, it is important that your partner is involved so that you can share the workload of the organization and go into your marriage knowing you have both put an equal amount of effort into making it work on your special day.
