Wedding Tips

Plan, plan, plan! Start early and leave yourself lots of time to plan. These things take more time then most people realize. If you rush your wedding, your wedding will appear rushed to your guests.

Pick your wedding day carefully. Consider what type of weather is typical for that time of year, what hotels are likely to fill up due to special events, what obligations some of your guests may have, and more. Timing is everything.

Spend the money! This is the most important day of your life and you only get to do it once (we hope). Remember; you get what you pay for. Spend a little bit more on that dress, on that band, on that catering company, on the photographer, on the planner, etc. Do it right the first time and it will all go off without a hitch.

Get everything in writing and read it carefully. Whether it be the videographer, the caterer, the bakery, or the venue, be sure you understand all the details and what everything will cost. If its in writing, there can be no surprises or misunderstandings later.

Hire a good band. It adds more of a personal touch to the wedding and a good band can help fire up the crowd and get them more involved. They can keep them on the dance floor and ensure your reception is lively and fun.

Negotiate with your vendors. It is a given that everything will be expensive, but keep in mind that there is competition out there among these vendors as well. This can work in your favor. With a little patience and negotiating savvy, you can work the prices down to being a bit more palatable.

Take your time and hire the right planner. Hire the wrong one and your wedding could be ruined. It's best to hire someone that has a track record. Ask around and insist on references.

You've spent a lot of time planning your perfect wedding. Now it's time to let go. If something doesn't go perfectly smoothly, don't worry about it. Relax and enjoy this important day. Accept anything that happens as part of the moment to cherish. Did someone forget their lines? Laugh about it. Did the best man forget the ring? Laugh about it. Did the band screw up the first dance? Laugh about it. Don't let these problems ruin your perfect day. Mistakes are part of life. Only YOU can ruin your perfect day.

When you decide what time you have to be ready, give yourself another hour at least, time flies at times like these. During the day, note the time every so often, because it will be over before you know it.

The biggest thing to keep in mind when planning a wedding is the budget! Know what the budget is and stick to it. It’s no fun being in debt to start your married life. Be realistic about your wants and needs regarding your wedding day.

When hiring a wedding photographer, do it well in advance and really talk to them about the kinds of photographs you really want. When you have the initial meeting have the photographer show you a variety of different weddings that they have done. Also, meet with a few different photographers. They all have different styles so you need to find the one that has the style you like.

Make the decision early whether you and your soon-to-be spouse are going to say traditional vows or vows you have written yourself. If you are doing traditional, your set. If you are going to write your own vows, this can be very romantic, but try not to wait until the last minute to write them. Unless of course you happen to be good at making a speech off the top of your head that is meaningful and romantic.

Decide early if you want to hire a band or a DJ. A band may provide more of an intimate feeling to the reception, but a DJ will probably have a wider variety of music. Make sure that the band or DJ knows what your playlist will be like and sticks to it. If you're doing "standards" (i.e. Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, etc.), it is probably not a good idea if the band or DJ starts playing "YMCA" or "My Life Would Suck Without You."

You will want to make sure you have plenty of food and drink on hand for the reception. Since the reception is a festive occasion, make sure that there is enough to go around for everyone. However, also be aware of limitations. Make sure the bartenders are not over-serving alcohol to potentially drunk guests, or even worse, serving alcohol to minors.

Once the wedding is over, think back on how it went and things you liked and didn't like. If there is anything you can think of that you missed doing the first time around, keep the idea in your mind in case you and your spouse decide to renew your vows sometime down the road!