Finding a beautiful location for your wedding doesn’t require you to fly halfway around the world, especially when you live in the US. There are countless amazing locations that are perfect for a wedding venue, whether you’re looking for a large-scale or a more reserved wedding. If you’re searching for somewhere with stunning scenery with a mountain forest backdrop, then the small city of Big Bear Lake could be the ideal place for you. If you’ve already checked the place out, then you’ll be well aware of just how gorgeous this area of California is. A lakeside venue or a forest retreat can make for the most amazing wedding aesthetics, but what else do you need to think about? There is so much planning involved in a wedding, no matter where it is, so we’ve listed some of the most important things to consider when planning your Big Bear wedding.
Consider Your Budget
When planning a wedding, the most important thing to keep in mind is your budget. We all want to have the wedding of our dreams, but sometimes it just isn’t possible to have everything you ever wanted at your wedding. It’s important to remember that the most crucial part of your wedding is that you’re marrying the person you love and committing to a long and happy life together. Think about your overall budget and avoid going over it if possible. At the end of the day, your wedding is only one day. While it has to be special for you and your guests, it doesn’t have to ruin you financially! Save what you can afford and plan your wedding accordingly. Of course, if you’ve managed to save up a large pot of money for your big day, then go wild. Otherwise, there are plenty of amazing budget wedding ideas that can seriously help you save a small fortune on your big day without losing any of the magic.
Think About Guest Numbers
Every venue can only hold a certain number of guests. You might find that your perfect venue just can’t accommodate the number of people you want at your wedding. At the same time, some venues might only allow for a minimum amount of people to attend your wedding to make the day worthwhile, especially if they have in-house caterers. It’s worth having a solid idea as to how many guests you’ll have at your wedding early on, and of course, allow for a bit of wiggle room in the event that you make some great new friends before the big day or in case you fall out with someone else, of course. Having a clear idea as to how many people you want there will allow you to discount any venues that just don’t align with those numbers.
Pick A Preferred Date
Weddings are big business, and you’d be surprised just how many weddings some weddings host every week. There are some venues that will even host two weddings per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to choosing the date and time of your wedding, and one of the most important things to think about is how much your chosen date will cost. Different days of the week vary significantly in price, with Mondays understandably being the cheapest. This is because many of your guests are going to have to get time off work or perhaps won’t be able to party as long into the early hours if they have work the next day. At the same time, a Saturday wedding is the preferred day for most people as it doesn’t come with these problems. However, that popularity means that venues naturally hike their prices up to cash in on demand.
Decide On A Location
If you’re going to splash out on one particular thing for the day, many people believe that the choice of the venue itself is the best thing to consider. Specific locations will bring their own aesthetic to your big day, which you won’t have to pay extra for. For example, having a nature-themed wedding in an actual forest compared to bringing lots of natural décor to an urban venue is going to cost you a lot less of your budget. It all depends on what you envision your big day to look like, and choosing a location that is naturally stunning, as many of the areas are around Big Bear Lake, is a quick and easy decision. You can find hotels in Big Bear, too, near many of the wedding venues, and some host their own weddings as well. Just remember that some of the more attractive venue choices are more likely to be booked up compared to others, so act quickly and well in advance. You could even look at booking a venue a year or two in advance if you’re set on it.
Plan Your Theme
Having a minimalist wedding in terms of table dressings and other décor but in a location that has breathtaking views can be a fantastic choice. At the same time, you can make even the drabbest and nondescript venue look stunning with enough work. This is where it helps to properly plan out your theme well in advance—perhaps even before you choose a venue. Although, it would be wise to keep these decisions close together, as both the theme and the location can significantly impact each other. You should take into account everything from table centerpieces to chair dressings and even the lighting. Many venues will have all of the basics as well as extras that might cost you a bit more of your budget. However, these additional options could significantly improve the feel of the whole day.
Sort Out Your Catering
Another essential step when planning your wedding is to ensure everyone will be fed and watered during the big day. Your wedding venue may have a prearranged deal with a catering company or even have their own that they use and might even forbid you from choosing anyone else due to that deal. This is worth keeping in mind and asking the venue about before you get swept up in the excitement. Suppose you can choose your own catering and have someone in mind, then that’s fantastic. However, it’s highly recommended that you consider some key points for this. You should arrange a taster day with the caterers to ensure you’re happy with the food and ensure that they can provide quality alternatives to their non-vegetarian/vegan menus if needed. If this will be a factor, you’ll want to make sure that all food options are great for everyone so that nobody feels left out.
Book Your Musician
Live music isn’t a necessity for everyone, and some prefer a simple, well-managed playlist entrusted to their most responsible bridesmaid or groomsman. However, if you want live music or a DJ at your wedding, you’ll want to book them early to avoid the disappointment of the artist or band you want not being available on your big day. Remember that wedding music is a high-demand service, and while there might seem like lots of choices, there are also a lot of other people having a wedding on the same day as you. You’ll also want to give your chosen musician enough time to practice any requested songs too. Keep all of this in mind, and like with many other aspects of your big day, get this sorted out sooner rather than later to ensure that you get exactly what you want on the day.