Getting married is a big deal for everyone from the bride to the groom to the families that are involved. How you carry out the wedding ceremony and the way that you celebrate will vary depending on your religion, your culture, traditions, and even what the trends in that region are. However, what is common in all weddings are a few surprises, some mistakes, and lots of good memories. For a few things, there is no fix like that friend who is always too late or that cousin who always ends up blurting out something he shouldn’t have. For everything else, there is a solution. Here are the main things you should be mindful of to create the best wedding ceremony possible.
1. Get A Head Start
Even if you think you have everything sorted out and you have a clear plan of what you want to do, it never hurts to start a little early. Since there are so many variables and unforeseen circumstances that could arise, the last thing you want is not to have things go your way. Most experts suggest that you should plant at least 12 months in advance. This will give you enough time to manage everything from wedding arrangements to finances, and also some room for last-minute changes. Especially if you are planning on having a wedding at a very popular destination, it can help to book in advance. Some destinations can have waiting lists for up to a year.
2. Get The Budget Sorted
The biggest hurdle in managing what you can and what you can’t do is the budget. The other problem is that you nearly always go over what you have planned. It’s still important to have some kind of financial planning so you have a framework that you are working inside of. With a clear budget in mind, you can start shortlisting products and services that are within that range. Also, it’s going to help you prioritize how much you are willing to spend on certain things. Maybe you don’t really need that $2500 pair of shoes. Many online retailers offer wedding dresses for affordable rates.
3. Team Work
It’s teamwork at the end of the day, don’t be afraid to reach out to friends and family for assistance in putting together the biggest event of your life. They will be more than willing to help. And if you are planning on having a relatively large wedding, with a lot of people attending, you will definitely need some management help. Also, you could gain some pretty good insights into what you should or shouldn’t do. You never know, one of your friends might know someone who can get you that reservation at that special place that you wanted.
4. Guests
Having a headcount of how many people will be attending really helps. From everything to managing the catering to getting the wedding invitations printed, knowing how many people you are dealing with is very important. If you are making a website for the wedding go ahead and make a registry online so that all your guests can get together on one platform. It’s so much easier to do these things online than having to cater to every individual person separately. You have technology at your disposal so use it to your advantage.
5. Accessories
Other than your suit and your hairdo you can also outfit yourself with some good accessories. Ideally, you should have these things ready in advance and even have your entire outfit ready in advance. Some basic things like cufflinks and a watch are always important. Of course, you can add and subtract according to your preferences and taste.
6. Memories
Don’t forget the most important person other than the bride, the photographer. With a professional photographer, you can customize how you want the album, whether or not you want video and he or she might even be able to help you set up a video conference system for all those guests who cannot be physically present at the function. Also, consider setting a separate day, possibly the day before the function, for a dedicated photo shoot for yourself and the bride. This will also be a good dress rehearsal and you can take photos without the pressure of having to attend a wedding right after.
While you are planning everything for your wedding it’s also a good time to consider what your plans are for the honeymoon and how you want to spend the first few days after the wedding. Some people like to go for the honeymoon a little later, which is also fine, but you definitely do not want to be going back to work the day after your marriage. Look into some vacation options and make arrangements so you can leave right after the wedding.