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- Make a list of your dreams and prioritize them. Do the important things first.
- Purchase shoes, hose, undergarments, etc., that you can use for work after the wedding.
- Plan ahead, and do as much as you can yourself…but make sure the week of your wedding is free to relax and rest, so you can be at your best for the big day.
- For out of town guests, negotiate with a local hotel for a flat, group rate. Ask that the rate extend to a day or two before and after your wedding. Ask for group parking discounts too.
- Rent a Cadillac or other luxury vehicle just for the Bride, Groom, Maid/Matron of Honor, and Best Man to save on the expense of a limousine. The other members of the Bridal Party will most likely want to ride with their spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend to the reception.
- Kids can get bored during the wedding reception. So instead of having kids seated at the same table with the adults, you can have an area where kids can be more casual and can have a small party of their own.
- Instead of the traditional guest book, have a framed canvas for your guest to sign. This is something you canhang in yourhome as a unique memory of your wedding day. Leave blank squares to mount snap shots, from the ceremony to make as a collage.
- Marriage is a union of families. During the wedding rites, if possible, you may alter some of the practices to include the children of the bride or groom from previous marriage or the parents and families of the couple. Having them perform a special union rite will signify that the wedding is not just a union of two people but also of two families.
We did this in my second marriage. I have two children from my previous marriage and wanted to have them included in the ceremony. After my husband and I said our vows, we recited a separate set of vows to them promising to be loving parents and a happy family – in good times and bad. We’ve certainly had both!
After we said vows to them, my husband presented my daughter with her own “wedding ring” – a simple gold band with a small stone – and my son with a cross necklace. They loved it and it really united us as a family.
- When the bride and groom come out of the church, it is tradition to shower them with something. This tradition relates to wishing fertility on them in their marriage.
Traditionally, they have been showered with rice (uncooked, of course!) More and more people have gone toward bird seed which is more environmentally friendly. And no, birds won’t explode if they eat the rice!
Another great idea besides rice or bird seed is to have the guests hold sparklers as the newlyweds exit the ceremony.
- Make sure any speeches are given early on in the reception. The longer the reception lasts, the more possibility of having an intoxicated, and probably inappropriate, toast!
- If you want an outdoor wedding, have a back-up plan in case of inclement weather.
- Rent, borrow, or make as many items as possible! Some items to borrow from a friend or relative are a cake knife and serving set, toasting glasses, jewelry and the bride’s shoes. To reduce costs, you can make several items or enlist a few friends to help you with ribbons, pew bows, veil and headpiece, church programs, bridesmaids’ dresses, bridal purse, ring bearer pillow and the cake topper.
- Though we’ve said it before, it bears repeating. Forget the “W” Word. While I have noticed a small change in recent years, this still holds true for a lot of cases. People expect weddings to be more expensive, and are charged accordingly. Refer to your wedding as a family get-together or a gathering. It’s unfortunate, but when you associate an item with a wedding, you will often find that the price goes up.
- Tulle can be a fairly inexpensive decorating tool (no pun intended). Tulle can be draped along staircases, balconies and fireplaces. Tulle bows can be tied around chairs. Some reception locations may not have the most “attractive” chairs. The tulle bows look beautiful and romantic and make a great “cover-up”.
- Consider keeping the theme of your wedding and reception all the way into the restrooms! For example, if your theme is daisies then cut a few daisy heads off and lay them around the sinks. Perhaps you also might add soap and lotion for your guests to use that have the same scent as your wedding flowers.
- You will have to pay the officiant, so budget this into your expenses.
- The rehearsal dinner is traditionally given by the groom’s family. But let’s face it, sometimes tradition can go out the door in the best interest of the couple.
The rehearsal dinner of today doesn’t have to be a formal sit-down dinner. More and more couples are opting for casual, simple get-togethers on the day before their marriage.
You can gather at someone’s house and order pizza to eat while you socialize. You could also get sub sandwiches from the local sub shop.
Maybe simple pot luck would suffice for you. Why not put out some lunch meat and cheese for sandwiches?
Remember, you’ll be stressed enough the next day, so relax on rehearsal night!
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