Planning weddings is no simple task. But it’s something you want to do right since, hopefully, it’ll be the one time you’ll go through the whole shebang. There are plenty of things you’ll have to consider when planning a wedding, both prior to the the big day and even before the engagement. Weddings have a lot of moving parts to think of during the planning process and have a lot of choices to make. There are lots of boxes to check off if you want the wedding of your dreams, and these five things are the most important:
The engagement ring
The very first thing needed to set you on the path to a wedding is an engagement. And in this day and age, an engagement does not have to come from a male partner to a female. If you’re interested in getting married, then you should have that conversation with your partner and discuss how you both would like to proceed. This may sound mechanical, but having this conversation is important. According to research from the University of Maryland, divorce rates have dropped by 18 percent amongst millenials due to their getting married later, once they’re financially stable and have had the chance to plan a future together. Having these kinds of conversations are important prior to popping the question. Without these conversations, you can’t truly know if you and your partner are ready for marriage and the responsibilities that come with it.
Once you and your partner have decided that this is the appropriate time to get engaged, you may want to start looking for rings. If you’re buying the ring for your partner, you’ll need to do some research into what your significant other likes and what your budget will be for the ring. Sometimes, the best way to find the right ring will be to look locally. If you’re an Australian native living on the central east coast, gorgeous engagement rings in Brisbane are readily available to you. Call around to local vendors and check out a few websites. It’ll just take some time and keen eyes to find the perfect choice.
The location
The next thing you’ll need to consider for your wedding is the location. This is an important part of your wedding and comes with a lot of options. Would you prefer an indoors or outdoors wedding? Would you like a wedding at your trusted church or one at a picturesque venue? Would a wedding and reception at different venues work for you or would you prefer one where these two events are housed together? How big of a venue will you need? There are a lot of choices that need to be made when considering the location of your big day.
Locations can also be rather expensive. One of the most important things to remember when picking anything out for your wedding is to ensure that it fits into your budget. Though a Napa Valley wedding sounds like a dream, you never want to start a marriage with ridiculous amounts of debt. Instead, look at places in your budget range that still provide you with everything you’re looking for. Or, be realistic with what you can afford. Locations are some of the most costly parts of a wedding, so you’ll need to be savvy with your money.
Attire
After setting the location, you’ll need to let your guests know what kind of attire will be appropriate for the wedding. The attire will be dependent upon the decor and styling of the day. Evening and church weddings tend to be more formal, and day-time or beach weddings usually ask for casual dresses. Without informing your guests, they may not be best prepared for or may under dress for the occasion.
Directions on attire will be especially helpful for your more effeminate guests, as dresses for wedding guests can be difficult to fit into the set theme of the day. Thankfully, there are plenty of websites that offer a wide variety of dresses and outfits. So with a head’s notice, your guests will be able to find the proper dresses, suits, and attire in order to fit into your big day. Just like you don’t want them to update their food choice or tell you they’re bringing a date last minute, give them all of the information they’ll need upfront.
Flowers
Surprisingly, flowers can be quite expensive. One would think that something so ephemeral would be one of the lesser expenses for a wedding. However, depending on the type, quantity, and arrangement for which you ask, flowers can actually be quite pricey. For instance, popular picks like calla lilies, lily of the valley, peonies, and hydrangeas are some of the most pricey. In keeping with your budget, you’ll have to prioritize which flowers you’d like and in what quantity. Flowers can be a beautiful addition to a wedding, but nothing is worth innumerable amounts of debt.
You can find ways to cut costs with flowers, for example by being referred to a local florist. You can also be strategic in your usage and placement of flowers so that it looks as though you have overflowing bushels of flowers without overpaying for them. Ultimately, it’ll be up to on how much you spend for your wedding, but being strategic about all aspects will provide the best results. Weigh your priorities and see which parts you’re willing to cut down on in order to pay for every aspect of your wedding.
The Honeymoon
The last thing you’ll most likely think about is the honeymoon. After months of planning the big day, don’t make this one an afterthought. This will be your first trip with your newly married partner; you don’t want to regret it because you chose to skimp on costs. No one wants to spend a honeymoon at Motel 6 in the middle of nowhere. Save up and go on a once-in-a-lifetime kind of trip.
Make sure that you budget for a worthwhile trip, as this is the part of getting married you’ll most remember. Pick out some fun locations you and your partner may want to visit. Make a list and narrow it down until you find the right fit. If you want to spend your honeymoon skiing, you’ll want to look at places like the Swiss Alps. If you want to have fun at a Maui luau, then Hawaii may be a better bet. Planning your honeymoon alongside the big day festivities will ensure that it’s not an afterthought and that you invest in a decent trip. Being proactive provides you the opportunity to have your dream wedding and honeymoon.
Getting married is a major commitment for someone, and a wedding is display of that. It gives you the chance to share such a joyous celebration with family, friends, and loved ones. However, weddings can also be stressful as they require a lot of planning and considering options. So long as you remember to plan out for the engagement, wedding, and honeymoon and do so without breaking your budget, you’ll be ready to start your life happily married and debt free with the person of your dreams.
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