Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, so you want it to be as unique and memorable as possible. Weddings are notoriously stressful despite the joy of marrying the love of your life. With proper planning, however, it can be considerably more manageable.
Follow some of these key tips to ensure you have the perfect wedding.
Start planning early
You can’t plan everything in life, but having a game plan for your wedding day will make your life significantly less stressful. Have a clear plan about what you want and the timescales you aim to work towards so you can keep on top of everything. Your partner and maid of honor can also help in this planning stage, so come together for brainstorms and make the process fun.
Money, money, money
Your budget is one of the most important parts of planning the perfect wedding; it dictates every choice—from the size of wedding venue you can afford, to how many guests you invite, to what dress you buy.
Professional wedding planners suggest you should use about 50% of your total budget for the reception; 10% for flowers; 10% for your wedding outfits; 10% for entertainment; 12% for photography; and the rest for little details such as invites and decor. Remember to allocate 5–10% of your budget for unexpected expenses.
However, it’s worth noting that sometimes last-minute planning can work in your favor because you often have more bargaining power. For example, many couples book their venues 6 to 12 months before their wedding day, so requesting a date a couple of months before your dream month could save you up to 25%! Another trick of the trade is that Friday and Sunday weddings cost 30% less than Saturday weddings. Little hacks like these could help you have more budget down the line for exactly what you want, such as a particular wedding photographer.
Think about your dress carefully
You want your dress to have a similar style to the time of year you get married and the theme of your wedding, but it’s also a very personal garment that should represent you at your very best. If you have a vision in mind, it’s worth spending the time to find the dress that makes you feel beautiful.
An A-line dress suits all body types and is a classic bridal look, but a ballgown creates the kind of elegance and drama that every bride dreams of. Take your outfit to the next level with shimmering jewelry from brands such as www.judithleiber.com, which can be paired with elegant heels.
Find time to relax before your big day
Before you know it, it can feel like your entire life has become about your wedding. Make sure that you make time for yourself during the planning process and practice plenty of self-care. Have weekly date nights with your soon-to-be spouse, get eight hours of sleep, and talk to loved ones if everything is too overwhelming. If you need some time off, whether it’s a spa break, a weekend away, or just a day of zero wedding talk, make sure you have some time to unwind and relax before your say “I do.”
