Wedding Planning

Wedding Planning

Browse through articles and tips on all of your wedding planning questions. Manage all the details of your wedding and stay organized with our free wedding checklist.
You have probably dreamt of your wedding day and how you will look.You envision the wedding location, your gown and bouquet, your groom, and the decorations. You've more than likely envisioned yourself with varying wedding hairstyles, wondering which one you'd choose on that special day.Now it's here, and the time to decide on a hair style for your wedding is now. But before you simply look at a picture in a magazine or a web site and choose a style, there's some things you'll need to do first.Before getting your heart set on one style, )
Read More>
Setting a wedding essentials budget is a smart way to stay on track with spending during your wedding planning. Here we offer a practical step-by-step guide to help keep things sailing smoothly toward your big day.Step 1: Take a Realistic Look at Your FinancesIf you and your fiance are handling to the bulk of the wedding costs, figure up how you can each comfortably contribute to the budget without going into the red (starting a marriage in debt is not a wise decision!). Money is a touchy subject, and being honest and upfront about how much )
Read More>
Grooms, we all know that if it were left up to you, you'd take a hands-off approach to the wedding planning details, but there is one important wedding essential element that you should most certainly put on your big day to-do list: grooming. While most of the attention of the dayOK, all attentionwill be lavished upon your lovely bride, that doesn't give you a pass to neglect your own manly maintenance. Besides, your wife-to-be will want to see her guy standing there as handsome as ever, so a little manscaping is necessary for looking your )
Read More>
With the growing popularity of platinum-priced weddings, extravagant receptions, and over-the-top engagements, wedding planning nuptials on moderate budget can leave some brides feeling underwhelmed. Here, we identified 10 easy ways to cut wedding essentials costs and still have the wedding and reception you always wanted. 1. D-I-Y invitationsOne easy way to cut back on wedding costs is to create your own wedding invitations, save the date cards and other wedding stationary pieces. Designing your own invitations allows you to be as creative )
Read More>
Once all the other details of wedding planning are complete, the biggest concern you'll have is finding the right look to compliment your gorgeous gown. After all, picking the perfect wedding hairstyle to wear on your big day takes careful planning and lots of thought. When deciding on the right do to don, you might want to thumb through bridal magazines, tab pictures of hairstyles that catch your eye and discuss the look with your stylist. As you collaborate on your bridal hairstyle, remember to keep these dos and don'ts in mind: Decide if )
Read More>
Love is great, but only a marriage license is a wedding essential that makes it legal. Although marriage license requirements vary from state to state sometimes from county to county there are basic stipulations that usually apply in most locations. These can include:Apply TogetherThe two of you should apply together and in person. If either or both of you is younger than 18, you may have to provide a notarized letter of consent from your parents. You may even be required to have one of them with you when you apply.Take Proper )
Read More>
Because what you serve is so important to your reception's success, making the right choice when it comes to wedding catering services is one of your most important wedding planning decisions. Full-service hotels, restaurants and most banquet facilities provide the food and beverages for all events they host. But many reception sites lack the staff, equipment and facilities to provide these kinds of catering services. In situations like this, you can simply contract with an off-premise caterer to serve your guests.Before you meet with )
Read More>
When it comes to wedding catering, a major consideration is what beverages to serve. Unless everyone you know are non-drinkers, many of your guests will expect you to have a bar setup that serves alcoholic beverages of some sort. But what you serve and how you will serve it depends on your knowledge of wedding reception bar etiquette. Some of these factors include the time of day, number of guests, regulations imposed by the site and, of course, your own preferences. A good source of etiquette will be your caterers. With their experience )
Read More>
Brides and grooms have a tough task at hand when it comes to choosing attendants for the wedding party. Your childhood friends, college buddies, relatives and the like are all vying for a chance to stand with you on your big day. Here, we show you how to narrow the wedding essentials list and select the best group of friends and loved ones to serve as your wedding VIPs. Number of attendants to choose:You've been to weddings where the wedding party is a never-ending introduction of everyone the bride and groom have known since grade school. )
Read More>
When the wedding planning is all over, the next step is life as a newlywed couple. Hence, you're bound to entertain friends and family in your humble abode, and nothing gets a party started faster than great cocktails. Before you invite folks over, make sure to stock the bar with all the wedding essentials. Here's a detailed list of what you'll need:Tools of the trade:Long gone are your college days of using two plastic cups to make a mixed drink. Your home bar should be just as grown up as you are. Here are a few of the basic tools needed )
Read More>
In addition to helping make your wedding dreams come true within your budget and perhaps saving you from costly mistakes a consultant will save you time. With today's hectic lifestyles, many bridal couples and their families do not have the time for the detailed planning and work that a beautiful wedding requires. Association of Bridal Consultants.Not only is the above statement 100 percent true, but an educated wedding consultant can do much more for a bridal couple than the couple could ever do for themselves. For starters, a seasoned )
Read More>
Your baby is embarking on new territory, one where his primary role as your son will now shift as husband to his new bride. It's OK to be a little emotional about this new stage in your lives, but know that you still have a role in the wedding. In the past, the MOG (Mother of the Groom) was just supposed to show up on the wedding day, smile and take pictures with the wedding party. But you too have a special function in the nuptials. Here, we offer a list of wedding essentials roles and responsibilities of the Mother of the Groom: Host a )
Read More>
Bridal shows are a great way for brides to get ideas and view the latest trends in wedding essentials and bridal fashions, all under one roof. To make the most of your experience, we've listed seven things you can expect to see at a bridal show: 1. Crowds Bridal shows are known for bringing out several hundreds of brides and spectators, so be ready to wait in line to purchase a ticket at the door. At Perfect Wedding Guide.com, our bridal show tickets are available for pre-purchase and even offer discounts for early birds. To find a Perfect )
Read More>
Want to know the secret to an impressive wedding catering menu: delicious food and a spectacular presentation. Here, a list of catering trends to keep your guests talking long after the wedding reception wraps. Sustainable sustenancethe green movement can be found everywhere you turn, and weddings are no exception. To create an environmentally friendly reception menu, look for caterers that source local or use only organic products. Another clever way to reduce your carbon footprint in one meal? Go utensil-less, suggests Perfect Wedding )
Read More>
Wedding planning requires a lot more work than just looking pretty and partying at the reception! When your friend asks you to be in the wedding, know what that entails. The wedding party takes on certain planning duties to support the couple. This can include everything from hosting pre-wedding events, to holding the hardware (wedding rings), to returning tuxedos to the rental shop. Read on for the complete checklist of traditional wedding party responsibilities. Best Man's Responsibilities He's not just there to plan the bachelor party! )
Read More>
Green living has quickly gone from marketing trend to a way of life, with tons of products and services designed to reduce the carbon footprint. Here, we offer 10 simple green wedding essentials ideas to incorporate sustainable practices with your wedding planning. 1. Select a venue with natural decor.2. Use potted plants as centerpieces that double as favors.3. Have the bridesmaids where a dress they already have or will wear again.4. Send save-the-dates and directions via email or post them on your wedding Website.5. Purchase a CD of your )
Read More>
The bulk of your wedding budget will go toward the wedding reception. Wedding planning 101 tells us that the best way to cut cost is by managing the guest list. If you have a long wedding guest list and limited funds, look for ways to have a beautiful wedding that fits your budget.Traditionally, the bride's family sets the wedding guest list number. But with more couples paying for their own weddings and more grooms' families helping out, your wedding guest list and its size affect everyone involved.Often there's an equal divisiona third to )
Read More>
It often surprises newly engaged couples how formidable a social event their wedding will become. Wedding costs can be shocking. There are so many wedding ideas to consider, including the planning and organization, and, most importantly, who will pay for what.For many, it's the first time they've ever been intricately involved in a project this large. Even the smallest, most quickly designed wedding requires planning and expenditure. After all, you intend for it to be a once-in-a-lifetime event: One of your first decisions needs to be about )
Read More>
It's no secret that weddings aren't cheap, with the average event costing somewhere close to $20,000. With figures in the tens of thousands, even the most modern of couples could use a hand from mom and dad when it comes to the budget for wedding essentials. If your folks are planning to lend a hand with wedding costs, we offer a traditional look at who pays for what at the wedding. Who Pays: The BrideThe groom's giftThe groom's ringGifts for the bridal partyWedding beauty (hair, nails, spa treatments, etc.)Who Pays: The GroomSee more in )
Read More>
For some second-time brides and grooms, wedding planning can be a sensitive subject. Will you have bridesmaids? Will you have a small or large ceremony? Who all should you include in the guest list? The details are endless. But the key to second weddings is simpleplan an event that reflects both of you. A wedding that embodies the hopes and dreams you have for one another. The kind of wedding that expresses your heartfelt love and commitment. If you're planning a second wedding, consider this wedding essentials advice. 1. Communicate often: )
Read More>
Consider these simple and easy wedding essentials tips for planning your second wedding. 1. Try a theme: Themes are great for couples who want to express their fun-loving personality. If you're of the baby boomer generation, a flower child/Woodstock theme is an example of a themed wedding. Or go even more period and try the 1930s. Art Deco is a very popular design that can be replicated everywhere from a structured gown, gloves and a hat etc., to the table settings and floral designs.2. Write your own vows: If you've had the traditional )
Read More>
Once you've reserved your venue, the next step is to select a caterer for your wedding reception. A seasoned wedding catering company can handle these two critical elements as well as any other situations that may arise. Here, we've identified six tips for selecting the perfect caterer for your wedding reception. 1. Ask for referencesTalk to you your friends and family and ask for references and listen carefully to what they say. Ask things like, Did you get everything you ordered? Did the caterer add a little something extra that made )
Read More>
Spring is often associated with blooming flowers, bright sunny days, chirping birds . . . and the sweet sound of wedding bells! We have gathered tips from a variety of experts to help you brides (and grooms) with wedding planning your spring nuptials with ease. Those of you who are newly engaged have the opportunity to start the New Year in full swing with these great wedding essentials for planning your spring nuptials. April Showers Bring May FlowersNot comforted by the superstition that rain on your wedding day means that your marriage )
Read More>
Congratulations on getting engaged! There are tons of wedding essentials you'll need to complete between now and I Do. To get you ready for the big day, we've compiled a list of five important wedding planning things you should tackle first. 1. Select a Date:Setting a date is the most important step you can take in wedding planning. The availability of vendors and venues will of course hinge on the date you select. So get out your calendar and find a day that works for you.2. Announce your Engagement:Sharing the good news with friends and )
Read More>
Announcing your engagement? Let them know about your nuptials in a fun and creative way. Here, we offer five wedding essentials ideas for spreading the word about your wedding planning status and ways to spotlight your personality as a couple. Create a Website Wedding Websites are a high-tech way of sharing your upcoming wedding with friends and relatives far and near. Creating a wedding website will help keep folks in the loop on planning details, and also gives you a platform for sharing photos, links to gift registries and other )
Read More>
As it is with any job in a service related industry, the practice of tipping is common with wedding vendors. Tips and gratuities are generally built into service estimates or itemized in the vendor contract, but if in doubt, it's best to ask early in the relationship whether gratuity is included. Your budget depends on it! We've outlined the most common types of vendors to assist you in finding out which vendors generally receive tips and how much you should pay them. Hairstylist, Makeup Artist, Nail Technician Tip your beauty service )
Read More>
It is a challenge to make your wedding unique amongst all the weddings you and your friends will attend together. One of the most fun and creative ways to make your wedding stand out is to use a tradition from your family background. The following are some customs from around the world that you may be able to use to make your special day a little different. 1. Wedding cakes in France were typically a Croque en Bouche. They are pastry balls filled with cream and stacked in a pyramid then drizzled in caramel. What a great change from the )
Read More>
The money you spend on wedding catering is typically the most expensive part of the wedding budget. Very often, couples look for ways to save money on catering and still give their wedding guests a great party. Here are ten tips to help you trim your wedding catering budget:1. Know what your food and beverage budget is and share that number with prospective caterers. This will give them the opportunity to give you a proposal with the best menu(s) that you can afford.2. Limit the number of courses you serve. Stick with a salad and entree and )
Read More>
Interviewing and hiring wedding vendors is one of the more intimidating aspects of wedding planning, especially if you have never had to conduct interviews. Very often, couples will tell me that they are afraid of insulting a vendor if they ask too many questions, or they are concerned about discussing price. Every professional wedding vendor expects to go through a rigorous interview process, so you have nothing to fear about that. The following are my secrets for selecting the best professionals for your wedding. 1. Know your budget for )
Read More>
Everyone knows your wedding is supposed to be the happiest and most stress-free day of your life. So rest assured, because we've listed seven of the most common wedding day dilemmas and how you can avoid them. Wedding Dilemma: Wedding Pro No Show The last thing you'll want to do on the day of your wedding is track down a missing wedding cake or put out an APB for your florist. Days before your wedding, be sure to give your wedding pros the correct names and addresses of your venues to deliver the goods. Be sure to submit accurate contact )
Read More>