"Wedding Planning Secrets"

Re: "Wedding Planning Secrets"

• coolwhipz1 member

  

  July 2013

  that link doesn't link to any wedding related article

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• kmmssg mod

  

  July 2013

  What is useful isn't any big secret and what is useless, is just that.   I have planned two of my own weddings and the weddings of 3 of my daughters.  Most people already know the helpful stuff in this article.

  
  

  For everyone else's reading enjoyment, here are the 12:

  
  

  1. Take portrait shots before the ceremony I think this is a fabulous idea but not everyone shares that opinion

  2. Avoid traditional wedding venues This can be a great idea, just depends on what you are looking for and what you can afford.

  3.  Use your friends’ talents!  I don't like asking people who have special talents to donate their time to your wedding.  If they volunteer, great!  Otherwise, don't ask

  4.  Have a special performer at your wedding. Not Necessary

  5. Splurge on a custom gown.  Not Necessary
  

  6.  Focus on the food.  GREAT IDEA.

  7.  Include your guests in your day. There are so many ways to get your guests a little more involved in your day. Put out framed photos of you-plus-guests from over the years or have a group photo after the ceremony. Another idea? Set up a photo booth or an audio guestbook where guests can leave heartfelt messages for the bride and groom. We alsolove this Mad Libs-inspired advice idea.  I love photo booths, but the mad lib thing?  Not so much.

  8.  Skip the open bar. But still serve top of the line cocktails. Think Veuve. A selection of handpicked imported wines. And, oh yes, a signature cocktail menu. Controlling the kinds (and amounts) of liquor being served can be a huge cost saver.  As long as you are hosting your guests properly and they are paying for nothing, you are on the right track.

  9.  Deliver a speech TO your guests  I think it is very important to thank your guests for coming and spending their day with you.

  10.  Hire a trusted friend of the family for your day-of coordination  No, just no.  Hire a professional and let your friends be guests

  11.  Skip the wedding cake. No, you don’t have to have a five-tiered wedding cake for it to “officially” be a wedding. Do an assortment of other desserts instead (a gorgeous presentation can give you that same WOW factor). You can save some serious dough if you put friends who love to bake to work on some favorite family recipes  Meh - I love me some wedding cake so I am always happy to see it at weddings.  Again, take care of your guests and offer something that appeals to the masses.

  12.  Kiss often! Spend some time ALONE after the ceremony and during the reception. You’ll need time to re-focus on just the two of you. And remember to kiss often!  No.  Why would you keep leaving your reception to have alone time?  You just spent an arm and a leg to host these people for a few hours.  You will be at your hotel room in a few hours, suck it up.  I can understand a few minutes between the ceremony and reception, but leaving the reception repeatedly to have alone time is stupid.

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• cnf2013 member

  

  July 2013

  I don't like a lot of it, but that may just be me. I got a custom gown and still stayed around 1K. We chose a traditional reception venue because it was convenient for our 99% OOT guest list (read: hotel ballroom that included a room block). Performers? I'm the bride, I want the attention. If people want to see performers they'll buy tickets to something that isn't my wedding. We had a professional coordinator and it showed. Everything ran smoothly, perfectly, and to a freaking tee. And we had cake. Delicious cake too. 

  
  

  We did have amazing food though so I do second that advise, but we also had premium open bar. No signature cocktail for us, just all you can drink of whatever pleased you. People loved both. 

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• dbanana member

  

  July 2013

  xcalygrl said:

  This is the first slide in the slideshow, see if it works:
  http://www.shefinds.com/2013/12-insider-wedding-planning-tips/yvetteroman-portraits/

  Thanks @xcalygrl! DIdn't realize my link wasn't working right!

  

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• dbanana member

  

  July 2013

  kmmssg said:

  12.  Kiss often! Spend some time ALONE after the ceremony and during the reception. You’ll need time to re-focus on just the two of you. And remember to kiss often!  No.  Why would you keep leaving your reception to have alone time?  You just spent an arm and a leg to host these people for a few hours.  You will be at your hotel room in a few hours, suck it up.  I can understand a few minutes between the ceremony and reception, but leaving the reception repeatedly to have alone time is stupid.

  I actually like #12. I guess I didn't think of it as leaving the reception, but going table to table together, dancing at more than one or two dances with only each other, etc. FI and I plan on leaving the ceremony in my grandpa's remodeled bug (FI loves old cars) and spending just a few minutes alone being married before heading for photos. (BP has a limo that has been reserved for them and SO's). 
  

  
  

  I just could not believe "find a friend that may have not made the guest list to be your coordinator!" Are you kidding? 

  

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