Even though marriage isn’t something that people feel they have to do in the 21st century, many couples still believe in the traditional ideals of marriage and those who want to make this commitment to each other in front of their loved ones. Weddings are joyous occasions, but planning one can pose many challenges both for the couple and their families. There are many things to consider if you want to make sure your big day is as special as it possibly can be, and this can be overwhelming and stressful at times. If you’re a newly betrothed couple and you’re not sure where to start when it comes to your wedding preparations, below are some tips you might find useful.
The Budget
It’s no secret that weddings are expensive, and funding your special day along with the bachelor/bachelorette parties and your honeymoon, can be one of the most stressful aspects of wedding planning for couples. Your families might offer to make some contribution to the costs of your big day, but you might also find getting a personal loan to help you cover these costs could be beneficial. Of course, this will all depend on your financial circumstances, but you can find out more about personal loans and how they work from OneMain. You should also make sure that you and your partner agree on a budget for the wedding and stick to this. It can be easy to get carried away when wedding planning, so it’s important to make sure you are disciplined with your spending to avoid financial stresses when your newlyweds.
Picking a Venue
You might have a vision of where your ideal wedding venue will be, and if you want to try and find somewhere that reflects your fantasy wedding, then do so. However, you should also remember to have an open mind when viewing venues and never see one that is outside of your budget. This could result in you getting your heart set on a place that you can’t afford, making any other venues you see feel not good enough. You should also be aware of how easy your wedding venue is to reach your guests and what facilities are offered. For example, can it be reached by car with ease? Are there other transport links such as train stations or airports nearby for those traveling from a distance? Is there accommodation on site or nearby for your guests to stay in? Is the venue accessible for anyone who might have limited mobility? Make sure that you’re thinking about the practicality of the venue as much as you’re thinking about the overall aesthetics.
The Guestlist
As weddings can be very costly, a lot of couples choose to have more intimate affairs when it comes to their nuptials. While this is a fantastic choice if you’re trying to save money and would prefer a more relaxed atmosphere with your nearest and dearest, it can be difficult to be cutthroat when it comes to your guest list. There is always the worry that people might be offended for not getting invited, but remember that this is your special day, and no one should make you feel guilty over not getting invited. Sit down with your partner and agree on several guests that you’re both comfortable with, and then write down people you would like to invite. You might need to revise this list together if you go over your agreed number. A good rule of thumb when deciding on a guestlist for a smaller wedding is sticking to immediate family and closest friends, excluding work colleagues (unless they are close friends), and distant relatives you rarely see.
Catering
Wedding venues tend to offer catering packages as part of the deal, so when you’re looking at places you might want to get married, you should inquire about this as well. If you do need to hire an external catering service instead, there are plenty of options to explore. A popular choice in recent years for couples looking for a relaxed atmosphere at their weddings has been festival-style food trucks. However, if a more formal meal is what you would prefer, you’ll need to create a menu with your caterer. Crowd-pleasing dishes are a good way to go, particularly things like pasta dishes, roasts, steaks, fish, etc. You’ll also need to ask your guests if they have any dietary requirements or allergies that you need to be aware of to make sure that there is something suitable for them to eat at your wedding, too.
A lot goes into wedding planning and preparation; the points above are just some of the key highlights you need to think about. Use these tips to help you prepare for your wedding day and minimize the stress that comes with this process.
