Ideas for your wedding & how to plan “tips”
It has been a while since i have posted on “how to wedding” ideas. These wonderful images and palettes have been borrowed from the fabulous Oncwed and Snippet & Ink….
The very first thing that you need to do when planning your big day, before you do or book anything you need to decide on a “theme” so to speak. Something special to you and your groom, maybe you met at a vintage 50′s diner, or met on vacation, or went someplace special at some time, or you both love this and that. Whatever it is use it as inspiration to make your day unique and special. Don’t be afraid to go against the so called “norm” of a traditional wedding, you can keep the “traditional” parts that you want, but your wedding can be different and unique no matter what your budget.
After you have decided on a so called “theme” than you will need to decide on your budget. What items you will splurge on and what you will budget on. Deciding what is most important to you both can really help with this, yes that is right the Groom should be helping! 
Once you have a budget figured out try very hard to stick to it but try your hardest.
Now you can begin to shop for vendors/venues that will fit the bill of your “theme”. When you are shopping be sure and think of all of your resources, who you know, what family and friends do and so on. Make a list and figure out who’s services you could use, always offer to pay and ask for pricing when you are asking friends/family to help with your wedding, but most of the times they want to be a part of your wedding and will be so honored that you asked. Usually Grandma or Uncle will be more than happy to borrow his farm to you for your wedding ceremony and reception…or cousin is a ranger and would love to get a permit together so you can have your wedding in the forest! Sounds silly but seriously think about who you know and what they do…maybe Aunt Sally makes amazing pies and you just happen to not like cake! These are all great ways to save on money. Some friends & family may not want to be paid, in this case it is always proper etiquette to have the most sincere gratitude and to give them a “big” thank you and a large gift card. Let your friends and family know that they are appreciated!
Now once you have most of your locations/vendors picked out and the majority of major items finalized now is the time to think about “save the date” cards. If guests need to make travel arrangements you will want to get your “save the date” cards out at least 6 months before your wedding. Always allow for more time to get these together (in fact allow for more time for everything to get together) because everything always takes longer than you could ever imagine and you want to get things out on time. Right after the save the date cards go out you should be finalizing the wedding invitations. If you are making them get them done early, have a invitation party and invite over girlfriends, Mom’s, Aunts, Grandmas, make it a fun night of putting together with yummy snacks! If you are ordering them or doing engraved or press printed you need to allow for a lot more time, sometime the paper is not in stock and they need to order more. Whatever it is, it may happen so be prepared for something to stall up the show…
The fun part! Details…Do not wait until two weeks before the wedding to plan and decide on details. Get it all done well before hand! You want the final weeks before your wedding to be relaxing and enjoyable. The last thing needed is more stress. So all details, programs, favors, fun table items, decorations, little letters for friends and family, special gift or letter to the groom should all be taken care of well before hand.
When thinking about details have a vision in mind that goes with your theme but be open to other options, you never know what you will find. Hunt around at Goodwill, Salvation Army, Ebay, craiglist, antique stores, summer Flea markets, garage sales. Give your friends a list of things to be hunting for. Sometimes the best detail items can be found at Aunt Sally’s or in Grandma Jane’s basement! Grandma is going to have lots of beautiful things…maybe a beautiful pearl necklace to wear with your dress, or a vintage hat, fun old frames, mason jars…the sky is the limit. Thinking outside of the box can really help you save mola so that you can splurge elsewhere…on the dress or the honeymoon.
A few essential detials that often get forgotten:
1. The get-a-way car…if you want a classic shot of the get-a-way car…be sure and actually have a fun get-a-way car. I am sure between the two of you someone in the family has some cool truck/car/or something. Make sure to discuss the use of this well before hand to prepare people for it—last minute springing of “borrowing” this and that can be dangerous…people want to know before hand.
2. Keep the vehicle simple or do a fun sign. Make sure that it goes somehow with the over all theme of the wedding “just married” or “I do” are fun for a car sign.
3. Think about signs in general. Guides for your guests or signs for food, or fun items for them to do. Fun signs will really help pull your decor together but they will also guide the guests in telling them what to do, or where to go.
4. Consider your exits! When walking down the aisle after being announced “Husband & Wife” have the guest throw up confetti or some other fun items…it will make for a great happy moment and a cool photo. Consider your final exit when leaving your guests after the night is over. Sparklers are super fun. The possibilities are endless, use your imagination.
Check into your local sweet or confection shop to see what alternatives you have to cake! This might be a fun, cheaper option, depending on what you order…Or you can always have your Grandma’s & Aunt’s make some cute cupcakes and freeze them before the big day!
Planning a small intimate wedding can be very fun for you and your guests. If your on a small budget but want your dream wedding you may want to consider a small intimate wedding. Inviting your closets friends and your most intimate relatives can make for a very fun evening. This also allows you to spend more quality time with them all. Your party may even be small enough to have only a few tables or one table. These types of events are beautiful and very quaint. They can be held in Dad’s field or in your backyard. This will also allow you to save on vendors/locations. A small party can also allow you to treat them to special things that you may not of been able to afford if you had had the 250 guest wedding.
Think about activities or props for your guests! A photo booth can always be fun. Your photographer may be able to arrange something like this for you or you can create one yourself. All you need is a fun backdrop (colored or printed sheet) hand it up with maybe some fun lights (Asian lanterns or white Christmas lights) and than some fun props for them to use, and some Polaroid cameras. Ask a cousin or a friend to help man the booth. Look into your local costume rental shot to and see what items they might have that would be fun for your guests.
Think outside the tux! Tux rental is expensive and it just may be more practical to have all the guys buy their attire from the same department store. Or have them all hunt for some vintage look..you can get all the guys to look similar but individual by shopping with them each for their outfit. They don’t all need to match completely. This also will allow the outfit to be more of an investment since they will be able to wear it again were as a tux rental you pay $150 bucks and the money just goes down the drain when the money could of been put towards a nice jacket at the Mens Warehouse or J.Crew.
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