At last, the important words are said, the cherished proposal is received, and a ring shines cheerfully on your finger. Yay! Congratulations on your new status. You are now a bride! This is an endlessly exciting and special period from engagement to wedding, which will never happen again and during which you need to have a lot to do, not to forget, to organize and implement. We have selected for you several tips and hints that will help you to do everything in advance and save you from unnecessary nervousness on the most important day in your life. After all, this is your holiday and the main task – to prepare everything so that when the wedding day comes, you can enjoy every minute, quietly do your makeup and hair and enjoy every minute of this unforgettable event. So, let’s begin…
1. Wedding date
When choosing a wedding date, make sure, if possible, that it is a day off. Still, you need to think about the guests. In most registry offices, the date of the celebration is set after a certain number of days from the day of application. So it is better to ask in advance when exactly you need to come to get the desired date of the month you need.
2. Wedding concept
The wedding concept can be varied. You can make a wedding in folk style, in mega-modern, in classic, in vintage, in rocker, sports, oriental, etc. It all depends on your wishes and fantasy. The main thing is that all the details were kept in the same style. That is, if you have a wedding in the national style, then in the same style should be invitations, and the design of the hall and everything else. It is good to pick up a few basic “corporate” colors, in which all the details of the event will be kept. You can also specify in the invitations the wishes on the dress code, so that the guests could better prepare.
3. Special Courses
Many religious institutions require marriages to take special courses to be authorized for weddings. Make sure you have time to enroll in the nearest group. These courses usually last 4 weeks and include lectures by a marriage counselor, clergy, and family planning counselors. I highly recommend that you attend the classes. The information will help to better understand how much coincide with your fiancé’s views on the institution of marriage, life values, and the birth of children, as well as to make sure of the correctness of the choice made and the decision made. Also, such classes will bring you even closer to the chosen one and will help relieve tension, as well as prevent the so-called “pre-wedding psychosis”. Yes, yes, it exists!
4. Choosing a venue
When choosing a venue, try to consider not only the time of year and transportation, but also the surrounding area, opening hours, and room layout. Ask about the hour until which you can hold the event, and whether the institution does not have an additional fee for each after-hours work. Find out if your wedding will be the only one of the day. Find out what sound equipment is available and whether you can use it.
5. Off-site ceremony
Some restaurants have their arches for the off-site ceremony, which they provide either free of charge or at a very conditional price. Also, pay attention to the number and decoration of restrooms. It should be convenient for guests to visit them.
6. Dance floor
Make sure that the banquet hall has enough space for dancing or that a dance floor can be placed just outside the banquet hall. See if there is a smoking area, parking lot, or fireworks area. Ask the administration of the institution, whether there are any restrictions on the importation of equipment, the use of these or those rooms, etc. Once you have made your choice, be sure to get a written confirmation of your reservation and make a deposit.
7. Invitation
Paper, envelopes, design cardstock, text, map how to get there. Most designer cardboard and paper companies will help you select cardboard for invitations and paper for envelopes from a catalog. An experienced designer, who can be found simply by searching online, will help you create the invitation and envelope layout. Ideas for invitations can be seen on the Internet, and colors can be used the same as in interior design and floristry. These will be your “corporate colors”. Very conceptual and stylish. If the location of the wedding is difficult to find, you can put in the envelopes with invitations small maps of the route of access to the venue.
8. Guest list
When compiling the guest list, call everyone in advance and make sure that certain guests can a priori be present at the celebration on the appointed date. In this way, you can avoid counting errors and determine the total number of guests and the size of the room for the banquet. 10. Seating At the table with the young people it is customary to sit friends and girlfriends of the bride and groom, as well as parents. The rest of the tables can be 6-10 people or stand the length of the letter U. It depends on the size and capabilities of the room, as well as your wishes. Make sure that all guests have a clear view of the center of the room and the table of the young people. For this purpose, the tables can be placed in a herringbone pattern. Seating plan Ask the venue’s administration to send you a seating plan in electronic form so that you can use the guest list to determine a place for each guest. When seating your guests, try to group them by age or marital status, and dilute the groom’s guests with the bride’s guests so that everyone gets to know each other and feels fully part of the party.
10. Guest cards
Design your guest cards, cash gift box, seating chart, and table numbers according to the “corporate colors” of your wedding. Sign the cards by hand or print them with the names in a verbal form that will be pleasant to the guests. As stands for cards, you can use fruit, decorative elements, and a variety of design ideas. On this issue, it is better to consult with a designer or wedding steward. You can also look for ideas on the Internet.
11. Money Gift Box
Think ahead of time about where you will place your money gift box and other gifts so that your moms or dads don’t end up spending the wedding vigil over your valuables. Ask someone you trust to take on this function or identify a room where you will lock it all away.
12. Gift-giving procedure
Usually, guests are eager to get rid of gifts and flowers as soon as possible. Your host or wedding planner should let everyone know in advance when it will be possible to congratulate the young people. It is recommended to do this after all the official procedures and before seating at the tables. Guests will be uncomfortable sitting at the table with flowers and possibly large boxes.
13. Aperitif
Organize an aperitif before the banquet, during which the guests can enjoy refreshments and presents. The host can announce the procedure, and you, standing at a specially prepared table at the entrance to the hall, will accept congratulations and gifts. On the table can be a loaf, a flower arrangement, or a slide of champagne, from which the guests can take a glass after the presentation of gifts. It will make a beautiful picture for a photo.
14. Memorable gifts for guests
Guests will be pleased to have something to remember your event by. You can invite a special photographer who will make for each guest a photo magnet in a frame with your name and wedding date right during the event. You can prepare bonbonnières – boxes or bags with wedding candy and put them on the plates of guests just before the banquet. You can prepare more serious gifts – statuettes, disks with a selection of music, kulichi, angels, etc. (the choice can be very wide). (the choice can be very wide) and ask the wedding planner to give gifts to the guests on the way out. It is possible to give gifts during the congratulation of the young people at the presentation of gifts to the newlyweds.
Guests will be pleased to have something to remember your event by. You can invite a special photographer who will make each guest a photo magnet in a frame with your name and wedding date right during the event. You can prepare bonbonnières – boxes or bags with wedding candy and put them on the plates of guests just before the banquet. You can prepare more serious gifts – statuettes, disks with a selection of music, kulichi, angels, etc. (the choice can be very wide). (the choice can be very wide) and ask the wedding planner to give gifts to the guests on the way out. It is possible to give gifts during the congratulation of the young people at the presentation of gifts to the newlyweds. If you will have out-of-town guests or if the venue of your party is a remote point on the map, check in advance whether it is possible to easily reach the place from the cities where the guests will come from and about accommodation for them. Make arrangements with family and friends who can host the guests. Find out if there is a hotel nearby that can accommodate the number of guests you need. Make reservations in advance and pay a deposit, which you can collect as soon as the guests arrive and pay for their stay. Include information about the hotel reservations and room rates in the text of the invitation so that guests know in advance where they will be able to stay and understand what budget they need to have to pay for their stay. If you have many out-of-town guests arriving by train or plane around the same time, you can take care of them by hiring a minibus or other transportation to pick them up and take them to their accommodation. Information about the transfer can also be specified in the invitation, along with the time of transportation. And to make it easy for guests to find it in the windshield of the bus, you can put a sign with your names. For example, “for the wedding of Anya and Victor.” And the necessary information is an additional positive emotion, and guests feel that they are taken care of.
15. Dress
To begin with, decide whether you want to sew, buy ready-made, or rent a wedding gown. With sewing, everything is simple. Find a model that you prefer and a good tailor. It is better to use proven recommendations to avoid disappointment. But ready-made dresses should be seen in salons. Select a salon on the Internet that you will like the richness of choice and pricing policy. You can not do one, but several. For each salon, allocate 4-5 hours. Call to arrange a time to visit. Take your mom or a trusted friend with you. The procedure of dress selection can be turned into entertainment. Most salons offer coffee and tea; you can bring champagne. Measure everything in a row to decide on the style that will suit you best, and then narrow down the search, picking up what you like best. Keep in mind that a dress with a train will make it difficult to move around and can get very dirty. Take into account the time of year of the wedding. If it falls in winter, early spring, or late fall – take care of a cape.
16. Rentals
There is such a thing in salons as a “first rental”. This is when the dress is made for you and you take it for the first rental. As a rule, you have to pay the full amount of the cost of the outfit at the time of registration, and after returning you get half of the cost back. The cost of the rental is 50% of the price. Rentals are for a maximum of 5 days. Try to make sure that the dress is returned on time, safe and sound. If there is damage, the dress may not be accepted and the deposit amount may not be refunded. To reduce the chances of damage, be careful when wearing it, while dancing, etc. Once you have selected the desired option, take pictures of yourself in it from different angles. Take some time to think about it, consult someone to make sure you have chosen exactly what you want. You can’t rent a veil. It is sewn or bought personally for you. Choose a veil in advance and according to the concept of the dress and hairstyle. A short veil is more comfortable, but there are models of dresses that require only a long veil. Instead of a veil, you can consider a hat, a tiara or a wreath of fresh flowers.
17. Jewelry
They should be selected in the general concept of the image. If you have a wedding ring of white gold or platinum, then the rest of the jewelry is better to choose in a frame of steel color. If the ring is made of yellow gold or pink, then the jewelry should match. To dress with open tops it is better to choose long earrings. To the collar stock – large or small clips. For the convenience of wearing a veil you can buy a festive comb and sew the veil to it. Rings are better not to wear at all – so you will emphasize the beauty and exclusivity of the wedding ring.
18. Belief
Don’t forget another belief: the bride should be wearing something old (worn), something new, and something borrowed on her wedding day. It is jewelry and can be either borrowed or previously worn.
19. Wedding Shoes
Shoes should, of course, be selected after buying the dress. Remember that you will have to spend at least 12 hours in these shoes and not just spend, and run, walk on lawns, paved sidewalk, dance, etc. Therefore, either sacrifice beauty in favor of convenience, or immediately prepare a replacement shoe for long passages or in case of fatigue. Changing shoes should also be festive. Just one pair of shoes can be on heels, and the second pair can be a format of “ballets”. Favor now a large selection of ballet flats of any color and with any decor. Replacement shoes, as well as a cape in case of cold, can be entrusted to carry one of the bridesmaids or wedding steward. Memo. Remember also that in shoes, the bride should not be significantly taller than the groom. Even if you both do not give this importance, then in the photos this factor will play not in your favor
20. Lingerie
You’ll feel especially confident if even the parts of your toilette that only the groom will see are as charming and ceremonially special as your wedding dress. Do yourself a favor and pick up something exquisitely sophisticated from a bustier, bottoms or stockings. You will feel like a true princess.
21. Garter
If your scenario involves the groom throwing a garter from the bride’s foot, then be sure to prepare this piece of jewelry. Buy it ahead of time, and if it proves to be uncomfortable to wear, it can be carried in the bride’s purse until this part of the scenario and put on just a few minutes before the action. Remember, the groom removes the garter in front of everyone, and then your garter will become a souvenir for someone from the male guests.
22. Handbag
The handbag for the bride should match the style and color of the overall image of the bride. It should in no case be too voluminous. You can, of course, buy separately, and you can order from the same dressmaker or in the same salon where the dress. Usually, salons provide such a service. This handbag will later become your memorable gift to yourself. Treat the selection with attention. At the celebration in the purse usually put a package of wet wipes, a mirror, lip gloss or lipstick, and band-aids, you can phone, if you want to receive them during the celebration calls and congratulations.
23. Candy basket
On the way out of the registry office or church, you can scatter sweets for guests – candy in a light package. For this purpose, bridal stores sell beautiful baskets. You can pick up under the color and style of the dress. This is a nice little thing. The basket can be carried by one of the bridesmaids. This is also a beautiful moment for fixation on the photo.
24. Perfume
On this day, you should smell special. Choose a light, fresh fragrance. Carolina Hererra, Dior, Nina Ricci with the symbolic name “Premier Joure” (First Day), DKNY, or any other fragrance you like. The main thing is that the smell should not be heavy and the evening. You can hint to the groom that you are expecting such a gift from him. On this day you should have the best of everything. You can put the perfume in the bride’s purse and refresh the scent from time to time.
25. The groom’s costume
The groom’s costume must necessarily match the dress. Perhaps in the buttonhole put a handkerchief of the same color or from the same fabric as the dress. Suit is better to buy in advance, if possible. In the off-season prices for collections are always much lower. You can also use the rental services of men’s suits. Dressy and elegant-looking suits-triplets with vests. In addition, the vest will help the groom look solemn, even if he wants to remove the jacket. This is especially important in summer when it is hot and uncomfortable to wear a jacket for a long time.
26. Tie
An important piece of clothing for the groom. Remember that everything should harmonize – your outfit and the “corporate colors” of the holiday. It can be both a classic tie, and a bowtie or neckerchief.
27. Shoes of the groom
Shoes of the groom Shoes should be comfortable and harmoniously match in color with the trouser belt. Remember, on this day everything should be impeccable.
28. Shirt for the groom
For the solemn occasion, you need a white shirt with cufflinks. Although other color options are possible. Often the shirt gets dirty during the celebration. It is wise to prepare a spare one for the change and keep it on a hanger at one of the guests in a private vehicle or entrust it to the care of the wedding steward.
29. Cufflinks
It is desirable to choose under the color of the belt and shoes or tie in a frame of the same color as the bride’s jewelry. There is a large selection of quality options for every purse on the Internet.
30. Manicure
There are a lot of options for a wedding manicure. Ideas can be seen on the Internet or consulted with the master. Remember that the color of the lacquer or gel should match the makeup, the color of the dress, and the jewelry. For those who do not wear false nails, it is better to make at least a shellac coating, so that the drawing or color is reliable, does not spoil at the most inopportune moment, and does not spoil your mood. It is worth making a manicure a few days before the holiday. This will create a wedding mood and allow checking its stability.
31. Makeup and hair
Makeup and hair are usually done by a single artist. Choose a specialist in advance, perhaps even do a trial to make sure that you get exactly what you want, and correctly calculate the time to prepare for the arrival of the groom. If you have straight and long hair, we don’t recommend doing curls. They will pull back under their weight under the weight of nail polish or in bad weather and will have a tired look. It makes sense to do a hairstyle that holds well and will not dishevel during a photo shoot or dancing.
32. A flawless look
Remember, you have to look flawless throughout the holiday, and it can drag on. Count on both your makeup and hair to last at least 10 hours. Do not use it for makeup persistent lipstick. It will eat into the skin of the lips and become dull. It is better to periodically refresh the lips with gloss or lipstick from the bride’s purse. Instruct your bridesmaids or wedding planners to keep hairspray, comb, and spare pins just in case.
33. Pedicure
Even if you’re wearing stockings and no one will see your legs, you should still give them a pedicure. If you have open-toed shoes or a hot summer day doesn’t involve stockings or tights, then all the more reason to take care of your pedicure. Remember that the groom will remove your wedding garter from your foot and throw it to your friends. Then the feet will be on display for all to see. The French fringe looks nice and dressy. For safety in wear, we recommend making or gel coating, or the same shellac.
34. Floral decoration
Floral decoration of the hall and decor Floral decoration of the hall can be different: from full decoration (entrance group, room decor, table of newlyweds, compositions on the tables of guests, decor of chairs for guests) to partial (for example, to be limited only to a composition on the table of the bride and groom). It all depends on the budget of the event, individual wishes and the possibilities of the room. Often at the disposal of halls are artificial compositions for weddings. Be sure to clarify this point with the administrator of the hall. Available decor elements should be combined with the general concept of decorations. Chair covers are better not to use: they often slip, slip, and if at the beginning of the holiday still look dressy, then in the course of the event acquire an unkempt look.
35. The best flowers
It is better to order seasonal flowers – this will significantly reduce the total cost, although, of course, you can use curiosities if you wish. Peonies, lilacs and lilies of the valley will look bright in winter. But this is not affordable for everyone. As elements of decor you can use anything you like: candles, vases, stones, weavings, aquariums with fish, cages with birds….
36. Floral decoration of the bride and groom’s car
Floral arrangements for the bride and groom’s transportation can be used after the trip to decorate the hall. Flowers should be on strong stems and well-fixed so that they do not break along the way. It is desirable to keep the color scheme in the “corporate colors” of the wedding.
37. Bridal bouquet and buttonhole flower for the groom
The bridal bouquet should not be heavy. Remember – you will need to keep it in your hands long enough, and then also throw it into the crowd of bridesmaids. Design options are many. Look through the catalog available at the florist, and make your bouquet. Bouquets with long stems are more convenient. Attention! The bouquet of the bride and the flower in the buttonhole for the groom should match the color scheme and fit the dress and suit. And, of course, everything together looks fabulously beautiful if made in the common colors of the holiday.
38. Bouquets on the clothes for guests
Of course, it is possible not to do it, but it looks very elegant when each guest has a distinctive sign. According to the general concept, bouquets can be in folk style and in classic style. And, of course, you can use the “corporate colors” of the holiday. For women you can use some compositions, and for men others. Bouquets are easily pinned on a pin. If you observe folk customs, then you can highlight the “head of the wedding” and other actors with separate distinctive signs. Also these compositions can become souvenirs to remember your event.
39. Bouquets for friends of the bride and groom
You can choose separate insignia for friends of the groom and bridesmaids. Friends of the groom can pick up the same ties and their suits should be in the same color scheme. Everyone has a dark suit in their closet.
40. Transportation for the bride and groom
It is customary for the bride and groom to arrive at the registry office or church (depending on where the couple is going first) in different vehicles. It is reasonable for the bride and her bridesmaids to initially rent a limousine, in which the groom and his entourage will later sit. A limousine will have to be ordered with hourly payment with a minimum order of 3 hours. The choice is huge – from models under the old and up to modern limousines-jips. The color and style of the car should be selected according to the general concept. Choosing a convertible, remember the possible bad weather. A car with a covered top is always more reliable. Try to calculate the rental time correctly so that you don’t pay for extra hours. Carefully calculate how many people you want to put in the limo and choose the size of the car according to the number of seats needed. The car should have a few bottles of champagne and pretty plastic glasses in stock. You’ll want to cheer yourself up while on the road. Also, think about the music you want to listen to along the way. Instruct your bridesmaids or wedding planners to bring along a CD with the right songs. These can be both folk tunes and classical waltzes. It all depends on your preferences.
41. Transportation for guests
If you are inviting many guests from afar, it makes sense to take care of their transportation to the place of dislocation and rent a minibus for the time of arrival of most guests. According to the number of guests it is worth ordering and transportation from the place of the beginning of the event and on the further route – registry office, wedding, photo shoot, restaurant. Vehicles for guests can be decorated with inflatable balloons, ribbons, and artificial flowers. Leave it to the bridesmaids or the wedding planner to take care of it.
42. Fireworks
We recommend that you order fireworks only from professionals. You can, of course, buy rockets yourself, but this involves a great risk of injury to the guests and launchers, first of all, and, secondly, the independent launching of fireworks can be considered by law enforcement agencies as a violation of law and order. It is also dangerous from a fire safety standpoint. It is better not to save money and leave this task to the professionals. First, you will be offered a wide range of options for launching, ranging from classic fireworks to burning inscriptions of the newlyweds’ names, and secondly, a very bright impression is made by fireworks with musical accompaniment. This combination will require special sound equipment and skills in synchronized launching of musical composition and rocket launching.
At the end of the party or during one of the breaks between musical blocks, you can organize the launching of burning lanterns by the guests. This is a beautiful action, but it should be done only in windless weather and in an open area. Launching helium balloons with illumination will be safer. They can give them to the guest’s bridesmaids and, at the command of the host, launch into the darkening sky.
43. Live butterflies
If you are not a follower of the Greenpeace movement, you can order a dozen live butterflies and release them in the registry office or the restaurant. Butterflies are tropical, bright colors, they are not caught, but specially grown in incubators. They are sold piece by piece and delivered in individual containers. Before releasing them from the box, they need to spend at least an hour outside the containers. As they fly around, they land on the bride’s dress, the groom’s dress, and on nearby items. After the release ceremony, they can be collected back into the containers and then settled at home. This activity can be delegated to a wedding planner. The butterflies live for 2-3 days and feed from a bowl of sweetened water. Metafan – automatically flying confetti and glitter. This treat will also decorate your party while dancing. The confetti can be pieces of rose petals, streamers, snowflakes, etc. Metafan is sprayed with a special installation, which can be ordered from pyrotechnicians.
44. How to organize a wedding on your own: Host
This is a very important person at the wedding. It depends on him, what will be the mood of the guests and, accordingly, yours too. You can use the services of a wedding toastmaster – it is an easier option. Toastmaster, as a rule, works on his standard scenario. You can invite a professional presenter from the radio station. In this case, you are guaranteed an individual script and a more stylish event. Well, if the budget allows, you can invite a publicly known TV presenter. The effect will be guaranteed, and the event will acquire a special status, but it will cost much more. When choosing a presenter, we recommend watching videos of his work and asking for recommendations from previous clients. Be sure to personally meet in advance and make sure that you will be happy to communicate with this person and that he is capable of impromptu. Something always goes wrong during a party, and it is the host’s job to make everything run smoothly and without a hitch. If you invite a presenter from another city, take into account that you will need to pay for accommodation, transportation costs and per diem. Be sure to clarify whether he (she) has his (her) own microphone and stipulate the dress code. The image of the presenter should correspond to the concept of the whole celebration.
45. Script and props
The script should be asked to be drawn up by the host. It is usually included in the price of his services. Think in advance, about how you want to be given gifts, under what music you want to enter the hall, to whom of the guests you want to necessarily give the floor, and what contests and entertainment for guests you like more. Experienced host himself will offer a variety of solutions and options for the holiday program. And the wedding manager will make sure that all your wishes are taken into account and fully procured props for activities. Agree with the host and sound engineer on all the musical interludes and compositions for contests. Where to include fanfare, where to applaud, and where a drum roll. The host, sound engineer, photographer, videographer, and wedding planner should have a copy of the script. Also, provide a copy of the script to your musicians (if you have live music) and the caterer to ensure that the food is served on time.
46. Videographer
Select a videographer based on recommendations from previous clients and be sure to familiarize yourself with his or her work. Shooting can be done with one camera or two. Two-camera filming will cost more, but you will be able to capture many more important moments. For example, the bride’s gathering takes place at the same time as the groom’s gathering. If you only have one camera, you will only be able to capture one of you. Also, a two-camera shoot is more comprehensive. The script of the holiday should be at the videographer so that he knows in advance all the key parts of the holiday and does not leave suddenly by chance at a crucial moment. Attention! Be sure to ask all contractors providing you with services to not use alcoholic beverages until the end of the holiday. This is important, as they all need you in an adequate state. Ask also the wedding planner to make sure that this condition is fulfilled. Otherwise, the quality of the service provided may suffer. All these people are at your celebration to work. And on the job, as you know, do not drink. Format of the movie talk in advance. Ask separately to prepare for all the videos and separately prepare a movie for screen viewing. Three and four-hour videos are difficult to watch. We recommend a format of 90 minutes, in which you will ask the operator to include the most beautiful and interesting shots. Full payment will be made only after all the work is completed and the final result is provided.
47. Photographer
The photographer should also be chosen after studying all the recommendations. Look through his work, agree in advance on the style of shooting, and express all your wishes. Ask the photographer to be in your field of vision all the time, in case you need him for a special shot. Also, give him the script of the party. Some venerable photographers charge by the hour. There are less expensive options, when the master receives a whole fee regardless of the number of hours worked. It all depends on your budget. Stipulate in advance the provision of all the shots and processing of the best ones. The photographer should provide you with 3-4 copies of the disk, decorated with a customized knurling and cover. As a cover knurling on the disk can be the most successful shot with the date and place of your wedding. Full payment is also made only after receiving the result of the work in full.
48. How to organize a wedding on your own: Wedding Menu
This is a very significant part of the celebration and budget. When choosing a place for the holiday, consider such things as the cost of the minimum order on the menu, and the possibility of bringing your alcohol, soft drinks, cheeses, meat assortment, fish cuts, and cakes. These items are usually the most expensive in restaurants. It is beneficial for you to order from the restaurant cold and hot appetizers and, perhaps, partially alcohol. Also take into account that the administrations of restaurants will impose on you the maximum menu. While for a buffet for 4-5 hours is enough 800 g. products per person, and for a full banquet 1300-1500 g., including bread and desserts. Ask the receptionist to draw up a menu for you and indicate the grams and number of portions. Calculate the total weight of the order and divide by the number of guests. If you are not having one solid table, but 5-7 tables of 6-10 people, be careful. There should be a portion of each dish on each table so that you don’t end up ordering fewer servings than the total number of tables for some item. If you are allowed to bring your alcohol, ask to account for the total number of bottles drunk. Usually, an experienced wedding planner will make sure that all ordered items are brought to the tables and in the right amount. Be sure to make sure that your tables are looked after by a sufficient number of waiters – usually one waiter per 6 people. Arrange in advance a smoking area, a room for gifts and props and gratuities for the waiters, as well as the cutting and serving of extra food brought in.
49. Alcohol, sweets, meat, fish, cheese, soft drinks
All additional products, as well as the cake, are brought to the restaurant in advance and asked to be put in the refrigerator. Some alcoholic beverages need to be served chilled and need 5-6 hours to chill. Ask for the remaining food to be placed in plastic utensils and given to the wedding steward. Also, don’t forget to pick up any leftover alcohol.
50. Special treat
Sweet, Cossack, Ladies and Gentlemen’s tables. For variety, you can set themed tables in different parts of the room (or if the room allows, in different rooms). Many restaurants have special décor and separate rooms for this. The sweet table can consist of cakes, pastries, chocolate fountains, and fruits. Drinks, coffee, and tea can also be served. Pickles, beer appetizers, home-cooked meat dishes, game, beer, homemade moonshine, and various talukas are suitable for the Cossack table. On the table for ladies you can put cocktails, martinis, tartlets, and ice cream. The gentleman’s table can be diversified with cognac and whiskey, ice, nuts, lemons, olives and cigars. All these items can be either included in the general menu or brought by yourself.
51. Pillow, shawl
Part of the Slavic wedding is the ritual of removing the veil by the groom’s mother. So to speak the transition from the status of the bride to the status of a married woman. The bride is seated on a chair with a wedding lace cushion on it, and the mother-in-law solemnly removes the veil and ties the bride’s head with a white shawl. If you want to include this ritual in the script of your holiday, then buy in advance and pillow and handkerchief. Wedding stores sell special wedding pillows with pillowcases and white handkerchiefs in a variety of styles and shades of white. You can entrust the storage of these props to the wedding planner.
52. Bride and groom candles for the wedding
If the concept of your celebration includes the sacrament of marriage, it makes sense to buy a pair of special wedding candles. They are held by the bride and groom during the ceremony. Usually they are decorated with wedding decor, and they can be purchased in a wedding salon or wedding supplies store. You can also decorate these candles yourself, using rhinestones, beads, decorative details, white ribbons, etc.
53. Engagement rings and ring cushions
The choice of engagement rings is huge nowadays. You can buy them both in ordinary jewelry stores and in special jewelry boutiques. If you want something purely individual, you can order any model you like from a master jeweler or create your sketch. Products can be additionally decorated with memorable engravings. By the way, you can engrave inscriptions on rings bought in the store. One hint – complex jewelry models will cost about 40% cheaper if you do not buy them in a boutique, and order them from a master. The purchase price of precious materials and stones from a jeweler is much lower than the store price, and this will allow you to significantly save your budget. If you have old jewelry that you no longer wear, it can be exchanged in the store by weight with an additional payment for a new piece. Naturally, the jeweler can also use them in the production of your order.
54. The bride and groom’s glasses
The bride and groom’s glasses look very beautiful on the table and during the toast pair glasses for the bride and groom. They can be just exquisite crystal glasses, or they can be specially decorated with wedding decorations, each in its style – one for the groom in a stricter style, and one for the bride – in a purely feminine design.
55. Dresses and shoes for bridesmaids, head jewelry, or bracelets
It is very conceptual to make all bridesmaids’ dresses of the same fabric. This will allow the bride to stand out against their background, will add solemnity, and avoid the often occurring discord in the colors and styles of bridesmaids’ dresses. You can offer girls to sew dresses individually cut, but the same length and from the same fabric. After all, you are ordering the music. Also, ask the girls to wear shoes of the same color. You can also decorate the hairstyles of girlfriends with compositions of artificial flowers or make them the same floral bracelets on the arm. Decor options can be chosen together with girlfriends. Colors for dresses and jewelry should be in your “corporate color scheme”.
56. Clothes for friends of the groom
Clothes for friends of the groom – suits, shirts, shoes, ties Friends of the groom should also be dressed in the same style. Of course, buying or sewing them suits and shirts is too expensive. But you can ask everyone to wear suits of either dark or light colors and appropriate shoes. And a white shirt, of course, everyone has a white shirt. To create the appearance of the same style, you can buy the guys the same ties and attach the same bouquets of artificial flowers and decorations to the buttonholes of jackets. Another option – the same handkerchiefs for breast pockets. It will be both dressy and stylish.
57. Girls’ night out
This women’s party is better planned and held a week before the wedding. The ideal day is Friday. The bachelorette party is usually planned and held by the bridesmaids. Ask your girlfriends to choose a place and come up with a dress code, of course, taking into account your preferences. If you want, you can pay for alcoholic beverages, and the girls can pay for the kitchen order each for themselves. Or, if your budget allows you, you can make a minimum pre-order, and then everyone for themselves. At the bachelorette party a mandatory attribute – props for the bride. And the rest – that you will allow fantasy. Variants of the concept you can offer the same wedding planner or you can choose something from existing concepts, which are described in a lot of special sites. He will also help you to hold a holiday or generally take over the entire preparation. Usually, this evening girls give the bride all sorts of interesting trinkets – stockings, lingerie, sex toys, but you can do without it.
58. Artificial flowers, ribbons, and garlands to decorate the transport and entrance of the bride
It is customary to decorate the entrance and the entrance to the bride’s apartment for the arrival of the groom and the solemn departure to the place of registration or ceremony. For this there are as already prepared compositions, so you can prepare your own. In the course can go tree branches, fresh and artificial flowers, wedding accessories, and ribbons. They can be attached to the entrance canopy, door handles, and stair railings. The same material can and should be used in the decoration of wedding transportation for guests. Garlands of inflatable balloons, bows from ribbons of “corporate colors”, white tulle, branches of pine trees, and floral wreaths look good.
59. The scenario of the bride buying back
Very traditional is the process of “buying back” the bride by the groom. When the groom arrives at the bride’s house, it is customary to meet him on the way to the entrance or house and subject him to various comic tests to prove that he is worthy of the maiden. After passing the tests, the groom gets access to the bride, parents bless the newlyweds with a special pair of icons and holy water (this is if the family is religious), and say the words of admonition. Usually, the script is prepared either by the host, or bridesmaids, or wedding steward. Bridesmaids play a skit with contests for the groom and witnesses and, having received the “ransom”, let them into the house. Scenario can be diversified by the conclusion to the groom fake bride. To do this, as a rule, dress someone from the male guests in white clothes, make an improvised veil, and apply bright makeup. Fun and defuses the situation. Take care that to meet the groom in the house was set a small table with champagne, cakes and fruit. Church supplies for the blessing are usually taken care of by the parents, while stage props are provided by the bridesmaids. You can take care in advance that the witnesses of the groom had a bunch of fake bills in foreign currency, which they will generously give to those present. Bright and memorable photo frames you are provided. On the way out of the entrance of the newlyweds, it is customary to sprinkle grains of rice, candy, and money change. For happiness, prosperity, and wealth.
60. Gift for the groom and parents
The bride can prepare a special gift for the parents and groom. It can be a special dance to the favorite song of Mom and Dad, or a touching theme song. Think about it in advance, if you want to include such an element in the scenario of the holiday, and if so, then take care that the sound engineer has the necessary phonograms. If you choose a song for the gift, learn the lyrics in advance and practice singing to the original performance. Tears of joy and emotion are guaranteed. The main thing is that this gift is a surprise for those to whom it is intended. Keep the preparation a secret.
61. Choosing a musical group for the wedding
When choosing a musical group for the wedding, think about the general style of the celebration. If it is a wedding in the folk style, it makes sense to choose a band specializing in this direction. The same applies to the performance of jazz and popular music. Make sure that the clothing of musicians and performers corresponds to the general concept of the holiday. Speak in advance compositions mandatory for performance – the wedding march on the entrance of newlyweds in the hall, the first waltz, dance with scarves, your favorite romantic compositions, music to which you first danced together, favorite songs of parents, etc. It also makes sense to stipulate the duration of musical sections and breaks. For musicians, you should prepare a separate table with cold snacks and drinks at your discretion.
62. Sound engineer, sound and lighting equipment for the hall, and podium
As a rule, a musical group, in addition to the fee, must be provided with a technical rider. This is a set of special electrical equipment for sounding the room and connecting musical instruments. Such equipment is not available in restaurants. They have only basic equipment. Ask in advance to provide you with a list of all the technical equipment necessary for the band and order everything you need from a company that provides sound equipment for rent. From the same company, order light installations and podiums for musicians (this is in case all this is not in the rented room for your wedding). Without additional lighting, the disco will be dim, and without a podium, musicians will be located on the floor and will not be visible from the far ends of the hall. Of course, if there is a stage in the room, this point is abolished in itself. Sound and light equipment on the holiday is managed by a sound engineer. It will be provided to you by the company that rents the equipment. The sound engineer’s fee is not included in the payment for the equipment. But without this important person, technical problems are inevitable. First of all, a sound engineer is necessary for the quality work of your musical team, and, in addition, someone must make sure that everything is turned on and off on time, equalize the sound of microphones, put phonograms and start disco songs.
63. How to organize a wedding on your own: Music selection
Talk to the sound engineer or DJ about the music selection for your disco. It can be composed in different styles of music – from classical to rap and house. Popularity is usually favorite folk hits, disco 80’s, various musical twenties, and chanson. Keep in mind that your musical preferences may not coincide with the preferences of your guests. Therefore, it is better to have a few selections for different tastes. This is the case when you need to think first of all about the guests. You can’t force your guests to dance to the music that only you like, and you are unlikely to like an empty dance floor. Make sure the sound engineer has fanfare and musical selections on the console, as well as fun songs for the contests.
64. Champagne for the registry office and photoshoot
Make sure that you have refreshments, champagne, and disposable tableware, such as plastic glasses, available at the place of marriage registration and along the entire route of your limousine and the transportation of guests. This should be done, first of all, to create a festive mood and wedding entourage, and, secondly, for everyone’s convenience. In the warm season, when the registry office, photoshoot, and banquet can pass several hours, everyone will want to quench their thirst.
65. The place for the photoshoot, your romantic walk
The place for the wedding photo shoot and the route should be prepared in advance together with the photographer. It can be a green park, city botanical garden, recreation area, open-air museum, architectural monuments, fountains, and just colorful corners of your city. Think about which of your guests you will invite to ride with you, and whom it is better to send directly to the restaurant. Perhaps elderly people, couples with small children, and guests with disabilities better wait for you for a glass of champagne in the lobby of the wedding hall. If possible, consider a short walk just for the two of you. As a rule, the hustle and bustle is so exciting for newlyweds that time flies lightning fast. It makes sense to enjoy the beauty, solemnity and company of each other in wedding dresses and just stop the moment and realize the importance of the moment.
66. Wedding cake and loaf
Unless your mother wants to bake a loaf and cake by herself, this baking can be ordered from a company specializing in such festive products. Wedding loaf is an integral attribute of many celebrations and can then take a place of honor on the table of newlyweds. As for the cake, then order a cake at the rate of 100 g per person. Believe me, it will be more than enough. Firstly, not all guests will stay at the party until the moment of taking out and cutting the cake, secondly, there is usually another dessert in the menu, and thirdly, your guests will be quite full and not everyone will be able to eat even a small portion. Before ordering, try the baked goods of this manufacturer. Wedding cake simply must be delicious. The design can be chosen from the options offered in the catalog, or come up with your own. For those who would like to take a piece of wedding cake with them, provide a plastic crates.
67. Invited artists and special entertainment
If there is such an opportunity, you can diversify the scenario of your holiday entertaining performances of artists of light genre or even order the performance of entertainers. You can invite a dance group, classical and folk music performers, saxophonist, guitarist, magician, illusionist, neon show, fire show, humorist, song duets … Before agreeing on such a performance, find out if it is technically possible to hold such a performance in your chosen wedding venue. Also, clarify whether you need additional equipment to perform all these numbers. Because if you need it, it can increase the budget. Well, if you decide to invite to your holiday a real pop star – beginner or already known, then remember that in addition to the main fee, you will need to spend on an additional separate set of equipment for the performer. In addition, star singers require a household rider, which consists of providing a separate room for makeup, clothing appearance care items, food, and drinks. Often all of these things cost quite a bit.
68. Tree planting or other memorable symbols
Another memorable moment could be planting a tree together, laying the first stone of your future house, or a trip to a memorable and significant place for both of you. If such an item of the scenario is interesting to you, then include it in your script and take care of the necessary props.
69. How to organize a wedding on your own: Wedding planner
You have probably witnessed the preparation of weddings of your friends and relatives. Lack of necessary information about services, time to analyze it, rush, stress, uncertainty, and, as a result, the race and turmoil …. Weddings are different – and with a large budget, and in the economy version. But, usually, only after the wedding it turns out that much could be organized much better or cheaper. What a pity that this information gets to the newlyweds and their parents too late. In the process of organizing a wedding bride and groom often miss many little things that at first glance seem unimportant due to the lack of professional experience in the organization of such events. As a result, the newlyweds and their loved ones get so tired that the event becomes hectic and becomes not a holiday, but a difficult workout of the script. To make sure that you and your chosen one become participants of your wedding, and not the service staff, will help a professional wedding manager. It is he instead of you will deal with all the negotiations and agreements with cafes, restaurants, transportation companies, decorations, fireworks, decor, selection of photographers and videographers, communication with the registry office, waiters, presenter, and music, purchase of food, alcohol, ordering a cake and small gifts, props, script and endless adjustments, coordination and docking on all of the above issues. The task of the wedding manager – is not only to offer you the best price and quality solution available on the market at the moment but also with attention and accuracy to realize any of your ideas and wishes, to take over the solution of all current issues and control over the timely implementation of all points of the script of your wedding. As a rule, resorting to the help of a wedding planner, you not only save time and save yourself and your loved ones from headaches, but also significantly reduce the wedding budget because the wedding planner has large discounts from contractors for several services. And a real specialist perfectly understands how to combine the details of the budget so that the result is to make all your costs as efficient as possible.