The stress that one can endure planning a wedding is immense, but a positive attitude and the ability to remain composed will carry you through. The sure way to be properly prepared and do your best is by learning all you can about making your wedding day perfect for you. So these tips below are here to help you plan your wedding with ease.

When you’re getting plans together for your wedding, consider the types of alcoholic beverages you’re going to be serving. Also be aware of the cost. An open bar that is available all evening can quickly become a very costly endeavor. Speak with the people at the venue about any alcohol serving options.

You have to think about transportation when it comes to your wedding. You definitely want to have transportation for yourself, as well as others in the area, that need to be able to get back and forth. This allows people to enjoy themselves and not have to worry about drinking and driving after the reception.

You want to make sure the photographer you hire is experienced by checking them out beforehand. You want your photographer to know exactly what they are doing. If you would like good tips on finding the best local photographers, make sure you read all the reviews online, and solicit advice from family and friends.

Practice before a mirror for your walk down the aisle. If you are worried about a twisted ankle, choose attractive flats instead. Losing the allure of heels will pay off if it saves you from taking a nasty spill.

See if your family wants to come for the honeymoon. Longer stays at hotels are often discounted so it’ll save you money in the long run. Not only will they have a great day to remember, but also a great vacation too.

When having pictures taken, don’t force guests to wait. Take photos of the groomsmen and bridesmaids with the happy couple ahead of time. Pictures with the parents should be done before too.

You can turn one of your friends into a “mail-order minister” so that she can officiate the ceremony. This saves you money, and makes your wedding feel more personal. Before finalizing your plans though, check local regulations to make sure that this will be legitimate in your area.

As an example, you might want to try a menu that includes popular contemporary fusion dishes. Change it up by including ethnic desserts, drinks, or any other foods that are being served.

If the couple’s families are from different cultural backgrounds, both sides can be honored by incorporating traditions, foods, decors, or rituals from both sides. This will help create a festive atmosphere and help make the event enjoyable for both families.

Get more out of your wedding planner with research done ahead of time. Copy the stylists and fashion designers who make mood boards and “look books” comprised of imagery, fabric swatches and other inspiring tidbits which can be a great start for the final product. Use photographs, magazine clippings and the lyrics of a special song to describe your perfect wedding to your planner.

One of the first things you should do when planning your wedding is to make a list of everything you desire, and rank how important each item is to you. For some couples, the venue is higher on the list than the cake, or the table decorations are higher on the list than the music, and so on. A prioritized list will help you plan your budget, and delegate the funds to the right area.

Costly wedding floral arrangements can be replaced with ornamental potted plants for an aesthetic and exotic effect. Plants can be dressed up with ribbons, silk flowers, lights, or painted ceramic pots to dress them up. The guests are able to take the plants home with them, or the couple can take them home and plant them.

One tradition associated with weddings is registering for gifts. Let your guest know, they don’t need to bring anything. There should be varying price ranges and a wide array of gifts to choose from. Times are tough no matter what the occasion and your guests will feel better knowing they aren’t being pressured to gift more than their budget may allow.

Add depth to your floral decor and centerpieces by incorporating floral elements of different heights. Use long-stemmed flowers with tall vases. Surround those vases with more voluminous flowers that are shorter, like sweet peas and peonies. The shorter, fuller flowers should be lighter in color than the taller, more prominent blooms.

For the bridesmaids, be sure that they are aware of the gowns that they will be wearing before you ask them to be in the wedding party. In this way, you can let them know exactly what they are in for before they accept your invitation to participate. Also, try to get something affordable for them. This will ensure a great wedding day free from hurt feelings and misunderstandings.

Use a credit card that has rewards or other perks to pay for everything. This is especially useful if you plan to spend a lot of money on your wedding; why not make the most of it by getting airline miles? Pay for all wedding expenses with the card, and you’ll rack up some nice rewards.

The above tips can help you plan your wedding and prevent it from going sour. Keep a happy thought as you plan for the happiest day of your life.