Category: Wedding Tips

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5 Tips to help you plan a big wedding

So, you’ve begun the challenging job of cutting your 300+ something guest list short, and it doesn’t look like most of the people are going out of it. What do you do?

You have a big wedding!

Well, it wouldn’t be true if I said that it was no big deal, but throwing a big wedding isn’t as impossible as it may seem. All you need are a few tips to start you off, and you will be soaring forward with your wedding plans in no time. So, what are you waiting for. It’s time to plan that big wedding you want, with this important advice.

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#1 Start with the guest list and plan your budget, and not the other way around

For a small wedding, the ideal approach is to fix your budget and then decide how much money goes where. Forget this for a big wedding. First plan your guest list. Then look at affordable venues that can accommodate this head count, and caterers who will serve a decent meal, without breaking your bank. Do your calculations along the way, and see what you end up with. If it is more than what you can afford, it may be time to look at vendors who charge less, or think again about what you want.

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#2 Hire a professional planner

Small weddings are stressful enough, imagine perfecting the details for a large one! Unless you are a super-organized, cool-headed, planning perfectionist, planning the details of a big wedding can be huge stress. Hire a professional to take on the task, and it will be money well-spent.

#3 Ditch all that which isn’t necessary

Check out this wedding at A Practical Wedding Blog.  The sensible couple left out centerpieces, by opting for an informal buffet style reception. With this arrangement, there was no need for elaborate floral arrangements on the tables. Instead, they splurged on the caterer who supplied a delicious spread and also hired an amazing band that kept the huge wedding party on their toes.

#4 Make sure you hire an experienced vendor

Don’t sign a contract unless your vendor has previously worked with a party just as big as yours. The same goes for the venue you choose. Can it accommodate so many people? Do they have enough bathrooms, so your guests won’t spend all day in a queue to the loo? Check out these details before confirming.

#5 Keep your calm and let some things go

It may seem impossible at times, but just remember that all this is definitely worth the effort. You will be surrounded by everyone you always wanted at your wedding. So, who cares if you couldn’t gift them personalized favor bags, or you had to make do with a simple cake with no fancy flavoring! Everyone’s had a bash in the end, and your memory will forever be remembered. Isn’t that worth it?

Find a splendid wedding dress for your big wedding at Best for Bride, and also look through our services for affordable options that will help you sort out your wedding shopping at an affordable price.

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5 things you should do to make your out-of-town weddings guests comfortable

It is likely that every wedding will have at least a few guests who travel from far for the ceremony. As a couple, you should appreciate the time, effort and money they spend to be part of your big day. The least you can do is to make sure they are comfortable and enjoy their stay while they are in-town. Here are some simple ways in which you can make their visit worthwhile and easier.

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Inform them early

As you may be aware, air ticket charges peak as the date nears. Since your guests will be footing their travel expenses, make sure you notify them of the date well in advance so they have enough time to find a good deal. “Etiquette on Out-of-town Wedding invitations” on Map happy suggests giving four to six months advance notice, as this will allow your guests to research their travel options and plan their trip so that it doesn’t cost them dearly. It would be helpful if you could provide them an itinerary of the various events they have to attend, so they can pack for it accordingly. This would also give them enough time to plan their trip.

Be considerate and do what you can to help them

Your out-of-town guests go through a lot of trouble and spend a lot of money to make it to your wedding day. So, the least you can do is to be considerate and help them with what you can. While you are not responsible for their accommodation, they would find it helpful if you could provide a list of affordable hotels and arrange the bookings on their behalf. If possible, visit them once they are in town or at least call and make sure they have arrived safely and are comfortable. Make sure to mention how you appreciate their presence, as these thoughtful gestures go a long way in making them feel the trip was worth it.

Suggest options so they stay occupied

Unless your wedding itinerary is action-packed with events, your guests will have plenty of free time to themselves. It would be a good idea to provide them suggestions on how they can spend this time. If there are local museums or tourist attractions, recommend them. If they are in town at the time of your rehearsal dinner, consider including them. Assign the responsibility of these guests to one of your bridesmaids or groomsmen, so they have someone to turn to should they require any help.

Small treats go a long way

Arrange for a small bag or basket of treats to welcome your out-of-town guests. You do not have to spend a huge amount on it, but they will appreciate your thoughtful gesture of remembering them when they find a bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolates in their hotel room. After your wedding day, don’t forget to send them a thank you note. Besides thanking them for their gift, specifically mention how pleased you were to have them at your wedding.

If you are wondering about what party favors would be good for your out-of-town guests and also all the others at your wedding, visit us on Best for Bride for some fabulous ideas.

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Why you should think twice before you ask these friends to be your bridesmaids

Not all your friends are good candidates for bridesmaids. While some of them will be up to the challenge of helping you plan and execute your wedding perfectly, others may not be as enthusiastic or capable of handling their responsibilities so well.

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You will understand what we mean, once you see first-hand what some bridesmaids have accomplished. Read all about it at Bridesmaids who Upstage the Bride on the Daily Mail. Rather than learn this the hard way, it is good if you first consider whether a friend will do her part well before you ask her to be your bridesmaid.

So, in your best interests, we bring you a breakup of the various personality types who aren’t ideal bridesmaid material. If you have a friend who fits any of these descriptions, think twice or even thrice before you ask her to take on the role.

Jealous as a cat

Beware of your jealous girlfriend. Bridesmaids get the inside scoop on all the wedding planning, and if there is one girl who will try to steal your thunder, it is this jealous lady. Don’t ruin your mood everyday by sticking up to the competition she puts up, and worrying about when she will next try to outshine you. Just keep her off the list.

The know-it-all

The minute you announce your wedding, you will begin receiving wedding advice from every corner. While you can just ignore those, imagine having to put up with it all the time from someone who’ll be accompanying you when you go wedding shopping or as you make your wedding plans. If there is a friend who can become overbearing or tries to take over the wedding planning, please keep her off your bridesmaids list. It will keep you sane.

The drama queen

She is the one who will cry and scream and make a scene at the most inappropriate instances. Unless you can tolerate tears and tantrums other than your own, this bridesmaid can soon become annoying and irritating. Don’t expect her to tone down just because she is your bridesmaid. You may soon begin to dread her presence on the days you have to make important decisions regarding your wedding. Invite her to your wedding as a guest, and let her shed her tears as you glide down the aisle, rather than shock you by fainting on the aisle.

The gossip monger

A good bridesmaid should be loyal to the bride and able to keep secrets. You do not want your well-thought out wedding plans to be the talk of town before your wedding day. But this is what you will have to suffer if one of your bridesmaids is a gossip. She can spoil all the thrill and excitement of your wedding, by telling everyone what they can expect. Keep the mystery of your wedding day alive by keeping her away from your wedding party.

Are there any more friends who you think should stay out of your bridesmaid list at all costs? If so, do let us know.

As for the beautiful ladies who will be your perfect bridesmaids, don’t forget to choose their dresses from our stunning designer collections at Best for Bride. They deserve it.

 

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4 great ways to have an environment friendly wedding

If there is one event in your life which deserves some extravaganza, it is your wedding. Every couple considers having a grand wedding with some pomp and show, so that it is special and remembered long after it is over.

Nevertheless, it is time we all thought seriously about the environmental impact that weddings have. After all, weddings are not your average eco-friendly events. Research by the Examiner reveals that the average wedding produces nearly 63 tons of CO2, causing significant environmental damage. Fortunately, there are certain measures that you can employ to have a green wedding, without compromising on having a fantastic day. Here are some suggestions for you to consider.

via Best for Bride

Cut down on paper

Weddings involve lots of paper, from save-the-date cards and Thank you cards to escort cards and programs. An average wedding invitation has anywhere between 3 and 8 pieces of paper. If you are truly concerned about how many trees go into creating this bulk of paper, consider going paperless. But, if you do not want to compromise on tradition by choosing the email route, keep your wedding stationery to a minimum. Or, you could also choose tree-free paper for all your needs and seed paper is one such trend that is growing in popularity.

Go with what is local and seasonal

Cut flowers used in wedding arrangements can have a huge environmental impact, as they are often shipped from far away countries and are grown in greenhouses using pesticides and fertilizers. Add a distinct touch to your floral arrangements by choosing local flower varieties and allow your florist to customize your bouquet with what is in season. This not only allows you to cut down on your wedding expenses, but also helps you score extra green points.

Minimize wastage by choosing reusable centerpieces and decor arrangements

Most of the elements used in wedding decor end up in the trash following the ceremony. Stretch your money further by reusing the decor elements at the ceremony site at the reception too, but only if you have the time to do so. A better idea is to employ reusable decor elements like bamboo, potted plants, fruits and organic elements like seashells in your decor that can be donated or gifted. You could consider small shoots of lucky bamboo as your wedding favors, or give away your centerpieces to your guests as they leave the ceremony to minimize wastage. Also choose containers that you can use in your new home.

Go green with your wedding dress

If you want your own special wedding dress for your big day, so be it. Otherwise, consider renting your wedding dress or restyling your mother’s wedding dress, and giving it a new lease of life. With rental services, like we have at Best for Bride, you can find a fabulous wedding dress for a fraction of the original cost, and not worry about maintaining or preserving it after your big day. Since this will be worn by another bride once again, the dress is put to maximum use—thus becoming a better environmental choice.

Which of these ideas would you like to consider for your wedding day? If you like the idea of renting a wedding dress, visit us at Best for Bride to find a fabulous choice. Visit our online link at Best for Bride for all the details about renting a wedding dress from us.