14 Tips for Organizing Your Dream Wedding

In organizing a wedding, there are things that brides simply need to know so that the preparation goes smoothly and calmly and the holiday is a success. Here is a list of top preparation secrets so you don't miss a beat!

1. Start with the guest list
Drawing up a list of guests is one of the first tasks of preparation because the budget for the celebration and the choice of the wedding venue depend on their number. If the restaurant is designed for 100 visitors, do not invite more guests - your holiday should not be crowded because guests will not only sit at the table but also dance, chat, and simply move freely around the site.

2. Wedding date
Be sure to find out if there are any events taking place on the selected day (for example, an economic forum or various conferences) that can complicate the logistics of your wedding. Consider the possibility of getting a discount at some wedding venues on weekdays, and if you definitely want to arrange a holiday on a “beautiful date” (for example, on 08.08), make sure to book a venue and find wedding contractors in advance.

3. Nature factor
Be sure to check the weather forecast in advance and take it into account when planning the program and timing of the wedding. For example, in hot weather, you can move the ceremony to the evening - so you get magical photos and your guests will not languish in the heat. If your wedding venue is outdoors, be sure to have a plan B in case it rains (even if it's not in the forecasts). Another factor to consider when organizing an outdoor wedding is insects. Midges or mosquitoes can worsen even the most sophisticated holiday, so take care of repellents and mosquito nets in advance.

4. Favorable purchases
Even spending a lot on a wedding has its upsides. Many banks have their own bonus system that helps you save interest on purchases or accumulate flight miles - connect it to the card with which you will pay for expenses. Surely this will help you save a lot on your honeymoon!

5. Recommendations of experts
When assembling a wedding team, ask your contractors for advice. Perhaps it is the photographer who will advise you on a great florist or decorator, and the manager of the wedding venue probably has the contacts of a good host.

6. Shorten your guest list
Remember that almost half of your wedding expenses go to a banquet, the cost of which is calculated precisely from the number of guests. If you're not sure if you want to see someone on your list at the party, feel free to cross them off! Let only the closest relatives and friends be with you on this day - this will help create a cozy and homely atmosphere and significantly reduce costs.

7. Preliminary meeting
Be sure to meet with all contractors in person before making your final selection. If possible, order a trial tasting - not only from the pastry chef but also from the bartender or catering service. And you can arrange a pre-wedding love story photoshoot with a wedding photographer: this way, you will get acquainted with the peculiarities of their work, and at the wedding, you will no longer be shy about showing your feelings in front of the camera.

8. Children at the wedding
You have 4 options: you can invite all the guests along with their children, arrange an adult-only wedding, organize a party only for the immediate family and their children, or invite all the children, organize separate entertainment for them, and hire an animator. But allowing some families to bring children and others not is a recipe for resentment and strife.

9. Menu for contractors
Before signing the contract, be sure to discuss this issue personally with each specialist: if a wedding photographer spends 12 hours in a row with you and he definitely needs a hearty lunch, then contractors who are busy at your wedding for less than 4 hours can only be offered a light snack.

10. Be organized
The wedding budget, approximate seating charts, dates of meetings with contractors, and a million important little things - all this is impossible to keep in mind, so be sure to start a wedding diary or install a similar application on your smartphone. If your communication with contractors takes place on the Internet, start a "wedding" email - this way, you will definitely not get confused in the letters and will always be in touch.

11. Unexpected expenses
Your wedding budget should follow the following formula: 48-50% for the venue and banquet, 10-12% for photo/video, 8-10% for floristry/decor, the same amount for the bride and groom's outfits, about 10% for entertainment, 2 -3% for printing and 10% for the cost of professionals such as a wedding planner or coordinator. At the same time, it is very important to allocate 5-10% for unforeseen expenses, such as printing additional invitations and umbrellas for guests in case of bad weather or taxis.

12. Ask for advice and break stereotypes
Wedding contractors are your experts in the wedding planning world, don't be afraid to ask them for advice or ask seemingly silly questions!  Perhaps it is your photographer or videographer who will recommend a beautiful place or an original idea for wedding love story photos, and a florist will advise you which flowers will be cheaper depending on the season. Tell them honestly about your desires and wedding budget, and then together, you will create a dream wedding!

13. Don't rush to book
The real art of organizing a wedding is to find the middle ground between "it's too early" and "too late". When booking a wedding venue six months before the date of the celebration, you can be calm - but do not forget to calculate the approximate number of guests and your wedding budget before that. But if your wedding is only a couple of months away, don't worry. Anyone can cancel the site reservation at any time, which means you will have the opportunity to rent it at a big discount.

14. Be realistic
Even if you have made a clear wedding preparation plan in advance, perhaps in the last month, you will still feel that you have not taken into account a lot, and now you simply don’t have time to cope with everything. Calm down, it happens to all brides! Just choose among the remaining tasks that you would be happy to do yourself - for example, baking cookies for your welcome baskets or choosing flowers for a wedding bouquet. And delegate the rest: your fiance will be happy to make a playlist for the ceremony, and your wedding organizer will be able to approve the last details with contractors.