The only required elements of a wedding are the bride, the groom, a minister, and, naturally, love itself. Everything else is simply window dressing, and while pretty to look at and enjoyable to have, they can create stressful distractions for you. This article can be of great help in reminding you of all things important for your wedding day.

When you are planning your wedding festivities, think hard about the kinds of alcoholic beverages that are going to be available, and also how much of a price tag they will carry. An open bar is very costly and can become extremely expensive if open for long periods of time. Speak with the people at the venue about any alcohol serving options.

Personalize the wedding so that it reflects your personalities, and that of your relationship. A theme should be selected that matches the time that you’ve had together.

You’re going to look at the pictures from your wedding for many years to come, so make sure that you get good quality photos taken. It pays to spend the extra cash to hire a wedding photographer in order to reduce the chance of some amateur screwing up your wedding photos.

The most important thing when considering marriage is the person you will be marrying. This lifelong decision should not be rushed. Carefully think about that person and the things you cannot live without and the things that might drive you crazy.

One thing to think over during a wedding would be the transportation. 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 is also helpful for anyone who was drinking at the reception.

Make sure that the venue you choose for your reception has adequate space for dancing. There is little worse than a crammed dance floor, so make sure to move tables and chairs prior to grooving!

Don’t wait until your wedding day to try walking in your shoes and gown. Practice going down the aisle until you feel comfortable. Find attractive flats if you find the walk difficult. Sexy footwear won’t do you any good if you wind up falling on your bum.

Noon is the best time for a reception. Since most of your guests won’t be interested in drinking much alcohol during this hour, you can save money on your bar costs. Lunch receptions are often cheaper than receptions held during dinnertime. This can help you focus your budget on higher-quality foods or providing higher-end alcoholic beverages.

Send each guest an online itinerary, so that they know exactly when and where every important event will be. Make sure that you tell people if they need to attend events, like the rehearsal, so that everyone shows up promptly at the correct location.

If you wish to serve guests multiple courses, make sure they are entertained with dishes of small and sweet appetizers on each table. Try sugar roses which subtly match your decor, or thin crackers that whet the appetite.

Ask your family and friends if they have any heirloom pieces you could borrow which would match your hairstyle and dress. By doing this, you can get the look that you want and add a special touch to your wedding.

It’s important to have a backup plan if you want your wedding ceremony or reception to be held outdoors. Book a location that also has a inside building or rent some tents. Mud can ruin footwear, so for the convenience of your guests it is a good idea to lay down planks of wood for them to walk on.

As you begin to plan your wedding, make a prioritized list of your wants. 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. By having a plan of what is most important to you, you can set aside funding for each item and ensure you get the wedding of your dreams.

Gift registries are a tradition. For a pleasant atmosphere, you should make your guests understand that they do not have to bring anything. There should be varying price ranges and a wide array of gifts to choose from. Your guests should be comfortable bringing gifts they can afford.

Decide on group activities for your special day. Do not let your guests simply wait for the end of the nuptials. You can have competitions and games, or maybe a karaoke hour. It can be an unforgettable wedding if everyone is able to interact with one another and have some fun.

It is important for you to know what your bridesmaids will be wearing to your wedding. You do not want to have disagreements and drama. Pick out something that doesn’t cost too much, matches what your wedding’s theme is, and it will work well for the bridesmaids. This will make sure there are no problems or hurt feelings because of the event.

Do not allow yourself to be weighed down by obligation to traditions; this is your wedding and should be planned accordingly. Be kind and loving if you have to reject your extended family’s suggestions, but don’t let them dominate or manipulate you. Firmly assert that you (and of course your partner too) have the final say when it comes to your wedding plans. That way, you could look back at the day of your wedding without any regrets.

Plan well in advance. A year-long lead-time might seem sufficient, but you will soon find that many venues and vendors will already be booked. Plan as soon as you can so you have more options.

A wedding only truly needs a few things for success. Everything else is strictly optional. As nice as these options are, they can also give you unneeded stress. If you take the concepts in this piece to heart, it is possible to create a wedding everyone loves.