Anyone that has helped plan a wedding can tell you it’s not easy to do. The variety of vendors you will have to talk to and weed through can drive you batty if you let it. Luckily, these tricks and tips will give you great insight into planning an ideal wedding.

You don’t have to overwhelm yourself with an expensive and high calorie cake; contact your local specialty bakeries and boutiques and inquire about getting smaller, individual portions made instead. A variety of healthy alternatives are available for a wedding cake that won’t cause sugar shock.

Shop around for your photographer before making a commitment for the big day. You wouldn’t want bad wedding pictures. Get recommendations from people you know if you aren’t sure who to use.

Practice your walk for the aisle when you’re standing by a mirror so that you can be sure of how to walk right, especially when you want to wear heels. If you’re worried that you will twist your ankle, you can wear flats instead. Wouldn’t you rather have mediocre-looking footwear than wearing something that could cause harm?

Instead of spending too much for a large wedding cake, opt instead for one that is comprised of multiple layers of mini tarts or sweet cupcakes. These arrangements are typically much cheaper and convenient. Guests may opt to grab a cupcake on their way out, using cute take-out style containers that are provided.

If you are having a destination wedding, a good gift to get your guests is a basket filled with vacation goodies sent to their room. The basket should contain useful items such as a map, sunglasses, disposable cameras and a hat. Providing a restaurant guide will fill your guests in on all of the best places to eat in the area.

When making wedding dinner seating arrangements, be sure to have even numbers of people at each table. Try to group tables according to age, so that they could find similar things to talk about.

Ensure that all guests understand the scheduling of events by emailing everyone involved an itinerary of events; include maps for those who may be unfamiliar with the area. Inform people of events, like rehearsals, that they are required to attend, so they will be where they are supposed to be at the scheduled time.

Keep your wedding dress at the bridal shop until the big day. This will reduce the chance that it becomes stained or wrinkled. If you keep it at the shop, that means it will remain pressed and fresh for your wedding.

If you can afford it, have the event on a ship and just invite your closest friends and family. This means you can start your honeymoon immediately. Some cruise companies even have special rates for those getting married and honeymooning on their ships.

Consider silk flowers for your wedding instead of spending a lot of money on luxurious floral arrangements. You can get these way in advance because they aren’t fresh and then have them on hand and reduce one thing to do right before the big day.

If the couple likes to travel, find decorative elements that incorporate their love for it. Place cards or invitations can be designed in the style of a bus ticket or postcard. On the date, a vintage suitcase can be used as a display piece. Simply fill it with favors, photos, or wedding programs and prop it open in a prominent location.

This can be as simple as having a modern fusion menu that includes popular dishes. Make it different by including a selection of ethnic desserts, beverages, or wedding favors that you can eat.

Any children in your ceremony need to be dressed comfortably. By utilizing softer fabrics, the children in your ceremony will look great while feeling quite comfortable. Break in new shoes first, and make sure they are comfortable. This allows the kids time to focus on what they have to do instead of struggling with their outfits.

If you plan on making a wedding speech or giving a toast, you should practice beforehand. Without the right amount of planning and practice, you can easily lose the audience, get caught with your foot in your mouth, or just bomb the speech with nothing but stuttering and a confused look on your face.

In terms of wedding receptions, think carefully about whether to include kids. This is crucial because you can save aggravation as well as money by not having children present. Some people want their children with them though.

Another way you can save money is on the flowers. Use a ribbon in place the wreath for the flower girl. You can also use silk flowers versus using real ones. Not only are silk flowers more cost effective, but they will last forever. Keep them in a safe place as you never know when you might need them again.

Now that you are more knowledgeable about the ins and outs of planning a wedding, you will be able to plan your wedding more efficiently. This advice will prove to be of help, whether you are getting married or a loved one is trying the knot.

By