If you're a stressed out bride-to-be, you might find this list a helpful read in one of your rare relaxed moments! Time spent in planning your wedding day is seldom wasted.
1) Prior planning prevents poor performance Research the date of your big day and make sure there isn't a big sporting fixture on.
The last thing you want is your guests missing the vows to tune in to their mobile radios to find out who scored that all important qualifying goal for the world cup! 2) Use protection It does rain in August and it can snow in May.
Come rain or shine, you want your big day to be a success so don't let it be ruined if the heavens decide to open.
If you are planning an outdoors wedding, why not consider hiring a stock of white wedding brollies or just ask guests to bring their own? A sea of matching umbrellas can offer a variety of exciting shots for your photo album but ensure there is somewhere to store the wet umbrellas though! 3) Keeping numbers to a minimum The last thing you want is for your long lost Aunt Gertrude to invite her neighbour, and their dog, along to your big day.
The easiest way to ensure that this doesn't happen is to simply say, "We are trying to keep the costs down and so are inviting closest friends and family only, I'm sure you understand.
" According to The Wedding Planner School, the only time it is bad modern etiquette to disallow a 'plus-one' is if the guest doesn't know anybody else and would otherwise have to spend the day feeling awkward on their own.
If your guest has friends attending, let them come alone.
4) Take a calculated risk Music students are a plentiful source of super-keen wedding musicians.
You can discover rising talent for a fraction of the cost of an experienced professional.
You may need to 'hand hold' a bit if they've never played at a wedding or reception before but your on-the-day coordinator can keep an eye on them for you.
Just hold a thorough audition process!! The same principle applies to student photographers, florists, hairdressers and make up artists.
5) Design, then decorate Make sure you plan your decorating carefully so that the 'concept' is complete before you start buying decorative items.
Flowers are pricey and somewhat short-lived so consider using fairy lights, potted plants, sculptures and fabrics as decorations instead.
Check with friends and the venue to see if they already have items you can borrow before you splash out.
6) Keep an eye on the time Think carefully about the timing of your day - leaving guests hanging around for an hour with no entertainment while you have your pictures taken will NOT be popular.
7) The all important rings Avoid platinum and go for similar looking white gold or even titanium for a hard-wearing lightweight and money saving alternative.
Keep to plain designs, diamonds may be a girl's best friend and those "I love you" inscriptions can be endearing, they bump up the cost and go out of fashion quickly.
8) No verbal diarrhoea please Be strict with your speech makers - if they ramble on for more than five minutes the joyous atmosphere created during the reception will be lost.
You don't want your guests to fall asleep, or worse, leave - so make it short and sweet.
9) Have your cake and eat it This may seem like an obvious one, but it can and has happened - never display your cake on two tables pushed together with a cloth over the top - if someone suddenly decides to move the table your cake is going to hit the deck! 10) Human Resources Call in favours from friends, but be careful to utilise their skills carefully and never delegate anything to people who stress you out - it's just not worth it!