Anyone who has ever participated in the planning or preparation for a wedding, large or small, can tell you that the ordeal can be quite a handful. Between caterers, jewelers, bakers and florists, keeping sane during the process is hard. Fortunately, the tips ahead can clear up some of the mystery and help you plan easily and smoothly.

Practice how you’re going to walk the aisle a lot before your wedding date arrives. This needs to be done where the wedding is going to be held so that you’re familiar with the specific area and flooring as well as how your shoes react. By doing this, you will not have any issues with obstructions in the floor or nervousness from those watching you during the big moment.

You can make great use of big box stores, like Costco, when planning your own food service for your wedding day. Wholesale prices are generally lower. See if your friends can chip in for food costs.

Personalize your wedding by including unique touches that express the essence and interests of you and your new spouse. Select a theme that corresponds to you as a couple, and evokes things you have done together.

Take your time in writing your vows, they’re personal and meaningful and must have effort put into them. The vows should reflect the fact that marriage is not easy and will require sacrifice on the part of both partners. When you speak your vows, you want to let out in front of everyone just how much you truly love the person you’re marrying.

Tall flower arrangements can be the perfect idea for round tables at the wedding reception so guests are able to see and speak to each other. Often, flowers just get in your guests’ way. Some people attending your wedding may have pollen allergies, as well. Instead, you could place candles (non-scented) on the table tops to add a romantic feel to the reception.

The wedding DJ needs a list of the songs you want played at the reception, but make sure they know what you dislike. If you hate a specific song or a genre, such as heavy metal or country, you don’t want that played at your wedding reception. No matter what, be sure to make your preferences known to avoid irritation later.

If you want your colorful wedding cake as the focal point of your reception, present it on a coordinating fabric tablecloth. You can choose to use solids, patterns or textured fabrics like silk, velvet or satin to create a visual interest that will tie all these elements together.

A fun way to add a personal touch to your wedding is to ask a friend or family member to officiate the ceremony. Doing so allows for individual customization of your personal ceremony, and it can also save you having to spend money on an officiant. Make sure to use caution by asking the local officials, to make sure doing this isn’t against the law where you are.

If you’re giving your guests multiple meal courses, give them sweets to nibble on in between the courses. Offer sweet sugar roses or flavored crackers.

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.

For aesthetic purposes, centerpieces are necessary, but they can really take a bite out of your budget. Rather than spending a fortune on centerpieces that are almost as big as the tables themselves, keep them small and simple. If the centerpiece is too big, it becomes a distraction, making it difficult for people to interact as well as enjoy their food.

Be sure that children who are appearing in your wedding are dressed in comfortable, well-fitting clothing. Choose fabrics that are soft and have just the right amount of looseness so they don’t cause discomfort. Shoes need to be broken in and comfortable. Thinking ahead about small details like this can make all the difference on the wedding day and will cut down on fidgeting and fussing over uncomfortable clothing.

Tall Vases

Make your floral arrangements more complex by incorporating different heights. For long stem flowers, use tall vases. You can surround these tall vases with short voluminous flowers like pink sweet peas, peonies, or hydrangeas. The shorter full flowers need to be lighter than the taller and more prominent flowers.

If dancing isn’t your forte, you should prepare yourself for the first dance by donning a long skirt and taking a few practice runs around the living room. While you may be used to it, your husband probably won’t be and will need to learn how to dance without stepping on your dress. This helps to curb any bumbling, especially if you have a dress that has a puffy skirt.

In terms of wedding receptions, think carefully about whether to include kids. Unless they are in the wedding or close family, children are usually better off not attending because they are usually bored, disruptive and add extra expense. Then again, many people may not attend if they cannot find a babysitter.

Vows Yourself

You should definitely consider writing your wedding vows yourself. Although it is easier to borrow a copy from another source, writing your own vows is special. Crafting your vows yourself gives them more meaning. There is nothing wrong with using outside resources, but your vows will be more personal if you write them yourself.

Interview numerous videographers prior to picking one for the wedding. Also, be sure to ask for samples of their past work. The quality in the editing and sound is important when it comes to videographers. Many years ago, people wanted to get the VHS videotape of their wedding, but today make certain you will get a digital video or DVD so that you are able to see your wedding for years. Look for a videographer who meets all technical requirements. Beyond that, listen to your heart.

Now that you are properly educated about planning your wedding, you can begin the process and feel confident that your day will be as you desire. These tips will help you plan your wedding or someone elses.