You always will want to simplify the whole wedding procedure. That is certainly the case for a wedding, which can be complex and large. Just thinking about planning a wedding can feel quite overwhelming. The following tips will simplify things to make them a bit easier for you.

Set a date outside of the wedding season. The traditional season for weddings is May to September. Wedding venues are more expensive during these months. If you need to book during this time, make sure you book far in advance to get the best deal.

If there will be toasts or speeches given at your wedding reception, ask the speakers to practice in front of you to ensure that the material is appropriate for those attending your wedding. Certain jokes or comments might not sit well with certain age groups.

Add special little decorative touches to all of the element in your wedding. For example, the bow in your hair can be the same as those used in the floral arrangements on the tables. These small details help tie everything together to create a beautiful wedding.

Make sure you view examples of work from any makeup artist you’re considering hiring. Are you impressed with their style? You need to be sure you’re going to really like the style. You don’t want to wait till the last minute only to find out that you are not pleased with the makeup job they will be doing.

Instead of spending so much for a multi-layered wedding cake, opt instead for a multi-layered confection of mini tarts or sweet cupcakes. These arrangements are more convenient, versatile, and more cost effective. Guests can serve themselves or even take one home as a party favor of sorts.

If you are hosting a destination wedding, your guests may appreciate receiving a basket of vacation goodies in their room on their arrival. Useful items you will want to include would be tourist maps, sunglasses, hats, disposable cameras and brochures of fun places they could visit while in the area. It may also be nice to give them a guide to a restaurant in the area so they have an easier time finding a place to get food.

Try to arrange to hold your reception in mid-day. Doing this, people will likely drink far less alcohol and keep your bar tab lighter. The costs of lunch are far more affordable than catered dinners. Therefore, you can afford to step up your menu or divert that part of your budget to another area, such as floral arrangements or wedding favors.

You’ll want to be able to dim the lighting at the wedding reception. This may seem like a minor factor, but many couples like dimming the lights for a first dance, and switching to brighter lights for the remainder of the event. Ask the folks running your venue if you have that option.

Send each guest an online itinerary, so that they know exactly when and where every important event will be. You can customize itineraries or send special alerts to let each person know which events they are expected to attend.

If you opt for a colorful wedding cake that can stand on its own as a focal piece for your reception, you might choose to present it atop a coordinating swatch of fabric. 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.

For help with your wedding, you can find local vendors on Craigslist. Be sure you always meet the people who you are going to have provide you a service before the big day; you want to get a sense of who they are and what they’re capable of in advance.

Perhaps you could borrow something from a friend. This can help you achieve a nice look, while also letting you focus money in other areas to make your wedding much better.

Meeting a wedding planner? Do your homework. Follow the lead of fashion designers and stylists who create “look books” and mood boards comprised of fabric swatches, imagery and other inspirational tidbits that can serve as a starting point for the finished product. In addition to swatches, take photographs, newspaper clippings and song lyrics and place in your look book.

If you are planning to hold your reception outside, let the caterer know in advance. They will need to plan your meal knowing that the weather could be less than ideal for your food. You could utilize fancy covers to protect the dishes. If you need to, have a small refrigerator handy to cool down drinks.

Be considerate of the guests and any travel arrangements they have when you plan a wedding in your desired location. Some of your guests may need to schedule their vacation around this day, and they require enough preparation time. Try to send out save-the-date cards no less than eight months ahead so that your guests can make the necessary plans.

Before you start planning your wedding, sit with your fiance and make a list of the things that are most important to you. For example, some may feel that great food is more important than having a DJ or dance floor. 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.

Add flowers of all different heights. Obviously you want the low profile florals in the shorter vases, while the long and more spectacular flowers, like roses, should be in taller containers. Place shorter vases with shorter and plumper flowers around the tall vases. The short and full flowers should be a few shades lighter than the taller blooms that are more prominent.

Planning a wedding can be done with the right knowledge at hand. However, the information listed above will help simplify the process. With any luck, these tips can help you with your own.