Are you interested in a summer or winter wedding? Should it be roses or another variety of flower? There are so many decisions to make when planning your wedding, so keep it simple whenever possible. Whether you are the wedding planner, or the person actually getting married, the following tips will help you plan and create the best wedding.

One consideration in wedding planning is alcohol service. You’ll want to determine the way that meets you needs, including the cost and the way to serve the kinds of alcohol that you prefer. Keeping an open bar doesn’t come cheap, but keeping it open for an extended time can be even more costly. If holding the wedding at an outside venue, they may have alcohol serving options available that can control costs.

Purchasing a wedding gown online may save you several hundred dollars initially. Sometimes a gown can cost as little as a hundred dollars; however, you might spend twice that amount to have it altered to fit. Make sure the costs are included in your budget.

When you’re planning on who to give the speeches at your wedding, have them rehearse the things they would say in front of you so you can determine if everything they say will be appropriate. There will be people of all ages present, and what may seem funny to a younger person may not be humorous to an older crowd.

Instead of one large, expensive wedding cake, consider serving cupcakes or several small cakes. Many bakeries will offer healthier options, such as 100-calorie cupcakes, fruit fillings, meringue toppings, or gluten-free ingredients.

A relative or friend can serve as your assistant, as often the only requirement for the job is being able to haul your gear. Your assistant can help you round up the family members for the group pictures to make things run even smoother.

If you are having a destination wedding, why not treat your guests with an indulgent gift basket delivered right to their hotel rooms? You can include tidbits like tourist maps, sunglasses, novelty towels or even information on nearby attractions. Additionally, you may want to include a local restaurant guide so that your guests know where to eat.

When you plan your seating arrangements for your wedding, be sure that the number of guests at each table is even. Group people at tables by age so that common ground for conversations exists.

If you choose a wedding cake full of vibrant color that stands out as a focal point in your reception, you can enhance it further by presenting it on top of a fabric swatch coordinated with the cake itself. A pretty tablecloth made of textured fabric, velvet, shiny satin or a lace that matches the wedding dress are all nice choices.

You can have a special relative or friend become ordained online so that they can perform your wedding vows. This saves you money, and makes your wedding feel more personal. Make sure this is a legal practice in your state before you get somebody ordained.

Silk flowers make great alternatives to various other flowers for your wedding. 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.

Individual centerpieces at each table can quickly add up to a big expense, unless you keep them simple. Rather than buying huge centerpieces that obstruct your guests’ view, consider simpler centerpieces that can be taken by guests as a keepsake. Guests will appreciate an environment without distractions, making conversations comfortable and natural.

Dress the children in the wedding party in comfortable clothing. Make sure all their clothes are not scratchy or binding. The shoes need to be comfortable, and if they are new, they need to be broken in. With an entire ensemble of comfortable clothes, the children can put their energy into their designated roles and leave the outfits alone.

After reading these tips, it’s safe to say that you probably weren’t aware of even half of these ideas. And that’s because no one ever realizes just how much goes into planning a wedding until they’re actually staring at it in the face. A wedding is perhaps the most detail-oriented celebration out there, so be sure that you’re using these tips to help you out.