There are only four things a wedding really needs: a bride, a groom, an officiant, and love. All the extras are optional, and they can cause excess stress when you are planning your wedding. Read this article if you need to be reminded to keep things in perspective. If you can focus on what’s really important, you’ll be happier while planning the wedding, which makes for happier memories of your big day.

Getting married in an off-season will lower your wedding costs. The wedding season traditionally begins in May lasting through September. During the wedding season, venues are generally more expensive. To help ensure you are able to book the perfect venue, plan well in advance.

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 split some of the cost.

One way you can cut hundreds of dollars from your wedding budget is by purchasing your wedding gown online. However, make sure you do this early enough that there is time to make any needed alteration to the gown. You may only spend $100 on the gown when buying it online, but it may cost another $200 for the alterations. Include the additional cost in your budgeting.

Hold a dress rehearsal for all members of the party that are giving speeches at the reception. This will give them a chance to practice, and you’ll also be able to make sure no inappropriate remarks are planned. At a wedding, there is normally a collection of different generations present, and you need to remember that a joke that young people find funny may actually offend older guests.

Photographs capture memories that will last a lifetime. Select a professional to take your pictures, and do not be afraid to go above your budget if you have the money to ensure that you get the best photographs possible.

If you feel as though it is wasteful to pay hundreds of dollars for a cake that will have a lot left over, consider a smaller bakery to create a smaller cake that will cost less and be more personal. There are boutiques that will bake fresh cupcakes with very few calories specifically for your event, and deliver them. These boutiques also often have healthy options available such as gluten-free, fruit based fillings instead of frosting, and healthier alternative toppings.

Brides should focus on getting down a skincare regimen that makes their skin flawless for the wedding. Look for facial treatments that soothe and brighten with ingredients like sea salts, oatmeal, rose, and creamy scrubs.

While you definitely want to provide songs you like to your DJ, you also want to include songs you definitely don’t want to make the list. Perhaps it’s heavy metal, or country music, or even a previous lover’s “special song”. Whatever you choose, be sure they know about it so you don’t get mad about the song choices.

As you may have already known, there are just a couple things that will make your wedding a happy one. A lot of things that you may think are important to include in your wedding are actually optional. It can be fun to have a lot of bells and whistles; however, if that would be more stressful than fun for you, simply forgo them. Use the advice from this article so that your wedding will be perfect for everyone involved.