The first thing many people think of when getting engaged is what kind of wedding to have. A wedding is one of the most memorable times when family and friends celebrate love and committing to one another, but it can be a great deal of work. The following ideas can help ensure that you have a seamless wedding planning process.

For more cost-effective weddings, try choosing a date that is atypical to wedding season. The traditional season for weddings is May through September. Venues are usually more expensive then. If you’re going to want to marry in this time period, be sure you’re booking in advance so you can still attract a good deal.

You will need to make a choice about how much alcohol you want to pay for, and which type of serving will be most cost efficient. Open bars are typically very expensive, especially when they are open for long time-periods. Inquire at your venue what your alcoholic beverage serving options are.

Online wedding gown purchases can be easy on your wallet, but give yourself enough time for alterations as needed. However, you should figure in the cost of alterations when calculating your savings. Make sure to include this added cost in your wedding budget.

Photographs capture memories that will last a lifetime. It pays to spend the extra cash to hire a wedding photographer in order to reduce the chance of some amateur screwing up your wedding photos.

If you want a unique reception, get cuisine that centers around a certain ethnic theme. This will add to the specialness and memories of your reception. Variety will give your guests something to remember.

If you are looking to dazzle your guests but cannot afford a hit to the wallet, consider renting diamond jewelry. This helps you turn heads during the ceremony without turning your bank balance into a bunch of zeroes.

If the idea of a thousand-dollar, thousand-calorie wedding cake leaves you with cold feet, contact local boutiques and specialty bakeries and ask about smaller, individual-sized portions. 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.

Instead of having a single, huge cake baked, set up tiers in the shape of a wedding cake and fill them with delicious cupcakes. Arrangements like these are loved because they offer versatility, convenience and are budget friendly Guests will be able to get some cupcakes when they leave and then they will put them in a container that’s takeout inspired.

If you have a destination wedding, consider inviting family to stay for the honeymoon. By booking longer stays, money can be saved. They will have great memories from this too.

Keep your wedding dress at the bridal shop until the big day. Putting it away in a closet could cause it to become wrinkled or even stained. If you keep it at the shop until the big day, it will ensure it is in pristine condition when you wear it.

Creating the wedding of your dreams take some effort but the payoff is an unforgettable day. Cherish every moment at your wedding. Have your dream wedding with these helpful tips.