If you have never planned a wedding, you may quickly feel that the process is overwhelming at best, and maddening at worst. It may not even matter if you are planning the event for yourself or for a dear friend. Luckily for you, the insights and advice in this article were specifically chosen to help with all the choices that must be made for this important occasion.

Typically, a wedding dress costs a lot of money. When shopping for your dress, consider dresses that may not be categorized as a wedding dress. A bridesmaid dress might strike your fancy as an option, and it would be cheaper than a dress designated for the bride. Even if this dress is not perfect and you need some adjustments made to make it your dream dress, it could still run you quite a bit less then an actual wedding dress.

You can save a lot of money by buying your wedding gown online, but buy it with enough time to spare so you can get it altered prior to the big day. Even though a gown can be fairly cheap, having it altered to fit your perfectly can sometimes be more costly. Make sure you consider this cost in your wedding budget.

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. Remember that you’ll have people there from all generations, so keep the jokes appropriate.

See if you can use a loved one’s property for your big day. If you’re friends with someone who owns a large backyard, you can have a cheaper wedding there. Your only expense should be paying someone to clean before and after the wedding.

If you want a unique reception, get cuisine that centers around a certain ethnic theme. The standard is usually steak or chicken, so consider standing out with something different. Variety is important and will make the dinner memorable.

When choosing a makeup artist, look at their past work. This will help you to rule out make up artists whose styles do not mesh with your own. Make sure it is something you can see yourself wearing. You don’t want to find yourself with makeup that doesn’t appeal to you right before you are about to start your wedding.

While you should always let your DJ know what songs you want played for your reception, it is just as important to alert him to any songs you do not like or want played. Perhaps it’s heavy metal, or country music, or even a previous lover’s “special song”. No matter what, be sure to make your preferences known to avoid irritation later.

Practice going down the aisle while wearing the shoes you are going to wear at the wedding. If you’re scared of turning your ankle, go with attractive flats instead. Wouldn’t you rather have mediocre-looking footwear than wearing something that could cause harm?

It may sound odd but it might be fun if you ask your family if they would like to join you on the honeymoon as well. Everyone will enjoy a discount for the longer stay, and that will save everybody money. Your guests will have a memorable trip as well.

Don’t make guests wait around while taking pictures. Many photographs, including the bridal part and the groomsmen, can be taken before the ceremony. The pictures for the bride, groom and immediately family can also be done in advance.

After reading the above tips, your understanding of how to plan and host a wedding successfully should have increased, and you can now adapt and expand your new found knowledge to plan a personal wedding day. Applying these tips can make your wedding planning hassle free, and give your guests, and yourself, an experience you will treasure forever.