All the Feels

When planning a wedding, the couple should think about how they want to set the atmosphere. Everyone is unique and every wedding will have its own twists and special parts, so don't be scared to try something different! At your romantic evening wedding, why not have a silly photo booth with crazy props in the corner? It is your wedding and you can do what you want! But be sure to consider all the problems with any big plan. Will the dark setting of the wedding allow for good pictures at photo booth? If not then why not set up lighting to make for better pictures!
Though you can do what you want with your wedding, be sure not to try going in too many directions. In order to have a successful, well-flowing event it does need to have some sort of commonality otherwise people will be confused and overwhelmed. A successful event will flow together well and not leave everyone feeling lost at the end of your wedding.

What's in the middle?

     The middle of the table of course! Your centerpiece! It can be as simple or as elaborate as you desire, just consider all your options, as always, and of course, your budget. There are cheap ways to get just about any look you desire!
     Flowers are beautiful and make gorgeous centerpieces! They are so versatile and customizable and just downright pretty. Unfortunately, flowers are expensive. According to theperfectmatchstudio.com, centerpieces can cost anywhere from $100 a piece to $300+ depending on the arrangement. That is a lot to add to a budget, but if you want flowers, go for it! They are beautiful and elegant and make a great decoration for your wedding!
     If you are not sure how much you like the idea of spending up to $300 per table, then there are other options for you! Flowers are typical but are by no means the only way to go. Get creative and look for the alternatives. Dollar Trees have glass vases for cheap and tea candles that can be easy basics for starting your own awesome centerpiece.
     Candles are a common option and work great for a wedding in the evening. They can create a romantic mood and magical setting for your wedding and they are much, much cheaper that the typical flower piece. Here are a few candle examples that are so beautiful that you won't miss the flowers!

All candle photos courtesy of: http://www.deerpearlflowers.com/43-romantic-wedding-ideas-with-candles/ 

     Of course candles aren't the only alternative. Trending centerpiece ideas now are lanterns and birdcages! They are slightly more pricy than candles but they are still not as much as flowers! Both lanterns and birdcages can also look good with or without candles in them. It's up to you and the time of day. An evening reception would probably be well suited to have candles but a reception in the day would look just as beautiful without them! Here are a few lantern and birdcage ideas!

These beauties are available at Amazon.com for only $5.59 plus shipping! Beautiful alone or with candles in them!

This is larger lantern available on Amazon.com that is only $24.66 plus shipping. It looks best with a candle but could also be filled with anything else you could think up! 

   

This is a birdcage that is available on Amazon.com for $12.99 plus shipping. It would be beautiful filled with flowers or candles or even photos! 

Here are some ways to use these Amazon finds to make a beautiful centerpiece!

http://postris.com/pin.aspx?pid=105152&p=1&by=repins&t=30&cat&rnk=0&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+repinly-wedding-events+%28Repinly+Wedding+%26+Events+Popular+Pins%29

http://www.deerpearlflowers.com/36-amazing-beach-wedding-centerpieces/

http://lover.ly/real-weddings/rustic-birmingham-wedding-captured-by-steven-michael-photo/4459/images/92611/

Band or DJ?

Music can set the whole mood of your wedding. The entertainment is a really important factor. Do you wish to have a romantic dinner party or dance your night away? Either way you need to consider what type of music to have. Band or DJ. There are pros and cons to either way but it really depends on what you want. A DJ is generally cheaper but a band can be more personal and unique. DJs have a wide variety of any type of music at their fingertips but a band can personalize songs in a way that a DJ cannot. Either way you must really do your research. Interview the person and look up reviews of their previous gigs. There is a site called Gigmaster.com that allows you to look up bands in your area and it provides reviews for each along with pictures of previous events. Check it out and don't forget about planning this key part of your event!

Dinner Time!

Food at your wedding tends to be an important aspect that guests look forward to. Whether you decide to serve just cake or a full three course meal, you need to consider what fits your budget and your taste. Consider the theme of your wedding, the location, your budget, your guests, and the types of foods you want to serve. 

There are many ways to serve your food. Some of the basic ways are: buffet, family style, stations, plated and heavy passed hors' doeuvres. The buffet style allows guests to get their own food at a main station that has all the food available for them to load on their plate. Family style serving is when each table is given their own bowl of each food item and they can load their plate from the bowls on their table. They don't have to get up and they can pick and choose what they want on their plate from your menu. At a stations style serving, guests can go to different areas to get different types of food. They have options and it's spread out so guests aren't waiting in a long line to get their food. In a plated serve style wedding, guests are served an individual plate of food already prepared by the caterer. You can also plan not to have a full meal served. The hors' doeuvres style serving allows for a more casual setting and guests are able to get as much or as little as they want in small bite-size servings. 

Look for a caterer and ask them what they generally do. Often, their staff is accustomed to serving a certain way and the serving will run smoother if you do it their way. If you desire to serve it a certain way, discuss it with the caterer to make sure they can do it before you hire them for the job. 

Also, when planning to serve food, consider guests' allergies. If there is a child who is extremely allergic to peanuts, either pick a menu not including peanuts or plan for a separate meal available for that guest. It would really put a damper on your day if an ambulance has to come to take someone to the ER for an allergic reaction. 

Good luck in planning! 

source: http://loveincmag.com/serving-style-which-catering-option-is-best-for-you/

http://www.marthastewart.com/274748/cocktail-party-hors-doeuvres/@center/276959/cocktail-hour

http://9weddingwebsites.com/wedding-catering-ideas/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/29/brunch-wedding_n_3618629.html

Do It Yourself!

A great way to save money on your wedding is by making your own decorations! There are so many easy ways to make your wedding personalized and beautiful without spending loads of money on Etsy or wedding sites. It also allows for you to make it the way you want! Instead of spending more money and time looking for the perfect item you need, you can make it exactly how you want it. Creativity isn't even necessary! The internet is one of the greatest tools you have for planning and getting ideas! Etsy and Pinterest are great sources for ideas on DIY things. I will be posting soon with ideas I have found for different easy DIY decorations!

First Look Or Traditional Way?

The moment the groom finally sees his beautiful bride is one of the most magical moments of the wedding. Most people definitely agree that it is a moment they want remembered at their wedding. When he gets to see her is up to the couple though. Many people are now considering a first look between the bride and groom rather than the traditional way of waiting until she walks down the aisle. There are many pros and cons to both and there is really no correct way. It always depends on the couples' desires for the wedding.
The traditional way is due to a "superstition" that it is bad for the bride and groom to see each other before she walks down the aisle. According to an article on My Wedding Chat blog, the tradition of not seeing the bride before the vows, began when arranged marriages were common. There was a fear that the groom would back out of the wedding if the bride wasn't as beautiful as he wanted. Lucky for us, arranged marriages aren't commonplace here now and, most of the time, both parties generally know what they're getting when they marry another person.
There are many articles stating the pros and cons of both ways but I'll just a list a few that are big for me.
Traditional:
Pros:

• The walk down the aisle is even more magical. 
• You get to share the moment of excitement with the people at your wedding. (This may be a con to some people)
• When you the your bridal party pictures, they will actually be of you as a married couple.

Cons:

• Pictures afterwards can be rushed and will keep your guests waiting. 

First Look:
Pros:

• More intimate moment for the couple before they are married.
• More time for photos and you won't keep your guests waiting after the ceremony. 
• You'll be fresh for photos so you'll look your best.

Cons:

• Less magic in walking down the aisle. 
• You won't be married in your photos.

This is by no means a comprehensive list but it includes a few things to consider when deciding. I've even seen photographers who require a first look so they have time to get the photos they feel are necessary. Talk to your photographer about it and to your future spouse. Think about what you value most. Neither is a wrong decision. Whatever works best for you is the best decision! Best of luck!

Sources: http://www.weddingshoppeinc.com/blog/index.php/2015/05/11/should-you-take-first-look-wedding-photos/