It is simply impossible to have a wedding that fulfills your every fantasy, regardless of whether your wedding budget is $10,000 or $250,000. So how do you throw a wedding that gives you a ‘big bang’ for your buck? These tips will show you the way.
Don’t try to pack everything into your wedding. It can’t be done. Your dreams are just too big for a budget. So try to find just one thing that will leave a big impression on your guests. It could be anything from a spectacular floral arrangement to a dazzling gown, from a unique venue to a unique theme, from a one-of-a-kind décor idea to a fun guest-participation activity. Your guests will forget what they ate and what favors they were given, no matter how much money you spend on them. They’ll remember whether they had a great time.
The trend is your friend, but not your master. Enjoy reading about all the hot new trends for weddings on sites like Wedding Wire and The Knot; but don’t feel like you have to do what they tell you. Today’s trendy new idea will become tomorrow’s corny old embarrassment. You can weave creative new ideas into your wedding, but it’s always wise to have it rooted in something timeless.
Build your wedding around your venue. You wouldn’t have a nautical-theme wedding in an old barn, or a Gatsby-themed wedding in a VFW hall. Your venue should reflect your theme, and vice versa. Art galleries, museums, yachts, old mansions and converted lofts are all creative options upon which to build your dream wedding. Hosting your wedding in a big white tent lets you create and decorate your entire wedding from scratch.
Your wedding should help define you as a couple. Sprinkle your ceremony venue and reception venue with items that are uniquely “you.” They can be childhood photos of the two of you, pictures from your parents’ and grandparents’ weddings, table decorations that showcase special moments in your relationship, speeches or performances that tell your love story, and especially music that is special to both of you.
Involve the special people in your lives. If there’s a great singer or musician in the family, ask him/her to perform a number at either your ceremony or reception. Play a game like “The Newlywed Game” at your reception to get the crowd loose and laughing. Those shared memories are great for bonding. Anything that makes all your guests feel like they were part of something special will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Be there. If the bride and groom have their first dance, then disappear for an hour, the energy drains out of the room, and the party dies. Set a good example by being on the dance floor as much as you can, and as much as your energy allows. Your guests will follow your lead. Remember, a wedding reception is a party you throw for your friends. Be good hosts. Once the dance floor gets rolling, you can step away for awhile to savor the moment – just the two of you.
Follow these helpful guidelines, and for the rest of your lives your guests will remind you what a great time they had!
To learn more about Fourth Estate Audio’s incomparable service, call me at 630.654.4440. I’m here to help.
© Fourth Estate Audio, 2015 – Jay Congdon is president of Fourth Estate Audio, a professional Chicago DJ and Chicago Wedding DJ company.
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