Many women plan their wedding years before they even meet the man of their dreams, so when the time comes, they already have their list of essentials down, but whether or not they’ve already considered them, there are certain things every wedding must have.
With an average of 2.4 million weddings performed in the U.S. every year, that’s a whole lot of decisions to make, which both the bride- and groom-to-be must agree on. While it’s true that the devil is in the details, most of them fall into place while planning the big-ticket items.
As part of your wedding planning, these are the four things that you’ll really want to focus on for one to remember.
A Fun Reception
The wedding reception is something everything looks forward to, a time to relax after sealing all those plans, have fun and celebrate. A good meal, wedding games, toasts, and drinks are all part of most receptions. You’ll also want to carefully select entertainment that sets the mood and tone – whether you go with a rock n’ roll band or a great jazz musician like Michael Sinatra, be sure to pick something meaningful to you and your partner.
Wedding Cake
The cake is the centerpiece of all the food at weddings, and it’s also a very personal choice. While it can be hard to decide what flavor, icing, and decor you want on your cake, you will certainly need one for your celebration. Some brides and grooms aren’t too picky about where their cake is made, but it’s important to pick a bakery or caterer with a good reputation and lots of pictures of their work. Good quality ingredients are important too – you’ll want to freeze a slice or two to serve to yourselves on your one year anniversary.
Bride & Groom’s Attire
Especially for brides, their dream dresses are thought of and visualized years before their wedding takes place. Many brides-to-be take pride in selecting the perfect one, and it’s something that varies greatly from woman to woman. While it’s been a tradition not to show the groom-to-be what the bride looks like in her dress before the wedding day, many couples today skip that and instead choose attire that works well together. When picking the theme of the wedding, the attire also must be on the same page. For example, Victorian-era style? The bride and groom will want period-style attire.
Wedding Date
Last but not least, the wedding date is essential, at least if you want most of your invitees to come. Family members, friends, and other guests need plenty of time in advance to witness your long-awaited union- if you pick a day close to a major holiday, it can really make things difficult. But either way, it can be challenging to choose a day due to seasons, availability, and scheduling conflicts. This is often why many couples book their venues so far out in advance, as it can be tough to make sure everyone can make it to the event. Spring and summer are the most popular times of year to get married, so if you think you want your wedding during those months, it’s time to start looking at the calendar.
