However, planning a wedding can come with a certain level of stress. From finding the perfect venue to coordinating with vendors and guests, there are many challenges that couples face when preparing for a destination wedding. You need to ensure all of your guests have the necessary documents to travel and make sure that all of the details of the ceremony and reception are taken care of. It is also important to be prepared for any potential obstacles that may arise.

If you feel unsure of how to begin planning your destination wedding, don’t worry. In this blog post, we share four sure tips for planning a successful destination wedding and making a dream come true.

Obtain Wedding Insurance

Every couple wants their wedding day to be perfect, but unexpected events can happen that can put a damper on the big day. That is why it is important to consider getting wedding insurance before you book your destination wedding.

Wedding insurance can help protect you from any unforeseen costs or losses associated with your special day. It can also provide coverage for medical expenses, legal costs, and even cancellations due to natural disasters or other unexpected events. With the right policy in place, you can have peace of mind knowing that your destination wedding will be covered no matter what happens.

Moreover, as you prepare for your destination wedding, don’t overlook the significance of term life insurance when embarking on this new journey with your partner. Consider exploring term life insurance costs to ensure your loved one’s financial security in unforeseen circumstances

Choose Your Location

Choosing the right location for a destination wedding can be a true headache. Whether you are looking for an exotic beach in Hawaii, a vineyard in Italy, or a luxurious mountain resort in the Swiss Alps, there are plenty of options available. However, you must take many factors into consideration such as costs, weather, and availability of vendors. With careful consideration and research, you can find a location that fits your budget and meets all of your needs.

Since the invitations to a destination wedding are usually sent out well in advance, it’s also important to start thinking about booking flights. It is best to book your tickets as soon as possible if you want to avoid any problems that may arise with the last-minute rush, such as expensive tickets in a high season. That’s why you should check to see which are the best days of the week to book a flight and look at travel websites that might have special offers and discounts, so you can save money on airfare.

With the help of online booking sites, you can easily compare different flight options and choose the one that fits your budget and schedule. Furthermore, by preparing in advance, you can make sure that all your guests have enough time to plan and arrive at the destination on time for the wedding.

Create Your Pre-Wedding Beauty Regimen

If you’re planning to have a destination wedding, you need to start your beauty regimen early, so you can look your best on your special day. It is important to plan ahead and create a beauty regimen that suits your skin type and lifestyle. From finding the perfect makeup artist to choosing the right products for your skin, there are many factors that go into creating an effective pre-wedding beauty regimen.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look your best on your wedding day. Many women seek out dermatologists and surgeons for cosmetic procedures that promise radiant skin and glowing complexion, as well as a little face sculpting. In fact, many brides get Botox before a wedding, and even though this procedure takes only about 15 minutes, you should get it done at least one week before your big day.

For brides conscious of their nasal appearance, liquid rhinoplasty offers a non-surgical alternative to traditional nose surgery. Using dermal fillers, this treatment can modify the nose without invasive procedures or general anesthesia, yielding rapid results often within an hour. This method provides immediate visible enhancements to the nose’s shape, potentially boosting confidence and self-esteem, especially in wedding photos and during the ceremony.”

If, for instance, you’re interested in getting a facelift, conduct your research well ahead of the big day and look for the best plastic surgery clinic in your area. For instance, if you live in Toronto, CA, find a facelift Toronto clinic with top reviews to make sure you’re in the best hands. This way you will have peace of mind knowing that you will look your best for your special day. With a little bit of planning and a few simple cosmetic treatments, you can achieve glowing skin, great hair, and a perfect makeup look for your destination wedding.

Make the Wedding Guest List

The wedding guest list is one of the most difficult tasks for couples. You may want some people to attend, but you may also prefer to leave others out.

If you’ve already nailed down your wedding venue, take into consideration the maximum capacity of the specific venue. Stick to the maximum number when completing your wedding guest list. You can invite a few extra guests than the venue’s capacity, but inviting more than that might cause serious headaches if they all RSVP ‘yes’. If your count is over the limit, you’ll need to trim the list.

Even though planning a destination wedding can quickly become overwhelming, booking your tickets ahead of time, considering your ideal number of guests, and creating your pre-wedding beauty regimen and to-do list, can help you prepare better and have the destination wedding of your dreams. So, take a deep breath and make sure everything goes as planned, but don’t forget to secure a wedding insurance plan to ease your mind.

Turkey offers everything you need for a destination wedding: a massive variety of beautiful landscapes, affordability, and easy access from across the globe. However, weddings do hike up the price significantly and you will more likely than not find yourself trying to compromise on a few things to stay within your budget. Here are a few fool-proof tricks for planning a destination wedding in Turkey that is budget-friendly.

Choose an Off-Season Wedding Date

One of the easiest ways to save money on a destination wedding in Turkey is by choosing an off-season wedding date. The peak season to visit Turkey is from May to October when the weather is warm and sunny. However, this is also the most expensive time to travel and book wedding venues. Consider having your wedding in the winter or early spring, when prices are lower, and venues are more available.

Summer is also unbearably hot in some regions and it is also cruise-ship season on the coast. Spring and autumn have lovely temperate weather and much fewer crowds. Popular destinations like Cappadocia even get snow over this time and this can make for a beautiful backdrop for your dream wedding.

Select an Affordable Venue

Choosing the right venue can make or break your wedding budget. To save money, consider booking a venue that is less popular or less well-known. There are many beautiful and affordable venues in Turkey, such as small boutique hotels or private villas. These venues may not have the same level of luxury or amenities as larger hotels, but they can provide a more intimate and personalized wedding experience. Destination weddings don’t usually have a massive guestlist so you can easily accommodate 30-odd guests at a smaller hotel.

Simplify the Decorations

Decorations can quickly add up and become a major expense in your wedding budget. To save money, consider simplifying your wedding decorations. Focus on natural and local elements, such as flowers, greenery, or seashells. These items can be easily sourced from local markets or vendors and can add a beautiful and authentic touch to your wedding. Use minimal decorations to accentuate the natural beauty of your venue.

People didn’t travel thousands of miles to Turkey to judge your lavish centrepieces. Plus, Turkey has stunning local wares ranging from ceramics to ornamental lights and colourful materials. Hotels and venues usually have access to beautiful traditional materials and if they don’t already own it they will certainly know where you can get a good deal.

Opt for Local Cuisine

Food and drink are an important part of any wedding celebration. To save money, consider opting for local cuisine instead of an expensive international menu. Turkish cuisine is famous for its delicious and diverse flavours, and there are many affordable catering options available. You can also consider having a more casual and relaxed dining experience, such as a buffet-style or family-style meal. A Turkish menu will have something for everyone, and the traditional fare will add even more authenticity to your destination wedding. Just keep in mind that alcohol is quite expensive in Turkey so you might want to manage your expectations when it comes to your reception bar.

Save on Transportation

Transportation costs can quickly add up, especially if you have guests travelling from different parts of the world. To save money, consider choosing a venue that is easily accessible and close to major transportation hubs. You can also consider arranging transportation for your guests, such as a shared bus or van, instead of expensive taxis or rental cars. Turkey has several airports along the coast and in the central regions and flight tickets are quite cheap if you book in advance. So stick to locations close to Izmir, Antalya, or Cappadocia for quick access to an airport.

When thinking of taking a trip overseas, it is best practice to look into extra insurance just to be on the safe side. Reviewing term life insurance costs is an important first step.

Make Use of Local Services

Local services, such as photographers, musicians, or hair and makeup artists, can provide high-quality services at a lower cost than international vendors. Consider hiring local professionals who know the area well and can provide a more personalized experience for your wedding. You can also consider asking for recommendations from your venue or other local vendors but use this at your own discretion as they might just want you to hire someone they know. Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are excellent resources to find people working in these fields in a specific location.

Consider a Smaller Guest List

If all else fails, trip the invites. A smaller guest list means fewer expenses, including venue costs, catering, and transportation. Consider limiting your guest list to close family and friends only, or even having an intimate elopement-style wedding. This can also create a more personal and intimate atmosphere for your wedding. This also makes it easier to find accommodation for all the guests to stay together instead of being spread out across several hotels.

Picture this: you and your spouse, hand in hand, ready to take on the world together. The last thing you want is to be bogged down with complicated applications, long wait times, and those dreaded medical exams. Life insurance with no medical exam is like a breath of fresh air. It’s quick, convenient, and hassle-free. You can apply online, answering a few simple questions about your health, and voila! Coverage can be secured in a matter of days. No needles, no waiting rooms, and definitely no medical gown fashion shows.

So, whether you’re jet-setting off on your honeymoon or settling into your first home together, life insurance with no medical exam is the perfect companion for your newlywed adventures. It’s simple, straightforward, and puts you both in control of your financial future. Say “I do” to protection and “I don’t” to unnecessary paperwork. Let’s start this exciting chapter of your lives with a solid foundation of security and love.

Although taking things one step at a time is essential, you should also plan for the long-term. If you are so focused on planning and budgeting for your wedding that you forget your post-wedding goals and plans, you might face financial hardship when you are supposed to be enjoying life as newlyweds. Once you get engaged, sit down with your partner and think of all the dreams you have for your wedding and married life. Then, consider using wedding loans to cover some of your most significant expenses for your wedding so you can have your cake and eat it too.

Think about your future

When creating your wedding budget, you need to talk in-depth about your finances and how you want to handle financial responsibilities after you get married. Discuss what debts you each have, your personal and financial goals, and what your ideal wedding looks like. Before you reserve some of your most expensive items, like caterers, bartenders, videographers, and the venue, discuss what you want married life to look like. Do you want to be able to afford health insurance and purchase a house together? Are you hoping for kids right away? Or do you want to travel and see the world before settling down?

Your answers to these questions will help you determine how much money you have to spend on the wedding while saving for marriage. Avoid using up all your savings on your wedding, even if it seems tempting. Although you want your wedding to be one of the most magical days of your life, you also want to spend a lifetime with your partner having unique experiences, so keep those things in mind when planning.

Behind infidelity, money is the second leading cause of divorce in the United States. Nearly two out of every three marriages begin with debt, so it is vital to be on the same page now. Figuring out how your partner handles money helps you grow as a couple and allows you to set realistic expectations moving forward.

When you are setting your wedding budget, try to keep it completely separate from your other finances. You can even set up an individual wedding account to help curb overspending. Budgeting is never easy, but when you create your wedding budget, be sure you stick to it.

If, after having these conversations with your partner, you realize that you would rather save more money for marriage and the future than spend it on your wedding, you can find plenty of ways to have a frugal wedding that is still magical. Making decorations or food yourself saves quite a bit of money, and hosting it at a family or friend’s property. Even if you thought you always wanted a big wedding, thinking about your post-wedding plans allows you to have both the wedding and the future that makes sense for you.

If what you have in common is spending time in nature, discovering beautiful landscapes, mountains, waterfalls, and more, this article can give you some ideas for the honeymoon destination of your dreams.

Here are our top five picks just for you.

Bali

Bali is among the most popular honeymoon destinations for newlyweds, for sure, and there is a good reason for that. Their beautiful coasts, islands, and tropical nature would take anyone’s breath away.

Among the many natural wonders Bali has to offer, we would highlight the unique flora throughout the country, and well-preserved temples that are emerging through the trees. For a more detailed tour, you can visit Bali Botanic Gardens and explore some of the most beautiful species on the planet.

Bali is also an amazing destination for divers and those who enjoy exploring the underworld.

Montenegro

Montenegro is not as famous as Bali as a honeymoon destination, but for true nature-lovers, it’s a must-see!

This small country is caught up between the mountains and the sea, with so many charming sights to see. We would recommend it for those who enjoy mountain climbing as much as swimming and diving, as it only takes an hour’s drive to get from the sandy coast to the top of a mountain.

Among many places to hike or sail through in Montenegro, we would highlight the national park and forest Lovcen, the Boka-Kotorska bay, and the Skadar Lake – one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, set between Montenegro and Albania.

Pack your bags, and prepare the camera to capture the sunset over the horizon. Pick up some unique wedding hashtags and watch your Instagram followers go green of envy.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a great home base to visit many of the Bay Area’s natural landmarks. With incredible hills, a rocky coastline, and a sandy Pacific beach, this is a great choice for those who wish to visit California.

While checking out the natural features of San Francisco, you can also explore the sights a little further. For example, the train from Los Angeles to San Francisco is also a great way to experience the natural beauty of California’s coastline.

If you were looking for a destination to merge both your cultural and natural thirsts, this is it!

Cambodia

Located in southern Asia, in the part of the world with the most astonishing natural, cultural and artistic opportunities, Cambodia is only one of many authentic places to visit.

A two-week trip to Cambodia can be intense if you wish to visit as many secret treasures this country has to offer. For adventurous couples, long hikes and climbs under a tropical climate can be just the adrenaline boost you were looking for.

While in Cambodia, do not miss to go on full tours of the temples and the jungles they are surrounded with. Take one day to explore the Rabbit Island, one more for hiking over the Phnom Kulen mountain and national park, and another day for the dark bat caves.

Surrounded by Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, a honeymoon trip to Cambodia will most likely leave you wanting more. So, who knows, someday you might check out the rest of this exotic region.

Mexico

From Asia, Europe, and the US, we are now migrating towards Southern America and going straight to Mexico. This country is not only well-known for spicy food, tequila, and hosting great parties, but it is also full of true wonders of nature worth spending months on discovering.

Their landscapes vary from pure bright water surfaces of the ocean and lakes to soft red sceneries at sunset. Discovering Mexico will bring you across many waterfalls and mineral pools like Hierve el Agua, then over and under green canyons such as Copper Canyon that spread across thousands of miles.

If you liked our recommendations for Cambodian temples, you will definitely enjoy reaching the pyramids in Mexico. Tepozteco Hill is not only hosting the pyramids, but nature is so magical that the locals claim that some sort of celestial activity is present around this place.

Honorable Mentions

The world is full of many extraordinary sights worth seeing in your lifetime. Here we have only listed five, across four continents, that should be on your bucket list if you are a couple who enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, and investigating hidden marbles of nature.

However, here are some more ideas that can spark your imagination when planning your honeymoon.

• New Zealand. This country is known for astonishing natural resorts, among which we would highlight the Four Season Lake.
• Ireland. Green Irish cliffs are the number one destination for many hikers and campers. If you and your partner are among these, Ireland is a must-visit place for you.
• Italy. In particular, Tuscany. Italy has always been a top destination for romantic getaways. It has beautiful natural sights, cultural wealth, and delicious pasta to offer, that will amaze every couple who picks out Italy.

In this article we’ll share with you 5 of our favorite honeymoon destinations around the world where couples can enjoy all the beauty of nature together in luxury accommodations.

Whether it’s camping in Australia or exploring New Zealand by hiking through pristine wilderness, these epic honeymoon locations offer an opportunity to get back to nature while still enjoying creature comforts like spa treatments and fine dining.

While researching these great locations, it is also important to be prepared. One great step is to research term life insurance costs because they will take you into new depths around the world.

Interested? Then let’s get started!

5 Amazing honeymoon destinations for nature lovers

#1. Tonga

Tonga is a honeymoon destination that allows you to enjoy luxurious accommodations while also immersing yourself in island culture and exploring true untouched natural beauty.

One of the country’s major honeymoon attractions is definitely its beaches, with white sand, turquoise water and plenty of palm trees. To experience the honeymoon destination’s gorgeous beaches you can visit Vavau or one of Tonga’s other island groups like Haapai, Eua or Tofua.

If you want to go on a honeymoon in Tonga, you can see the country by land or by sea. You can go on a honeymoon cruise, boat trip to an island near Tonga or even island hopping. If you want to do something on land, there are many tours for nature lovers available in Tonga.

Honeymooning in Tonga is a great chance to honeymoon with your new spouse. The beaches are white and beautiful, and you can have a honeymoon cruise on a luxury yacht.

#2. New Zealand

New Zealand is a country where you can go on a honeymoon and enjoy your time. There are places to stay and things to do. Honeymoons in New Zealand can offer skydiving, kayaking, sailing, or even alpine descents. If that sounds good for you then Queenstown is the place you should go.

New Zealand is a honeymoon paradise if you’re seeking ideal honeymoon activities.

There are lots of things to do, but honeymoon couples may also unwind by basking in the sun and trekking through unspoiled nature.

#3. Vanuatu

Vanuatu honeymoons offer luxury resorts where you can stay on your honeymoon. Honeymoons in Vanuatu can give you a vacation to remember. Honeymoons in Vanuatu allow you to see the rich culture and traditions of this place, while also enjoying activities like swimming or snorkeling.

A honeymoon in Vanuatu is a wonderful place to have a honeymoon. In Vanuatu, you can stay in luxury hotel resorts and enjoy cultural tours. You can also go diving, fishing, or surfing.

#4. Iceland

Iceland honeymoons are some of the best that you can possibly find for people that love the great outdoors. Whether that’s seeking out the glacier-covered countryside to the crystal clear blue hot springs, there is something for any type of adventurer.

This is where people go on an adventure. They might enjoy doing things like snowmobiling or ice climbing. Honeymooners in Iceland might also visit Reykjavik and see the beautiful nature in the area.

Icelandic nature lovers’ honeymoon destinations will allow you to appreciate everything Iceland has to offer. Hiking excursions or boat trips through ice reservoirs are ideal honeymoon activities in Iceland, whether you’re looking for an adventure.

#5. Maldives

You can have a honeymoon in the Maldives. It will be fun because you can go to a resort where there is also lots of nature like walks and snorkeling tours for seeing fish. The water is really clear too.

A honeymoon in the Maldives is a fun and active vacation, but it’s also a relaxing and pampering one. Here is a place where you can bring both hiking books and sandals for the beach.

Resorts in the Maldives are created to make trips romantic and unforgettable.

Honeymoons in the Maldives are a beautiful way to spend time with your spouse. You can stay at resorts with luxury honeymoon activities like scuba diving or snorkeling. These honeymoon destinations will allow you to enjoy nature in its most beautiful form.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for honeymoon destinations for nature lovers–this is the article for you! Our honeymoon destinations will give your honeymoon a unique twist, which you and your honey will never forget. Nature honeymoon vacations are a great way to spend time with the one you love. You get to bond over challenging outdoor activities but also relax in unique terrains that are completely jaw dropping.

Honeymoons are a unique experience, and they may be challenging to plan depending on where you want to visit and stay. It’s also critical that your honeymoon location reflects your own style of travel.

Once you have a venue booked, it’s time to start imagining what you want your ceremony to look like and feel like. The altar that you will get married in front of is central to your ceremony. It is the backdrop for your vows, your ring exchange, and your first kiss. Of course you want it to look perfect! One way to make it look just right is to balance it with the surrounding environment. Not sure how to do that? Here are some ways.

One way to balance your altar with the surrounding area is to play up color combinations. For example, if you’re getting married in a place with pale sand in the foreground and muted blue mountains in the distance, weave flowers or fabric into your alter that match the muted tones. The altar doesn’t need to contain the exact colors of your setting, but it will help if it’s in the same color palette — especially if the ‘form’ of your altar (like the wood and flowers above) don’t match the setting. In the desert wedding scene above, there are no flowers in the scenery, but the altar looks visually pleasing because of the colors.

2. Use Natural Elements

Many boho brides choose to use plenty of natural elements in the decor. The altar is no exception. Even if your altar is man-made, you can decorate it with natural elements like greenery, flowers, vines, shells, or feathers. This will automatically make it appear more balanced with the surroundings.

3. Same Width as Aisle

Create a proportional look by making the altar the same width as your aisle. No, you don’t need to pull out the measuring tape to make it exact, down to the centimeter. You can eyeball it!

4. Look at the Landscape

Once you know where your wedding ceremony is going to take place, as well as the date for your wedding, start planning what you want your altar to look like. Visit the site where you’ll say your vows, and step back to consider the setting as a whole. What colors do you see? What shapes? Squint your eyes to blur your vision, and see what pops out at you. Then, imagine an altar that will fit in with the landscape. In the picture above, the pampas grass compliments the natural grasses and brown and tan branches that form a natural background for the happy couple.

5. Take a Practice Photo

Not sure if your idea for an altar is going to work? Once you have it set up, take a practice photograph to see if it looks good. You know how it’s easier to judge an outfit once you look at a photo of yourself wearing it? The same will be true for your altar. Once you see it in a picture, you can fine-tune it with another vase of flowers here… another tall white candle there.

Your altar is going to be in some of your most precious wedding photos. It’s central to your ceremony, so it’s worth spending time on making it just right! Use the ideas above to help you have an altar that is beautiful and fits in with the setting just right. Have you been day dreaming about a picture-perfect altar? Tell us in the comments section, below!

Wedding music for the ceremony

Pre-ceremony Music

Everybody is looking forward for bride and groom to come. Speaking about music during this time, it must not attract too much attention. So chose something festive, but not very pompous. Some classical wedding music will be appropriate.

Processional Music

That’s one of highly moving moments at each ceremony, so be careful with pieces of music for a processional. Look at the list of the best wedding songs to play during the wedding ceremony.

Recessional Music

At last, you and your sweetheart have been announced the newlyweds. Hence, that the moment for really bright and emotional song. Think about some classical piece of music, or fix on a song, which means a lot to you both. Here are some examples of wedding recessional music.

Wedding reception soundtracks

Lounge Reception Music

This part goes right after the recession, so it would be a great chance to cool down a bit before the upcoming party. The ideal choice for wedding reception music is lounge,pop or light jazz.

“Kiss Is On My List” – Hall & Oates
“Better Together” – Jack Johnson
“Outstanding” – The Gap Band
“Yellow” – Coldplay
“Sweetest Thing” – U2
“Is This Love” – Bob Marley
“L-O-V-E” – Nat King Cole

Newlyweds Entrance Music

Here come bride and groom, so the party is about to begin. For this part, choose something popular and sparky. Avoid blue and depressing music not only at this part but during all the reception.

“Show Me Love” – Robin S.
“I Feel Good (I Got You)” – James Brown
“By Your Side” – Sade

First dance Song

No rules to be here! That’s your moment of glory. If you always wanted to dance boogie-woogie, do it then! If you wish something more peaceful and romantic, and you’ve practiced dancing the waltz, ok then, there are mountains of absolutely amazing classical wedding music for the first dance.

“I Could Write a Book” – Ella Fitzgerald
“My Baby Just Cares for Me” – Nina Simone

Parent dance Music

That will be mother and groom, or father and bride dance. So, it would be better to go for something calm, but touching. Perhaps, it could be a lyrical song from an old movie, which you and your parent both admire.

Bouquet toss Music

According to the tradition, the bride throws her bouquet to all the single ladies at the party. It’s a funny moment, so play girls’ favorite wedding music, something of Beyoncé, for example.

“Crazy in Love” – Beyoncé

Garter toss Music

Sometimes brides toss their garter as well. Despite it’s not so popular these days, if you decided on doing it you can play one song for both bouquet and garter toss.

Party Music

Wedding dance music isn’t something extraordinary and not easy to find. That’s your party, so choose dance music you like best, but consider elderly people preferences, diversify club music with some slow dance or music of 80s-90s.

“Shout” – The Isley Bros
“Hey Ya” – Outkast
“Yeah 3x” – Chris Brown
“Get The Party Started” – Pink
“Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson
“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” – Michael Jackson
“The Twist” – Chubbie Checker
“We Found Love” – Rihanna feat Calvin Harris
“Let’s Dance” – David Bowie

Last Dance Song

When making decision on your last dance song, think of a song or a piece of music, which is not only romantic enough but also will be timeless for you and your future husband. It could be a song of your first dance or a soundtrack from your favorite movie.

“Late in the Evening” – Paul Simon
“After Midnight” – Eric Clapton

List of Absolutely-No Songs for Wedding

Yeah, there are some types of songs we wouldn’t ever recommend for the wedding party.

1. Hard rock.

Come on, AC\DC and etc. is gorgeous, but it’s absolutely not appropriate as a piece of wedding music.

2. Songs with tough lyrics

Do listen to the lyrics. Don’t make yourself feel embarrassed at your own wedding.

3. Emo-music

As we mentioned before, try not to add to your wedding playlist some depressing and tragic song. You should better keep your guests in high spirit.

After all, just be ready to have a lot of fun. Play that wedding music, which makes you feel over the moon. Even if those songs are played to death.

Add some glamour to your outdoor wedding ceremony by creating an aisle of oriental rugs. This chic look works well in a grassy meadow, sandy beach, or woodland clearing. You can ask a few of your closest family and friends if they have oriental rugs that could be used for this fun project, or pick up a few just for this!

I love that the Aspen mountain wedding pictured above even used an animal fur rug in the mix! Practice walking down the aisle in your heels so that you know just what to expect. Do you like this idea? Tell me why in the comments section below!

TIME MANAGEMENT

I would have definitely hired a planner.  I also would have started planning further out in advance so I didn’t forget things I wanted in my wedding. Never wait until the last minute to start planning.  Also definitely write all of your ideas down in one spot so that you do not forget.  My biggest thing was running out of time and forgetting things that I wanted to do. – Brittany 

Most of my wedding was DIY all the way down to the ceremony site and tables for the reception.  I planned my whole wedding from start to finish and I had a day of coordinator to help make sure everything ran smoothly. My advice for the DIY bride is to ask for help when you can, don’t be afraid to let others help you! I know it’s hard to let something you have worked so hard to create go into the hands of someone else parent, friend, bridesmaid, coordinator, but you will usually wind up with too much finishing touches to do for just one person and you definitely don’t want to stress the week of your wedding… so do yourself a favor and spread the tasks around. You will feel less pressure and others will be excited to help you! – Melinda

Don’t bite off more than you can chew and think everything through. Although having the mismatched china was beautiful and everyone loved it, it was a lot of work. It was very time consuming to collect and wash the dishes and coordinate them to each table. And the washing afterwards was the worst. It was worth it, don’t get me wrong, but it took time from other projects I may have wanted to do. But at the end of the day, I married my best friend, so all the shoulda, coulda, wouldas don’t matter anymore. And that’s my other piece of advice: no matter what happens the day of, you’re marrying your best friend, so just go with it. – Alicia

I think the most important thing is to hire good vendors and let them do what they are good at! That way, you don’t have to worry about the details on your wedding day so you can relax and enjoy your own party! Specifically for mountain brides, I’d let the scenic mountains do their thing! I wouldn’t over style or over decorate. – Maddie

There’s no good time to get married. What’s important is to ask for help and to work with the people around you- a wedding planner/coordinator if you can (I wouldn’t have survived without mine), family if they’re interested, friends if you’re lucky, but most importantly, your finance. I was studying for the bar exam (which I took two weeks before we got married), but Rob just kept stepping up and handling everything. Grooms can be great wedding planners! – Camden

Having a day-of coordinator or planner–or at least an MOH who is really organized and assertive–is so important!  By the day of the wedding, I was so preoccupied with getting married and saying my vows (we wrote our own – and didn’t hear each other’s until the ceremony!) that I was not at all helpful with last-minute decisions.  I firmly believe this is how it should be — when you’re getting married, focus on the getting married part, not ensuring that every detail is executed with precision.  I tried to stay in the moment, and now I have great memories of that day and saying my vows to my husband in front of a whole bunch of people who care about us. – Emily 

MEMORIES

This is not exactly related to wedding day planning but still important. Many brides are loving getting their wedding dress preserved after the wedding. There are many great websites that offer affordable preservation. This is what bsquinn1451 from San Diego says about her experience:

I got married in June and decided to have my dress preserved in Sept . So my dress sat dirty in the dress bag for 3 months until I decided to do something with it.

I ordered my kit and I received a box in the mail that was my “kit.” It contained a bag to put my dress and accessories in, stickers to mark the extra dirty spots, like wine or food stains, packing slips, ups pre-paid label, box, and tape to mail it back. It was a nice and sturdy box. I wasn’t worried about mailing it in at a

I followed the easy, clear instructions and ran into one problem, my dress was to poofy to fit in the provided box. After calling the customer service number included in the kit, they informed me that I could use any box I wished as long as I was comfortable mailing it with my dress inside. I dropped the box off at UPS on 9/24. I received an email from them on 10/4 that they had received my dress and that the box also included my veil, the same day my Kit Serial Number showed up as received online here. I received an email on 10/24 that my dress was complete and had been shipped back to me, and received it at home on 10/27.

Upon opening the box, my dress was inside a box, in a second box, inside the outer box. So 3 protective levels. My dress looks wonderful displayed in the box, and they even found a nice way to show my veil in there too. Although I won’t open it to verify all dirt and stains are gone, the orange grease stain at the top of my dress new the center of my bust is now gone.

BUDGET

Planning a wedding is like going to the grocery store hungry – you want to buy and eat everything that you set your eyes on, but since your budget can’t afford it, you gotta be okay with settling with the important necessities. Stay away from the ‘processed foods’, the necessities will make it perfect. In layman’s terms – pick three things that you love for the wedding and hold the rest loosely. – Madeline

Be confident in your ideas.  I had several people question my decisions especially on the wedding party attire but when I saw everything come together I was so glad that I had stuck to my vision. Decide what is most important to you and spend your budget there.  For me photos and food were what I cared about.  I know absolutely nothing about flowers and had no desire to blow our budget on bouquets.  Freddy and I went to Central Market the day before our wedding and picked out flowers together for my bridesmaids and I. – Madison

Look into local vendors that you might not have thought of to see what they can do to help you cut costs and make your day great. Also, make sure that you have a budget to stick to and priorities picked out for more “splurge” spending. We wanted a wonderful day without too much out of pocket cost. We were able to get a lot of decorations by repurposing things we already had or by borrowing odds and ends from family and friends. Check into what others have and be open to other ideas. Additionally, find someone to take the lead and be in charge of making sure things run smoothly on your big day because the bride and groom should not do that or even close family members. You want your family to enjoy and celebrate too! – McKennon

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WEATHER

Remember that people won’t know what was “missing,” don’t stress it – especially on your big day! However it looks is perfect and so enjoy it! You can laugh at any mishaps later, I promise. In regard to mountain weddings, weather can be unpredictable – be ready for anything! Also, have a good photographer – your pictures can be breath taking! It’s worth paying for the memories. – Kallie

Plan your transitions! This was a time of stress for everyone. Delegate who is going to carry what and who is in charge of driving certain cars ext. Trying to figure all of this out in a matter of minutes to stay on schedule is stressful but avoidable if you take the time to plan it out! For mountain brides specifically: Plan for changing weather and have a rain plan set in place that you will be happy with! This is something that I ended up doing only 2 days before the wedding and I wish I would have set it up prior to the big day! – Lyric

I think the best advice was to allow the wedding to be an example of our love and not to worry too much about the details. I’m BIG on details but I think everyone most enjoyed seeing Damon and I happy and having fun. I wish I would have had a better plan for the rain though! We missed out on some of the things we had planned for our cocktail hour and I really hadn’t wanted to acknowledge the possibility of rain, even while it was raining. – Kate

Advice for mountain brides: Don’t buy very expensive shoes, they‘ll get ruined! – Ingrid

Figure out what parts are most important to you and focus more of your time and financial investment in those particular things. Breathe and realize it will be just how it’s supposed to be. Oh, and look at the 10 day weather forecast and if it’s predicting rain on your outdoor wedding, have a good cry, and let it go. That way, when the day comes, you’ll be prepared! – Joanna

YOU DO YOU!

Just chill! Seriously, chill. If you find yourselves getting all worked up, try to remind yourself (and actually listen to yourself) that this is just ONE day of your entire lives. It will be what it is, and that is more than likely going to be amazing. So just give it up to the universe and relax! Also, make sure the music you actually want is what gets played / performed. That’s another biggie. – Allie

Your wedding is about you and your soon-to-be spouse. Don’t stress out over making everyone else happy. Your wedding should be a combination of what each of you wants. NOT all of your guests. You can’t make everyone happy. Also try to have almost everything done before a week before. You’ll need that last week to breathe and relax (and catch up on last minute things you forgot). – Lindsay

Don’t over plan because things always change and you don’t want to be stressed, you want to be able to enjoy each and every moment. Also hiring a day of wedding planner or designating a good friend as the planner could be a good idea. I wish I had one as I was fielding flower and caterer questions while I was also getting ready! Oh, and if you have an outdoor wedding get a microphone so everyone can hear you! People really appreciated that. – Alexis 

I know you hear it over and over again, but the day goes by SO fast. Take a few seconds throughout the night to just pause and be in the moment. Remember how your parents’ faces look, how your flowers smell, how your cake tastes, how much love you feel. Other things? Splurge on your photographer (pictures are way more worth your money than the chocolate fountain),  carry a clutch with emergency items in it or ask your maid of honor to do so, and ask someone to set aside some wrapped up dinner and cake to take home, because it’s so hard to find time to eat. Most of all don’t sweat the small things and enjoy every second! – Hana

Our advice to future brides and grooms is to think through why you are doing each aspect of the wedding. For us, if we were doing something solely based on tradition and it wasn’t particularly meaningful, we tried to think of another way to do it that was more true to who we are (or cut it out altogether). We mixed things up a bit, and many guests told us they appreciated how personal that made the day feel. – Angela and Dave

My advice for future brides is to make sure you stay true to yourself. Weddings nowadays seem have so many high standards for the couple to live up to and with websites like Pinterest you will always feel like you could do more. We know that our wedding was very non-traditional and most people would probably find our decor a little different, but what was important is that our wedding reflected us and that is all that matters. You can only do so much, don’t go crazy trying to please everyone. Remember it is your day! – Jen

Do whatever your heart desires.  People want to get involved and though it is so sweet, it can lead your vision astray.  I wore lace up boots and love that decision! Your wedding day should revolve around you and be as stress free as possible.  It should be one that you think about and immediately smile, so the more positive you can make it (and that means following your heart) the better! – Jessica

GOING WITH THE FLOW

Unless you plan on eloping and you’re browsing the deep corners of the Internet searching through elopement packages. You know very well that you simply cannot plan for everything. As much effort as I put into the details, we had some big issues go asunder (bartender didn’t show up, people ate our pies before we got to cut our own pie, our wedding cake ended up being a cheesecake from Food Lion we bought on our honeymoon, haha!) You can’t plan for it all and you have to be prepared for when things go astray! Just roll with the punches and enjoy the day because at the end of it, if you both showed up, the details really don’t matter! – Hannah

Just enjoy it! I know people say that all the time, but it really is true. Do whatever it takes to stop stressing, keep breathing and enjoy the whole process! We had our moments of tears during the whole planning process, but we tried very hard to stay level headed and make time for ourselves in the months leading up the wedding – time both together and apart! When the day of the wedding came, we just told ourselves that it was what it was – whatever goes wrong, it’ll be fine. And it was! The ovens that we rented kept breaking and dinner was delayed, but we didn’t care – we were having too good of a time! And because we didn’t care, our guests didn’t even notice! So just enjoy the day. If something goes wrong, let someone else handle it. Just focus on yourselves and all of the love surrounding you! – Sera

Just to relax and enjoy every moment of your special day. It all seems stressful but in the end it will work out and if it doesn’t no one will even notice! All of our groomsmen, including the groom, forgot to wear their boutonnieres and we didn’t even notice until a couple days later. – Sarajane

I know that everyone says it but just try and relax and enjoy the day. Remember that this day is about you and the person that you are marrying. As long as you are together that should be the only thing that really matters. Things will happen that will throw a kink in your plans. We had the possibility of bad weather looming all day, dessert showed up later than expected, and a clasp broke on the back of my wedding dress. All of those things caused some stress but I ultimately decided that we were still going to get married and that was all that mattered and the rest would fall into place. – McKennon

Check back soon for Part II in which brides give advice on time management and budget!