after marriage plannig
1. Don't plan to leave on your honeymoon immediately. The wedding and reception may cause extreme exhaustion. It's a big day. The honeymoon is very special so give yourself a couple of days to rest. Open gifts, sleep late, rest and just be together. When you are fully rested, go for it! Don't worry about not being able to take a big fancy honeymoon. You have the rest of your lives to make money and take big, wonderful, fabulous vacations. But you only get "one" wedding. Do it well and be happy. To search for books about "honeymoons.
2. Make it easy on your long-distance guests. Make deals with local hotels or motels. Ask for a special group rate and be sure to communicate it to your relatives and friends.
3. Remember, this is "your" wedding, not your mother's or your future mother-in-law's wedding. Use tact. Plenty of it. If you must, give in a little - on both sides of the family - however if it's something that you absolutely do not want to be a part of the wedding, take a time-out to think about how you can tactfully say no. Possibly the only exception might be if there are differences in religion, background or culture. Celebrate each side's uniqueness and emphasize the things they have in common.
4. Generally speaking, we do not recommend bachelor or bachelorette parties. Many feel that such a party gives them license to have one last fling or do things they know their future spouse would never approve of. If you must, please remember that soon you will be wed. Agree not to do anything that you would not feel comfortable in telling your partner.
5. How can you request that parents leave their children at home? When an invitation does not include "and family" or specify children by name, guests should never assume it is all right to bring their children to the wedding. Since many guests are unaware of this, you may choose to have printed on your invitations a line that states:
6. Create a very special CD with all the songs that are special to you and your partner or that are played at the reception and present it your your guests. Purchase vinyl CD sleeves and make your own covers. Include pictures of you and your partner with your names and date and place of the wedding. On the inside, include a list of the songs and on the back write a brief "thank you" note or poem.
7. After the newlyweds have had their first dance at the reception, have the DJ play some appropriate music while the bride and groom head a conga line in which they go around the room and "pick up" all of their guests. The "hokie-pokie" might work too. This is a great way to break the ice and get everyone onto the dance floor!
8. On a super-tight budget? If you require a tent for an outdoor wedding, ask a local car dealership to rent one of their tents instead of paying lots of money from someone that specializes in tent rental. They will often donate it for the day if you agreed to mention the dealership in your programs.
9. Be prepared for a "quick fix." Bring needles, mini scissors & thread in the color of your dress and your bridesmaid's dresses. Also bring extra lipstick, pins, safety pins, sewing kits, dental floss, clear nail polish, Band-Aids, Advil, Kleenex, hair spray, smelling salt, comb & brush, deodorant, perfume, Visine, barrettes & bobby pins, bottled water, crazy glue, toothpicks and anything else you think you might need. A drinking straw for the bride will keep her from messing up her lipstick and chalk to mark out any flaws on her wedding gown are nice extras. Also remember to bring an extra copy of contacts and phone numbers of all wedding day vendors.
10. Planning on leaving the country for a very special wedding. How about your family and friends? When you return, plan a second ceremony so they can experience your wedding vows.
