Junior Rasmussen
Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, with a multitude of options to consider. From the venue to the decorations, the process can be overwhelming. However, by taking the time to establish a clear wedding aesthetic, you can ensure that your special day truly captures the essence of your relationship. Various tools are available to help you define your dream wedding, from online quizzes to exploring other real-life weddings for inspiration. The key is to find what feels right for you and your partner and to create a day that reflects your unique personalities and love for each other.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Planning | Overloaded with options |
| Wedding planning tools and quizzes | |
| Exploring other weddings | |
| Wedding magazines | |
| Social media | |
| Aesthetic | Depends on the venue and overall vibe |
| Modern aesthetic for a rooftop wedding in New York City | |
| Tropical vibe for a beach wedding in the Bahamas | |
| Season-specific details such as color palette, dress code, flowers, and menu |
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What You'll Learn
Venue: on-site (e.g. hotel) or off-site (e.g. park)
Deciding on a wedding venue is one of the most important aspects of wedding planning. The venue will influence the wedding's aesthetic and overall vibe.
On-site venues, such as hotels, often provide a more traditional and formal setting for a wedding. They typically offer a range of amenities and services that can make the wedding planning process more convenient, such as catering, accommodation, and event spaces. Hotels often have experienced staff who can help with the logistics and coordination of the wedding. They may also offer packages that include decorations, furniture, and entertainment, making the planning process easier.
Off-site venues, such as parks, offer a unique and non-traditional setting for a wedding. Outdoor venues provide a natural backdrop with scenic views, lush greenery, and perhaps a body of water, creating a romantic and ethereal atmosphere. However, off-site venues may require more planning and coordination, as you may need to bring in external vendors for catering, furniture, and decorations. You may also need to consider factors such as permits, parking, and accessibility.
When choosing between an on-site or off-site venue, consider your personal preferences, the overall vision for your wedding, and the level of convenience and flexibility you desire. If you prefer a more traditional and elegant wedding with many amenities, an on-site venue like a hotel may be ideal. However, if you envision a unique and whimsical wedding in a natural setting, an off-site venue like a park could be more suitable.
To make the decision-making process easier, you can take wedding style quizzes and seek inspiration from real weddings featured in magazines or on websites. These resources can help you narrow down your options and determine the wedding venue that best suits your personality and idea of a good time.
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Food and drink: cake, catering, and cocktails
When it comes to food and drink, there are a few key things to consider: the type of food and drink you want to serve, the timing of food service, and the overall flow of the evening.
Type of Food and Drink
There are endless options when it comes to wedding food and drink, from elegant comfort food to interactive food stations and everything in between. Consider incorporating food that reflects your relationship, such as a dish from your first date or your favourite cuisine. If you have dietary restrictions, such as veganism or vegetarianism, you can choose to reflect that in the menu, but there is no obligation to serve meat unless you want to. You can also add a creative twist with signature cocktails or a unique cake.
Timing of Food Service
The timing of food service is crucial to the overall flow of your wedding. If there is a long gap between the ceremony and dinner, organise some canapes or appetizers to tide your guests over. If you're having an early dinner, consider providing a late-night snack, such as pizza, sliders, tacos, or grilled sandwiches, to keep your guests energised for dancing.
Overall Flow
When deciding on the food and drink service style, consider the layout and floor plan of your venue. Food stations and buffets offer guests a variety of choices but require more space and staff. A seated dinner may be more suitable for a more intimate setting. If you're concerned about costs, a cocktail-style reception or food trucks can be a cost-effective alternative to a full dinner, but keep in mind that this may not accommodate older guests.
Budgeting and Etiquette
Finally, consider your budget and any cultural or personal expectations around food and drink. While it is customary for the couple to cover all costs, including drinks, an open bar can be expensive. If you opt for a cash bar, it is polite to advise your guests beforehand so they can plan accordingly.
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Guests: who to invite and how many
Deciding on the number of guests and who to invite to your wedding can be a challenging task. Here are some factors to consider when making these decisions:
Guest List Size
The size of your guest list will depend on various factors, including your budget, venue capacity, and your personal preferences. Consider whether you prefer an intimate gathering or a grand celebration. Keep in mind that a larger guest list may increase costs significantly and limit your venue options. It's essential to have a clear idea of your budget and the capacity of your chosen venue to help guide your guest list decisions.
Family and Close Friends
Typically, the closest family members and friends of the couple are given priority on the guest list. This includes parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends. If you have a large extended family or a wide circle of close friends, you may need to be more selective or consider having a larger wedding to accommodate everyone.
Plus Ones and Children
Deciding whether to allow plus ones and children at your wedding is an important consideration. If you have single friends or family members, you may want to offer them the option of bringing a guest to make them feel more comfortable. However, this will increase your guest count, and you should be prepared for guests you may not know very well. Regarding children, you can choose to have an adults-only wedding or include them in the festivities. If you opt for the latter, consider providing entertainment or activities to keep them engaged during the event.
Work Colleagues and Acquaintances
Including work colleagues and acquaintances in your guest list is a personal choice. If you have a large social circle or professional network, you may need to set clear boundaries to manage the guest list size. Consider the nature of your relationships and whether these individuals are meaningfully connected to you and your partner.
Creating the Guest List
Start by creating a preliminary guest list, including everyone you can think of who you might want to invite. Then, review the list and prioritize those who are essential to you. Consider the capacity of your venue and your budget constraints to refine the list further. It's a good idea to have a few extra names on a "maybe" list in case you receive declines and need to fill those spots.
Remember, your wedding is a celebration of your love, and the guest list should ultimately reflect the people you and your partner want to share this special day with. Be mindful of family dynamics and personal preferences, and don't be afraid to set boundaries to create a guest list that aligns with your vision.
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Budget: how much to spend and where
Planning a wedding can be stressful, but it's important to remember that the financial aspect is just one part of the process. The key to budgeting for a wedding is to be realistic, plan ahead, and communicate with all parties involved in funding the wedding.
The average cost of a wedding varies depending on the source and year. One source states that the average cost of a wedding in the United States in 2024 is $33,000, while another source cites that the average cost of a wedding in 2023 was $35,000. The cost of a wedding can also vary depending on location, with weddings in larger cities or states like New York, California, and Rhode Island tending to be more expensive.
When creating a wedding budget, it's important to consider various expenses, including the venue, catering, event rentals, photography, videography, floral design, decor, wedding rings, entertainment, and taxes and tips. The majority of the budget should be allocated to the must-haves, such as the venue, catering, and event rentals.
Photography and videography are also significant expenses, with couples typically spending about 10% of their budget on capturing their special day. Floral design and decor, including flowers, lighting, and rental furniture, make up about 9% of the budget on average. Wedding rings are another important consideration, with couples allocating around 5% of their budget to wedding bands.
It's also important to consider hidden costs, such as beauty treatments, bachelorette parties, vendor meals, overtime costs, and planning trips for destination weddings. Taxes and tips are often forgotten expenses, and it's important to pay attention to gratuities and be prepared to tip vendors accordingly.
To create a wedding budget, start by assessing your financial situation and determining how much you can afford to spend. Discuss with your partner and families who will be contributing and how much they can chip in. Compare your budget with the typical wedding costs in your desired location to get an idea of what to expect. Allocate percentages or specific amounts to each expense category, considering your priorities and what is most important to you.
Online resources and budgeting apps can be helpful in allocating costs and tracking expenses. It's also essential to prioritize and decide where you can save money and where you may want to splurge, such as on a live band or DJ for a packed dance floor.
Remember, each couple is unique, and their expenses will vary. The key is to plan ahead, be realistic, and communicate openly about financial contributions to create your dream wedding within your budget.
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Theme: colour schemes, decorations, and outfits
When it comes to your wedding, the colour scheme is a very important aspect that will help create a cohesive aesthetic for your big day. It is one of the first tasks in wedding planning and can be a fun process. Your wedding colours will be the anchor for your decorations, attire, and other aesthetic choices.
Choosing your colour palette
Your wedding colour palette can be inspired by your personal preferences, the season, and the location of your wedding. You can choose anywhere from two to five designated wedding colours, with two primary or hero colours, one to two secondary colours, and one to two accent colours. It is important to keep your colour options open until you find a venue, as you want your colours to complement the existing decor and atmosphere of the venue. For example, a beach wedding might feature shades of blue or green, while a rustic-inspired wedding usually includes earth tones with pops of brighter colours.
Popular colour combinations
There are endless combinations of colours to choose from, and you can also include different shades of the same colour for a tonal effect. Some popular colour combinations include:
- Mauve, gold, and ecru: This palette is a creative take on the classic blush-centric wedding, perfect for a summer farm or fall orchard celebration.
- Pink and navy: This vibrant and crisp combination is ideal for a ballroom or estate wedding.
- Emerald, coral, and lemon yellow: This bold palette works well for an outdoor wedding.
- Nature-inspired colours: A combination of peach, green, and sky blue can work across multiple wedding styles.
- Red and blue: This unexpected pairing is romantic and can be applied to both summer and winter weddings.
- Ivory and teal: This couple chose complementary natural colours like pastel yellow, pastel pink, brown, gold, and lime green for their fall wedding.
Decorations and outfits
Once you have chosen your colour palette, you can start thinking about how to incorporate it into your decorations, attire, and other aesthetic choices. Your wedding invitations, floral arrangements, linens, cake design, and outfits for the bridal party can all feature your chosen colours. Don't be afraid to use unexpected textures and materials to build out your colour palette, such as terracotta pots or satin tablecloths.
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Frequently asked questions
A wedding aesthetic quiz is a great way to narrow down the noise of online inspiration. Your wedding venue and locale will also inform your wedding style. For example, a rooftop wedding in New York City suits a modern aesthetic, while a beach wedding in the Bahamas lends itself to a tropical vibe.
The Knot Style Quiz is a popular wedding aesthetic quiz that takes just a few minutes to complete. You can also try the BuzzFeed Wedding Quiz.
Exploring other weddings is a great way to find inspiration for your own. Start by looking at real weddings and noticing the decorations, venue, and guest involvement. Brainstorm a list of your favourite things to throw a wedding that represents your personal preferences.
Your wedding aesthetic will likely take shape throughout the wedding planning process. However, you'll probably start thinking about your overall vision when you begin searching for a wedding venue.
