Top 25 Wedding Do’s and Don’ts

When you’re planning your wedding, gone are the days of having to follow a strict checklist of what you all must and must not include in your wedding. Weddings are made to show off you as a couple and what you love most. Include your personalities and feel free to go a little off the cuff of the norm.

But, with all that being said, there are still a handful of wedding do’s and don’ts that are good to follow and have as a guideline when planning your wedding. Take a look…

Wedding Do’s and Don’ts

1. DO: Take advantage of internet technology. There are many sites dedicated to wedding planning that offer a wealth of information and your fingertips. Coordinate with vendors, , make and confirm reservations, create a Pinterest account to save your favorite images and ideas. Visit PremierBrideMKE.com for trusted local vendors.

2. DO: Create a separate email address and use it for everything you sign up for during the planning process. You’ll enjoy getting special offers and information but can delete the address after your wedding date.

3. DON’T: Forget to pamper yourself. Treat your mom and maids the day before the wedding with an afternoon at the spa. You’ll have the time of your life enjoying facials, massages, manicures and pedicures. It will make you feel more relaxed and beautiful.

4. DO: Remember when purchasing a gown to be realistic about your expectations for body image. Size is just a number and you will look beautiful on your wedding day!

5. DO: Remember your guest with small children. Ask your reception site manager if there is a small room or play area  near the festivities that you can rent. Hire a professional babysitting service to take care of the kids. Parents will appreciate your consideration and be able to relax and enjoy your reception knowing they are close to their children.

6. DO: Contact the location where you will perform your ceremony and ask about any rules or guidelines regarding music.

7. DON’T: Forget to involve stepparents in your ceremony in some way; perhaps a reading during your ceremony or an invocation before dinner.

8. DO: Consider table visits during your reception. It is a grand display of appreciation and respect when you and your spouse spend a few moments visiting their guests at each table.

9. DON’T: Seat older guests near the band or the speakers as it may be hard for them to hear anything else.

10. DO: Consider renting unique chairs such as Chiavari, acrylic, colored or rustic style chairs. You’ll transform an ordinary room or site and completely change the look of your reception.

11. DON’T: Forget to discuss black and white images with your photographer. This classic style is dramatic and remains popular and timeless.

12. DON’T: Forget to book your hair and makeup trails to go over your day of look.

13. DO: Consider having your entire wedding at a full-service venue. The convenience of having the ceremony, reception and guest lodging in one place is incomparable, especially for when having a lot of out of town guests.

14. DON’T: To get your skin in shape for your wedding day, don’t forget to star one year to six months prior to your wedding.

15. DO: When renting transportation, remember that the maximum capacity of the vehicle will be lower when the bride’s gown and bridesmaids dresses are factored into the equation.

16. DON’T: Forget that the best way to let people know where you are registered is to have family and friends spread the word. Although it’s impolite to mention the registry on wedding invitations, a hostess may do so on shower invitations.

17. DO: Remember to return rental items on time and undamaged.

18. DO: Select the ceremony and reception locations as soon as possible. 9 to 12 months is ideal, especially when looking at popular wedding months.

19. DO: Make finding the right caterer and baker a priority. Great food is critical to the wedding celebration, interviews and tastings are a must.

20. DON’T: Waste time getting to your reception. Have photos of the wedding party taken before the ceremony.

21. DO: Reserve your photographer 9 to 12 months before your wedding. Decide which shots you definitely want and which ones you can live without.

22. DON’T: Forget to send an invitation to your officiant and all of your wedding party.

23. DO: Pick up your invitations envelopes as soon as possible so that you can begin addressing them.

24. DO: Consider having two bouquets if you are doing the classic tradition of a bouquet toss. Once to toss and one to keep.

25. DO: Check with your ceremony venue about their policies, especially regarding alcohol.

To see more wedding planning tips and tricks, featured wedding and local wedding vendors to Wisconsin and Milwaukee; be sure to follow www.premierbridemke.com and @premierbridemilwaukee.