11 tips on how to plan your wedding day correctly

Every bride is very worried about how the most important day of her life will go. It seems that it is simply impossible to solve hundreds of wedding preparation issues. However, you will cope with everything much easier if you make your own wedding plan. You can make such a plan a year in advance: this time is quite enough to organize the wedding of your dreams.

On the portal for brides svadebka.ws you will find detailed information on how to create a wedding preparation plan, broken down point by point. Alternatively, you can create a wedding plan by month, indicating what tasks you need to complete six, three and one month before the wedding. Today we will look at another way to create a plan for important stages.

Traditions before the wedding

Wedding traditions among different nations have their differences caused by the peculiarities of culture, beliefs, and way of life. But there are also common features. Even in our time, many families celebrate weddings according to the ancient customs of their people, trying to observe as accurately as possible the rituals that have come down from time immemorial.

However, life does not stand still. Many traditions lose their original meaning and become a thing of the past. Modern newlyweds perceive weddings differently than their grandparents. For them, this is a deeply personal holiday, filled with hints, gestures and meaning that are understandable only to two lovers. Mutual feelings come first, and the interests of families remain behind the scenes. But even fifty years ago, many young people got married under pressure from their parents and other relatives!

That is why most of the previously accepted rites and rituals have completely lost their meaning and now look funny and absurd. However, abandoning outdated traditions does not mean at all that the wedding has turned into another boring feast. Quite the opposite! Information technologies available to everyone have allowed newlyweds to collect touching, beautiful rituals and traditions from all over the world, invent something of their own, unusual, creating their own unique wedding scenario. The holiday turns out to be truly original, spectacular and very individual, which is almost impossible to achieve by following ancient customs.

Wedding outfit

At different times and among different peoples, the color and style of wedding dresses were strikingly different. Until now, in China, for example, brides traditionally wear a bright red dress embroidered with gold. Once upon a time in Rus', the color red symbolized the beauty of the bride; it is not for nothing that in fairy tales the maidens are all, as if by choice, “red.” But with the advent of Christianity, traditions changed. Initially, white chlamys were worn by girls going to the monastery; they were called “Christ’s brides.” Then the white color of the wedding dress came into worldly life, becoming a symbol of purity and innocence.

Until the revolution, traditions ordered the maiden bride to wear a white dress at her wedding. Even now, most girls cannot imagine getting married without a magnificent white dress, although the original meaning of the ceremony has long been no longer observed. However, the dress can be anything. Modern wedding fashion gives complete freedom in choosing the shade for your outfit. He can be:

creamy and golden;
red and blue;
burgundy and pink;
green, turquoise and even black.

It is permissible to combine different colors, decorating a white or cream dress with contrasting embroidery, a belt, or lace. Or use a smooth transition of shades of the same color from saturated to lighter ones.

Well, an outfit already worn by someone causes subconscious rejection. An old superstition has taken root too deeply in us, saying that by wearing someone else’s wedding dress, the bride thereby “takes over” the unfortunate fate of her predecessor. Whether this is true or not, science cannot explain. But it is rare that a bride wears someone else’s clothes to her wedding, unless she is absolutely sure that the woman’s marriage turned out to be happy.

Ancient traditions prohibit women who have been married from wearing a white dress. This custom has survived to this day: older ladies prefer all shades of blue or champagne.

Wedding agency services

Before you seek the help of a wedding agency, you need to understand how such preparations for a wedding take place and what is needed for this. First, you should determine the financial side: find out the exact amount you expect to spend, count the number of guests, then think through an approximate wedding scenario. When this information is ready, you can safely call representatives of the organization who will help you prepare for the wedding.

Agency assistance will not necessarily cost much more - often representatives of such companies negotiate special conditions with some establishments, wedding hosts, photographers, and musicians. The agency provides the performers with clients, who reduce the price. However, if you need exclusive services for your wedding, you will have to pay more for them. For example, wedding firms can organize the submission of an application to the registry office of your choice, which will allow you not to wait in line.

The agency will be an excellent solution for busy couples who cannot devote full time to organizing their upcoming wedding. The company will help you prepare for the celebration, and the rich experience of its representatives will not let you forget about any important detail.

Preparing for a wedding is a serious process that requires careful attention to detail. The heroes of the occasion should remember thousands of things to ensure that the wedding goes perfectly. However, all these difficulties are exactly what makes the day of celebration perfect, and after that leaves an unforgettable impression on the guests of the celebration.

What does the veil symbolize?

Today's light, almost weightless, veil is a modified veil that was used to cover brides from head to toe. In Ancient Rome and Greece, people covered themselves completely in a veil, with the exception of the face. According to historians, it was bright yellow and was intended to scare away evil spirits. Some believe that such an inconvenient addition to the festive outfit served as a serious obstacle to the girl’s escape from the aisle.

Russian traditions at a wedding required that girls in a wedding dress be wrapped in heavy, opaque pieces of fabric with elegant embroidery. This procedure symbolized the death of the bride for her family, and the ritual of removing the veil in the groom’s house revived her for a new family.

In the East, a veil was not placed on the bride's head. A weightless, translucent piece of silk was kept between the young couple so that they could not touch each other until the moment of privacy in the bedroom.

Modern wedding customs are quite democratic. If fifty years ago a girl did not dare to wear a veil to a wedding, if she was not innocent, then today everything depends only on the tastes and preferences of the bride. You can decorate your outfit with a luxurious, long veil, a lace cape-mantilla in the Spanish style, or limit yourself to a modest veil attached to a flirty hat or headpiece. Or you can do without this attribute of an old wedding altogether. Often, instead of a veil, brides prefer to decorate their hair with a magnificent tiara, a wreath of fresh flowers, a hair net, beads and chains, and jewelry.

Step-by-step planning is the key to success

We have divided wedding preparation into 5 main stages:

3 months before the wedding
2 months before the wedding
1 month before the wedding
3 weeks before the wedding
2 weeks before the wedding

Each stage contains several points that must be performed sequentially, in the sequence in which they are indicated. Step-by-step planning will help you calmly prepare for the wedding and avoid unnecessary fuss and haste. You will always know: what has already been done and what still remains to be done, what still needs to be bought, with whom you need to negotiate.

Hosting a bachelorette party

This tradition is many centuries old. The custom prescribed to “see off” the bride with crying and sad, drawn-out songs. The bridesmaids got together on the eve of the wedding, visited the bathhouse together, and helped the bride comb and braid her hair. At the same time, she was enlightened about her new, married life and her responsibilities.

The bachelor party, which today is usually held at the same time as the bachelorette party, appeared relatively recently. Apparently, the grooms and their friends became jealous, and they decided to organize get-togethers in their own circle.

Parental blessing

Blessing the newlyweds for family life is one of the most important stages of an ancient wedding. In the old days, it was unthinkable to get married without the approval of older relatives. It was believed that without parental approval, young people would not see happiness and prosperity in family life. The blessing was given by the parents of the young, or their godparents, and in case of their absence or death, by the most respected senior relatives and guardians. The ritual is divided into two stages.

First blessing

The newlyweds receive it from the bride's parents on the morning of the wedding day. That is, immediately before visiting the registry office or the sacrament of wedding in the church. In the old days, this ritual was performed long before the wedding, on the day when the groom’s matchmakers received the consent of the bride’s parents for the marriage. But today the tradition of matchmaking is practically no longer used. How does the ritual work?

The young people ask for a blessing from the bride's parents after the groom has paid the ransom for his beloved, passed all the tests that the relatives and bridesmaids could think of, and handed her a bouquet.
During the entire ceremony, the girl is forbidden to cross the threshold of the house or go outside. It is believed that beyond the threshold the bride no longer belongs to her family, she begins a new life.
They bless in different ways. An ancient custom prescribes spreading out an embroidered towel, on which the young people kneel. And the parents are holding in their hands an old, prayed-up icon, with which they baptize the newlyweds, saying kind parting words.
Today you can get by with just good wishes and mutual hugs: parental approval is very important for children, even if they are already quite adults.

By blessing, the parents fully accept their daughter’s chosen one into their family and approve of her choice.

Second blessing

It is given to the young family by the groom's parents. According to established traditions, newlyweds must acquire the official status of a new family by going through the marriage procedure at the registry office, or by getting married in a temple (depending on national and family traditions). Previously, the ritual was performed on the threshold of the groom's house, where he brought his young wife. The action itself almost completely copied the morning blessing, except that the parents chose their own words. Today it is permissible to hold a ceremony at the site of the festive feast - in front of the entrance to a banquet hall, bar or cafe, in a forest clearing or on the shore of the sea, lake, or on board a ship.

Newlyweds who do not want to follow the old canons can include blessing ceremonies in the banquet script. Under the guise of one of the first toasts, parents will talk about the wonderful qualities of their children entering a new life, wishing love and harmony in family relationships, prosperity and prosperity. You can arrange the blessing in poetic form or even put on a small performance, showing children's photos and videos, the story of the newlyweds' acquaintance and love.

Where should you start organizing a wedding?

When planning a wedding on your own, it is better to immediately draw up a clear plan and take into account all current expenses. Collect stories you find online where newlyweds planned their wedding on their own

Study their experience, paying attention to successful decisions and miscalculations. Take note of every little detail that will come in handy later. For example, buy wedding rings in the late afternoon

Why? Because fingers swell by the end of the day, and rings bought in the morning may later turn out to be small

For example, buy wedding rings in the late afternoon. Why? Because fingers swell by the end of the day, and rings bought in the morning may later turn out to be small.

Consult your parents, they know exactly how to organize a cheap wedding, because in the old days all newlyweds organized the holidays on their own. Create your wedding story together. Only in a close-knit team can the wildest ideas and fantasies come true. Feel like one unit in a team called “bride and groom”, and then you will have a memorable wedding!

Budget calculation

Newlyweds who want to organize a wedding on their own are first concerned with the question of how much the event will cost. We advise you to create a wedding cost calculator in advance, which will allow you not to forget about the little things and show exactly where the amounts went. The most important expense item is the bride's wedding dress. A more expensive option is to buy it at a salon. A custom-made dress will cost a little less, and the bride will receive a completely exclusive option. The following are the costs for:

wedding rings;
the bride's bouquet;
ordering a wedding cortege:
car decoration;
decoration of the banquet hall;
organization of a wedding banquet;
services of toastmaster, musicians, photographer;
shoes, accessories, makeup, hairstyle;
other wedding attributes.

You should always add 20% of the amount budgeted for your wedding to your expenses. As practice shows, additional expenses arise during the wedding celebration for all couples. For example, the bride will want to release doves into the sky or ride in a luxurious carriage with footmen in livery through a city park. Even organizing a holiday on your own will not be cheap, but a wedding is a unique event that does not happen every day and not to everyone, so it is worth any financial outlay.

Selecting a date and submitting an application to the registry office

To submit an application to the registry office, you need to come to the Wedding Palace at the place of registration of the bride or groom. It is better to arrive among the first to avoid wasting time in line and choose the best date and appropriate registration time. The application will be valid one month before the appointed day, and then two months after it, if the newlyweds for some reason were unable to appear on the appointed date. Before going to the registry office, take the minimum list of necessary things:

valid passports;
pens for quickly filling out the application;
money for state fees;
great mood.

Making a guest list

One of the first to be compiled is a list of invitees, because during the time of independent preparation for the wedding, the plans of the intended guests may change several times. Usually the list is divided equally: relatives and friends from the bride and groom’s side. To do this, you need to choose a time, take a piece of paper, a pen and together write down those relatives and friends whom you want to see on the main holiday of your life.

After determining the final line-up of guests, send wedding invitations to the selected people. This event is organized at least 2-3 months before the celebration. When inviting a married couple, use two invitations, in which the names of each spouse will be written separately. To feel comfortable on your wedding day, invite only those people you really want to see at the reception, and not those you “should” invite.

The tradition of bride price

A significant percentage of newlyweds willingly include such an interesting and exciting game as bride ransom into the wedding scenario. They come up with complex competitions and puzzles, various fun challenges, and comic competitions. The groom must cope with all the tasks, or pay off the picky judges with money, sweets, and small souvenirs. Today, ransom is perceived as another wonderful opportunity to have fun at a wedding and make it truly unforgettable.

But the origins of this custom are not at all funny. In ancient times, there was a kind of property qualification for starting a family: only fairly wealthy young people could get married. A man had to provide his family with housing and livelihood. The ransom paid for the bride confirmed that the chosen one was rich enough to get married and raise children. Moreover, in the countries of the East, the bride price paid by the groom to the bride became her personal property, to which only the spouse had the right. In case of divorce, the bride price also remained with the woman. The Slavic peoples also had a tradition of ransom-veno, when the groom, before the wedding, ensured the future of his wife in the event of his death, transferring part of his property to her.

List for the groom

Wedding suit.
Shirt, including one in reserve.
Underwear and socks.
Accessories (belt, tie and tie clip, cufflinks, watch, boutonniere).
Shoes.
Comb.
Handkerchief.
Shoe brush or sponge.
Cologne.
A mobile phone with all the necessary numbers, a phone with a replenished balance and a charged battery.

If the newlyweds plan to spend their first wedding night away from home, the groom should also take care of things for the morning.

Although the bride’s bouquet is chosen together, the groom must bring it. Therefore, when going to pick up the bride, you must remember to stop by the salon to pick up a bouquet ordered in advance.

Common traditions during a wedding

Wedding traditions in Russia are already established; all the rituals listed below are usually performed.

Wedding rings

Wedding rings symbolize fidelity, mutual love, and devotion to one partner for life. Traditionally, purchasing wedding rings is the responsibility of the groom. The bride should not even see them before the wedding. In addition, signs strictly prohibit trying them on before the wedding, much less giving them into the hands of strangers. Even a jeweler should not touch rings with bare hands when selling - only with gloves or through a cloth.

According to Christian custom, rings should be in the form of simple, smooth hoops, without stones or patterns. There is even a sign that the mirror surface of wedding rings contributes to a smooth, comfortable family life. However, today the long-standing tradition is not carried out so strictly, and you can buy rings decorated with engravings, with precious stones, and exquisite three-dimensional patterns. It is believed that wedding rings cannot be removed until the death of the spouse, and their loss or breakage threatens big problems in family life.

Meeting the newlyweds after the registry office

Before entering, the guests showered the young couple with rice and sweets so that their family life would be well-fed and comfortable. At the doorstep, the newlyweds are met by their groom's parents with a wedding loaf and salt. Icons are also used to bless the newlyweds.

The blessing of parents plays a very important role in the wedding ceremony. Many newlyweds attach great importance to it - parental love will protect and protect their peace throughout their lives. According to tradition, the newlyweds take a bite of the wedding loaf, and whoever manages to bite off the largest piece will become the head of the family.

KNOWLEDGE BASE: Wedding questions for the groom

Rituals for wealth and fertility

Everyone knows the custom of showering the young with grain. In Slavic culture, and in most countries of the world, grain is associated with fertility and prosperity. Consequently, by showering the newlyweds with grains after the wedding ceremony, they were wished many years of trouble-free family life, many children, and prosperity in the house.

Nowadays, this spectacular ceremony is held at the exit from the registry office, immediately after the official registration of the marriage, or on the steps of the restaurant, in the presence of all invited guests. If the wedding is held outdoors, the newlyweds walk between two rows of guests to the wedding arch.

What can you shower the newlyweds with?

First of all, these are, of course, various types of grain, symbolizing numerous, healthy offspring. If you can’t find whole grains, cereals will do: wheat, oats, buckwheat, rice, millet.
Small candies in bright candy wrappers promise newlyweds a sweet family life.
Coins are a symbol of prosperity, financial wealth in the house.
Flower petals (as a rule, these are roses of various colors, from burgundy-red to snow-white, but you can choose any other suitable flowers), multi-colored confetti indicate that the family life of the young should be filled with love, romance, strong emotions and impressions, respect for each other.

To make the ceremony look festive, the material for showering is distributed to guests in beautiful wicker baskets, decorated with ribbons, flower buds, appliqué, or in paper bags, decorated in full accordance with the theme of the wedding.

It is considered a favorable sign if, after the wedding, the newlyweds are greeted by as many people as possible, always with the presence of small children. When the wedding cortege leaves, the children race to collect the scattered coins and candies. For children this is a fun game, and for newlyweds it is a bright wish for the speedy birth of their first child.

What to do six months before the wedding

Six months is precisely the period that contributes to the beginning of active actions that bring the wedding day closer. Let's look at what needs to be done first:

First, clearly decide on the date of the celebration. Try to take into account vacation times, birthdays, departures and other moments that should not coincide with the ceremony. If you are planning to get married, then you need to find out in advance from the church on what days the sacrament can be celebrated. A special calendar is sold, which indicates forbidden and permitted days.
Make a guest list. At this stage, it can still be approximate, but still strive for more accurate figures.
Think about where you will celebrate the event. Visit different restaurants, make comparisons, or check out other beautiful places that can become a place for special celebrations. If you decide on something, agree on a lease.
Decide right away who will organize the wedding: you or the wedding agency. If you prefer the second option, then it is better to discuss this topic with professionals now. They will listen to your preferences and offer their own options, if necessary.
Calculate your estimated budget. Of course, it’s too early to talk about exact numbers, but once you know the approximate prices for goods and services, you can outline your future budget. Write amounts with a small margin - it is better to have your finances in full than to later realize that you did not have enough funds for something. But there is always somewhere to spend the remaining money.
Think about what exactly you want to see at your wedding. Perhaps you like a traditional version of the celebration, or maybe you want to arrange a themed ceremony. This is a very important point, since the further plan for the development of events comes from it.
Consider candidates suitable for the role of toastmaster now. As a rule, wedding hosts have orders for several months in advance, so find the right person in advance who can be entrusted with such an important task.
The preparatory stage includes choosing a place for your honeymoon. In 6 months, this issue already needs to be resolved: book hotel rooms, order tickets for a certain date, etc.
You can already buy wedding rings.
As for choosing a dress for the bride and the groom’s outfit, time also allows you to visit salons and choose what you like. Perhaps the dress will be made to order, in which case the process needs to start now.

Wedding loaf

The loaf, which was always baked for a wedding in Rus', promised the young couple a prosperous home full of prosperity. Its round shape and golden color symbolized the sun, giving light and warmth, joy in life. The wedding cake was richly decorated with figures made from dough, depicting ripe ears of corn, the sun, pairs of doves or swans, bunches of rowan berries, flowers and leaves - everything that reflects mutual love and family well-being in people's minds.

The loaf was carried out on a clean towel embroidered by the bride herself, meeting the newlyweds on the threshold of the groom's house. It always came with a cup of salt. The young people broke off pieces of bread, dipped them in salt and ate them. The meaning of this ritual is quite simple - they left behind all their sorrows and salty tears, entering a new, happy life. And the size of the broken piece indicated what gender the first-born would be: a girl or a boy. The towel was carefully kept in the young family, as part of the bride's dowry.

Later, another sign appeared related to the size of the pieces: whoever has the larger size will be the leader in the new family.

Ransom list

First you need to decorate the car. To do this, you will need the following things (read more about how to decorate a car here):

boutonnieres for door handles;
wedding rooms;
ribbons;
wedding rings, doll, artificial flowers, etc.

If the purchase is themed, then you should decorate the entrance and apartment. Usually prepared for this:

postcards;
Balloons;
posters.

The groom and witness prepare for the ransom:

money or souvenir bills;
chocolate and candies;
champagne or other alcohol.

Throwing the bride's bouquet

In the old days, only the groom was responsible for making a bouquet for his chosen one. After all, these flowers symbolized the strength of his feelings. He could get the rarest, most unusual flower for his beloved, from the tops of the mountains or from the depths of the forest, pick a bouquet of field daisies and cornflowers, or ask/buy luxurious garden flowers. Today this custom is practically not used: the bride chooses a bouquet to match her dress. And, as you know, the groom is strictly forbidden to see his wedding attire until the “X” day.

The most enduring, romantic traditions of Russian weddings are associated with the bouquet and boutonniere:

the final part of the “bride price”, when, having gone through fire and water, heroically overcoming the obstacles that stand in the way, the groom finally gets to the coveted reward in the person of his chosen one. It is then that he gives her a luxurious wedding bouquet. If a girl accepts the gift, it means she agrees to get married;
Previously, the beloved would take a flower from the bouquet given to her and give it to the groom as a sign of her favor. The happy chosen one pinned the plant to his suit, demonstrating to the whole world that the bride was going down the aisle of her own free will. Today, it is not customary to violate a perfectly calibrated composition compiled by the best florists. Therefore, the boutonniere is ordered along with the wedding bouquet in advance. But, if you wish, you can observe this beautiful, touching custom;
Throwing the bride's bouquet into a flock of unmarried bridesmaids is another sacredly observed custom. Rarely is a wedding complete without funny attempts by girls to race to catch thrown flowers. With this gesture, the bride shares her good fortune with her unmarried friends. It is believed that the smartest and fastest lucky woman will get married before the end of the year, and the marriage will be favorable.

At modern weddings, the bride's garter is often thrown along with the bouquet. This custom came to us from Medieval Europe. The groom solemnly and beautifully removes the garter from the bride's leg and throws it to his single friends. The bride must dance with the lucky person who caught her wardrobe item. There is also a sign that this guy will soon be married.

Outdoor summer wedding and outdoor photo shoot

If you do not know what field registration is and how it differs from official registration at the registry office, we recommend that you first read this article.

Here are a few things to prepare before going outdoors. They will help create a “festive” atmosphere at an outdoor marriage ceremony:

Registrar stand.
Arch decorated with fabric and flowers.
Long carpet.
Chairs with backs.
Chair covers decorated with bows at the back.
Tent or umbrellas (in case of rain or hot sun).
Buffet table.

You don't have to buy all this at all. It is much more profitable to rent.

At an outdoor banquet it is impossible to do without the usual elements of wedding paraphernalia:

Basket of flowers.
Bridal bouquet.
A long white bridesmaid dress with a train, which can easily be converted into a short version of the dress.
Groom's suit.
Wedding rings.
Ring pads.
Civil registration register where the spouses leave their signature.
Marriage registration certificates.
Wedding cake.
Champagne, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Fresh fruit, light salads and snacks.
Glass glasses for newlyweds that can be broken (a sign).
Plastic dishes.
Wedding loaf and handbrake.

At any outdoor wedding, unforeseen situations can occur: sunburn, insect bites, heartburn, injury. This must be taken into account when preparing. You will need the following items in force majeure circumstances:

First aid kit with annotations for medications. The first aid kit should contain a bandage, cotton wool, valerian, ointment for mosquito bites, activated carbon, as well as wound treatment products - brilliant green and iodine.
Sunglasses, sun protection, burn ointment.
Particular attention should be paid to the availability of hats and caps for children.
Raincoats. In some cases (if the weather forecast is rainy), it is recommended to take with you spare shoes, rubber boots, and additional clothes for a change.

Who officiates a destination wedding?

Usually a destination wedding is served by:

administrator,
waiters,
registrar,
toastmaster,
animator and teacher for children,
photographer.

Organizing a photo shoot at a destination wedding: necessary details

Photographs taken “in nature” are characterized by simplicity, naturalness and spirituality. Flowers, green grass, bright sun, curly clouds and river (sea) spaces will decorate the wedding album of any couple. Moreover, an experienced photographer knows what landscapes to take photographs against, how to build a successful composition and what to highlight in the frame.

Here's what else can be useful for a beautiful outdoor photo shoot:

Haystacks.
Wreaths of wild flowers.
Horses and carriage.
Fresh flowers, baskets, juicy fruits.
Bubble.
Umbrellas.
Boat.

An interesting idea is a photo shoot on a motorcycle. Wedding photographs on the “iron friend” are a way of self-realization for those young couples who adore freedom of thought, graffiti on walls and rock and roll.

How to pose correctly for a photographer: successful and unsuccessful poses, typical mistakes.

If you want your photo shoot to be at the highest level? Think about setting up a stylish photo zone.

If the photo shoot takes place in winter, then various winter accessories may appear in the foreground of the photo: snowmen, hats with earflaps, sleighs, skis. To prevent the bride’s white clothes from blending into the sparkling snow, you should add several bright accessories to the frame: 1) black hats; 2) dark or white horses; 3) bouquets of fresh flowers.

Some more useful tips for organizing an unforgettable holiday:

Let only the most “magical” moments be reflected in your wedding photos! Let no incidents or unforeseen situations occur during the holiday! Let all guests be captivated by the festive action! Only then can you oh.

Don't forget the witness on your wedding day

Together with the groom, pick up the bride's bouquet from the florist if delivery is not provided.
Make sure that passports and rings are not forgotten at home.
Help the witness with car decoration.
Make sure that the marriage certificate is not forgotten at the registry office.
“Keep your finger on the pulse” by ordering a taxi to meet out-of-town guests as they arrive at the station, airport, etc.
Don’t forget to pay the janitor for cleaning the registry office porch after the newlyweds leave.

Naturally, these are not all the questions that a witness may encounter, so your memo may contain more points.

First kiss

Initially, the bride and groom kissed for the first time at their wedding, in the presence of relatives, respected elders, and honored guests. It was believed that with a kiss, not only breath is united - the souls of the young are united. A public kiss announced to everyone present that from now on the couple was a single whole.

Today, premarital couples have less chaste relationships. But how exciting is the first kiss in front of all your friends and relatives! It seems to consolidate the rights of young people to each other, adding romance and love to the relationship.

What you need when preparing for a wedding: a detailed list down to the smallest detail. Wedding preparations

A new wedding preparation season has begun. Brides and grooms were instantly bombarded with an incredible amount of information, questions and excitement. It seems that it is simply impossible to figure everything out! But we have prepared useful material for you with the most important tips for wedding preparations. In the first part of the article we will talk about basic organizational issues.

Date selection. After you have announced your planned wedding, it's time to decide on the date for it. At the same time, take into account not only the desired season and symbolic dates (for example, the day you met or Valentine's Day), but also the intended wedding style and plans for the honeymoon. And if you decide to have a wedding out of season or on a weekday, this will help you save!

Start preparing in advance (4-6 months before the wedding date) - this will not only allow you to save the required amount, but also resolve all organizational issues without haste and unnecessary stress. In addition, the earlier you start preparing, the more choice you will have among sites and contractors.

Start your preparation by creating a budget . This is the foundation of your holiday, on which the location of the celebration, its style, and the number of guests depend.

One of the important budget factors is the number of guests , so drawing up a guest list should be the next item in the series of pre-wedding tasks. First, add to the list of those without whom this holiday will not be a joy for you: parents, close family members and friends. If the wedding format is home, then the list can end there.

Don't be afraid to offend someone by not inviting them to the wedding, and don't invite anyone out of guilt. After all, this is your holiday, and only those people you really want to be around on this day should be present.

You shouldn’t rush into organizing a wedding headlong and take on everything at once. It’s better to draw up a rough preparation plan for yourself by month and week, determine for yourself approximate guidelines by date - by what date a specific task should be completed.

Set priorities and don’t try to save on what is really important to you!

When creating a budget, leave 10% for unexpected expenses . This could include costs for replacement shoes for a photo shoot, additional hours for renting a wedding venue, transportation for late guests, tips for waiters, etc.

Consider the wedding season . The choice of venue, style, and even the dress code for guests depends on what month your wedding will take place. The mood of a wedding in a cold winter or a hot summer will be noticeably different. Think about which season will be most comfortable and suitable for you.

Don't take out a loan for your wedding. It’s better to reconsider your priorities or move up the wedding date so that you can save up for it. After all, a wedding is just one day, after which you will have a long and happy family life - and you shouldn’t start it with paying off a loan.

Invite guests in advance , because they also need time to prepare for your wedding, change plans for a specific date, perhaps take time off from work or buy a plane ticket. Try to hand out invitations no later than 2 months before the celebration in order to notify the guest about the event in a timely manner and receive a response from him in a timely manner.

Less perfectionism. You can strive for the ideal endlessly, but you have a limited amount of time, a specific budget and 24 hours a day. So focus on what really matters to you and don't get upset over little things that no one but you will notice.

Use modern technology in your preparation. For example, many issues with contractors can be resolved on social networks, and a personal wedding website will help to quickly convey to all guests the necessary information about the dress code, travel routes, etc. You can even create electronic wedding invitations yourself if it suits your wedding format.

Delegate! You shouldn’t take on all the preparation – this is a direct path to stress, or even a nervous breakdown. Hire an experienced organizer who will take on the most difficult issues, and do not refuse the help of parents and friends.

Keep a diary. This is a very important point in any time management. When you don't write things down, but keep them in your head, you get tired, forget a lot, and you get the feeling that there is much more to do than there actually is. With a diary, you can clearly see how much work you actually have, and by correctly systematizing and combining tasks, you will solve them more effectively.

Take breaks from preparing. Remember that wedding preparations are only part of your life. Don't forget to give yourself a break and distract yourself with something else, whether it's a hobby or hanging out with friends. Then this time will not be so tiring, and you will begin to feel calmer about any problems. And the eternal feeling of panic only hinders you.

Make all important decisions together. But at the same time, do not force the groom to choose floristry or go to meetings with a decorator if he is not interested - after all, the preparation should be a joy for both of you!

Make mood boards. This is the best way to clearly show contractors how you envision your wedding. Create a Pinterest board or simply save inspirational photos in a separate folder on your computer.

Be sure to think through wedding logistics. The first step is to calculate the number of guests for whom transport will be required. The rental price depends on how many cars you intend to book (some companies provide discounts for large orders). The price also depends on whether the transport will be provided to you for use for the whole day or only for a few hours.

Don't go on strict diets before your wedding. This is just another reason for stress, and the wedding preparation time will already be very stressful and difficult. In addition, an unbalanced diet and lack of vitamins and minerals do not have the best effect on your health, complexion and hair condition. And if you still want to lose weight before the wedding, choose healthy ways.

Tradition is bitter at a wedding

Shouts of “Bitter!” calling newlyweds to kiss is a purely Russian phenomenon. At almost every wedding you can hear these cheerful exclamations. Where did this custom come from?

Oddly enough, this word, according to one version of historians, has nothing to do with kissing. Initially, the bride’s duties included honorably serving all guests with vodka or another strong alcoholic drink. Those present took glasses from the tray, giving money or other valuable gifts in return, after which they drank the offering and shouted “Bitter!” as a sign that the drink was really strong and went well.

The second version is closer in meaning to the modern custom: this word was shouted by guests during the kiss of the bride and groom to ward off evil spirits. It was believed that the evil spirits, deceived by the exclamations of the guests, would not harm the newlyweds, because they were, after all, having a hard time. According to the third legend, the guests warned the bride and groom with their exclamations that the wine was bitter and should be sweetened with a strong, sweet kiss.

List for a walk and photo shoot

After registration, the newlyweds traditionally go for a walk and a photo shoot. Usually beautiful places are chosen for this: monuments, fountains, parks, simply beautiful landscapes. It is important to think through and agree on the route in advance. To keep guests from getting bored, you will need:

champagne, wine, other alcohol;
water and juices;
disposable cups or glasses;
disposable plates and forks;
wine corkscrew;
napkins;
snack (sandwiches, fruit, vegetable, meat and cheese slices, sweets);
garbage bags.

Serving the wedding cake

Breaking bread together has always meant unity and fraternization. This is precisely the meaning that is put into the custom of ceremoniously treating a festive cake or pie, which came to us from Ancient Rome. A magnificent wedding cake is served at the end of the banquet, being its culmination. The young people work together to cut the delicacy and give pieces to everyone present, indicating that from now on all guests are members of one, friendly family.

The wedding night

The sacrament of the first night ends a long, eventful and emotional wedding day. For an innocent girl this is a very important event, and for the groom it is a crucial moment. The wife is carried into the house in their arms like a newborn baby, because for the new family the young wife has just been born.

In order to confuse the evil spirits, a non-standard place for holding the sacrament was chosen, strange from the point of view of a modern person: a hayloft, a haystack, a barn, a cage under the stairs, someone else's house. Hence the widespread custom of renting hotel rooms or apartments, houses at recreation centers for the wedding night, and also spending it in a very special environment - on board an ocean liner, in another country, on the coast of a tropical island.

Traditions at weddings these days change flexibly at the discretion of the young, because the possibilities for creativity and imagination are truly inexhaustible. You can spend this day in the mountains or at the sea, on the roof of a skyscraper or in unrestrained dancing, surrounded by friends and relatives, or in romantic solitude. Only one point of the program remains unchanged - registration of marriage at the registry office. But it can also be postponed to any other day, so as not to overshadow the personal holiday with officialdom.

Everything you need for a wedding - a complete list down to the smallest detail for the bride and groom

Preparing for a wedding is not only a pleasant excitement, but also a huge responsibility. So that nothing spoils the holiday, you should think through everything in advance. Therefore, you need to start preparing by making a complete list, down to the smallest detail, of everything you need for the wedding. Our article will help you not to miss anything.

What should you take care of in advance?

Submit an application to the registry office (you can do it online).
Order a photographer and video shooting (if desired).
Make a guest list for the wedding.
Book a restaurant and plan a menu. Discuss the decoration of the hall. If you need to decorate the banquet venue yourself, you need to purchase flowers, vases, ribbons, balloons, etc.
Plan seating arrangements for guests if necessary and order special nameplates.
Order and send out invitations indicating the time and address of the registry office and restaurant.
Select a presenter, discuss with him the scenario of the event, competitions, and musical accompaniment.
Order a car for young people and guests.
Make an appointment for a wedding manicure, hairstyle, and makeup.
Choose a wedding cake and decorations for it.
Book a hotel room if the newlyweds plan to spend their wedding night away from home.

It is important to think about the accommodation of visiting guests in advance.