How to plan a wedding: choosing the ring

In decades past, but also in a romantic present, the man got down on one knee, ring in hand, and proposed. Today, many couples decide together to become husband and wife, and together they choose the rings.

You have to keep in mind three "easy" things:

1- find a honest jeweler, even through recommendations or family connections;

2- select a ring style: it has to reflect your personal tastes;

3- set a price range: most experts agree that the ring budget should total no more than the bride and groom's combined salaries for two months. If someone is buying the rings for you as a gift, try to evaluate how much he/she is willing to pay for your wedding rings.

How to plan a wedding: setting a date

It's not so easy to set a date! If you're planning your wedding, don't make the mistake of thinking that you will be able to choose your preferred date and then go to the church or celebrant and simply "inform" them of your choice.

There's a lot of people planning a wedding and you'll have to find when and where you'll be able to fulfill your sweet idea.
For example, most of the churches in Rome have a 12-months waiting list, or even a 2-years one, for places such as the Abbey of Farfa or Amalfi.

So, sit down together to determine a wedding date priority list and try to keep in mind a couple of things:
- consider the type of honeymoon you both want. For instance, if you are both sun-worshipers, don't plan a wedding date when your favorite island is experiencing monsoon season;
- you both may have work periods when you can't take time off;
- some couples go out of their way to schedule a wedding over a three-day weekend, so everyone has more time together. This idea works best if you send invitations at least eight weeks in advance; otherwise, people might already have plans;
- the bride wants to look and feel her best on her wedding day. If she suffers unpredictable cycles, a quick chat with her gynecologist may bring up solutions;
- saturdays are generally the preferred wedding day, especially if there's people coming from far-off places.

How to plan a wedding: know traditions

It is important to show respect for your families: that's why you should try to incorporate ethnic traditions, always keeping in mind that it's your wedding, not those of your families. If you belong to different cultures, try to make your wedding a blend of customs.

Here's a list of the main wedding traditions around the world:

African American broom jumping. This custom dates back to the 19th century slave weddings in the United States. Slaves marriages were not legally binding even half a minister conducted the ceremony. Many couples chose to jump over a broom together to symbolize the beginning of married life. A broom represents the home in certain parts of Africa. Some believed that whoever jumped higher or cleared the handle first would rule the roost.

Chinese red. In China, the color red represents Locke enjoy. Chinese and Chinese and American couples try to incorporate red into their wedding decorations with red candles, wedding favors, napkins, and tablecloths. The guests often present the couple with jewelry or money in red envelopes. The bride may change into several different dresses throughout the ceremony and reception, the last one usually read. You might insert a sheet of red tissue paper into your wedding invitations; choose red wedding flowers, walks down the aisle on a red runner, or Thai red ribbons around your wedding favors. Your local Asian stores for Chinese party decorations stalk red decorations. The bride may choose to wear white but have the bridesmaids dressed in red. The groom and groomsmen may wear red cummerbunds and ties. New sentence you do not have to wear red to incorporate the Chinese tradition of changing downs into your wedding. Some wedding brides change from a traditional white style dress for the ceremony into a more casual down for the reception and party.

Chinese tea ceremony. The couple kneels before older relatives and family friends and offers a cup of tea in a gesture of respect. Each family member or friend's hands and envelope of money or gold jewelry to the couple, and then gives the chair to the next relative in line you may follow the tradition or honor your ancestors in your own way.

English wedding walk. In English villages, the bride and her wedding party traditionally walked together from her home to the church. Often the wedding party is led by a young girl who throws flower blossoms into their pass. The wedding walk is perfect if your celebration will be held in a small close-knit hometown where you can parade down Main Street, or if you are having your wedding ceremony and reception at the same sites. You might also consider having the entire wedding party and all of your guests join in a procession to the reception area after exchanging your vows.

Indian Henna. Typically, a professional visits the bride approximately 1 week prior to the wedding to draw elaborate scrolls on her feet and hands. You could hire a professional to decorate you, or ask one of your friends to do it. There are several photo books for design inspiration.

Irish toasts. Some of the more traditional toasts are: May your hearts be as warm as your hearthstone; May God sleep on your pillow; May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings; May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward; A generation of children on the children of your children; If you are lucky enough to be Irish, you are lucky enough. At the conclusion of the reception, the wedding party gathers around the bride and groom, and every one is poured a glass of mead. The newlyweds then recites an Irish toasts: Friends and relatives, so fond and dear, 'tis our greatest pleasure to have you here. When many years this day has passed, fondest memories will always last. So we drink a cup of Irish mead and ask God's blessing in your hour of need. The guests respond: On this special day, our wish to you, the goodness of the old, and the best of the new. God bless you both who drink this mead, may it always fill your every need.

Japanese sake ritual. Japanese weddings include a tradition of sharing Saki. It is called san–san–kudos. Using three flat Saki cups stacked on top of one another, the bride and groom take 3 sips from each of the cups. Following, their parents also takes sips, for a total of nine, cementing the bonds between the families. You may also incorporate a saki sharing ritual into your ceremony or do it at the reception. Ask your guests to join and after the last set; you might give them saki cups as favors.

Native American corn. Navajos used that crop of all crops, to symbolize the marriage union. Families combine yellow corn from the bride side and white corn from the groom's side, into a pudding. This is brought to the reception where the couple tastes the putting first as their first married meal. You may tap into your Native American heritage by adapting this ritual to suit your style. You may also offer any marbled bread alongside the wedding feast. Let your guests know this tradition by including a lying about the special dish on a printed menu.

Norwegian nightlife. Nomadic Norwegian tribes traditionally held at their wedding ceremonies late at night. If you choose to have midnight wedding, fill the room with candles. The bridesmaids can carry candles instead of bouquets. Begin your all-night wedding no earlier than 8 p.m. have your cocktails, dinner, dancing, and a breakfast buffet in yearly hours of the next morning. Serve Norwegian food including herring, salmon, and plenty of vodka to drink.

Russian hometown tour. Newlyweds often take a tour of their hometown site, taking photographs of themselves in various locations prior to leaving for the honeymoon. You may also spend an afternoon appreciating your local area before catching your flights out of town.

Scottish reception. It includes the Highland fling dance, which is a highly spirited performance with lots of kicking. You might hire professional Scottish dancers, kilts and all, to perform during your perception and dance.

Anyway, if you want to have a typical wedding, and you don't want to suffocate studying all those unusual customs, I suggest you two to talk about it and to ask for help on this site, which is really useful in giving you great ideas for typical weddings.

How to plan a wedding: keeping a low budget

Try to break the number down allocating each part of your wedding budget for items such as food, flowers, and close. This means you must consider things such as whether you want imported flowers in your bouquet, colored photographs or black and white, and how much each of these options will cost you. Start by mapping out all of the possible elements you wish to include in your nuptials. Some items are mandatory, others definitely are not.

40% of your budget will be spent on food, beverages, the cake, and service.
10% will go toward rental of the reception site plus any other rentals such as chairs, tables, and dinnerware.
11% will go for bride dress, headpiece, veil, hair and makeup, but shoes and lingerie, the groom's attire and the going away clothing for both.
8% will be required to cover the bride’s bouquet, bridesmaid’s bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, and ceremony and reception flower arrangements.
7% will go toward the labor costs for photographer and or videographer, plus the cost of the photography and videography packages.
7% will go toward the ceremony music and reception music, for a band or DJ.
3% will go to ward wedding invitations, wedding announcements and your thank you notes.
3% will go toward your attendant's gifts and favors.
2% will go toward wedding bands for the bride and groom.
2% will go toward the ceremony and location rental fee, the officiant fee, and programs.
1% will go toward the bride and escorts ride to the ceremony, the couple's ride to the reception, wedding party transport and a shuttle for the guests.

Add 7 to 10% for additional and unforeseen costs including the marriage license overtime costs tips, taxes, and any last-minute purchases required.

If you choose a wedding consultant, his or her fees may cost you up to eight to 10% of your total budget.

How to plan a wedding: hiring a consultant

Some couples decide to add a consultant to their budget.

This could be good if you both don't have time to plan the wedding or if you already know that you're going to argue over every minute detail (if this is the case, please reconsider living together without having to wed).

Remember that you can choose a wedding consultant that works by the hour: this allows you to do most of the planning but provides an outsider's perspective for the most difficult decisions.

Also remember that if you choose to put your wedding into someone else's hands, you won't have to complain if the wedding is slightly different from that you dreamed for all your life. After all, a good wedding planner is not necessarily reading your mind all the time.