Weddings are expensive. I learned this myself three years ago when my wife and I were married. We only had about 60 guests, but when you add up the ceremony, reception, music, photographer, video, limos, tuxedoes and dresses, we still ended up spending over $15,000.

If you are planning on getting married in the near future, you should begin thinking about what is most important to you now. Sit down with your significant other and make a list of everything that you would like to have and rank them. Decide what you could live without, what you would really like to have, and what you absolutely must have. This will help you prioritize when it comes to allocating money.

Here are some things to consider if you are planning a wedding on a budget:

Food - Price and quality do not always go together when it comes to food. I've been to expensive weddings with horrible food (we once left so dissatisfied that we stopped at Burger King on the way home). And I have been to low budget weddings where the food was delicious. It's very important to ask around for opinions and if possible go for a tasting before choosing a caterer. Also, buffets are generally less expensive than a sit down dinner.

Location - If you are looking to save money, consider having your ceremony in a park or other outside area, even a friend's backyard.

Time - Weekend evenings are the busiest time for weddings and you will pay a premium for them. We got married on a Sunday at noon and it cost us half the rate of a Sunday evening wedding. We could never have afforded the evening wedding at such a nice place.

Music - DJs are generally much cheaper than live bands. Or if money is especially tight, consider not having music or just playing your own. A friend of our's had a sit down dinner for about 20 guests when she got married. There was no dancing but we all had a great time.

Flowers - Prices for flowers can vary wildly from florist to florist. It really pays to shop around. Also, if you use flowers that are in season and available locally you will save money. Out of season flowers have to be shipped from other parts of the world and you will pay considerably extra for them.

Photographs - Pictures are a sentimental memento of your wedding day and I encourage you to have pictures taken. But the cost can be prohibitive. A professional photographer will cost several thousand dollars. Prices will vary depending on the size of your package.

A less expensive option is to buy a bunch of disposable cameras and leave one on each table so your guests can take pictures for you. The downsides are low quality and lack of the ability to control the pictures taken. If you use a professional you can give her a list of the photos that you can't live without.

Video - Prices and quality vary with videographers as well. My wife watches our video all the time so it was well worth the cost. But if you are planning a wedding on a budget you can probably live without it.

Limos - Skip the Hummer or Rolls Royce models and stick with a standard limo and you'll save considerably.

The summer months are some of the most popular times of the year for weddings with so many couples now looking at tropical destinations to hold their event. Aruba, the Bahamas, and Florida are favored wedding spots, with the latter two being among the most prized. Unfortunately, both locations fall smack dab in the middle of hurricane territory thereby increasing the risks that wedding plans could be cancelled in the event a storm hits. Are you considering a tropical wedding? If so, don’t let your choice of venue ruin your day; instead consider taking some important measures to ensure that your wedding plans go forward no matter what the weather conditions may be.

Before you make plans to hold your wedding far from home, especially in an area prone to hurricane activity, there are some things you must consider first:

Location Is Everything. White sugar sand beaches are an attractive and unforgettable place to hold a tropical wedding. Just before sunset you and your betrothed meet together with your guests to exchange vows as the fiery red sun slowly sets to the west. A calm cooling breeze and the whiff of pure ocean air delights you and your wedding party who are enthralled at your choice of setting. Afterwards, you move indoors or over to a nearby outdoor pavilion for a celebration lasting into the early hours of the morning.

That gentle breeze can quickly turn into a gale as the storm clouds roll in and as the surf kicks up. Soon, your outdoor wedding plans are threatened. If you are resolute on holding your wedding during hurricane season, your entire event could be cancelled especially if it is held in an evacuation zone. These evacuation zones, which include the beach and surrounding areas, are always the first to close up when a big storm threatens and the last to re-open when everything calms down. Can you afford the delay? Will your facility even be standing when you return?

Preparation is the Key. Even if your venue is not evacuated, do they have a back up generator on hand should you lose power? Will each of your vendors stick around or will they head out at the first sign of trouble? Remember, their minds could be focused on securing their personal belongings and ensuring the safety of family members first. Who could blame them? However, it is important for you to know if things can continue on as planned despite the adverse weather conditions.

Contingency Plans are Necessary. Out of town guests may have trouble arriving if airports are shut down, roads close, and hotels fill up with people fleeing the impacted area. Fort Lauderdale could be the target, but your Pensacola Beach wedding plans may still be threatened if the area is flooded with evacuees. Make certain that your guests are protected financially in the event that your wedding plans are cancelled or moved elsewhere. Encourage everyone to purchase travel insurance to cover the worst case scenarios.

Of course, by now you may be rethinking your idea of a Florida wedding altogether. Likely, some of the other destinations are appealing, but they could be too pricey in comparison. However, if you choose to get married in Florida during the January to April time period, the chances of an out-of-season hurricane marring your plans are virtually nil. Besides, you and your guests may appreciate the off season get-a-way especially after enduring a long, cold winter!

vIf you’ve already found your soul mate, gotten engaged, and remained happy since then, you’ve accomplished what many people simply can’t do. But you still have one big challenge: planning a successful wedding.

Planning a successful, organized wedding is a big task in itself, so it is absolutely essential that you do things right the first time around otherwise you risk catastrophe when the day of the wedding arrives.

First off, you need to make some lists to organize your schedule. The guests list, the suppliers list, receptions, photographers, bands, and churches. Most important, choose a date as soon as possible, and set a budget.

After you’ve organized everything, you need to choose a restaurant for the celebration, and a church for the ceremony. Then you choose god parents, the bridesmaids, the flower girls and the ring bearer, and the best man. The most important thing to remember is to get a marriage license!

Spend as much time as you need to choose the rings, the gowns, veils, and other accessories. You should choose the invitations carefully, because they give the first hint about what guests can expect from your wedding.

Find a business which specializes in decorations, and they will be willing to help you create your ideal atmosphere at the church and reception. Be sure to check the reception menu and order your perfect cake.

The photos and videos taken at the wedding are very important. Look at your photographer’s portfolio, so that you can feel fully confident in his/her work.

Your wedding is supposed to be a happy and joyful time. Not stressful. The music you choose can make or break the atmosphere. You might not be able to make everyone happy, but diversity will certainly help things. The opening dance you should practice with your mate, since you will be watched by everyone in the room.

When you think of Florida what do you think of? I think of FUN! As a child I spent time in Florida every year and we had fun at the beaches, fun at the Theme parks, just plain old fun was had every time we visited Florida. Now that I’m planning my wedding, I’m looking for the ideal spot to hold the ceremony, I keep thinking about the beach wedding I’ve always dreamed of as a little girl.

For those of you whom have never been to Florida, it’s a peninsula state located in the Southeastern portion of the United States. It’s known for its beautiful beaches, Citrus groves, The Everglades and Theme Parks. It’s also known as the place that many people like to spend their days in retirement. It’s no wonder why Florida is one of the top vacation destinations in the world.

Not surprising, Florida is becoming a popular spot to have wedding ceremonies. In particular the St. Petersburg and Clearwater area, this is on the Gulf Coast. These two cities are reportedly hosting 8,500 weddings annually. The beaches on this coast are some of the most beautiful in the world, which make an exciting and romantic backdrop for a wedding.

One of the reasons that Florida’s gulf coast is so popular is that there are so many options for the bride and groom to choose. Yes, you can have a beautiful beach wedding but there are some magnificent Botanical Gardens here also. The Tampa Bay lighthouse is used for some weddings as well as a number of unique and exotic locations. With so many options to choose from, it’s no surprise as to Florida’s rise as one of the top wedding destinations!

Privacy and romance are top consideration when planning to perfect Florida wedding. Most of the companies that offer beach weddings are geared towards small parties under 60. When considering my budget I was happy to find that the wedding beach pricing was indeed affordable. Prices range from modest to extravagant; there is definitely something for every bride and grooms budget.

Guests will be treated to a memorable experience too. The beach setting of thundering ocean waves, snow white sand and warm soothing sun create an atmosphere of bliss for everyone attending the ceremony. As the bride and groom proceed through the ceremony, it’s said that all in attendance are moved by the beauty and romance of the beach setting. The soon to be newlyweds are not only providing memories that last a lifetime for themselves but for their guests as well.

Yes, Florida does look like a great wedding destination spot. If you haven’t considered planning an exotic wedding do you self a favor and look into it. You may want to contact your travel agent or an online service to check to see if flying to Florida will be in your budget. I did and found that the cost would be far less than a traditional wedding at home. Naturally we’ll remember this special day where ever we choose to hold it but having the choice of being married in a romantic location like one of Florida’s breathtaking beaches or a traditional indoor wedding, the beach wedding just seems so much more special. Little did I know that my dream wedding as a little girl may very well be the wedding that becomes my reality.

The following article presents the very latest information on weddings. If you have a particular interest in weddings, then this informative article is required reading.

The rehearsal dinner is one element of the wedding planning that can be confusing for the future bride and groom. Questions such as do we really have to have a rehearsal dinner, what do we do at the rehearsal dinner, who pays for the rehearsal dinner, who is invited to the rehearsal dinner and do we have to invite out of town guests are planning questions that remain unanswered for many couples. While the rehearsal dinner may just seem like another expense and another task that needs to be completed, it’s important to not skip out on this wonderful opportunity to get together with close friends and family members for a night of relaxation in a casual atmosphere before the wedding. This article is intended to answer some of the questions surrounding the planning of a rehearsal dinner and to provide the couple with some necessary information to help them plan a successful rehearsal dinner.

While a rehearsal dinner is not necessary, it is a good opportunity to get together with close friends and family members to thank them all for their participation and assistance during the planning of the wedding as well as their participation in the actual wedding itself. The rehearsal dinner gives the couple the chance to extend their thanks to everyone who has been involved with the wedding planning or who has simply supported them in their efforts. The rehearsal dinner can also be the opportunity to relax and unwind before the wedding. The couple is able to put aside their concerns over their upcoming nuptials and enjoy the time with family and friends. The rehearsal dinner has become a common tradition in weddings but the couple is not obligated to host a rehearsal dinner if they choose not to do so.

The typical activities involved in a rehearsal dinner include meeting at the site of the ceremony to run through the logistics of the ceremony and then gathering at a particular location, a restaurant, catering hall or even a friend’s house, to enjoy a meal together. During the dinner the couple usually takes the opportunity to thank all their guests for their love and support and may choose to honor their wedding party with gifts at this time. There are also usually a series of informal toasts at the rehearsal dinner. The parents of the couple will also usually thank the guests and offer a toast to the couple. Any of the guests at the rehearsal dinner are also free to offer a toast or a few words of wisdom to the couple. While the wedding is shrouded in traditions and expectations, the rehearsal dinner is typically a relaxed atmosphere with no set agendas.

If you don't have accurate details regarding weddings, then you might make a bad choice on the subject. Don't let that happen: keep reading.

The subject of who pays for the rehearsal dinner is another confusing topic. Tradition holds that the parents of the groom assume the financial responsibility of the rehearsal dinner but more and more couples are opting to bear the burden of the rehearsal dinner on their own. There are a couple of factors that are contributing to this changing trend. First the medium ages of couples getting married is on the rise and couples who marry at a later age are typically more financially established and capable of affording to finance the rehearsal dinner themselves. In addition the responsibility of paying for the rehearsal dinner is typically accompanied by the responsibility of planning the rehearsal dinner and many couples are unwilling to relinquish the planning responsibilities. The couple wants to ensure that the rehearsal dinner reflects their personalities and tastes and therefore assumes all responsibilities for planning the rehearsal dinner.

Although the original intent for the rehearsal dinner was to include those who are actively involved in the ceremony, the couple is free to invite any other guests that they choose to join them in the rehearsal dinner. The rehearsal dinner is an opportunity for the couple to thank everyone who has supported them throughout their wedding planning and also to just relax and have a good time with friends and family outside of the formality that often surrounds a wedding. With this in mind it is appropriate to invite anyone that you want to share in this sentiment. The couple may also wish to include out of town guest in the rehearsal dinner in order to thank them for making the trip to be with them on their wedding day. While including out of town guests is a wonderful gesture, it is important to understand that the couple is not obligated to do so. If it would be too financially cumbersome to include all of the out of town guests, the couple could consider hosting a smaller event such as an evening of drinks and appetizers for this larger group. Although everyone participating in the ceremony should be included in the rehearsal dinner the guest list is not restricted to these individuals and the couple can choose to include anyone they wish.

Planning a rehearsal dinner can seem daunting as the rules are not clearly defined but it is this flexibility that makes planning a rehearsal dinner such a fun challenge. From the invitation list to the activities the couple is under no obligations to adhere to any strict guidelines in planning their rehearsal dinner. Although planning a rehearsal dinner is not obligatory, many couples opt to do so because it is such a wonderful opportunity to thank their loved ones for their continued support.
 
That's how things stand right now. Keep in mind that any subject can change over time, so be sure you keep up with the latest wedding news.