We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

What Should I Consider When Planning a Wedding?

Margo Upson
By
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting and most stressful things a woman will ever do. There are a lot of factors to consider. Today’s brides have more choices than ever before when it comes to planning the happiest day of their lives. It can very quickly become overwhelming.

One of the most stressful parts of planning a wedding is figuring out a guest list. A small and simple wedding is perfect for some, but others want a huge celebration. Each one has its own potential problems. Narrowing down the guest list for a small wedding is difficult. A lot of people who would like to be there will be left out. A big wedding can be difficult to control, and the price tag that comes with it will be substantial. It is not unusual for each wedding guest to cost $60 or $79 US Dollars(USD), or more, by the time you figure in the meal, appetizers, cake, and drinks.

Most brides want to serve a meal worthy of the celebration. There are a lot of things to keep in mind here, too. First, think about your guests, and offer choices accordingly. For most weddings, offering two meat choices and one vegetarian choice should cover everyone. There are also appetizers to consider, as well as dessert choices. Some receptions offer other desserts besides the wedding cake. Also, consider how you want the food served. The main options are buffet-style, family dinner style (food is set out on tables, and guests pass it around,) and full service style. Appetizers can be served on trays carried by attendants, or set out on tables.

Planning a wedding also requires thinking about the multitude of services you will want, and the choices available for them. These services include floral arrangements, photography and video recording, and music. A couple must also consider where they want to be married, and by whom. They must also decide on a location. The best way to get the very best locations and services for a wedding is to book ahead, sometimes by a year or more.

Another aspect to consider when planning a wedding is the wedding theme. This idea has grown in popularity over the past ten years or so. Planning a theme can help set color options, decorations, and even food choices. This can make planning a wedding much easier. For example, a New York style wedding might offer cheesecake, and pretzel and hot dog carts for food. A theme can also dictate choices for favors. A garden themed wedding could be wrapped up by handing the guests small potted plants, or packets of seeds, as they made their way out the door.

It doesn’t take much for even a small wedding to go over budget. There are several things to consider when trying to cut wedding costs. One of the biggest ways is to consider when the wedding will be held. A spring or summer wedding will cost a lot more than one held in the fall or winter. A reception that takes place in the morning, or between meals, can save a ton of money on food costs. Offering brunch, or just appetizers instead of a full formal meal, can usually reduce the cost of food by half.

There are a lot of choices when planning a wedding. A book on wedding planning can be a big help during this stressful time. Review all of the possible choices carefully before deciding on anything, and remember that this day is celebrating the beginning of a new life together with your partner. Don’t become so caught up in details that you forget to enjoy your engagement.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Margo Upson
By Margo Upson
With a vast academic background that has ranged from psychology and culinary arts to criminal justice and education, Margo Upson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role as a WiseGEEK writer. Her wide-ranging interests and skill at diving into new topics make her articles informative, engaging, and valuable to readers seeking to expand their knowledge.

Discussion Comments

By Pippinwhite — On Jan 22, 2014

Take it from me: The *first* thing to consider is budget, budget, budget. Once that's in place, then you'll know how many guests you can afford, what kind of venue you can have, etc.

In my opinion, taking out a loan or going into debt over a wedding is ridiculous. If I had $10,000 to spend on a wedding, I'd much rather have a small ceremony and a fabulous honeymoon!

I think a couple needs to consider, first and foremost, whether they want to start their married lives with a ton of debt they could have avoided if they had pared down their wedding bells and whistles.

Margo Upson

Margo Upson

With a vast academic background that has ranged from psychology and culinary arts to criminal justice and education,...
Read more
WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.