Planning a wedding ceremony can be stressful, especially if you're trying to do it on a budget. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to make your special day feel as magical as possible without breaking the bank. Below are some ceremony planning tips that will help your wedding ceremony go smoothly without costing you a fortune:


People find their own ways to make their wedding ceremony special.

While the reception is where you’ll have fun and dance with your guests, it's important to remember that your ceremony is the most important part of your wedding day. The ceremony will be where you exchange your vows and make promises to each other—the foundation of your marriage.

Because everyone finds their own ways to make their wedding day special, it can be hard for some couples to know what they should do during their ceremony. But there are a few things to keep in mind when planning yours:

  • It should reflect who you are as individuals, not just as a couple. This doesn't mean writing up a script or having an officiant read off words from a piece of paper (although if those are things that feel right for you and/or someone else involved in planning this part of the event—like parents or bridesmaids—then go ahead). Instead, think about what makes each person involved happy; maybe one loves pets so much that two dogs will be present at every opportunity (including during vows). Or maybe another wants everyone dressed up in formal wear because she thinks it'll add something magical and beautiful to her big moment. Whatever works best for them!


Be realistic about your budget and stick to it.

As you plan your ceremony, be realistic about your budget and stick to it. If you don't have a budget, then you can't be disappointed later on. It's not as simple as saying "I'm going to spend $10K on my wedding dress" and then spending $50K on the venue. You need to set aside money for specific costs such as drinks at the reception or flowers for the table centerpieces. Here are some tips for sticking to your budget:

  • Make sure both families are supportive of what they're spending and how much they're contributing so there aren't any surprises later when they see the final bill!
  • Create a list of items that need to be purchased well in advance of their being needed so there isn't any last minute scrambling around town looking for something like an extra pair of shoes that might fit one of our bridesmaids who has lost weight recently!


Theme of the wedding

  • Theme

The theme of your wedding is another great way to get creative. If you’re having an outdoor wedding, you might consider a rustic or farmhouse theme for your reception. Or if you want something more elegant, perhaps a 1920s ballroom scene would be perfect for hosting your guests? The possibilities are endless! Just make sure that whatever theme you decide on reflects who you and your partner are as people.

  • Color Scheme

Color schemes can also be used as a way to convey what kind of experience couples want their guests to have at their wedding. For example, if they're going with an outdoor theme (like we discussed above), then it makes sense that they'd choose neutral colors such as creams, browns and whites—these shades will blend well with nature and provide plenty of contrast in photos taken outside under natural light (or indoors through windows).


Create a guest list that feels right to you.

You will want to create a guest list that feels right to you. It is important that the guests are people who make you feel comfortable and reflect your personality, as well as being welcoming and inclusive. You should not feel pressured into inviting anyone if it does not feel right for you.

There is no correct number of invitations per person, but it's best to aim for an average of 5-10 people attending each wedding - preferably with a few friends to help carry those top table centrepieces!


The majority of our clients tend towards having a smaller wedding party (2-7) which can include family members, close friends or work colleagues from the same company/organisation where they met their spouse/partner at an event before getting engaged themselves - but there are no set rules here either! We would always advise discussing this with both sets of parents so they know what’s happening too; especially if they'll need accommodation during their stay at the venue ahead too."


Hire a wedding planner, if you can afford it.

Having a wedding planner on your side can help you stay organized and save your sanity. A good wedding planner will help you with all of the details, from choosing your venue to working with vendors and pulling together the seating chart. Your planner should also be able to help you work within a budget so that you don't feel like everything costs too much or not enough or that something is missing from your day.


Finally, if there's one thing that makes planning a wedding more stressful than just having it yourself (and there are many), it's procrastination—a lot of people wait until the last minute when they should have started months in advance. Hiring an expert who knows what they're doing—and who has experience handling big events—will give everyone involved peace of mind because they know exactly where they stand at all times.


Create a timeline with your DJ or bandleader.

Once you've nailed down the details of your ceremony and reception, the next thing to do is create a timeline.

You'll need your DJ or bandleader to help with this. Make sure they have a copy of your ceremony script, as well as any special songs that are going to be played during it (if applicable). Then, give them some time after their initial meeting with you to write up a draft version of the timeline so that he/she can get an idea of how long everything will take. Once that's done, get together again and go over the timeline for any final adjustments.


Aisle

The aisle is the path that leads to the altar. It’s where the bride walks down to meet her groom, and it’s also where they walk back down after they’re pronounced husband and wife. If you want to make sure your aisle is properly lit, consider using string lights or fairy lights in the pews along either side of it.


Officiant

Officiant: The person who will perform the ceremony.


Ceremony: A wedding ceremony is a ritual that marks the beginning of a marriage, so it's important to find an officiant who knows how to create a warm and welcoming space for people of all backgrounds and beliefs.


Wedding Ceremony: Unlike other aspects of your wedding day (like its location) which may change over time, your choice in officiants should remain constant. Talk to several candidates before deciding on one.

Decoration

In this section, you'll find everything you need to know about decorating your wedding ceremony.

First and foremost, keep it simple and elegant. You don't want to overdo it with decorations as this can detract from the beauty of the ceremony. For example, if you're having a winter wedding (or any other season), consider using white flowers like lilies or snowdrops instead of roses that might not look good after an outdoor winter wedding has ended (and most likely frozen). Another option is creating your own bouquets from greenery cut from trees in your area; this allows for more natural-looking arrangements that aren't dependent on artificial materials like silk or ribbon.

Next up: make sure all of your decorations are in theme with both each other as well as with what style they reflect within the overall design concept for both bride/groom attire choices (e.g., if one person wears a white gown while another wears black pants then try incorporating touches like white flowers). Also think about how these elements will work together visually—will it make sense? If not then maybe there's something missing!


Guest Seating

Seating arrangements are an important part of planning your ceremony. If you're not sure where to start, here are some tips:

  • Make sure that guests are seated with their own family and friends
  • Give people time to get comfortable with where they’re sitting before the ceremony starts. You can ask your officiant or the venue staff if they can make an announcement in advance so people can find their seats before it’s time to begin.
  • Consider how long it takes for guests to reach tables from different parts of the room as well as how close together different groups may want to sit (e.g., families or friends).


Guest Entertainment

  • Music. Keep a playlist of your favorite songs on hand, and play it throughout the ceremony and reception.
  • Dance floor. For guests who want to get their groove on, have an area designated for dancing—and make sure there's music playing!
  • Photo booth. You can also provide a photo booth where guests can take pictures with props they can use! This is great if you don't want to hire professional photographers at your event.
  • Cake-cutting ceremony. Have someone cut the cake after dinner and feed each other bites before handing out slices to everyone else at the table (or tables). It's an easy way for people not engaged in conversation with someone else to participate in something that feels a bit more festive than just taking another bite from their plate or cupcake tray!
  • Gift table/gift exchange game (for adults only). Put together a gift table where guests bring items from home that represent them as individuals (e.g., favorite books), then have them draw numbers so they'll know who gets what gift when time comes around for exchange between all players involved--this means no one has any idea which item will end up being theirs until after drawing takes place...plus it guarantees everyone gets something fun!


We hope this guide has helped you get started on planning your wedding ceremony. There are many factors to consider, but if you keep in mind the basics of what makes an event memorable and enjoyable for everyone involved then you’ll be able to create something truly special!

If you're interested in learning more about budget-friendly options for your wedding photography, please contact us today! We'd be happy to chat with you about our packages and discounts.


Thank you for reading!


Affordable Wedding photography by Fungirlwithacamera Photography.


Hope from Fungirlwithacamera Photography specializes in affordable wedding photography as well as backyard wedding photography and small intimate weddings. Currently accepting weddings in East Brunswick, Highland Park and surrounding areas in New Jersey.