How to Plan an American Wedding
Every year, 2.3 million couples are married in the United States. The average cost of an American wedding is around $20,000 but can cost even more depending on the theme and number of guests. An American wedding can take months to organize and couples who forego a wedding planner to organize the celebration themselves, should start planning their big day as soon as they know they want to wed.
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Instructions
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Plan a budget. With the bridal gown, reception and everything in between, it's possible for American weddings to reach the millions, so get together with your partner and decide on how much you want to spend. Traditionally, the father of the bride would pay for the entire celebration but these days, the wedding can also be paid for by the couple themselves.
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Choose a date and location. One of the most important steps in planning an American wedding is to decide when and where you'll be married. Some couples opt to wed in a place of worship, for religious reasons, while other weddings take place in public gardens, registry offices and even quiet backyards. Decide what time of year you want to be married also; the most popular wedding month in the United States is June, followed by August. Book public spaces well in advance, no matter what time of year you plan to marry.
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Choose the wedding party. A typical American wedding has bridesmaids and grooms, flower girls and page boys. Bridesmaids can be sisters, cousins or close friends; grooms are partnered with bridesmaids and can include brothers, uncles, cousins or friends. Flower girls and page boys are young children who assist with the wedding ceremony. If you are planning a summer celebration, keep in mind that people may take summer vacations, so try to select members of the wedding party at least six to eight-months before the event.
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Enroll in a gift registry and send invitations. Large department stores have bridal registry services available, so choose the wedding gifts you'd like to receive before sending out the invitations. Guests do not typically give large gifts at American weddings but they have the option to shop in-store or online for the couple. Wedding invitations for American weddings can be either formal or contemporary. Cream-colored with elegant fonts work well for formal invitations and contemporary designs can include the couple's photo or bright colors and even polka dots. Keep to the theme of your wedding and send out invitations that match.
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Find a gown. American wedding dresses range from traditional floor-length gowns to cocktail-style dresses and even pantsuits. Allow a lot of time to try on dresses, if you're buying from a store. To get detailed service, make an appointment beforehand and explain exactly what you're looking for. If you plan to have your wedding gown tailor-made, contact a designer as soon as you know you're getting married, to allow plenty of time for alterations.
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Plan the reception. American wedding receptions can be held in five-star hotel ballrooms, recreational centers and even in the backyard of childhood homes. Organizing the reception can be stressful, so making a checklist is a good idea in order not to forget any details. By now you will have already booked the reception venue, so focus on the entertainment, food and table settings. You can choose a string quartet to entertain guests or hire a private DJ for dancing. There are many options when it comes to food: a sit down four- or five-course meal or a buffet. If you're trying to stick to a strict budget, consider serving small appetizers and drinks to your guests. Table settings can be elaborate, with towering flowers and plants, or simple and elegant with small candles.
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Choose the cake. American wedding cakes come in various shapes, sizes and flavors. Two or three-tiered white wedding cakes are traditional but there are also other options, such as chocolate-flavored and marbled cakes. Flowers, candies and even frosted figurines can be placed around the perimeter of the cake.
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Tips & Warnings
Plan table settings as soon as you receive all your RSVPs.
Save money and ask a family member to be the official wedding videographer.
References
- Photo Credit wedding image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
