Spring weddings are very popular. The weather is usually good, the sun is usually shining and there are lots of flowers in bloom to choose from. If you’re a bride looking to plan a spring wedding, you might not know where to start. Here’s your ultimate guide to planning a spring wedding! From the flowers you can choose to tips on choosing the right venue and even when you should ask “How much are wedding rings?”, we’ll cover it all. THE BUDGET First thing’s first. Let’s talk budget. If you haven’t already, sit down with your fiancé and really talk numbers. There are lots of things to consider in your budget. Not only do you have to consider venue, catering, DJ, flowers, attire, stationery, event rentals, transportation and lodging, but you also have to consider other details many couples forget during their planning. Are you purchasing custom robes for you and your bridesmaids to wear while getting ready? Maybe you’re planning a destination bachelor party for the guys. All these things are factored into the total cost of your wedding, no matter what anyone else says. Even your decision to purchase custom cake knives is something to include in your budget. This conversation might be tough to have, and it might spark some tensions or feelings of inadequacy between you two. Typically, one partner can provide more than the other. Sometimes, even parents and other family members are stepping in to provide additional funds. Maybe you have a trust fund you haven’t touched and were waiting until now to tell your partner about. Either way, it’s important you both approach this part of the conversation with an open mind and ready to make big decisions about what your wedding day will look like. This is a huge exercise in what it means to be married — if you can’t decide on a total budget or how you’re going to spend the money for your wedding, then maybe you should reconsider whether or not you should get married. Here are some additional things you’ll want to consider regarding your wedding budget: CONTRIBUTIONS Who’s contributing what, or what part of the wedding are they going to take care of financially? For family members contributing, are they requesting something specific with their money, such as a specific vendor? Ask these questions before accepting gifts. PREFERENCES Is it an absolute must for you to have a plated dinner? If you have a lot of family members with food allergies, then maybe it is. Do you need a four-tiered custom cake, or would you settle for some cupcakes from your local wholesaler? Could you both go without diamond wedding rings and instead be comfortable with silicone wedding bands? Talk about your preferences and really research how much that will cost. ALTERNATIVES What else could you do with the money? Many couples take part of their wedding fund and put it toward the down payment on a home or a more lavish honeymoon or even nest it away for having children or emergency expenses. Some even pay off past debts so they can enter into marriage together with a clean slate. Find Your Ring Size THE VENUE After deciding the budget, tackle the venue. Venues come in all shapes, sizes and features. Some venues provide event rentals. Some even come with in-house catering (you find this more at hotels). Some have a minimum bar tab, and some are only available certain days of the week. There are so many options to choose from, but here are some things to consider when choosing a venue: ACCESSIBILITY How will you and your guests access the venue? If parking or walking might be an issue, then maybe it’s not the right place for you. If your guest list is a bit older, or you’re worried that your bridesmaid’s heels will be too high for the terrain, consider a different venue. GETTING READY AREAS Can everyone get ready on-site together, even if they’re separated by a hallway? Make sure you find out whether there’s a shower or closet space for people to hang their garments. RENTALS Does your venue provide tables, chairs, linens and even china? Many couples opt for local conference or community centers because a lot of this is included in the price. Sure, it has a less custom feel, but guests tend to remember more about what they ate, not the color of the plate they ate on. RAIN OPTION In the event of rain, what is your plan? Does the venue have an indoor solution, or will you have to put a tent up a few days in advance? Ask these questions before signing your venue contract. THE FOOD Food is another large portion of your wedding. Guests will long talk about whether or not they enjoyed the food at your wedding, especially in the springtime. Here are some considerations to make when choosing a caterer and baker for your wedding: HOW MUCH FOOD Heavy hors d’oeuvres? Full buffet? Carving stations? Plated dinner? Fondue? Desserts? There are so many options. Find out what your caterer specializes in, and what the cost difference will be between them. Some dishes will be more expensive if the protein or produce isn’t in season. PROVIDED STAFF Will your caterer provide staff on site throughout the entire event? While this might not seem like a big deal now, we can guarantee that it will be later. Sure, you might think you don’t need someone during dinner to clear tables, but you best believe that your Aunt Mildred won’t be getting up from her seat to throw her plate away when she could be on the dance floor instead. You always want to look for a caterer that will provide one or two staff on hand to clear plates, refill water glasses and keep things generally tidy during your wedding, even if you have a buffet. CAKE VS. CUPCAKES VS. DESSERTS What sweets will you have at your wedding? If you’re having a cake, are you saving your top tier for later? Know the answers to these before you choose a baker. TASTE TEST Don’t be afraid to ask for samples! Good caterers and bakers will allow you the option of tasting their eats before you sign the contract. THE MUSIC The reception vibes for your wedding must be exactly what you want them to be. That’s where a good DJ comes in! But, you’ve got to decide whether you even want a professional DJ at your wedding. There are many pros and cons to a DJ, but some couples opt for a live band or a curated playlist instead. This might be the one area you can cut some corners with, but here are some questions to ask yourself before you decide not to have a DJ at your wedding: Who will provide the speaker system? If it’s not the venue, and you didn’t hire a DJ … how will you play your music? This is especially important for outdoor weddings in the spring. Rain is a huge possibility, and you can’t just use any regular Bluetooth speaker. Even some professional equipment can’t get wet. Who will handle the song changes during your processional, recessional and wedding party entrances and spotlight dances? Yep, you probably didn’t think about that one. Contrary to popular belief, no one dances the full four minutes with their mom to their spotlight dance. Who will handle introductions? Your parents, grandparents, wedding party and even you and your new spouse all deserve their time in the limelight, even if it’s just for a few moments. Who will handle those introductions and music cues? You’re not going to want it all at the same volume the entire time. THE FLOWERS Flowers are a major staple of every wedding. Some people spend years thinking about what flowers they want at their wedding. Whether it’s a favorite flower, a flower that has lots of sentimental meaning or a flower that comes in a color selection unique to your decor scheme, here are the flowers in bloom during spring that are great for wedding: Anemone Daffodil Hydrangea Lilac Peony Poppy Ranunculus Tulip There are also flowers that bloom year-round that are great to include in your wedding flowers. Whether you put them in bouquets, arch designs or even your centerpieces, these flowers make every wedding look great: Baby’s Breath Carnations Chrysanthemums Roses Eucalyptus Shop Our Stackable Wedding Ring Options Flowers can be very expensive. Many seasonal flowers cost more than others, such as hydrangeas and peonies. They’re also very delicate, too, and can’t be out in harsh conditions for very long. Talk in-depth with your florist about what they think will look great. They’re the experts, and they’ll know what direction will work best. THE DECOR If there’s one thing most brides look forward to, it’s their wedding decor. With so many different styles, colors and decorations, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. As a spring bride, you’ll have a variety of considerations to make, but you also have a variety of themes and options to choose from. Your venue and your preferences will all lend to your ultimate decisions about your decor. From dark and moody to bright and airy, there are so many different combinations to explore. You’ll typically need to make the decision between hiring a designer or DIYing the decor yourself. Here are some questions you’ll need to ask before you make the decision: Where will you store the items you make for the wedding? If you’re DIYing, all that decor has to go somewhere. Many couples end up selling their decor at garage sales … to wedding designers. Will your designer have to rent items, or do they have everything they need? You’ll know the answer to this question if and when your designer invites you to their business for a consultation. If they have a showroom full of pieces on display, then your answer is that they have everything they need. Who will set up and break down the decor before and after your event? Many couples who choose the DIY route think this is something that friends and family will take care of, but let’s face it: Everyone will either be so focused on having a good time or a little too inebriated to remember to blow out candles and pack things away before needing to be out of the venue. Hiring a designer alleviates this issue. THE ATTIRE Attire for a spring wedding is an essential conversation. Brides spend years thinking about what wedding dress they want, well before they meet their fiancé. And, sometimes, even that changes once they try on some dresses. While men don’t necessarily think too much about what they’re wearing to their own wedding, they might have a favorite suit, a military uniform or even a funny idea for them and the guys to do together. Take some time to think about whether you want to rent or buy suits, dresses and accessories. Also think about whether or not you’re hosting your wedding indoors or outside, as that will determine whether you find a sleeveless dress or something with long sleeves. Another thing to consider are your wedding bands. While many couples like the tradition of metal bands, it’s important to consider alternatives. We have a variety of men’s wedding rings that mimic a traditional metal ring but are suitable for all different career types. First responders especially love our rings because they don’t have to stress about them on the job. Some of our wedding rings for women feature a stackable design, which is perfect for those who want their wedding band and engagement ring represented. THE BOTTOM LINE A spring wedding is practically just like every other wedding. There are many considerations you’ll need to make, especially about your budget and your food. Above all, just focus on planning a wedding that gives you and your fiancé the chance to celebrate together. Invite as many or as few people as you want, and make the decisions you feel will help you transition into life together as a married couple. Image Credits rongyiquan/Shutterstock.com Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com Zinaida Zaiko/Shutterstock.com schab/Shutterstock.com sergei kochetov/Shutterstock.com SergeyBitos/Shutterstock.com Pavlo Melnyk/Shutterstock.com Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock.com MNStudio/Shutterstock.com Shchus/Shutterstock.com Madeline Tolle/Shutterstock.com