Say 'I Do' To The Perfect Wedding: How to Plan a Wedding to Remember

Weddings this year are big, glamorous and unforgettable. From the rings to reception, attention to detail is main priority for this year's happy couples. Every girl wants to feel like a princess on her big day, and let's just say, that Royal Wedding of William and Kate has led to many of the trends we are seeing this year.

Let's Start With Rings
Colored gems as engagement rings have been around for centuries, but Kate's sapphire ring has brought back the gemstone trend. Square-cut diamonds are a returning classic and sparkle so brilliantly.

Location, Location, Location
Once the question is popped, location must be set. Outside ceremonies make for a magical scene; landscape and plenty of floral will add to the elegance.

The Dress
Another direct result of the Royal Wedding: brides seeking out long-sleeved, lace dresses. Lace sleeves and illusion necklines are sheer, delicate and sleek. The style of your dress creates the overall look for your wedding. There are five basic styles: A-Line/Princess, Empire, Column, Ball Gown, and Mermaid. It all depends on your personal style. Bridesmaid dresses should also coordinate well with your dress. Keep in mind, your bridesmaids are going to be in all your pictures, you want them to look beautiful too.

Flowers and Colors

Flowers are the central part of any wedding decor. Before, flowers were simple, but now they are large and lush. You will see plenty of colorful and multi-textured bouquets in a variety of hues. Popular color schemes may range from creamy neutrals to more vibrant colors that pop like royal blue, lime green, and even sunset orange. When it comes to theme, many couples keep it simple and choose a coordinating color scheme, but themes may also range from a beach party to wine paradise to blockbuster films. The theme will be carried through into invitations, bachelor/bachelorette parties, ceremonies, and receptions.

Eat, Drink, and Be Married
When it comes to the reception, food, dancing, and cocktails are a must. Specialty food stations are becoming more common than a sit down meal. Food stations should individuality in the reception, and are only limited by the couples imagination. Guests also seem to prefer stations because of the variety of cuisine provided. It is hard to cater a meal that pleases a variety of tastes, but stations solve that problem. When it comes to music, DJ's are great. This allows guest to request songs and adds to the atmosphere. An idea, when you send out invitations, is to have your guests write in a song that they would like to hear and pass these requests to the DJ. When it comes to cocktails, open bar usually works best and is preferred by most guests. Ad something special by creating your own signature cocktail.

When it comes to dessert, the wedding cake is taking a backseat. Provide guests with options. Mini-desserts, cupcakes, and cake pops are taking (over) the cake. Of course, it's also important to have a wedding cake and popular flavors this year are vanilla, almond, and chocolate. Wedding cakes don't have to be over-the-top, or extremely pricey to make a lasting impression. Classic cakes dressed up with ribbons, flowers, beading, and jewels are picture perfect.

Picture Perfect

Speaking of pictures. What better way to remember your special day than with photo and a film? Videographers are becoming just as popular as photographers. It is a great way to relive your wedding day over and over again, as well as share special moments with your guests, family, and friends. A great favor, plus a lot of fun for guests, are photo booths. Photo booths keep guests entertained during cocktail hour. When it comes to professional photos, have fun with it. Some must-have shots: Through the wedding ring, a romantic lift, enthusiastic first kiss, holding parents wedding photos, frame within a frame, romantic dip, jump for joy, and jumping on a bed.

There is a lot that goes into a wedding, and you want it to be special, memorable, and unique. Wedding planners can hlep tie everything together for you and alleviate a little bit of the stress. Planners can also help you cut costs. The perfect day doesn't need to break the bank. Set a budget and plan accordingly. It should all be about being around loved ones anyways.