Where to start preparing for a wedding - a step-by-step plan from A to Z

A wedding is a day that changes the fate of two people in love with each other. The relationship is moving to a new stage, which is of serious importance. Most couples strive to create a solemn atmosphere that will be remembered for a lifetime. For everything to go perfectly, you need to make an effort, show imagination and be patient.

If you start the preparatory process immediately before an important day, then there is a high probability of not having time to do something or completely forgetting it. For this reason, it would be wise and correct to start preparing in advance, thinking through all the nuances in a calm atmosphere. Preparations for the wedding are carried out step by step, a plan is required, it is better to draw it up manually in a notebook.

Wedding budget

Operating with approximate amounts is like setting off on a free voyage. The current may eventually push the budget of a young family into debt. Determine the real amount you can afford, and based on it, draw up a plan and estimate for the event.

What should it include:

• wedding dress and groom's suit;
• wedding rings;
• hairstyle and makeup for the bride;
• bouquet and boutonniere;
• restaurant;
• transport for newlyweds and guests;
• photographer;
• videographer;
• leading;
• musicians;
• invitations;
• a wedding cake;
• loaf;
• various accessories and decorations;
• And so on.

“The number of guests reduces certain costs: for example, the cost of a banquet and cake, transport costs and other budget items that, with a small number of guests, simply become irrelevant. You can also resort to the help of a wedding agency minimally, more for advice and finding a hall for the celebration and contractors than for the organization itself. Moreover, if there is a need to save money, then the difference between 10 and 100 invited guests is colossal, and if the newlyweds want to celebrate this day only with their closest ones, but make the day unforgettable, then by expanding with activities and decor, they can spend only 2-3 times less than 100 people,” says one of the managers of the wedding agency GloryWedding, Anastasia Fedik.

An approximate estimate for a wedding in the summer season might look like this:

An example of a wedding estimate for 50 people in Moscow
Summer season	ECONOMY	STANDARD	PREMIUM
Wedding agency fee /complete turnkey wedding organization or only wedding coordinator services/	15 000 ₽ /coordinator only/	55 000 ₽ /Full construction/	85 000 ₽ /Full construction/
Site rental	0 ₽	30 000 ₽	100 000 ₽
Banquet	150 000 ₽	250 000 ₽	400 000 ₽
Your own alcohol	30 000 ₽	50 000 ₽	90 000 ₽
Wedding printing	0 ₽	15 000 ₽	25 000 ₽
Cards for guests' tables	0 ₽	3 000 ₽	7 000 ₽
Print seating plan	0 ₽	3 000 ₽	10 000 ₽
Musicians	0 ₽	50 000 ₽	150 000 ₽
Host + DJ	35 000 ₽	60 000 ₽	80 000 ₽
Photographer	30 000 ₽	50 000 ₽	90 000 ₽
Videographer	0 ₽	40 000 ₽	90 000 ₽
Visagiste	10 000 ₽	15 000 ₽	25 000 ₽
Field registrar	0 ₽	10 000 ₽	15 000 ₽
Cake	10 000 ₽	15 000 ₽	30 000 ₽
Book for recommendations	0 ₽	5 000 ₽	5 000 ₽
Loaf	0 ₽	1 500 ₽	1 500 ₽
Transport for guests	0 ₽	20 000 ₽	20 000 ₽
Transport for newlyweds	0 ₽	10 000 ₽	50 000 ₽
Arch with flowers (for registration)	0 ₽	20 000 ₽	35 000 ₽
Tablecloths for rent	0 ₽	10 000 ₽	20 000 ₽
Napkins for rent	0 ₽	5 000 ₽	10 000 ₽
Chiavari/Napoleon chairs/most popular/	0 ₽	15 000 ₽	25 000 ₽
Hall: flowers on guests' tables	10 000 ₽	15 000 ₽	50 000 ₽
Hall: table numbers in a gold frame (10 pcs)	0 ₽	3 000 ₽	5 500 ₽
Hall, serving: stand plates	0 ₽	0 ₽	20 000 ₽
Hall, serving: glasses	0 ₽	0 ₽	10 000 ₽
Presidium: tablecloth	0 ₽	0 ₽	3 000 ₽
Presidium: floral border of fresh flowers	10 000 ₽	15 000 ₽	35 000 ₽
Bridal bouquet and boutonniere for the groom	4 500 ₽	8 500 ₽	11 000 ₽
Photo zone: banner (Press-Wall) 2.5 x 3 m	0 ₽	0 ₽	10 000 ₽
Delivery and return of customized goods, logistics	0 ₽	10 000 ₽	20 000 ₽
The work of decorators	0 ₽	15 000 ₽	35 000 ₽
Bottom line	304 500 ₽	798 500 ₽	1 657 500 ₽

Source: calculations by Ksenia Nikolskaya, head of the wedding agency Tenerezza Wedding

“In 99% of cases, weddings do not pay off, so you should not treat the event as a way to get rich. It’s best not to spend a budget that doesn’t exist on a wedding, but to adjust the format of the event to a comfortable budget,” warns Anastasia Fedik.

First of all, the most important expenses should be described in the estimate, with the little things at the end of the list. Having determined the amount for each expense item, you need to strictly follow it. If you have gone over budget in some areas, it means you need to reduce non-essential expenses by the same amount.

It is best to pay for wedding purchases and services with a bank card with a cashback option. Since large expenses lie ahead, the amount of refunded funds may be 1–5%.

Cards with the biggest cashback

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Action plan 3 months before the celebration

So, you have already decided on the special date. There are exactly 3 months left before the wedding. On the one hand, there is not much time, but it is quite enough to resolve basic organizational issues.

How to make a budget

No matter what the format of your holiday, you need to make a budget in any case. This will protect you first and foremost.

Let's consider all the details that will require the expenditure of funds:

• rent of a banquet hall;
• food, drinks for the banquet, plus cake;
• wedding dresses and accessories for them.
• hairstyle, makeup artist services, manicure, pedicure;
• wedding rings;
• decoration of the hall (balloons, flower arrangements, arches, decorations, etc.);
• transport for the bride and groom, as well as separately for guests;
• renting hotel rooms for guests;
• expenses for bride price;
• photo and video shooting;
• payment for the toastmaster;
• payment for wedding agency services (if applied);
• live music;
• marriage registration (state fee, champagne, refreshments for the outdoor ceremony);
• wedding, if there is one;
• payment for honeymoon;
• other small and unforeseen expenses (they will definitely be).

Of course, no one will tell you exact numbers. It all depends on personal needs, situation, number of guests and other details.

As an example, you can take approximate prices for different formats of celebrations. Let's present them in the form of a table.

Economical option	180 thousand rubles.
Average level	400-500 thousand rubles.
Expensive option	More than a million rubles.

Choosing a wedding venue

In the traditional version, marriage is registered in the registry office. But for the sake of originality, couples began to hold the official part more often in more interesting places. To do this, you need to discuss this issue with the registry office employees in advance. Checking in on the seashore will look very romantic.

The atmosphere will be incredibly pleasant for everyone. The beauty of the sea coast will fill your senses with bright colors and give you a good mood. You can organize the whole process even on a boat; this option is no less exciting and romantic.

If you want to get away from the bustle of the city, choose a country house. It is important that the area has good green spaces. If the newlyweds are among the extreme sports enthusiasts, then, as an option, the painting can be planned on the roof of the house. But this option has many limitations, since not all invitees will agree to climb to the heights. However, everything depends on the specific case and situation. The main thing is to follow safety rules.

When choosing a place, young people are primarily guided by their own wishes and level of imagination. But now, when there are 3 months left before the important event, it’s worth taking care of.

Submitting an application to the registry office

It is important to apply early. In this case, you can be sure that the desired date will be free. This formality is perhaps the most important and integral moment of the wedding.

Before you go to write a fateful application, collect all the necessary documents. You will definitely need passports; without them nothing will work. Also, don’t forget to bring your receipt for payment of the state fee.

If one of the spouses (or maybe both) was previously married, then you will have to provide a document on the dissolution of the previous union or a death certificate, if that is the reason for the termination of the relationship. It happens that a marriage is concluded with minors, in which case the parents will need to write written permission for such a marriage. Decide in advance about changing the bride's surname.

The registry office staff will need this information to prepare the document.

Choosing a place for a banquet

Everyone understands perfectly well that a lot at a wedding depends on the location of the celebration. Check out the restaurants in your city and decide what is closer to you and more affordable. After you have chosen something, you should visit the establishment and visually assess its condition and available space.

The main thing to pay attention to is:

1. Is there enough space to accommodate all guests?
2. Please pay close attention to convenience issues. For example, look at the condition of the bathroom, whether there are designated smoking areas, whether air conditioning is installed, etc.
3. Assess the general condition of the room. Immediately think about whether this hall design is suitable for your wedding.
4. Immediately ask the administrator if you can make your own adjustments to the design.
5. Talk about the menu. Write down everything in detail per guest. You may be able to purchase some products yourself, thereby saving your budget.
6. Immediately explain how many people will be present at the celebration. Will there be the required number of service personnel on the specified date?
7. Be sure to check with the administrator what rules and restrictions exist in this establishment. Maybe you will be able to come to an agreement and the management will change some of the prohibitions, for example, extending the closing time of the restaurant.

If you take into account all these nuances when choosing a place, then there is no doubt that it will be ideal in all respects. Those couples who want to celebrate their wedding in a more extravagant way can organize a banquet outdoors. For this purpose, a tent or canopy is set up, and thematic decorations are placed.
You can combine business with pleasure when choosing a banquet place on the ship. Just imagine how wonderful and romantic this day will be.

A boat trip and fun on deck...what could be better?

Choosing a wedding host

It is very important to make the right choice of host for the wedding, since the success of the celebration largely depends on this person.

The mood and festive atmosphere, entertainment program - all this falls on the shoulders of the toastmaster. You shouldn’t wait until the last day; it’s better to start searching for the right person about 3 months in advance. Be guided by the reviews of people you know and your personal impressions of communication.

Pay attention to speech, manner of communication and volume of voice. You yourself understand that a person who has speech impediments, who cannot normally connect two words, and besides, who speaks quietly, is unlikely to conduct your wedding with dignity. If the toastmaster does not mind, then you can ask to provide video examples of your work. In this case, you can really assess the level of professionalism.

Immediately discuss the appearance of the presenter. This is important because a clown costume or similar would not be appropriate.

If the role of toastmaster will be performed by a woman, ask what she will be wearing. There should not be anything provocative in appearance, since, as you understand, attention will be directed to the main heroes of the occasion.

Immediately discuss the scenario, what competitions and entertainment there will be. Make your own adjustments if necessary. A professional will be able to give you practical advice on any matter.

It’s great if the toastmaster has his own personal equipment. And, of course, check the rates per hour of work. Please note that truly talented people will not waste their energy, strength and time for pennies. But the prices should not be too high.

If both parties agree and come to a common understanding, then “book” the presenter without a doubt.

Design of wedding invitations

The preparatory process for the wedding should begin with the design and distribution of invitations.

There is no need to delay this procedure, because the closer you get to the celebration, the more likely it is that you will simply forget about this important detail. It will be quite difficult to arrange invitations in a hurry, and not all guests will be able to adjust their plans in such a short period to get to your celebration.

It would be best to send out postcards three months before the due date. To do this, you should already have a clear “list” of people who, in your opinion, should be present at the wedding.

You need to design cards in the chosen wedding theme.

The text can be written either manually or printed. The content can be anything you see fit, but it must include the date, place and time.

It is best to address guests by name - this shows respect. For originality, you can record a video invitation, designing it in some style.

For example, make a short film based on your love story. Tell us at the end when you will celebrate the event, at what time and where the collection “point” will be.

You can also download ready-made templates for invitations from the Internet and simply print them and sign them. It all depends on the theme of the wedding.

Cheap dates

Ideally, wedding preparations should begin six months in advance, especially when it comes to the busiest summer season. Then you will have time to study different offers and compare them. If you are late, you will have to choose from what is still free and pay more for it. Please take this into account when choosing a date.

“The cost from season to season, if we take one calendar year, does not actually change, but there is a high probability of receiving a discount and additional services on a bonus basis if the season is low. The lower the season, the higher the competition, the more willingly contractors and sites offer discounts,” says Anastasia Fedik.

But if you started preparing a couple of months in advance, don't worry. There is a way to save money by choosing an unbusy day for your wedding.

The cost of a wedding is influenced not so much by seasonality as by the popularity of the date itself and the day of the week. According to the head of the wedding agency Vinogradova Event, Polina Vinogradova, on popular dates the rental price may increase or a minimum deposit may be set.

“The day of the week affects the cost directly. On weekdays, the rental price is reduced by 30%. The most expensive days are Friday and Saturday, Sunday is a little cheaper,” she shares.

Step-by-step instructions for preparing for the wedding:

Guest list

This point is quite difficult for some couples, since their ideas about the wedding sometimes do not coincide.

For example, the bride wants a magnificent celebration with many guests, and the groom wants a modest ceremony and travel. It is necessary to find a compromise and decide on the format of the celebration.

Discuss the list of guests with your other half and calculate their approximate number, this is important in the future.

Wedding helpers

The larger the holiday is planned, the more you will have to prepare. In the process, thousands of organizational issues arise, so as not to get completely confused in them, you need to get yourself assistants.

Firstly, now there are a lot of applications - organizers for brides, be sure to install one for yourself, it will save your time and help optimize your preparation.

Secondly, find yourself an assistant - this could be a wedding planner, your best friend or your mother. It is difficult to do everything alone and there is not always enough time.

Is it worth hiring an organizer? Of course, this depends on your budget, but if the celebration is large-scale, it is still better to use the help of a specialist. So that on your wedding day you can just relax and not deal with organizational issues.

If the wedding is intimate, you can get by with the help of friends or mother. The main thing is that your assistant is responsible, and preparation is not a burden for him.

Wedding style

We talked about the format - lush or intimate, but there is also such a thing as a wedding style - classic, bohemian, loft, vintage, rustic - You need to think through the concept in advance, the choice of venue, wedding dresses, and decor.

Wedding dress and suit for the groom

The easiest way to save on a bride's dress is to rent it. The rental cost, according to Daria Tyurina from the wedding agency GloryWedding, varies from 10 to 30 thousand rubles. If you buy a dress, you can spend 50 thousand rubles.

As an option, you should consider a dress not from the wedding category, but, say, buy a prom dress. “The wedding dress should be a wedding dress, the bad thing is that it will blur the perception of the celebration, so there is no need to consider “cocktail” dresses, unless they are white,” advises Anastasia Fedik.

Ordering on AliExpress is not an option for the faint of heart, it will be cheaper, but no one guarantees the result. Such an extreme saving measure can be resorted to only with a simple dress style with real photographs from other customers.

With a budget of 5 to 10 thousand rubles, tailoring in an atelier that does not specialize in wedding dresses is ideal. Today it is not difficult to find workshops where, for reasonable money, you can become the owner of a very touching and gentle image, and also an exclusive one.

If the bride does not agree to sacrifice chic, then she should visit the Pronovias salon. This brand collaborates with famous designers who make very expensive dresses, and the next year they release their own collection of very similar ones, but much cheaper. In addition, he has his own discount center.

The easiest way to save money when it comes to wedding clothing is for the groom. “Any classic suit is suitable for him, especially if it’s a stylized wedding. In this case, a shirt, bow tie and suspenders are often used. All this can be easily borrowed from friends,” notes Polina Vinogradova from Vinogradova event.

What to do six months before the wedding

Six months is precisely the period that contributes to the beginning of active actions that bring the wedding day closer. Let's look at what needs to be done first:

1. First, clearly decide on the date of the celebration. Try to take into account vacation times, birthdays, departures and other moments that should not coincide with the ceremony. If you are planning to get married, then you need to find out in advance from the church on what days the sacrament can be celebrated. A special calendar is sold, which indicates forbidden and permitted days.
2. Make a guest list. At this stage, it can still be approximate, but still strive for more accurate figures.
3. Think about where you will celebrate the event. Visit different restaurants, make comparisons, or check out other beautiful places that can become a place for special celebrations. If you decide on something, agree on a lease.
4. Decide right away who will organize the wedding: you or the wedding agency. If you prefer the second option, then it is better to discuss this topic with professionals now. They will listen to your preferences and offer their own options, if necessary.
5. Calculate your estimated budget. Of course, it’s too early to talk about exact numbers, but once you know the approximate prices for goods and services, you can outline your future budget. Write amounts with a small margin - it is better to have your finances in full than to later realize that you did not have enough funds for something. But there is always somewhere to spend the remaining money.
6. Think about what exactly you want to see at your wedding. Perhaps you like a traditional version of the celebration, or maybe you want to arrange a themed ceremony. This is a very important point, since the further plan for the development of events comes from it.
7. Consider candidates suitable for the role of toastmaster now. As a rule, wedding hosts have orders for several months in advance, so find the right person in advance who can be entrusted with such an important task.
8. The preparatory stage includes choosing a place for your honeymoon. In 6 months, this issue already needs to be resolved: book hotel rooms, order tickets for a certain date, etc.
9. You can already buy wedding rings.
10. As for choosing a dress for the bride and the groom’s outfit, time also allows you to visit salons and choose what you like. Perhaps the dress will be made to order, in which case the process needs to start now.

Rings

You need to choose rings according to the wishes of the bride and groom. It’s worth looking at ring options in advance on jewelry store websites or in catalogs, and also deciding on a budget for the purchase.

Rings are:

• smooth (classic), with edges and designer (unusual shapes);
• from gold, silver, platinum and other metals;
• with precious stones (diamond, emerald, ruby, etc.).

Rings can be purchased at a branded jewelry store or ordered from a jeweler. The price from a jeweler will be at least 10% higher than when purchased in a store. Rings should not be purchased secondhand, from pawn shops or thrift stores. Also, you should not buy products with a big discount, for example, 50% or 80% - they were most likely overpriced. The maximum discount that should not raise suspicion is 20%, say jewelry sellers.

Types of rings by metal content	Cost of two rings
Economy option - 375 gold	from 4200 ₽
Classic - 585 gold	12–20 thousand ₽
Premium - 750 gold or 950 platinum)	from 100 thousand ₽

The cost of 925 sterling silver rings in discount stores starts from 500 ₽. But sellers recommend choosing at least 375 gold. Some stores offer interest-free installments. That is, you can return the money for your purchase within several months or a year. Not the best option, but in difficult times it is a way out.

Tip: Before purchasing rings, be sure to try them on at room temperature. Please remember that they cannot be returned or exchanged.

After purchase or after the wedding, the ring can be engraved. For example, write: “Masha + Andron”, “Love”, “Your Pokemon” or simply put the wedding date. In small cities, the cost of the service starts from 200 ₽ per inscription, in Moscow - 500–1000 ₽.

Where to start preparing for a wedding?

In most cases, brides deal with preparation issues: some turn to specialists, others do everything on their own, while others are helped by their friends. But, like true girls, 80% of brides begin their preparations by buying a wedding dress - this is not entirely the right approach.

Where then to begin? Start from the beginning: calculate your wedding budget. There is always a certain amount of money that you plan to spend on organizing a celebration.

If you want, you can draw a parallel with renovating an apartment - you have a certain budget for renovations, you calculate it in advance, and then evaluate your expenses to fit into the total amount. Otherwise, the money may run out at the most inopportune moment, and you will have to save a lot in order to somehow complete the work.

It’s the same with organizing a celebration: every expense item must be thought out so that the budget turns out to be balanced. So, we’ve decided on the budget, let’s move on to the instructions.

Location

Moscow has a very large selection of places that can be used for a wedding banquet. Therefore, first of all, in order to save money, it is worth comparing the prices of at least 5–7 sites from the ones you like.

“You don’t have to choose a place that doesn’t fit your budget. How to understand this: always go from more to less. You need to determine a comfortable wedding budget and then highlight priorities - primary, secondary and tertiary expenses. Distribute the budget and look for a site only within the budget; if you don’t like everything, then increase the cost a little, while crossing out one equivalent tertiary expense from the estimate,” shares Anastasia Fedik.

As the expert notes, it is better to find a beautiful site than to decorate it additionally.

Particular attention should be paid to restaurants, verandas, tents or hotels that allow the use of their own alcohol. Another trick is to shorten the banquet time by inviting guests not at five or six o’clock in the evening, but, say, at seven or eight.

List for the bride

Even the most attentive and responsible bride can forget about something on such an exciting day. So that nothing takes you by surprise, the bride should have the following things ready on the list for her wedding day:

1. Wedding Dress.
2. Veil.
3. Underwear.
4. Stockings or tights, including a spare pair.
5. Garter.
6. Shoes.
7. A replacement pair of comfortable shoes.
8. Handbag.
9. Gloves.
10. Jewelry: earrings, bracelet, tiara, etc.
11. Cosmetics and mirror - powder, lip gloss, mascara. Weather and emotions can ruin even the most durable makeup, so you should definitely have the most necessary products on hand.
12. Antistatic.
13. Antiperspirant, eau de toilette.
14. Adhesive plaster, pain reliever, tablets for stomach and intestinal upsets.
15. Wet and dry wipes.
16. Hairpins and a comb if you suddenly need to straighten your hair.
17. Clear nail polish and a safety pin for an emergency repair of tights or an outfit.
18. Mobile phone with all necessary numbers: parents, drivers, photographer, restaurant administrator, hotel contacts. It is important not to forget to top up your balance and charge the battery.
19. Cape and umbrella in case of bad weather.

If the first wedding night is planned at a hotel, then you need to put in a separate bag in advance:

• change of underwear;
• nightgown, robe;
• makeup remover and facial care products;
• cosmetic bag;
• shampoo, hair mask, comb, curling iron;
• clothes and shoes for the second day of the wedding or for returning home;
• bag or special bag for a wedding dress.

You should also take care of the procedures for the bride in advance:

• facial cleansing or solarium if necessary;
• epilation;
• manicure and pedicure;
• hairstyle, including cutting and coloring;
• makeup.

Photo and video

The photographer and videographer may cost 15–20% of the budget. “The cost of a photographer varies from 1.5 to 20 thousand rubles per hour (I take the cost up to a high professional), but, as a rule, a wedding photographer costs from 3 to 8 thousand rubles per hour. Of course, the more hours the photographer works, the higher the fee,” says Anastasia from GloryWedding.

Therefore, it is obvious that, in order to save money, the couple should consider reducing the photographer’s working hours. For example, use his services only for the formal part. Or, according to Anastasia Fedik, hire one photographer for two hours on the morning of the bride, then let him go and hire another for the banquet.

The Vinogradova Event agency points out that you can find a fairly good photographer, but without a rich wedding portfolio, which is why they are usually not in demand at such events.

“Take a closer look at the style and quality of the photographs; among them there are real finds, which, after adding to the portfolio, will immediately increase in price,” advises Polina Vinogradova.

List for the groom

1. Wedding suit.
2. Shirt, including one in reserve.
3. Underwear and socks.
4. Accessories (belt, tie and tie clip, cufflinks, watch, boutonniere).
5. Shoes.
6. Comb.
7. Handkerchief.
8. Shoe brush or sponge.
9. Cologne.
10. A mobile phone with all the necessary numbers, a phone with a replenished balance and a charged battery.

If the newlyweds plan to spend their first wedding night away from home, the groom should also take care of things for the morning.

Although the bride’s bouquet is chosen together, the groom must bring it. Therefore, when going to pick up the bride, you must remember to stop by the salon to pick up a bouquet ordered in advance.

Leading

Here experts advise to be careful and not save too much; after all, the tone of the celebration and the mood of the guests will depend on the charisma and experience of the toastmaster.

“The market offers a huge number of leaders; you just need to review and meet with a large number of them and choose the one who best matches the price and quality. You need to choose contractors not at the last moment, but as early as possible so as not to settle for what is left. The season and day of the week matter,” reminds Anastasia Fedik.

Organizing a wedding: making a plan yourself

You can write a wedding plan without much effort, but the best way to write it is to be creative. You can choose any option you like. The plan should be convenient, simple and memorable, because you cannot forget a single detail.

• Plan on paper. The simplest plan for organizing your long-awaited wedding can be written on a regular piece of paper. When you write text by hand, you will be much better able to remember all the important details. You can also use colored paper or thick cardboard if this helps you better remember all the nuances.
• Electronic plan. If you don't like to write by hand, you can safely print your plan electronically. Planning your wedding will be easier if you highlight each important item with a different color. The big advantage of a wedding plan in electronic form is that you can transfer it to your phone and view it at a time convenient for you. You can also easily drop it off with the groom, parents, or bridesmaids if you want to ask them for help with the organization.
• Stickers on the refrigerator. Another original way to design a step-by-step wedding plan can be bright sticky stickers. Write one point of the plan on each of them and hang it on the refrigerator in the correct order. If the plan item is successfully completed, feel free to tear it away from the refrigerator. As soon as you have one or two stickers left, you will feel how close your celebration is and how much you have already done to organize the wedding.

Makeup artist and hairdresser

In no case should you, in order to save money, refuse to rehearse the image (a procedure when a stylist and hairdresser arrive some time before the wedding and do a trial makeup and hairstyle). But you can save money on the makeup artist or stylist itself in a rather trivial way - find those that are cheaper among the countless offers. However, the main thing here is not to overdo it, their portfolio will help with this.

“You can choose a makeup artist with no experience, who has just completed courses, but is talented. But you definitely need to rehearse the image, perhaps several times. Without a rehearsal, it is impossible to approve a master, and several rehearsals will waste a budget that could ultimately afford a qualified master,” warns Anastasia Fedik.

To-do list 3 weeks before the wedding

Try to do the following three weeks before the wedding:

1. Create the final menu for the banquet.
2. Decide where and when you will have your bachelor and bachelorette parties.
3. Book hotel rooms for guests.
4. Purchase or purchase everything you need to decorate the room.
5. Call the previously ordered toastmaster, photographer and videographer to once again make sure that all agreements are in force.

Invitations

The cost of printed invitations is on average 150 rubles per piece, says Polina Vinogradova.

What does the price consist of? From the work of the designer, the number of colors, the complexity of the die-cutting stamp and design (postcard or postcard + envelope), urgency. “And also on the number of printed forms (some of the guests are called to the registry office, and the other part - to the restaurant, since the addresses and collection times are different, these are different printed forms. Or, for example, you can enter the names of the guests by hand, or you can print the personal an invitation, again, this is a different form each time),” continues Anastasia Fedik.

So the simpler the better. If you have a large number of guests, it makes sense to consider electronic invitations. “An electronic invitation will be much cheaper. The difference can be from 15 to 50 thousand rubles,” Anastasia calculates.

List for restaurant

To meet the newlyweds you will need:

• salt shaker;
• loaf;
• towel

The restaurant will also need:

• wedding cake set;
• a bag or chest for collecting money;
• album for wishes;
• pyrotechnics (fireworks, firecrackers);
• first aid kit (just in case);
• a scarf with which the mother-in-law covers the bride's head at the end of the celebration.

When going home, it is important not to forget gifts, including money and flowers, remaining alcohol and snacks, a knife for cutting the cake, a figurine from it, and an album with wishes.

Flowers

It is best to use seasonal flowers, which are much cheaper. “Callies, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, buttercups (as a replacement for peonies) - these are all winter-spring flowers; dahlias, hydrangeas, gardenias, lilies, poppies and so on are summer flowers. But there are also year-round ones, they do not differ much in cost depending on the season - these are roses, gerberas, stephanotis and others,” says Polina Vinogradova.

For decoration, you can use fresh flowers mixed with artificial ones. “For example, decorating the top of the exit registration arch or staircase railings (as well as tables - approx. Compare.ru). Artificial flowers cannot be completely distinguished from real ones, and the volume of the composition is impressive,” explains Anastasia Fedik.

It is better to buy flowers from wholesalers and choose from those that are currently in stock.

Get an organizer

To understand where to start preparing for your wedding, the first thing you need to do is get a planner. This could be a regular organizer, an electronic diary or an application - choose the option that is closer to you. As a rule, many brides immediately begin to think through their wedding look, but we still advise you to first decide on the date of your celebration. Discuss this issue with the groom, find a wedding planner, see what locations are available for your date. If the holiday falls on a weekday, check whether all guests will be able to attend the wedding on that day. After you decide on the date, you can submit an application to the registry office. And don't forget to share the good news with your parents and the groom's parents.

In the early stages of planning, do not rush into concluding contracts. Look at contractors' portfolios and create a selection of photos on Pinterest. In a word, try to imagine what your wedding should be like. By the way, pictures with examples of decor, outfits and style of celebration will be very useful in the future. A moodboard is necessary not only to create a wedding concept, but also to ensure that the organizer accurately understands your needs. Think about how you can decorate your wedding venue. These could be fresh flowers, lanterns, ribbons, fabric drapery, minimalist decor or vintage items. Collect ideas, get inspired, but don’t copy someone else’s wedding. After all, this should be your day!

Transport

Renting a vintage car, convertible or carriage with horses costs more than a limousine: 3-7 thousand rubles per hour versus 1.5 thousand. You need to immediately pay for at least four, or even five hours.

If you decide to save on this expense item, then it is best for guests to use a minibus. Perhaps some invitees will agree to travel from the registry office to the restaurant on their own. In some cases, it makes sense to consider taking a taxi. This is especially true if only a few people are invited to register the marriage, perhaps only relatives.

If the newlyweds have their own car or one of their parents or friends is ready to act as a driver, then this simplifies the task of saving money. You can decorate your car by renting special accessories or borrowing them from your friends.

List for the registry office

After the ransom, the bride and groom go to the registry office, where they will need:

• wedding rings;
• a pillow for them;
• towel;
• passports;
• CD with a song for the first dance;
• champagne and glasses;
• folder for marriage registration certificate.

After the wedding, the newlyweds are usually showered with rose petals, rice or wheat.

Honeymoon

Answer the question: how much money would you mind spending on your honeymoon? 50 thousand ₽, 300 thousand ₽, or maybe 1 million ₽? Go to several travel agencies and listen to the suggestions of specialists. Then look separately at prices for air tickets and hotels. Think and decide where you will go and what you want to do there.

Here are the minimum travel budgets depending on the time of year (flight + accommodation for two for 7 nights):

Season and country example	Minimum budget	In a five star hotel with breakfast
Winter
Thailand	102 thousand ₽	from 139 thousand ₽
Miami (USA)	96 thousand ₽	from 293 thousand ₽
Bahamas	212 thousand ₽	from 400 thousand ₽
Vietnam	73 thousand ₽	from 118 thousand ₽
Sri Lanka	68 thousand ₽	from 83 thousand ₽
Spring
Canary Islands	63 thousand ₽	from 139 thousand ₽
Mauritius	141 thousand ₽	from 258 thousand ₽
UAE	74 thousand ₽	from 112 thousand ₽
Maldives	88 thousand ₽	from 179 thousand ₽
Dominican Republic	91 thousand ₽	from 106 thousand ₽
Summer
Spain	46 thousand ₽	from 106 thousand ₽
France	77 thousand ₽	from 256 thousand ₽
Italy	56 thousand ₽	from 125 thousand ₽
Greece	47 thousand ₽	from 106 thousand ₽
Tunisia	87 thousand ₽	from 113 thousand ₽
Autumn
Israel	126 thousand ₽	from 216 thousand ₽
Seychelles	108 thousand ₽	from 238 thousand ₽
Hong Kong	82 thousand ₽	from 133 thousand ₽
Goa	71 thousand ₽	from 103 thousand ₽
Cuba	96 thousand ₽	from 153 thousand ₽

Sources: momondo.ru, booking.com, dollar exchange rate at the date of calculations - 63.3 rubles, data current as of May 8, 2022.

Time to celebrate

The next step is to set a time for the wedding. Most weddings in Russia are held from May to October. This is, of course, due to the peculiarities of our climate - in many regions it is too cold in winter.

In addition, the wedding date must be agreed upon with all guests. The sooner you decide on the date, the easier it will be for your guests . They will be able to move planned matters in advance, ask their bosses for time off, and think about a gift. It is best to notify guests 3-4 months before the celebration.

Economy option

If your vacation budget is limited to 10–50 thousand rubles, then don’t be upset. You can relax with this money both in Russia and abroad. Here are some simple options:

• Go for a week to St. Petersburg, Sochi, Pyatigorsk, Kaliningrad or any other beautiful city.
• Stay for a week in a suburban hotel where there is a forest, river, mountains or some kind of activity.
• Stay for 2-3 days in a beautiful five-star hotel.
• Go for a weekend to an old provincial town, where you can book a hot air balloon flight.
• Go on a week-long cruise on the Volga.
• Find a last minute tour, for example, to Turkey.

List for a walk and photo shoot

After registration, the newlyweds traditionally go for a walk and a photo shoot. Usually beautiful places are chosen for this: monuments, fountains, parks, simply beautiful landscapes. It is important to think through and agree on the route in advance. To keep guests from getting bored, you will need:

• champagne, wine, other alcohol;
• water and juices;
• disposable cups or glasses;
• disposable plates and forks;
• wine corkscrew;
• napkins;
• snack (sandwiches, fruit, vegetable, meat and cheese slices, sweets);
• garbage bags.