Weddings have long been expensive and elaborate affairs. Since not everyone wants or needs this type of event, there has been a rise in how many casual weddings are taking place. Instead of hosting huge parties with hundreds of guests and non-stop anxiety, couples decide to have small gatherings where they can enjoy their unions in their own way. If this seems appealing to you, then you might want to learn more about how to get the planning started as soon as possible.
Casual affairs do not require much when compared to how demanding the average reception is, but you are definitely going to need to think about some specifics in advance. Take a look at these suggestions and see what you can achieve for your own relaxed event.
What to Wear
Formal outfits are commonplace when two people are joining together in matrimony. In fact, many men joke that they only own suits for attending weddings and funerals. If you and your partner are not the type of people who enjoy dressing up, then you definitely don’t want to have a formal affair for your celebration. Casual events are exciting because there is no need for you or your guests to go and find formalwear. Instead, you can lay out some rules about what you’d like people to wear.
If you’re planning on getting married outdoors in the summer, you might want to ask your guests to wear comfortable linens in lighter neutrals. Conversely, a winter event might be the perfect time for everyone you love to bundle up in funky sweaters as they watch you and your significant other tie the knot. The beauty of casual events like this is that you and your guests can wear whatever they please without having to stress about it.
Food and Drink
Casual receptions can be wonderful because they are far less expensive than the traditional wedding. Still, you need to feed your guests and you need to make sure that there are drinks for them to enjoy. Since casual events usually have smaller crowds, you might want to put the biggest chunk of your budget toward finding exceptional food options. If you have a favorite restaurant in the area, contact the owners early and discuss catering options.
Some couples even opt to do “pot luck” weddings. If everyone coming to your event brings a tray of food, then there will be no need to have the event catered. This only works if the crowd is small enough, so be sure to think through your guest list before settling on whether or not you’ll have the event catered.
Keep It Simple
Since your wedding is going to be casual, make sure you are not asking too much of your guests. If you are still opting to create a registry for gifts, try to do so at a mid-range store. You don’t want to ask your guests to get you lavish or expensive gifts when holding a small affair in a backyard. Guests will always bring gifts, but asking for a lot can send a mixed message to the people you care about the most.
Weddings have been around for as far back as recorded history goes. While these events have not always been large and expensive, it has been the norm for the past century or so. If you and your partner don’t want to have anything to do with that type of affair, be sure to explore what you can accomplish with a casual event. Take it easy, plan at your own pace, and create an event that speaks to your soul while still helping you tie the knot in front of your loved ones.
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