advice


Planning a Post-Wedding Move – Useful Tips

Your wedding is a big day. However, another big day is coming, too. The moving day. This means that not only do young couples stress out about the wedding, but also about the whole moving in process. However, with the right strategy, everything can go smoothly and easily. You just need to stay calm and be organized. We are going to help you with some useful tips on planning a post-wedding move, so you can enjoy your big day without thinking about moving issues.

Why Move After the Wedding?
Many couples wonder what the best time to move in together is. Some of them do it long before the moving day – they get used to each other before they say “I do”. However, other couples feel that planning a post-wedding move is more special in many ways. Even though this way is more complicated since you need to plan both the wedding and relocation – it’s much more special and romantic for the couple. If you are one of these love birds, be sure to stay organized and plan everything in advance. Also, learn how to reduce wedding planning stress and actually enjoy the whole process.

A couple hugging holding a house key during a post-wedding move
Be sure to start to planning a post-wedding move in advance, so you can
do it stress-free.

Planning a Post-Wedding Move – When to Start?
The main thing you need to remember about planning a post-wedding move is to start early. Arranging everything in advance gives you enough time and energy to parallel-organize both the wedding and the move. If you need to plan your relocation to Brooklyn, NY, you should have enough time to browse neighborhoods, find the right home, a moving company, etc. Therefore, time is everything. If you start organizing months in advance, you will do everything without delays and stress, and enjoy the most beautiful events in your life.

Extra tip: Hang a big calendar in a visible place, so you can follow your progress until the wedding and moving day. It will be much easier to do the tasks when you know how many days you have left until the big days.

Declutter Your Home
Yes, you are moving in together after your honeymoon and that’s very exciting. However, a less exciting part is decluttering your items before packing and moving. But it is a necessary step in the moving process. Go through your items and see if there are some things you don’t need or use. If you get rid of the unnecessary/broken items, you will have more space at your new home for some new things (wedding gifts included). Additionally, you can reduce the packing time and save on moving costs, too.

Inventory List is a Great Idea
Making a list of your possessions is useful in many ways. Firstly, if you and your spouse both have these lists, you can easily see what you have and compare. Furthermore, this list can be used to check the moving boxes after the moving company delivers them to your new home. After the wedding, be sure to include the wedding gifts on the list, so you can plan the storage of those items, especially valuables. Going through the wedding gifts will certainly feel good after all the wedding-planning stress.

Agree on Double Items
Before you even start packing, both you and your partner need to go through all the items and check if you have any double items. Then, you need to decide which one of these two you are going to bring to your new home. It shouldn’t matter whose items they are, but if they function properly, look better, etc. Choose the things that will serve you better in your new house, and figure out what you are going to do with the items you don’t need. You can always sell, donate or recycle them, depending on the item condition. You may have a difficult time to say goodbye to some items, but try focusing on the new life chapter in front of you.

A couple holding hands.
Moving in together means you should planning a post-wedding move together and agree which items stay and which ones should go.

Have a Moving Budget
You may have a wedding budget – you need to find the perfect venue, dress, decoration, without breaking the bank. The same goes with the moving process. It’s good to have a moving budget and follow the plan. This way you will avoid unexpected costs and unpleasant surprises.

Money bank - save money with good post-wedding move planning.
Moving and wedding budget are very important part of the organization.

Find the Right Assistance
Moving is a complicated process. But if you are doing it right after your wedding day – it’s even more overwhelming. That’s why you should ask for some assistance for your household relocation and get the work done by professionals. Finding a reliable moving company should be one of the most important tasks on your moving to-do list. This way you can trust them all the moving work and enjoy your wedding without worrying.

Do the Packing Right
If you are packing by yourself, be sure to do it wisely. This way you will save a lot of time when unpacking, avoid damage and additional costs and be more efficient in the post-wedding period. When packing for a post-wedding move, be sure to:

Pack your items by room, so it is easier to unpack and find certain items later on.
Label all the boxes – write what’s inside each box and mark boxes with fragile items.
Put heavier items on the bottom – lighter on the top.
Don’t overpack the boxes – too heavy boxes are difficult to carry and more prone to damage
Use quality packing supplies – you ‘ll need sturdy moving boxes, a lot of tape, bubble wrap, scissors, markers.
Pack valuables carefully – pack your expensive and fragile items by yourself, and move them with you. Moving companies usually avoid transporting these types of things.

Enjoy Your Day
After all everything is about your big day and enjoying this beautiful chapter of your life. That’s why planning a post-wedding move should be a breeze. Make sure you don’t stress out about small things and take your time to enjoy this period with your spouse. Make this the best time of your life and look forward to your honeymoon!


How to Find the Perfect Venue for Your Wedding

Wedding venue with flowers

 

There are few things as important as the venue when it comes to organizing a wedding. Actually, the importance of the venue might even be on par with finding the perfect dress. After all, your wedding day is not simply one thing – it is an amalgam of the tiny perfections you’ve chosen that celebrate your love. And a venue is definitely key for the most important day. However, choosing a venue can also prove to be quite stressful and daunting. But, with the right preparation, the perfect venue is certainly not unattainable. So, here are some tips on how to find the perfect venue for your wedding.

To Find the Perfect Venue for Your Wedding – Talk to Your Planner

Finding a venue is one of the most important steps of planning your wedding. But, it is best if you consult a wedding planner before you start choosing. You need professionals who will be able to see what can be done with the venue you like. Remember, this is their job, and they’re much more equipped to deal with the “messy practical bits” of wedding preparation. They will be able to see whether your dream venue can actually support your dream day. Talk to them about what you want and what you dream of. They will be able to tell you whether it is achievable.

Let Your Imagination Run Wild

These days, there are wedding ideas basically everywhere. And yes, the perfect wedding in a chateau is certainly astonishing. Marrying in a place where once kings and queens resided is truly exciting. But it is also technically challenging. And what about marrying in a foreign country, on a sandy beach somewhere? While it may truly be a miraculous event, planning a long distance wedding is not that easy. It’s not impossible, but it’s also quite stressful.

That is why you should think about yourself and your partner first and foremost. Ask yourself what feels right to you as a couple. Will you both be having fun on that day? Does this venue reflect your relationship?

Wedding venue with smiling couple
Ask yourself whether the venue reflects your relationship.

While doing research online for a theme, as one does, try to select ideas here and there. Some may fit you better than others. Then blend these ideas with something that you have envisioned. Once you know your theme, choosing the perfect venue will be a piece of cake.

Deal With the Practical Side

Wedding preparations can pass in quite the haze. It is not uncommon to forget that, sadly, there are practical issues that need to be addressed. When trying to find the perfect venue for your wedding, make sure to first sit down and put some things on paper. There are issues like the budget and the guest list that need to be dealt with. And they are essential for selecting your dream venue. So, here are some of the practical things you should consider when you’re trying to find the perfect venue for your wedding.

Make a List of Necessary Factors

This will make your job later on much, much easier. With clear factors, you will be able to look at the places you’ve selected (somewhat) objectively. First and foremost, set a budget for your venue. A good rule of thumb is that the price of the venue should not exceed 50 percent of the total amount paid for the wedding.

Wedding venue may cost you
Set a budget for your wedding.

Then, you should consider the size, which correlates to the number of your guests. Talk with your partner about the guest list. You should at least have a ballpark number of guests at this point. This will also help when you’re considering the budget, since some of the costs depend on the number of people.

Then, you should choose the location of the wedding. If you have any out-of-state guests, then you should find a venue relatively close to a hotel. In addition, think about the facilities of the venue. If you want to find the perfect venue for your wedding, it should have everything you need. For instance, it should have a ceremony location if you will be getting married there. Also, if it’s out of town, it should have enough parking places.

Go Online and Select a Few Venues

When you’re browsing the Internet, select at least five venues that you find appealing. Remember, they don’t have to be perfect, but they do have to show potential! Work with your wedding planner. You will be able to get a better “read” on some places with the help of a professional. One of the things people neglect to look at is the reviews on the pages of the venues. And they are quite important, as they tell you a story about someone’s perfect (or possibly ruined) wedding day.

Now, there is one thing that should be mentioned. If you find a perfect venue that your heart is set on, but there is a slight issue, always try to discuss with the wedding planner whether that issue can be overcome. After all, if the problem can be fixed, definitely try! For instance, if you like a venue, but it lacks space, there are other ways to solve the problem. If you see that a venue has no room for wedding gifts, but it’s perfect in any other regard, short term storage solutions can be your best option. That way, you get the perfect venue for your wedding and the extra space you need! With a little know-how, small issues like these are a thing of the past!

Wedding venue research
Go online to find the perfect venue for your wedding.

Call the Venue(s)

Now, when you’ve selected the five venues, make sure to ask them for dates of availability. Some of the venues can even send you a list of available dates. Your options will be much more extensive if you have several dates in mind for your wedding. Once you’ve done that, try to compare them objectively. Of course, if your dates are not available, then those venues are out of the picture. The ones that remain should be put under scrutiny. Check whether the venues fulfil most of the conditions you’ve set. Then rate them accordingly. Select the top two or three and get ready for the next step.

To Find the Perfect Venue for Your Wedding – Visit and See for Yourself

There is truly no better way to find the perfect venue for your wedding but to go there and see for yourself. You will be given a tour of the place. This is then when you should let your imagination run wild. Imagine what you can do with the place. But, most of all, imagine your actual wedding day. If you can envision yourself getting married there and enjoying yourself with your loved ones, then that’s it. You’ve found your perfect place!


How To Make a Flight Attendant Your Friend While Traveling

With your honeymoon – comes traveling. For a lot of people, their honeymoon of choice might be somewhere in a different climate. Or an exotic location. Traveling to these destinations requires flying quite a distance.

Depending on where you live in the United States, parts of the Caribbean are at least a two-hour flight. Europe is five to six hours if you live on the East Coast. Hawaii is nearly twelve hours from New York.

That’s a lot of time on a plane!

USA Today just published a great article that asks this question – have you ever stopped to think about what it’s like to work in that cramped space, taking care of 200 people? And at 39,000 feet?

10 Ways to Make Your Flight Attendant Your Friend offers tips on not only how to make the flight more pleasant for the flight attendant, but also for yourself and those around you.

Here are a few ways to win the heart of your flight attendant. And to make your trip a more pleasant one.

  • Be nice. It’s the easiest thing to do. Many of us have fears while traveling. You may be tired or frustrated. That’s when it’s time to breathe and keep your behavior in check. A $500 seat rental does not entitle anyone to start dishing out abuse. Imagine if your family member was a flight attendant (or airline employee). How would you treat them?
  • Be ready to sit in your seat. Have your iPhone, iPad or laptop already handy so you don’t have to clog the aisle searching for them before putting a bag in the overhead compartment. You can even keep smaller items in a separate bag that fits within your bag, so it’s easy to take out.
  • Check your bag if it’s too heavy. Simply put – if it’s too heavy and you’re alone, check it at the gate. Most airlines have strict rules against cabin crew from helping with bags because of possible injury due to heavy lifting. Even if your flight attendant wanted to help you, they might not be allowed to.

For more ways to help make your flight to anywhere a more pleasant experience (and make your flight attendant your friend), please read 10 Ways to Make Your Flight Attendant Your Friend.

Full disclosure – I was called up to the front of a plane in the middle of an overnight flight. Thinking something was wrong, I was very surprised that the flight attendant was letting me sit in an open first-class seat. Why? Because I was so nice to the flight attendants.

So yes – courtesy works!

 


Advice for After the Wedding and Honeymoon

Wedding planning is all at once exhilarating and stressful. There are a million details that you may never have previously thought about. Nor knew how important something particular may be for your special day. Once it’s all over, hopefully you have a million awesome pictures and even more awesome memories to last a lifetime.

But what happens when the honeymoon is over? And it’s just the two of you? Where do you turn for advice?

Many younger couples tend to live together prior to their wedding. However, some do not. Suddenly waking up next to someone on a daily basis may need some adjustment. There will be good days, bad days, wonderful days and boring days. It’s important to remember that marriage is a long, winding road with bumps and turns. One day will be smooth. The next might be lousy. And you won’t always get along. Here are some common but sometimes overlooked issues you will probably face after the honeymoon is done.

Talk about Finances: Have a talk about debts, spending habits, budgeting, and whether or not you’ll have joint banking accounts.

Reconnect with Friends and Family: Wedding planning can be long and drawn out. You sometimes don’t realize that you’ve been neglecting your friends. Now is the time to wind down and get back to socializing with friends, family, and even other couples.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: It is important to pick your battles wisely. This is especially important. It is common to go through arguments about things. But don’t let it carry over to the next day.

Cry Around Each Other: Crying in front of the other person is a milestone. Especially an ugly cry- it means that you’re totally at ease with one another.

It’s Okay to Have Alone Time: Everyone gets moody. It’s okay to just take a second to yourself. Or a minute, or an hour. But try not to take more than an hour. Things can fester. As mentioned before, it’s better to resolve a dispute sooner rather than later.

Sounds easy – doesn’t it? Hopefully there will be plenty more good days than bad. Building a happy life can be hard work. It may even be easy at times. But it definitely will not be the same for every couple.

Best of luck to all!


The Knot’s The New Rules of Wedding Etiquette

Wedd ing planning advice from TheKnot.com

Announcing an engagement is such a memorable and joyous event. Nonetheless, revealing that precious news in an appropriate way is essential. But not to worry –  New Rules of Wedding Etiquette provides you with a helpful set of rules to follow whether you are the bride to be or even an overly excited guest. They also offer great tips on when to take photos, what not to share on social media, and when to change your relationship status on Facebook.