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Black-Tie Weddings

There’s a lot to be said for the black-tie wedding. 

Aside from your high school prom, when else does such an opportunity for this sort of red-carpet glamour present itself in one lifetime?  

You will likely want to wear a princess ball gown with a full-length veil. Your bridesmaids will typically wear floor-length dresses and the reception will take place in a grand ballroom on a Saturday night. 

A formal band will provide entertainment for the duration of the reception and the groom, of course, will wear a black tuxedo. 

So if this type of fancy and highly formal affair equates to your dream wedding, go ahead and put on the glitz!  

Beautiful...and Budget-Friendly

If you're looking to keep costs down, you may want to steer clear of the formal wedding and opt for a more casual celebration, instead.

And these days, there are many ways to create a beautiful wedding that is highly memorable but also casual, relaxed and unceremonious. 

Destination Weddings

This is one reason why destination wedding are becoming increasingly popular with couples (another is a built-in vacation right on site).  

Typically, destination weddings take place in warm climates, seaside. 

A beach wedding can offer a gorgeous sunset ceremony with an outdoor party following under the moonlight. The bride wears a breezy dress, the groom khakis or white slacks. 

It’s no surprise that shoes are replaced by super-comfortable flip-flops (or guests are shoeless altogether). 

Of course, you can create an informal affair wherever your heart desires:

A backyard or garden provides the perfect backdrop for an informal wedding.  Usually, the event takes place in the afternoon. Be sure to set up a tent, though, so guests have shelter as needed.

Forget the catering hall and have your wedding at your favorite restaurant instead. This calls for a small guest list, so a certain sense of familiarity and intimacy adds a special quality to the day.

A barn or vineyard lends itself well to a casual, informal wedding simply by virtue of the natural surroundings. Add an acoustic guitar player or a trio for entertainment and recite your vows as the sun sets. 

If an outdoor wedding is what you're looking for, you'll want to make sure you give these helpful outdoor wedding tips a read through.