It seems pretty trivial— you wake up, get ready, get married, and party, right? Well, you’re missing a few details. Weddings have many moving parts. Significant time and discussion should go into planning your wedding day timeline to assure your day runs as smoothly and stress-free as possible.

Throughout your wedding planning, you’ve probably scrolled through Pinterest for an hour or two (or 12) and admired the jaw-dropping decor and florals of your dreams. But not everyone can afford a celebrity-style wedding day.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to have your dream wedding without breaking the bank. We’ve put together some tips for creating a stunning ceremony and reception.

Your wedding day is a huge event that involves lots of planning, multiple vendors, and friends and family from all over the place coming to celebrate you. As much fun marrying your best friend will be, your wedding day can also cause unnecessary stress, especially if you’re already prone to anxious feelings.

Fortunately, your special day doesn’t have to be stressful. There are simple things you can do to keep your big day nice and chill.

According to The Knot®, the average cost of a US wedding overall is about $34k. However, this number varies greatly by state or region. State averages range from $53k to $19k.

But what about us here in the QCA? We’re not firmly set in rural Iowa where the state average wedding budget is just over $22k, nor are we living in the burbs or big-city Chicago where that number jumps to almost $40k.

Signing your marriage license is an exciting moment, but it doesn’t legally change your name. In fact, changing your name requires multiple steps. But as long as you know what you need to do well beforehand, you can make your name change as seamless and stress-free as possible.

Just as you put a significant amount of time and thought into your guest list for your wedding, you should also take plenty of time and thought to construct your reception seating plan. After all, you want all of your guests to enjoy their time at your wedding, not just on the dance floor, but at their tables as well. A seating chart is the key to making that happen.

The best groomsmen gifts are useful on your big day and beyond. Give your best friends something they can hang on to and that will always remind them of the friendship you share and your awesome wedding day. You don’t have to give every groomsman the same item! If your guys have different interests and personalities, give each one a different gift that they will most enjoy.

Photo booths are incredibly popular, not just at weddings, but at almost any type of event. A photo booth can serve as entertainment and memento, making it the perfect activity for guests at your wedding! Here are five reasons to include a photo booth in your reception plans.