Massachusetts bridal planning is a serious business; if you just said a yes then you are probably about to become consumed with planning your upcoming wedding; searching for reception locations, researching dresses, florists, photographers…and dreaming of your perfect day. Luckily there are many beautiful, historic and romantic wedding venues in the state of Massachusetts to choose from and a plethora of local wedding vendors to help make your day unforgettable.

Successful Massachusetts Bridal Planning

It all starts with you and your fiancé and your vision of the perfect wedding. From there the bride and groom (to be) will need to roll up their sleeves, make a task list, and start crossing items off in preparation for the big day.

Here are some tips for successful bridal planning.

Create a realistic wedding budget and stick to it.
Draft a guest list before selecting your venue so you will have an accurate count of your likely guests; this will help you figure out what size venue to book.
Consider full-service venues with all-inclusive packages.
Delegate tasks to your bridesmaids, family, and friends.
Make a detailed agenda for the day of the wedding.
Decide whether or not kids are invited and be specific on your invitations.
Save money by booking off-season or during less popular time slots like mornings, Fridays or Sundays.
Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.

Planning the Big Day

Once you have a location for your wedding in Massachusetts everything else will begin to fall into place; although wedding planning can be overwhelming as every bride and groom quickly discover. Your friends may handle the bachelorette party and your favorite cousin may volunteer to be in charge of the gifts but to make sure things go smoothly you may want to consider working with wedding coordinators to help you plan the day and hire vendors.

From florists to photographers, event coordinators can recommend highly-qualified preferred vendors that have already proven themselves in previous weddings. Whether you choose to work with a coordinator or do it yourself, it is important to stay organized and give yourself a timeline to ensure everything is completed far enough before the wedding.

One good idea is to create and distribute a detailed agenda for the big day including everything from your makeup appointment to the first dance. This way everyone will be on the same page.

Wedding Venue Selection Tips

Still not sure which MA location to choose? Here are some tips to help you select the perfect venue for your wedding in Massachusetts.

If you are expecting out-of-town guests, choose a location close to airports or public transportation.
Out-of-town guests will appreciate a venue that is connected with a hotel, so they can reset easily after the reception.
If you have friends or family who have trouble getting around, make sure to select a venue that is easily accessible; inquire about handicap access if necessary.
Don’t spend more than 50% of your budget on the venue.
If you’re considering an outdoor venue (such as Tiffany Ballroom’s outdoor pavilion), visit the location at the time of day you are planning to have your event and take note of the surroundings as well as natural lighting (if you are having a daytime event).
Take a friend or family member with you when you visit locations. They may see or think of something you missed!
Before signing an agreement, make sure everything is in writing so there are no misunderstandings later.

Finding the Perfect Wedding Dress

One of the most fun tasks on a bride’s to-do list is choosing a wedding gown. If you want a custom dress or if you think it will take you a long time to decide, start shopping for wedding gowns up to a year before the wedding. Visit bridal shops or a local boutique in the Massachusetts area and start trying on dresses. Tear pictures out of bridal magazines and start thinking about what you want and what you can afford to spend. Most bridal planners recommend allocating about 10% of the wedding budget to the bride’s dress. Of course, there are beautiful dresses in all price ranges from affordable designs by Allure Bridals to high-end wedding fashion from designers like Badgley Mischka or Jorge Manuel.

Whether your target price tag is $500 or $5,000 the most important thing is to choose a quality dress that is flattering and makes you feel amazing. Luckily there are lots of bridal stores in Massachusetts with friendly associates who can help you choose a dress that is comfortable to wear and fits both your body type and your budget. The style and design of the dress can suggest what qualities your other wedding elements should embody. Once you find the perfect dress, everything else will begin falling into place…your bridesmaid’s dresses, the decorations, flowers…even the wedding cake.

Weddings on a Budget

Believe it or not, it is possible to plan a wedding in Massachusetts on a tight budget. Many couples do not want to or simply can’t spend a small fortune on their wedding. They would rather not go into debt or save the money to invest in a new home or on the honeymoon. Whatever the reason, there are many ways to reduce your wedding budget and still have the wedding of your dreams. Here are some other tips for tying the knot on a budget.

Consider all-inclusive packages; these can reduce overall costs.
Keep the guest list down to a minimum.
Make your own invitations.
Buy dresses off the rack, rather than ordering custom tailored ones.
Have the ceremony and reception at the same venue. For example, our wedding pavilion is a great place to take your vows, then guests can move inside for the reception.

Whatever you choose, with a little planning your wedding in Massachusetts is sure to be one of the happiest and most memorable days of your life.

The Tiffany Ballroom

Every bride has a vision of what her perfect wedding reception looks like, and for many MA-area brides, it’s the Tiffany Ballroom at Four Points by Sheraton Norwood. The Tiffany Ballroom is one of the most impressive, romantic Massachusetts wedding reception venues.

The elegant 7,000 square foot Tiffany Ballroom can host a Massachusetts bridal wedding reception with up to 450 dinner guests. If you take advantage of the all-inclusive package, everything can be taken care of for you from the catering and the D.J. to the decor and floral arrangements. If you’re having a more intimate reception you can reserve the Essex or Lenox junior ballroom (the smaller ballrooms are also perfect for the rehearsal dinner the night before or a bridal party brunch the next morning).

No matter which room you reserve, you and your guests will enjoy the same breathtaking ambiance and dedicated staff. Whatever your vision of the perfect wedding is, the expert wedding professionals at the Tiffany Ballroom will help make your wedding dreams a reality.

Another major advantage to having your wedding or reception at The Tiffany Ballroom at Four Points by Sheraton Norwood is its convenient location. Four Points is just a few minutes from several train stations as well as major highways in the area. Out-of-town guests can also take advantage of a quick drive from Boston’s Logan Airport.