Getting married means something different to each couple. It may be a sign to God and others that you are committed to one another for life. For some, it is a practical step of making each other family in the eyes of the law. Regardless of the reason that you and your partner want to get married, your wedding day is an important landmark in your relationship. There are four basic elements to consider when planning your special day.

Ceremony

There is no one correct way to get married. The declaration of intent and the final proclamation are the only two parts of the ceremony needed to make it legally binding. As long as each of you says, "I do!" and the minister declares you married, what happens during the rest of the ceremony is completely up to you. You can take your faith into account and include rituals that are important to you, or you can focus on telling the story of your relationship. The features that are uniquely meaningful for you and your beloved are the ones you should include.

There are several things you can do when planning the ceremony to make it extra special:

• Ask a close friend to get ordained online and perform the ceremony.
• Write your own vows.
• Plan a destination wedding.
• Include a unity candle or handfasting ritual.

No matter what you choose, it's worth the effort to make sure the service is made up of the elements that you and your partner want rather than what others expect. You deserve to have the ceremony that reflects your wishes.

Refreshments

At the reception, you will want to have something to feed your guests. You don't have to cater a full meal, particularly if your wedding is scheduled for the afternoon or another unconventional time. In addition to the cake, consider your guest list to determine the kind of food to serve. For example, if there will be a lot of children there, plan to include some simple, kid-friendly food. 

Your wedding invitations likely include a request for an RSVP from potential guests. Getting an accurate headcount makes planning so much easier when it comes to food and drink. It's acceptable to mark a deadline on the card, but keep in mind that some may show up who forget to send it in. Plan for extra guests. It's better to have more refreshments than you need than to not have enough.

Seating

The comfort of your guests is one of the main things that determine how much they enjoy your wedding and reception. Not only do you need enough seats to accommodate every guest at the wedding, but you also need to plan the spacing so that what is happening can be seen from every angle.

The number of tables at your reception is determined by the type of food you're offering. If you are serving finger foods, you don't necessarily need a seat for every guest, as they are more likely to eat standing up or mingling. However, if you are having a meal with multiple courses, you need a spot for everyone. A seating chart helps to alleviate the uncertainty of finding a seat, which is particularly helpful for those who may not know many of the other guests.

Entertainment

When planning music for the wedding and reception, think about the tone you want to set. For a more formal ceremony, consider classical instrumentals. Personalize the playlist with songs that hold special meaning for you and your partner. You can have live music or a DJ at your reception to encourage guests to dance and mingle.

Your wedding should celebrate you as a couple while helping guests feel welcome. Once you have the basics covered, the rest of the plans tend to fall into place.