The idea of tying the knot in Los Angeles is one that appeals to many people, and as a city it’s definitely used to plenty of last minute wedding decisions. However, if you’re planning a glamourous, well-thought out wedding day in LA, there are plenty of options for you as well. LA is known for its popularity as a wedding destination, so in order to have a perfect LA wedding that will really stand out from the rest, there’s a lot of planning to do. Thankfully, we’ve put together a list of handy tips and advice that should come in useful when it comes to making your big day everything you want it to be.

Book in Advance

With Southern California being a hot spot for getting hitched, it’s unsurprising that many wedding venues in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas tend to be booked up quite a lot. Securing your perfect wedding venue may take a lot of careful planning in advance, so it’s something that you definitely shouldn’t leave to the last minute – you’ll end up queueing up with hordes of other couples if you do this. Whether you’re looking to book a classic LA wedding chapel or prefer a classy hotel function room, there’s definitely an option in the city to suit you but it might take some work to secure it for the day you want.

Choose Your Theme

Even though you’re getting married in Los Angeles, you might not be a huge fan of the typical, last-minute ceremony. And that’s OK, as there’s a vast number of options available. Because Las Angeles is one of the most popular places for couples to tie the knot, it caters for all tastes and preferences – so whether you’re looking for something traditional, out of the ordinary, or simple and classy – a little bit of research will bring up a wealth of options suited perfectly to you. From the Dodger Stadium to Catalina Island, you can go as niche or as luxury as you desire.

Give Guests Plenty of Notice

Unless you already live in Los Angeles or it’s easy for all your guests to get to, you’ll need to make them aware well in advance of the location and date of your wedding. This is just another reason why it’s crucial that you secure your chosen venue early, because as soon as you know where you’ll be getting married, you’ll need to get those invitations out. Being late with the invitations could result in an empty venue at the ceremony, especially if guests can’t get the time off work, can’t get transport, or are unable to afford getting there at the last minute. Giving as much notice as possible to your wedding guests ensures that they have enough time to prepare the trip.

Find a Minister

Unless you’re booking your wedding at a Los Angeles chapel that already has a minister available to perform the ceremony, you’ll need to book a minister – if that’s what you’re looking for – in order to marry you. As with the venues, ministers are particularly busy in Los Angeles, so again it’s vital to book in advance if you don’t want to be left disappointed and looking for an alternative at the last minute.

Accessories, Clothing and Extras

It’s up to you where you purchase your wedding dress, but if you’re really looking to get into the upmarket Los Angeles theme, you’ll be happy to know that there’s a vast amount of amazing bridal wear shops where’ll you be able to find a stunning gown to walk down the aisle in. As expected in a city that’s known for romance and luxury, Los Angeles is a brilliant place to purchase everything for your wedding, and you’ll be absolutely spoilt for choice. When it comes to wedding photographs, expect to be able to find a number of professionals fully qualified and equipped to do a wonderful job – but remember that they’ll be well sought after, so book their services as early as possible. For photographs, the city itself is an amazing setting, and with the help of a good photographer you’ll be able to get some stunning wedding snaps that you’ll be able to cherish forever.

Did you get married in Los Angeles? How did you plan your perfect LA wedding day? Whether it was a last minute decision, or you spent months and months planning, we’d love to hear about your experience in the comments.