You’ve done it! You and your fiance are finally tying the knot, and that’s worth celebrating. However, you’re not out of the woods yet. In fact you’ll find this is simply the beginning.
It’s time for you to start planning the wedding. The next few months will be long and intense nights of hair ripping, coffee drinking, and general stress and panic in anticipation for the big day. You don’t need to be scared though! Given a little guidance, you and your fiance will have that magical dream come true wedding you can be proud of.
Why You need to Budget for Your Wedding
In a perfect world you never, ever, ever have to pay for anything related to a wedding. The sad truth of the matter is that weddings can wind up costing you an arm and a leg. Before either of you can say anything about planning the wedding, you’ll need to plan out a budget for it.
How can you set a budget though? It begins with doing your homework. Compare market prices of local venues, photographers, entertainers, bakeries, tailors, etc. with one another, and decide what you both can and can’t go without. Discuss with your family what aspects, if any, they’re willing to cover. You should also look to those in your life that have already gotten married, and seek out information regarding things that works, and things that didn’t. You’ll definitely not have your final budget, but now you’ll have a good idea of what you can and can’t work with, so you can move on to the good stuff.
The Importance of Communication
There’s no such thing as a small decision when it comes to wedding planning. Whether or not the two of you are willing to admit it, you both have different ideas on what would make the special day perfect. Its impertinent that you regularly share your ideas with each other. The second something comes to mind, talk it out with your fiance. For the next couple months, you two are more than just lovers; you’re also business partners. The two of you shouldn’t let anything slip by you. Remember that there are going to be things you won’t both agree on, so try to keep an open mind for your partner’s sake. You’ll have to make compromises, because the wedding isn’t about just you or them, but the both of you, together. It’s a celebration of your teamwork just as much as a celebration of your love.
Communication includes with your family and friends as well. Remember, they’ll be attending your wedding, and some will be a part of your wedding party. It’s important to keep them in the loop as much as possible as well. If they show up to the ceremony in a red tie but the colors are purple, that’s as much on you as it is on them. Communication is the key foundation to any successful wedding. Once you two accept that fact you’ll find the process as a whole becomes much easier on you.
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The Importance of Organization when Planning a Wedding
You may come up with the single most beautiful idea for your wedding that has ever been thought of before. That’s good, but this won’t help you at all if you don’t keep it, along with other ideas, together in a convenient place. Weddings, as you know, have a lot of moving parts and gears, and keeping track of all of it will be overwhelming, or at the very least stressful. It’s best if you keep everything together.
One of the best ways for you to keep everything together is to put it all into a wedding planner. This planner will hold everything and anything that is related to the wedding. It’ll help to keep you on the right track, so long as you remember to keep it up to date. It doesn’t matter how closely its related to your wedding, if it has anything to do with weddings in general you should probably stick it in the planner. Try to keep your planner organized in a simple way. Use dividers to separate the different categories you have. You should put everything in this planner from your most important dates and schedules to your last minute ideas and copies of potential menus. If you have something that doesn’t necessarily fit into the planner, discuss it with your fiance immediately. Discuss whether or not it merits being in the planner, let alone the wedding. If you can’t agree on it immediately, place it into a “pending ideas” section and come back to it at a later date, with a fresher mind or even a third party opinion.
You must care for Your Guests
Yes it’s your big day, but remember that you’re going to be the host. Everyone in attendance of the wedding are your guests, and they should always be considered in every major decision. They’re there for the sake of celebrating your special day with you, so be sure you give their care some thought.
- Will you have plenty of seating to fit them all?
- Will they have to expend a great deal of money to attend?
- Will your disabled guests have access to everything?
- Does the venue have enough space for the guests?
- Will the guests enjoy the entertainment at the reception?
- Is the wedding date convenient for most of the guests?
- Is there any activity outside of the main wedding that the guests should be aware of?
- Are children going to be attending as well?
This list could go on forever, but the idea is that you should always, and we mean always, keep the guests in mind whenever you both make a decision that immediately affects their comfort or ability to attend.
How to make a Guest List
Not everyone is going to be able to make it to the wedding. Sometimes friends and family members can’t meet the financial demand to attend, and other times you’d rather not invite certain people to the ceremony. Having a guest list done (the sooner the better) will allow time to plan their travel expenses, time off from work, etc. This is important for your budgeting as well, as knowing what you can and can’t reasonably expect to handle can allow you to drop things early on, before they do major damage.
Your list should be separated into workable groups based on their importance in attending. Starting with immediate family, then close relatives, family friends, friends, and then acquaintances will be a great place to get yourself started. Now compare that list with your fiance, and begin to trim down that list anyway you can. This can hurt, as everyone on the list may feel important to you. Unfortunately you’re going to find many places like this where the budgeting and logistics are simply going to say no to the things you might want. Instead of viewing this cutting as cutting people from your life, you should take it as a chance to make your wedding realistic so that you, and your guests, can enjoy it together.
The Importance of Picking the Perfect Wedding Venue
This decision can shape the whole wedding, and sadly your dream place may not be available, or even practical. Indoor and outdoor alike, it all comes down to availability, accommodation and budget. You should think through the following list before you let yourself fall for a certain venue:
Determine the style of wedding: Are you hoping for something traditional, or a little more out there? You should know ahead of time if you’re looking more for a barn, church, or theater.
The venue tells us your story: The sort of people you are can be seen in the type of venue you choose. The reason that we chose the venues that we did is because it resonates with us on a sentimental, almost spiritual level. It’s meant to enhance the good qualities of your union, so keep your good qualities in mind before making the decision.
You should take a thorough and unbiased tour of a venue before making any decision: You might have been in love with a particular place for years, but you should remember that it may not be practical. If it compromises the budget or guests, then it will only serve to be a bigger problem later on. You should book tours of multiple vendues, take videos and photos at each, and then return home with your information to discuss your options.
Consider what services the venue offers: Some venues may offer services for your big day as well as a space for you to hold the ceremony. While this could help you out, you shouldn’t simply accept because they offered. For example, if they offer you a catering service then you should request a tasting. You’d lose all of the benefits of convenience if the food is subpar. You should ask if they offer any other services as well, things like coordination or exclusivity.
The deal ain’t sealed if you didn’t sign on the dotted line: Don’t be afraid to turn your back on a place that you’ve fallen out of love with. You may have spent time and work into a place in particular, but unless you have an official contract signed with them, nothing is preventing you from simply walking away from it altogether. It may be that you’re getting a bad feeling about it, or that a better venue opened up, but whatever the reason you should walk away before you get trapped. One way or another the wedding will show just what went down during the booking process.
Making a Wedding Planning Timeline
The schedule can be pretty tight. In the midst of planning, you also have a career to maintain, responsibilities to uphold, and otherwise a life to live. You’ll need to have your timing on point, because there isn’t much room for error here. Below is a rough estimate of when and how long to plan for various things in your wedding:
- Sixteen to Nine Months Out
- Create a wedding folder
- Get a budget established
- Pick your wedding party
- Pick out your guest list
- Hire a professional planner
- Reserve your venue and your date
- Hire the Officiant
- Start researching potential services (caterers, bands, photographers, florists, etc.)
- Eight Months Out
- Hire the photographer
- Book entertainment
- Meet caterers
- Find and purchase your dress
- Ensure there will be rooms for your guests and/or yourself at any necessary hotels
- Set up your Registry
- Seven or Six Months Out
- Eight Months Out
- Purchase invitations
- Plan for the honeymoon
- Shop for the bridesmaids’ dresses
- Meet with the Officiant
- Mail out the ‘save-the-date’ cards
- Reserve whatever extra necessities you may need (extra chairs, portable toilets, lighting components, etc.)
- Book your florist
- Arrange for all needed transportation
- Five or Six Months Out
- Reserve time for the rehearsal
- Select and order the cake
- Start dress/suit fittings
- Schedule your makeup/hair artists
- Make your list of potential music
- Three Months Out
- Decide on the menu
- Finalize the readings
- Finalize the order for the reception and the ceremony
- Purchase the wedding rings
- Send your event schedule to vendors
- Three Months Out
- Five or Six Months Out
- Two Months Out
- Keep in touch with vendors
- Meet with photographer
- Review your music selection the DJ or band
- Mail your invitations out
- Take a break via a bachelorette/bachelor party
- One Month Out
- Enter the RSVPs into the guest-list database
- Get your marriage license
- Mail rehearsal dinner invitations
- Final fittings of dresses and suits
- Make final payments where able
- Confirm times for hair/makeup stylists and vendors
- Provide directions to guests and drivers
- Decide and assign seating as needed
- Purchase the gifts for the groomsmen/bridesmaids
- Write out your vows
- The Week Of
- Reconfirm arrival times of all vendors
- Delegate out the smaller wedding day tasks
- Ensure the bridal party knows the timelines
- Give caterers and the venue the final guest list/count
- Have fun on your special day!
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