Getting engaged can be exciting, overwhelming, and joyful all at the same time. The wedding planning process should not be distressing, however, as this is a once in a lifetime experience. Here are five tips to help you not only get started planning your big day but also enjoy the planning process!
1. Before choosing a venue, color scheme, etc., set overarching goals for how you would like your day to both go and feel. If you envision an intimate gathering with your closest family and friends, a large hotel ballroom may not be the right fit for you. If you want a laid back and relaxing feel for the morning of, perhaps consider hiring a day of coordinator to take the responsibility off your shoulders. Overarching goals will help to shape your vision for the day and bring more clarity to your decision making.
2. Similar to setting goals, remember to determine your priorities. Perhaps the food is very important to you but the decor is not. Maybe you want to invest more time into planning a honeymoon than a bachelor/bachelorette party. No matter what your wedding looks like, when going into the planning process it is important to know both what you value and what you do not. You and your fiance can each select ten things that really matter to you as individuals (i.e.photographer, cake, rings) and focus on the priorities you have in common.
3. Once you have prioritized specific facets of your big day, it is time to layout your budget and determine who will be contributing to it. It is important to determine a budget sooner rather than later, as costs can add up quickly for even things as small as guest favors. By determining your priorities ahead of time, you can easily decide what percentage of the budget will be reserved for the things you value most.
4. It is also important to draft a guest list early in the planning process. Venues will want to know the number of people to expect, as there is a limit to how many they can accommodate. If your dream venue is unable to accommodate the size of your guest list, return to the list of priorities you have made and compare where the venue and the guests each fall. Meg Keene, author of “A Practical Wedding Planner,” reminds brides that they will remember how their wedding day felt, not how it looked. When it comes to choosing between a venue and guests, prioritize that which will bring you the greatest joy and make the most amazing memories.
5. Finally, remember to have fun. The wedding planning process can indeed be stressful and complicated; however, your wedding planner, vendors, family, etc., are all resources you can turn to for help and guidance. Always remember your priorities and end goals, and enjoy every step along the way.
