Weddings are a special moment. You can't wait to start a new chapter of your life with your partner. So, it's only natural that you want to celebrate love and happiness with friends and family. Planning a wedding takes time and effort. The process can get very overwhelming. You may feel like it's not enough, or you may feel like you overdid the whole event.
Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in all the wedding shenanigans and forget essential items. You wouldn't want any of that happening to you. After all, it takes months to plan the perfect wedding down to the T. You want the event to be memorable for the right reasons and a token of fond memory for yourself. So, as you begin preparing yourself for your important event, some factors need attention.
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Here are some ways you can plan the biggest day of your life:
1. Make A Budget and Stick To It
A wedding budget is the core of the planning process. Anything you want to include in your wedding depends on the budget. So, before you start choosing a dress or start picking a venue, design your budget. If your family members are contributing to the wedding, talk to them. You need to know how much they're comfortable spending. If you're paying for your wedding, you need to sit and analyze your finances. Budgeting a wedding can get challenging. While we want a spectacular event, the actual cost of the event can be humbling. It's only when the numbers get crunched and summed we realize how much goes into an event.
2. Get A Wedding Planner
A wedding planner is an organized collection of wedding details that you'll need for the event. It includes the guest list, menu, and a spot for your budget. There are also many more categories inside a planner, and they're all aimed to help you plan your wedding. It's a good idea to lay down all your planning onto the planner. So, when it comes to purchasing and brainstorming, you know what you're doing. A planner can also help you identify the primary source of your expenditure. It is also a great way to sit with your partner and discuss what changes you both want.
3. Find Your Dress
Some couples like matching on their wedding day, while others stick to a theme. You should figure out what kind of dress you'd like for your event. There are numerous options in the market with varying sizes and cuts. Do you want your dress pure white or with some color? Do you want a vintage look or a modern one? Since you have much to figure out, look for inspiration. There are websites and even apps like Pinterest that can help you visualize a dress for yourself. You can also purchase wedding magazines to help yourself out more. However, no matter what you choose, make sure it aligns with your budget.
4. Think About The Dates
People hold weddings on dates when people can attend. If you're going for a summer wedding, you may need to look at June or July. Winter weddings are best in December. So, you need to figure out what season is suitable for your wedding. You may also need to factor in that your relatives will need time off from work and school to attend. You also need to run your date by the vendor so that they can find a suitable venue for you. Even if you're eyeing a specific venue, its availability will determine if you can have a wedding there. Therefore, try keeping a few dates in mind.
5. Research Your Venues
You may not always get the venue you want. It may already be overbooked, or it doesn't fall in line with your budget. That's why it's a good idea to have more than one wedding venue. You should investigate the prices and figure out if there are any restrictions to the guests attending. You should also find out if they offer to decorate your venue, or you can add your decor. Research may also help you decide how far you want the venue from where you're staying. Do you want to keep the wedding at the hotel you're visiting or someplace far away? So, make sure you streamline all these details with your partner before booking a hotel. You may also need to ponder whether you want the hall closed or an outdoor wedding?
6. Pick A Theme
When you have a venue ready, you need to make the theme work. The theme includes every minute detail that will make the experience memorable. The kind of tables you want with the type of table decor. Will you hire a DJ, or is live music an option? What about the lighting and the types of candles? Will, you and your partner prefer mingling with guests more, or will you like staying seated? You need to also think about the colors of your wedding and what your bride's maids will wear? The theme will also dictate your wedding cake. What design and style do you want on the cake, including colors. Sit down with your bride's maids, partner and figure out what seems like a good theme.
7. The Menu
Food is a social tool. It is more than a medium to fill your appetite. When your guests enjoy the beauty of your wedding, they want great food to culminate the event. It would help if you decided what cuisine seems the best with your theme. How many dishes are you planning to serve? Traditionally weddings have three courses, but depending on budget, you can even touch five. You also need to think if you'll include vegan meals as part of the course. Will the main dish have many varieties, or will you only serve two options. You may also need to think about the kind of alcohol you'll serve. Is an open bar an option? The last item on your agenda is your wedding cake. What flavor profiles do you want the cake to be?
8. Build A Wedding Registry
Your partner and you need to build a proper wedding registry. A wedding registry consists of all the potential gifts you want from your guests. For example, you can get a registry opened at a Macy's. If you don't like the idea of traditional wedding gifts, you can also look into a donation. You can also look into getting down payments for your honeymoon or your house. You should display the registry information on your wedding card or, better yet, build a website.
Wrap Up
Weddings are a joyous occasion. What makes the event more joyous is the way you plan your event. You can save yourself copious amounts of stress through proper planning. A wedding planner is the best way to protect yourself from the hassle of memorizing what you need for the wedding. Essential elements of a wedding include a budget, cake, a dress, and a theme. You have the power to make your wedding memorable. All you need is a bit of planning and involving the right people. Even though the process of planning your wedding looks tedious, your efforts will pay off. The reward for your hard work is a night full of laughter and music as you celebrate new beginnings.
