Yay! You’re engaged! You’ve made it official and shared the news with family and friends. You are getting dozens of texts, calls, DMs, and Facebook notifications with sweet messages from family and friends congratulating you! What you didn’t anticipate were all the questions: “when’s the wedding?” Cue the stress.
Don’t worry though because I’ve put together some key wedding planning steps that will keep you on track and in the right direction.
1. THE “WHERE”
Do you have a general location in mind? Will you get married in your hometown? Or your fiance’s hometown? At this point, you don’t need to be picking out your venue but you should decide on your ideal location and whether this will be a location that guests can easily travel to or if they would have to travel if at all.
2. HAVE A VISION
You’ve been thinking about this day for SO long! So keep it going! Think about all the aspects you would want to incorporate into the big day. Write down those ideas and take a look. You’ve already begun the framework for one of the most important days of your life. Bright florals, jewel toned accents and personalized details — you’re on the boho chic track. White Draping, big jeweled chandeliers, tapered candles, white florals– you’re envisioning a luxe black and white affair.
3. BUDGET, BUDGET, BUDGET
Talking about money can be incredibly intimidating. Believe me, I get it. However, this is one of THE most important talks you will have with your partner. Setting a clear cut budget (that you stick too) will be the foundation of your wedding planning process. By having that conversation early, you’ll be able to narrow down venues and make wedding planning decisions so much easier.
4. CREATE YOUR GUEST LIST
One of my biggest pieces of advice is to create your guest list early to get an idea of how many people you’re inviting. If your families are helping to cover the cost of the wedding then draw up two lists: you and your partners and your parents. Take a look over both lists to get a general idea of how many people to expect. Start in this order: immediate family, close family, best friends, distant relatives, family friends, work friends, and colleagues. You can always tweak and refine later but at least now you have a starting point.
5. VISIT VENUES (AND THEN BOOK!)
Remember those earlier steps? Having a vision, budget, and guest list will help you exponentially when trying to narrow down venues. Read reviews on reputable websites such as The Knot or Wedding Wire in your ideal location that will be able to accommodate your guests and bring your vision to reality. Set up your site visits and make sure you bring any questions that you may have as it relates to your wedding.
6. BOOK A PLANNER
This step can come prior to booking a venue or even after! Some couples like to book a planner before booking a venue so the planner is actively searching for the perfect venue and attending those site visits. When looking for a planner, take a look at their experience and great recommendations. Most importantly, try and find someone you can connect with.
And there it is! Your six steps that will help you kickstart your wedding planning process. I hope you find this information helpful and it truly helps in your planning!
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