If you’re anything like me, you don’t have a binder filled with cut outs of fabrics, colors, and magazine pictures of the wedding you dreamed of all your life. There are plenty of resources (i.e. Martha Stewart Weddings) that will give you suggestions on the exact actions to take. Here I suggest some other ideas that you don’t normally hear of. Following are some suggestions on where to begin the daunting task of planning the party of the century in your honor:
- Make a binder for EVERYthing wedding related. The binder should hold at a minimum: your budget, your invoices/contracts, your samples, your timeline/schedule up-to and day-of the wedding, business cards, etc. This will be your wedding bible; do not lose it!
- Pick up some wedding magazines for ideas: Martha Stewart Weddings, In Style Weddings.
- Go to your local hardware store’s paint section. Pick cards of color samples for the palette of your wedding. This will help your vendors know what colors you want. Everyone has different interpretations of colors. Take the guessing out of it and get exactly what you want!
- Create an Excel spreadsheet of finances in these categories: Venue (includes – site fee, catering, alcohol, insurance, transportation), Flowers, Photographer, Accessories (includes – dress, hair/makeup, groom’s outfit). You will notice that this list will grow as you get further into the wedding planning.
- In the above spreadsheet, create two tabs – one for expected costs and one for actual. This will help you track how close you are to budget.
- Scour the internet for ideas on vendors and locations that fit the number of guests you are anticipating.
- Hire a wedding coordinator. If you cannot afford to have someone help you plan the wedding, be sure to at least get a day-of coordinator. S/he will be your buffer on your wedding day. If there is a minor snafu your coordinator will handle it. Getting married is already filled with anxiety! This person will make sure all the details have been addressed. They will also know your ‘vision’ for your special day and will be sure that it happens. Above all else, this is the one suggestion I highly recommend.
I hope this is a great, confident start for you. If you have any questions or comments, please send them my way. Good Luck and remember to have fun!
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Nice article. One other comment would be to start this process EARLY. Starting early helps keep the stress level down, and it increases the likelyhood of you getting your first choice of reception spaces, entertainment, etc.
Definitely agree about hiring a wedding planner. The money invested is well worth it. In the end you have to ask yourself how much is my time worth and how much do I want to enjoy my wedding day.
Great advice. I am forwarding this to my wife, Sheila, and daughter, Julie…as so it begins…