5 Tips For Planning Your Perfect Wedding

You said YES, and now it's time to start the planning!  Wedding planning can be overwhelming and stressful to say the least.  In order to prioritize things, and make it easier for you, here are a few tips to get you started.

1. Choose a Date and Set a Timeline.

Choosing a date is one of the most crucial steps to wedding planning!  Popular seasons for weddings are Spring and Fall.  Vendors book up quickly during these seasons, and you also have to keep in mind other events that may be going on in the area at the time such as conventions. Do not book any vendors until you have confirmed a date.  Once you have confirmed a date, make a list of wedding planning that is logical.  You don't want to take on too much at one time, and get completely overwhelmed.  If you get engaged in April of one year, and confirm your date for April or May of the following year, you have 12-13 months to plan your wedding.  Designate certain months for certain things.  

April-Engaged, Set a Date

May- Book a venue and Wedding Planner (if you use one), and the caterer 

June- Book your photographer, set up Engagement Pictures for Save the Dates

July- Set Up a Meeting with caterers, Order Stationery

August- Book Your Florist and DJ/Band

September- Consider Cake Options (Do not choose the cake before considering Florist), Set Up Cake or Cupcake Tasting

October- Fitting for your dress and schedule Bridal Portraits/ Suits for the Groom and Groomsmen

November- Set Up Meetings with any vendors you may need to meet with

December- Make a list of Bridal Party Gifts and Wedding Favors for Guests, and order them

January- Confirm Wedding Decor with Wedding Planner, Check on Groomsmen and Groom Suits

February- Bridal Portrait, Follow Up with Caterer and DJ/Band

March- Prepare Bridal Party Gifts/Wedding Favors, Meet with Photographer, Confirm Timelines with Wedding Planner, Photographer, and DJ

April- IT IS HERE!!! If you followed the timeline that you set for yourself, this month will not be as overwhelming! 

This is obviously a sample list.  Everyone's list will be different depending on their venue selection, guest list, etc. If you are setting up hotel rooms for guests that are attending your wedding, you will look at black out dates, and reserve hotel rooms after you book your venue.  Each wedding is different and will vary. If you hire a wedding planner, allow them to help you with this timeline. They are there to take some of the stress off of you!  Let them do that for you!

2. Make A List.

Make a list of the MOST important vendors you want for your wedding. Number the list from 1-5, and, and in order, write down which ones are most important for you:

1. Venue/Caterer 

2. Photographer

3. Dress

4. Florist

5. Invitations

3. Choosing a Venue.

Above is a sample list, and won't necessarily be your most important vendors, but it can definitely get you started on the right track.  In my opinion, the venue is the most important vendor you will book.  You want to make sure that it is the style you are looking for, and it accommodates the number of guests that you plan on having at your wedding.  A rule of thumb is to allow approximately 25 square feet per guest.  If you plan on having 125 guests, you want a venue with at least 3,125 square feet.  It may seem like a lot, but when you have a DJ, tables, waiters, etc moving around, you want to make sure your guests are comfortable.   Venues and vendors tend to book up quickly during popular wedding seasons (Spring and Early Fall), the sooner you book the venue the more likely you will get the one you want. 

4. Get Organized.

Purchase a 3 ring binder where you can keep all of the vendors correspondences, lists, notes, and photos, and create an email address specifically for your wedding planning.  I've had some clients create some of the cutest email addresses!  Have price lists and all wedding communications sent to this email address!  This will insure that all of your wedding details are located in one place, and if you need to print anything for your 3 ring binder, it will be right there for you.  If you plan to hire a wedding planner, the 3 ring binder is a great way to showcase your lists and visions to your wedding planner.  If you want to forego the 3 ring binder and keep everything digital, download The Knot All-In-One Wedding Planner app! This is a great way to keep everything digitally organized, and always at your fingertips. 

5. Choose a Wedding Planner or Photographer First.

If you are using a wedding planner, book him or her first.  Give the wedding planner your budget and vision, and they can steer you in the right direction of vendors that match your style and budget.  If you are not hiring a wedding planner, hire your photographer first.  After the dust has settled, the only thing left from the wedding day will be your photos and videos.  Photographers, like the venues, book up quickly during popular wedding season.  But wedding photographers have worked with many vendors in the wedding industry, and they can help you choose a lot of your vendors.  

These are just a few tips on Wedding Planning!  There are so much more, and we will be posting them here for you every Wednesday for Wedding Tips Wednesday.  Stay tuned for more tips and tricks to wedding planning!