Weddings are joyous and significant milestones of life, but planning an ideal celebration can be stressful and time consuming. There are numerous details to organize, as every couple has unique needs and preferences. Luckily, there are tools and strategies that can help keep plans on track.
Before beginning planning, it is essential that you and your partner discuss how many guests to invite and the budget available for the celebration. Your guest list will also play a factor when selecting vendors – for instance if hosting a large wedding requiring caterer, florist and photographer services as well, it may be more cost effective to hire professionals who specialize in weddings instead of amateurs who may only provide partial solutions.
After selecting your ceremony and reception locations and investigating legal requirements for marriage license acquisition, the next step should be interviewing and booking wedding professionals – venues, catering companies, flower vendors, photographers and videographers being top priorities – along with photographers and videographers (photos will come later!). While you can always add more vendors later on in the planning process, prioritizing these essential vendors can keep you on schedule while preventing budget overruns.
Once you’ve chosen vendors, the next step should be ordering wedding invitations and creating your wedding website (if needed). Once the RSVP deadline has passed, create a filing system for responses before creating the seating chart or table plan. At this stage it is also beneficial to check-in with both MOHs or planners to ensure everyone understands expectations and timelines for the big day.
While updating and shopping, update and shop your registries as well. Buying gifts for parents, in-laws and bridesmaids early is recommended so they’ll be wrapped and ready for the big day!
If you are religious couple, ask members of your church or religious community to read readings during Liturgy of the Word – it can be an excellent way to include guests who were not invited directly into your wedding party.
Tradition dictates that groomsmen walk down the aisle before the bride, but some couples have begun breaking with tradition by having all members of their bridal party walk together down the aisle. This allows the bride and groom to rely on support from friends and family as they walk down their respective aisles.
Following your ceremony, guests will gather in the lobby for a toast and light fare before you exit. Ask your photographer about creating custom photo albums of your wedding images; these make great keepsakes and conversation pieces to remember your special day!
