Setting the Pace for Your Wedding Plan

He finally popped the question and now you have the man of your dreams leading your futur.   On your finger is a beautiful, sparkling reminder of his love. And in your mind? The million and one things to be done before you can walk (run) down that aisle. Suddenly your ring becomes just a little bit heavier.

One of the first questions you have is probably, "What should I do first?" This is usually followed by, "Should I choose my date or the venue first?" or "Should I already have my dress ordered?" My answer? Take a deep breath.

You want everything to be perfect, so you want to make sure you are doing the right things at the right time. You don't want to be limited in your choices, so it makes sense not to wait until last minute on big decisions. You are excited and nervous and it is easy to let wedding preparation take over your life. But you have to pace yourself.

It is a cliche, but the fact remains, Rome wasn't built in a day. Your wedding plan will serve you much better if you allow yourself a reasonable amount of time to work it through. Trying to plan everything all at once will overwhelm you. This is how brides get burned out and/or become Bridezillas.

So, what should you be doing first? Here is a good place to start:

1. Decide on a Date - Your wedding date will be the driving force of your wedding plan. It will dictate how much or how little planning time you have available as well as venue/vendor availability. Think about the weather, surrounding holidays and travel schedules when you set your date, especially for a destination wedding. If you care more about the venue then the exact date, be flexible
2. Come up With and Stick to a Budget - Every bride has a budget, whether it is small, moderate or high-end. Wedding planning without one will guarantee a loss of control and over spending every time. Put your numbers on paper and refer to it for limits before any purchase. Make room in a tighter budget by not spending money on areas that aren't important to you, or limiting the number of guests for the reception. Focus on spending well, not just less. Also, having a smaller budget does not mean you can't afford to hire a wedding planner. In most scenarios, you cannot afford not to have one. She/He will have experience in knowing the areas you can save money without sacrificing the feel of your event. A good planner will also save you time and have relationships with vendors that offer quality service and products regardless of budget
3. Order your gown -  Once you have set your budget, you are ready to go shopping! Your dress will set the tone for everything else, especially the bridesmaid dresses (which should be within your next set of to-dos), so it is important that be your first purchase

After you finish these 3 things, you'll have set the framework for the rest of your wedding plan. Now, is also a good time to talk with and choose your wedding planner, if you haven't already. Make sure that your planner's availability, communication and work style match your own. This is your once-in-a-lifetime event, so you need to feel comfortable that they will bring your vision to life within the guidelines you set together. Your wedding day is not the time to discover you are not on the same page. 

To set up a FREE consultation, tell us about your plans and to find out if we are a match for your wedding celebration, call 888.236.7261.

You are one-of-a-kind, your once-in-a-lifetime should be too.