13th: Choose a Reception and/or Ceremony Location ASAP
* It is very common to book a WHOLE year in advance, which was surprising to me when I first found that out.
* Try to choose something under your price range, instead of at your price range. There are always extra fees to factor, or catering (which most venues require a certain catering company).
* Go off of how you feel when you first step onto the property. If you automatically don't like it, don't let it grow on you. Remember that your guests will most likely think the same thing when they first arrive. Don't be afraid to be completely anal about this decision.
14th: Choose a Caterer if the VENUE doesn't offer one
* More people then you think make fast decisions. Don't trust food that sounds good and assume professionals are working on it. Try their food and be critical! Food is one of the most important things! You want your guests to be impressed and have fun! =)
15th: Choose Entertainment
* DJ's/Bands are the next recommended vendor to book
* When I thought of a DJ, I thought of someone hip and young in a nightclub setting. Most times, that is not the case in DJ Wedding vendors, so don't judge how they look right off the bat. Meet them and get a feeling for their style; sometimes great things come in "interesting" packages!
16th: Choose a Photographer
* This can be one of the most important decisions; a photographer captures your day, and you want to remember all those amazing moments!
* Be picky about this decision, and most of all, make sure that your photographer makes you feel comfortable AND makes you laugh. Having a fun photographer is really important or else you may not look like you're having much fun in your photos.
17th: Choose a florist
* Florists can get really exprensive, really fast. Decide what you want from a florist before you have a meeting with them. If you are on a budget, don't just go to a grocery store florist. You can almost always find a small business florist that is the same price as a grocery store florist with much better quality. Don't automatically assume that the grocery store florists will be the cheapest, either.
* If you want to save, use the florist for the corsages, boutineers, and bouquets. If you want the look of over the top centerpieces, have two big arrangements by the alter when you are married and then have them moved to the bridal table.
* If you get bouquet centerpieces for every table, it's going to be very expensive. Choose beautiful, tall vases for the centerpieces; the key is choosing vases that are fairly SLENDER. That way, you can put 1-2 talls flowers in there (such as calalilies), paired with rocks, marbles, and/or pretty, curly branches.
* Or you can choose to decorate the centerpieces of every table with candles or a few flowers floating in a wide short (bowl like) vase.
18th: Choose someone to Marry you and your groom
*If you don't know anyone who is ordained, that's fine, but remember that knowing that person will make it mean that much more. Maybe you have an uncle who is ordained and you didn't even know it; or maybe even a pastor from a church you went to when you were little could be special.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The Wedding Planning is Underway
7th: Pick out your ring if your future husband didn't propose with one
* Decide your ring budget before you go into a store, or else you will be tempted by SPARKLES or even selling techniques! If you don't have all the cash, choose a financing plan that is not only affordable but realistic to pay off.
8th: Go shopping!
* HOWEVER, don't settle!! Think you like some bridal jewelry you find or find some cool vases for your centerpieces? Don't be afraid to hold off on buying them because it always feels better to be sure about your decision. Unless your wedding is 2 days away, you aren't in any sort of rush!
9th: Find your Wedding Dress
*If your like most brides, you are going to want everything to match. If you find amazing bridal shoes that are silver, but find a gorgeous dress with gold hues or beading, you are in a predicament. Also, you're not going to want to match your bridemaids dresses to your dress, and many other things. Finding your wedding dress, even if you don't buy it is a VERY helpful.
10th: Ask your friends to be your Bridesmaids
* Wondering why I put this as Step # 10? It's simples; at this point in your planning process, you are already pretty much aware of who wants to help with the wedding and who doesn't. Yes, people are always busy, but if they want to help you, they will find a way. There are always going to be bridesmaids that don't think they need to help until the DAY OF the wedding. At least with holding off asking your friends, you can make sure that they are who you want standing up there on the alter with you on that beautiful day.
11th: Ask your future Mother-in-Law to lunch
*Whether or not you get along with this woman, it's a nice gesture. It also can give you a chance to get her address book from her for the guest list and to do it in a nice way (opposed to calling her and asking to drop in and pick it up, which could c ome across as rude). Either you two don't know each other, you don't get along, or you get along great; so a lunch date can make any of those scenarios better. Not to mention that she will feel very included.
12th: Don't talk about the wedding unless someone ASKS
* It sounds really funny I know, but it's something people don't really realize. For brides, they are so consumed in their wedding plans and everything that is involved that they can overdo it. If it is your groom, your mom, or one or two of your closest bridesmaids, you are in the clear. However, in general, it gets extremely old when people have to hear about your wedding over and over again, it can get boring. Also remember that some people want to know what's going on and that's why they ask; others will ask out of respect but may really not want to hear more than a few sentences!
* Decide your ring budget before you go into a store, or else you will be tempted by SPARKLES or even selling techniques! If you don't have all the cash, choose a financing plan that is not only affordable but realistic to pay off.
8th: Go shopping!
* HOWEVER, don't settle!! Think you like some bridal jewelry you find or find some cool vases for your centerpieces? Don't be afraid to hold off on buying them because it always feels better to be sure about your decision. Unless your wedding is 2 days away, you aren't in any sort of rush!
9th: Find your Wedding Dress
*If your like most brides, you are going to want everything to match. If you find amazing bridal shoes that are silver, but find a gorgeous dress with gold hues or beading, you are in a predicament. Also, you're not going to want to match your bridemaids dresses to your dress, and many other things. Finding your wedding dress, even if you don't buy it is a VERY helpful.
10th: Ask your friends to be your Bridesmaids
* Wondering why I put this as Step # 10? It's simples; at this point in your planning process, you are already pretty much aware of who wants to help with the wedding and who doesn't. Yes, people are always busy, but if they want to help you, they will find a way. There are always going to be bridesmaids that don't think they need to help until the DAY OF the wedding. At least with holding off asking your friends, you can make sure that they are who you want standing up there on the alter with you on that beautiful day.
11th: Ask your future Mother-in-Law to lunch
*Whether or not you get along with this woman, it's a nice gesture. It also can give you a chance to get her address book from her for the guest list and to do it in a nice way (opposed to calling her and asking to drop in and pick it up, which could c ome across as rude). Either you two don't know each other, you don't get along, or you get along great; so a lunch date can make any of those scenarios better. Not to mention that she will feel very included.
12th: Don't talk about the wedding unless someone ASKS
* It sounds really funny I know, but it's something people don't really realize. For brides, they are so consumed in their wedding plans and everything that is involved that they can overdo it. If it is your groom, your mom, or one or two of your closest bridesmaids, you are in the clear. However, in general, it gets extremely old when people have to hear about your wedding over and over again, it can get boring. Also remember that some people want to know what's going on and that's why they ask; others will ask out of respect but may really not want to hear more than a few sentences!
How to Start your Wedding Plans
1st: Figure out a Budget to fit your Needs
* The most successful way to set up your budget is as simple as addition. Set your cake budget, your catering budget, your attire budget, etc. and add it all up! That way, you will KNOW how to stay within budget
2nd: Get a Wedding Binder/Organizer
* Everyday stores usually have them but bookstores are the best bet because they have the most selection.
3rd: Tap into your RESOURCES
* If any of your girlfriends have gotten married lately, they probably have wedding magazines lying around. Wedding magazines go for AS LITTLE as $9.95 and that can add up. Don't worry how new the issue is either, magazines from years ago still have beautiful and creative ideas.
4th: Chose your colors
* It seems like you should be able to go shopping and have fun without knowing your wedding colors yet. WRONG! Choosing things for your wedding is stressful enough without trying to figure out what colors you want for your wedding while you are standing in an aisle in Target!
5th: RESEARCH Vendors
* Find 3 of every vendor you love and email them. Ask about their pricing and packages, their availability for your wedding date, and ask why you should chose them.
* Wedding Planners
* Caterers
* Photographers (and/or PhotoBooth)
* Entertainment (DJs/Bands)
* Florist
* Reception/Ceremony Location
* The most successful way to set up your budget is as simple as addition. Set your cake budget, your catering budget, your attire budget, etc. and add it all up! That way, you will KNOW how to stay within budget
2nd: Get a Wedding Binder/Organizer
* Everyday stores usually have them but bookstores are the best bet because they have the most selection.
3rd: Tap into your RESOURCES
* If any of your girlfriends have gotten married lately, they probably have wedding magazines lying around. Wedding magazines go for AS LITTLE as $9.95 and that can add up. Don't worry how new the issue is either, magazines from years ago still have beautiful and creative ideas.
4th: Chose your colors
* It seems like you should be able to go shopping and have fun without knowing your wedding colors yet. WRONG! Choosing things for your wedding is stressful enough without trying to figure out what colors you want for your wedding while you are standing in an aisle in Target!
5th: RESEARCH Vendors
* Find 3 of every vendor you love and email them. Ask about their pricing and packages, their availability for your wedding date, and ask why you should chose them.
* Wedding Planners
* Caterers
* Photographers (and/or PhotoBooth)
* Entertainment (DJs/Bands)
* Florist
* Reception/Ceremony Location
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