Wedding Plan 101: What You Need to Know Before Saying “I Do”

Planning your wedding not only saves you money but also eliminates a third party. This gives you complete control and lets you express your creativity to have your wedding as you have always envisioned. However, planning a wedding on your own can get overwhelming especially when doing it for the first time. But it doesn’t have to be if you have the right information and strategy. In this article, we take you through important considerations that you need to know to make the day that you say “I Do” successful and memorable.

Key considerations for your wedding plan

Now that you have decided to undertake the planning as a couple, you could be wondering how to go about it. Where do you start? What considerations should you keep in mind? Well. Don’t fret. Here are tips on how to go about planning the important aspects of your big day:

Start with your wedding style and theme

Your wedding planning journey should start with your wedding vision. What type of wedding have you always envisioned? This boils down to the style and theme that will set the pace for the overall vibe. If you have no idea what you want, you can always find inspiration from wedding magazines and online spaces such as Pinterest.

Your wedding theme and style will be the anchor for almost every other thing in your wedding. It will dictate the décor, color choices, and even the venue and wedding date. If you have always wanted a romantic boho affair, you might want to think of outdoor venues. This would also mean setting the wedding date in warmer seasons.

This is also the time to throw in some traditions to honor your culture or religion. An outdoor venue would look good with a chuppah if you want to take your vows under one. Another great tradition is to sign a ketubah for Jewish weddings. Get a traditional ketubah online or you can have it designed to match your theme, style, and personality.

Make your budget a priority

The wedding budget is also an important factor to consider when making various decisions. Before you dive into planning, you need to get the budget set. Consider the amount that you are willing to spend on your big day.

When allocating the costs, start by determining what your priorities are. Think of what you aren’t willing to compromise and allocate funds for them first. Then be willing to settle for less on other things so you can stick to the budget. Most importantly, allocate some funds for things that might crop up along the way that you hadn’t foreseen.

Select the perfect venue

The wedding venue plays a key role in the overall look and feel of your wedding day. It needs to be perfect if you are to realize your wedding vision. Your style and theme should be a priority in selecting the venue. At the end of the day, you want the décor, food, colors, and everything to align for a cohesive ambiance. In addition, keep in mind the budget allocation and the number of guests when making your choice. It is good to keep in mind that some venues get booked even for a year. Start your search early to raise the odds of landing your dream venue. Other important considerations include:

• Location – Consider its proximity to the airport, train station, and accommodation facilities
• Logistics – Understand the noise policy or any other restrictions. You must also consider whether their timeline for setting up and tearing down matches your wedding timeline
• Amenities – What are the catering options? Do they have enough parking? Can they provide seats and tables? Consider also access to bathrooms or if they provide portable ones
• Vendor options – Do they allow you to bring your vendors?

Create a guest list that you can afford

It can be overwhelming to decide who to invite to your wedding and who to cut off. But cutting people off is a necessary evil if you want to stick within your budget. The best way to go about it is to agree on a few rules with your spouse and parents from both sides. You can start by allocating a percentage of the total guests to the involved persons. For instance, you and your partner can take 50% and give your parents and future in-laws 25% each. Then decide how you prioritize the guests. Include close family members and friends that you cherish. If you haven’t talked to someone in ages, don’t be afraid to cut them off.

Find the right vendors

The vendors that you choose to work with can make or break your big day. You need people who can bring your vision to life without compromising on the littlest of details. Finding vendors won’t be hard with online resources and wedding magazines available. You can also ask for referrals from friends or a wedding that you have attended recently.

The real work lies in vetting them. For starters, stick to the ones that vibe with your personality and preferences. Next, keep in mind the costs and check their previous works. Lastly, be keen on the details of the contract before putting your signature. Make sure that it specifies every aspect including date, deposits, additional fees, refunds, colors, time, cancellation policies, and everything in between.

Conclusion

Planning your wedding won’t be easy, but it can be fun and bliss if you follow the above guidelines. The secret is to start planning early and make sure that you don’t leave any stone unturned. You can create a to-do list detailing all the tasks. Utilize online planning tools or a notebook for optimized organization. Don’t forget to work closely with your partner and ask for help from f