Next, follow the guidelines below to assist you in the first
planning stages of your wedding. Enjoy the planning process, it can actually be
FUN!
1. Start planning and become organized: Being
organized is the first step to successful planning. Go out get a binder or
planning book to organize your thoughts, pictures, and details of your day.
Notate all items pertaining to your wedding and clip pictures and insert them
into your planning book to refer back to your inspiration.
To purchase a personalized “Wedding Planner” by Sarah Viera Event Planning & Design, enter your information here. In the subject field note: Wedding Planner.
2. Plan engagement party: Let the first of
many parties and celebrations begin! Your engagement party should happen as close
to your engagement date as possible, but if you plan to have a long engagement
you can extend the engagement party out. Just remember to plan the party closer
to your engagement date rather than your wedding date.
3. Take engagement pictures: Like your engagement party your engagement
pictures should be scheduled around the time of your engagement date. You need
to decide the location and time you want your photos taken and find a
photographer that fits your style. Photos are captured moments that you will
treasure forever so finding the right place and person to make those moments
last a lifetime is an important decision.
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| Audrey Hannah Photo |
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| Audrey Hannah Photo |
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| Audrey Hannah Photo |
4. Pick a date: This task is harder than
most think unless you already have a special date representing the two of you.
If not, consider Holiday weekends. They provide an extra day to celebrate and
can even bring down your venue budget if you book on a Sunday! One thing to
consider is if families have holiday traditions they celebrate and travel
expenses may be higher.
5. Choose a reception venue: Reserving a
venue in the beginning stages of planning is ideal. Venue’s book faster than
you can imagine especially if you have chosen a Saturday during prime wedding
season. Double check with your venue’s availability if you are planning on
getting married in the months from May-September.
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| Spruce Mountain Ranch Sarah Roshan Photography |
6. Set a budget: Determine a starting
point and go from there. Make a list of all the things you want especially
those most important for your special day and determine where your budget will
be used most.
7. Design your wedding website: Keeping
friends and family informed on the upcoming wedding is made simple and fun
using a wedding website. This is a wonderful place where you can share stories,
have guests RSVP, post wedding registry information, give directions, post
photos and many more wonderful bit on information all in one easy location. (Wedding
websites: http://www.wedsite.com, http://www.ewedding.com, http://wedding-websites.weddingpaperdivas.com)
8.
Consider
a consultant: Having a wedding planner/consultant can be a huge help during
such an exciting but stressful time. A planner is there to help you make your
dream day come true in any way possible. Nowadays there are so many DIY ways to
do wedding but it is easy to get bogged down with the details of who needs to
be where and when this has to happen, that is where a planner comes in. You and
your sweetie should enjoy the celebration of the beginning of your new life
together and let your planner worry about everything else.
9.
Start
a guest list: Figure out the size of
your wedding and reception venues to help you determine the number of guests to
invite. Outdoor venues typically have no limitations but indoor venues do which
ought to be considered if you are planning for a lot of people. At the
beginning of your planning feel free to put anyone and everyone on your list,
you can always cut it down later. There
are very helpful online tools to get you started on your list.
10.
Pick
your wedding party: Decide how many people you both want standing up with
you on your wedding day. From there the most important decision is to pick your
maid of honor. Someone who is going to be there at your worst and best moments
throughout this process. Having a group of ladies who are supportive and
willing to help is such a benefit during this time.
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| Amanda Lamb Photography |
As
you begin this journey make sure you have support around you, whether that is
your mom, your maid of honor, a sibling, a grandparent, or your planner. Having
a support system to stand by you as you plan your magical day is very important
and you will soon realize a huge benefit. If you are like most girls you have
probably been looking forward to this day for a long time and already have many
ideas. Now is the time to take a deep breath and start making those dreams come
true!
Call Sarah Viera Event Planning & Design for assistance with the planning process, the day of, or beyond.
