Getting married in 2019? Freaked out about where to start? Before you buy a year supply of chocolate and wine, read these key pointers to help guide you into creating the wedding day of your dreams.
You’re finally engaged! Now it’s time to start planning and preparing for the big day! A new engagement brings so much joy and excitement, but there is also a lot of stress that isn’t necessarily mentioned up front. First, let me tell you it’s okay to take a step back and just BREATHE. It can be overwhelming, but here are a few pointers to help guide you and hopefully make your task of wedding planning fun and not an overwhelming ball of stress.
PICK YOUR DATE. This sounds like a simple task, but it can be overwhelming to find a date that fits both you and your significant other’s schedules. If you work different shifts or alternating days, plan ahead to use vacation time for your big day. Also remember, this is YOUR day! Not every guest you invite will be able to attend and some may have prior engagements, maybe even another wedding. It’s okay! Don’t stress over trying to find a date to accommodate everyone else’s schedule, at the end of the day do what’s best for you and your future hubby/wife. Also, picking your day is the first step to being able to book a venue, photographer, DJ, etc. Remember many venues, photographers, etc book up months (if not a year in advance). Don’t wait until the last minute to start calling to see if your date is available.
MAKE A LIST. I know this seems pretty obvious, right?! But, you’d be amazed how much stress is taken off your plate with simply mapping out a game plan. Trying to keep track of all the details from large to small can become overwhelming. Nothing is more satisfying than being able to check something off your list and knowing your day is coming together.
PLAN AHEAD AND DON’T PROCRASTINATE… I’m not telling you to map out the entire wedding process to a T or to become the dreaded “Bridezilla”, who is regimenting everything and everyone, but look ahead anticipate areas that could cause a delay or extended time. One example and area to plan for is bridesmaid’s dresses. On average bridesmaid’s dress can range from 4-8 weeks and some custom order dresses can take up to 12-16 weeks to be shipped after being ordered. Don’t forget to factor in time for alterations; some bridal shoppes require alterations be done weeks before the wedding. Make sure to contact your local bridal shoppes and to go into the store to browse. Asking what is in stock and which dresses will soon be discontinued can save you a lot of headache. I had to learn this the “hard way”.
BUDGET!!! This is your wedding day and it should be everything you dreamed, but setting a budget will help you establish what items are truly important and areas that may not make the cut. Yes, a 10 foot ice sculpture, depicting your love story, would be EPIC and gorgeous!! BUT, may not be in the top 10 on your “must have” list when you have set a budget. Again, this is where making a list can come in handy. Depending on what your budget is this will determine which venues, photographers, DJs, caterers, etc will be available to you. Knowing what your budget, or top dollar, is will also give an idea of how many guest you can invite. Remember many caterers charger per plate and tax will be added to each plate. Also many venues, photographers, DJs, videographers, etc expect a minimum of 50% down to book your day. Ask any vendors you are considering using if they require a down deposit, how much it is, and if they offer a monthly payment option. Setting a budget will again help establish what items are a must and can give you an idea of where you can save. Make sure to shop around. Many experienced photographers/videographers, DJs, caterers, etc will come with an extensive portfolio and be able to show you recommendations. Don’t be afraid to ask to see their work. You are paying for a service, make sure their style of photos, editing technique, and quality of service is what you want before committing. You can never get your wedding day back. Many people try to cut cost on the photographer and end up regretting it. Don’t be afraid to hire someone who is not seasoned, but has a strong portfolio and can back up their work; be wary of an offer that sounds “too good to be true” though. Also, don’t be intimated by an experienced photographers prices. Many photographers have a “starting package price”, but will happily make your budget work. They may offer you less shooting time or a little less goodies in the end, but it would still allow you to have high-quality photos and stay within your budget. It never hurts to ask! There are many wonderful photographers, all extremely talented, that span a wide price spectrum. Find one you like and that fits your budget. Another area to ask questions is with YOUR DRESS! Many bridal shoppes will offer up to 50% off, maybe higher, on certain items that are discounted or will soon be discontinued. The wedding dress I purchased was the first dress that caught my eye in the bridal shoppe. It was hanging by the window and was absolutely stunning. I thought it wouldn’t fit or was way too expensive. I tried it on and it hugged every part of me like we were met to be, until I looked at the price tag! $1,200!!! My heart instantly sank, since I had budgeted for $500. As I went to put the dress back, the shoppe owner informed me it was actually hanging in the clearance section. The dress was discontinued and was the only one they had. The dress had been marked down to $400 for a quick sale! Heck yes!!!! I bought it that day. I only had to have it hemmed a little and even then my total cost was under $500. Planning, list making, photographers, DJs, guest…. oh no! The food for the guest, this could be a huge expense. Don’t worry! If you have a small reception and a family that likes to cook, this could be a quick fix. If your guest list is a little longer, and your family tends to burn toast or use the smoke alarm as a timer, you may want to go with a more professional option. Hiring a family owned restaurant to cater is a great option. Many family owned restaurants rely on weddings and large gatherings for a large portion of their monthly income. Working with a local vendor is sometimes the best priced option and in several of my past experiences, the tastiest.
DIY….When it comes to your wedding day, ”Do it yourself” ideas may sound scary and make your head spin even thinking about it. I know! I know!…. You’re thinking, I already have a ton to plan and a ton to do as it is. How will I possibly do more myself? It can sound like a lot of work, but figuring out items you can do or make yourself can save a lot of money. I.E. center pieces or table place settings, save-the-dates, and wedding invitations are just a few areas you can save. Some brides are extremely crafty or have friends/family who are. This is a great time to put your passion for Pintrest into full swing. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially when your trying to stay on budget. Also, check for sale group sites like Facebook for gently used wedding items. Many handy/crafty brides made something you’d love and could easily be up-cycled into your own masterpiece. This a great option to save you time and money. Another way many brides are choosing to save money is by choosing cupcakes instead of a wedding cake. Don’t get me wrong, wedding cakes can be big, beautiful, and look like a dream, but can be expensive! Cupcake tiers have gained popularity in the last couple years and for a few dollars could be made at home. They’re easy to serve, allow guest to help themselves, can serve a large group of guest, and can be made at home for a cost effective solution. Flowers are another area that can get expensive, quickly! If you absolutely must have fresh flowers try to keep your selection simple. Ask prices of flowers before you create your arrangement. If you are looking for more of the DIY tip, fake flowers are a great substitute. Craft stores, and even dollar stores now, have a wide array of foe flowers that look real, but only cost pennies to the real thing. Foe flowers are great for center piece and bridal bouquet arrangements.
HAVE FUN AND RELAX. This is the day you’re going to marry your best friend and begin your new chapter together. Many brides stress over every detail from big to small. Don’t let the act of planning overwhelm and overshadow your big day. As a career firefighter, we have a saying, “Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.” This phrase is one I live by. You plan your wedding day in hopes everything goes off without a hitch, but keeping a realistic mind that things may not go to plan keeps you ready and prepared. With that being said don’t focus on “what could go wrong”, just know that if something doesn’t go according to your exact plan it’s okay! Sometimes the imperfections, make the day imperfectly perfect! And if all else fails, box wine and chocolate never hurt!