Now that you have the ring on your finger, it’s time to step into the world of
wedding planning. In my day, a wedding simply meant you needed a church,
reception venue, dress and you were ready to enter marital bliss. A wedding today is
much more intricate and is the first chance for the bride and groom to express and
portray their common interests and tastes. Therefore, planning a wedding has taken
on whole new meaning.
In order to plan the wedding you desire and still have your head on straight by your
wedding day, it is wise to hire a planner to help you choose the right venue, the
most reliable vendors, and offer her professional opinion. As you begin the planning
process, you will see why hiring a wedding planner/coordinator is beneficial.
Before you schedule an appointment with a wedding planner, sit down with your
fiancée and make some decisions regarding the big day in order for the planner to
have a clear idea of what you envision.
Here are some tips for you and your fiancée to think about:
1. The Date
Knowing the date or at least the month you wish to marry is crucial. Certain months
in the year are busier than others, so venues tend to get swept up quickly. The
most popular months are April and October, so if this is when you are planning for
your big day, it is important to book the venue early. Wedding planners know this;
therefore, the sooner you solidify the date, the better. Also, the month you marry
affects the theme or style of the wedding, and even choosing the proper wedding
dress. It is also important to know the time of day you wish to marry, as this too will
have a bearing on certain aspects of your wedding, such as menu options. You would
not want to serve a chicken or steak dish at a mid-morning wedding.
2.The Theme
Go to the meeting with your planner with an idea of the way you envision the
ceremony and reception décor. This is where bridal magazines and Pinterest
can help. Cut out pictures of what you like, everything from flowers, to lighting,
table scapes, etc. From here, your planner/coordinator can guide you to the right
vendors. If you have a theme in mind, be sure to include pictures as well. Your idea
of “Vintage” could be completely different than the way the planner interprets this
style.
3. The Bridal Party
Creating a list of the bridal party is helpful. Decide approximately how many
bridesmaids and groomsmen you and your fiancée wish to have. Also, think about
how you would like the wedding party to walk down the aisle. For example, do you
want the bridesmaids and groomsmen to walk down the aisle together, or do you
want the groomsmen to enter from the side along with the officiant and groom and
the bridesmaids to walk down the aisle alone.
4. The Budget
Most importantly, make sure to have a budget in mind. The number of guests you
invite will greatly determine the budget. You and your fiancée should write a Top
10 List of the items you feel are non-negotiable when planning your wedding. For instance, having the most beautiful and lush flower arrangements are top on the list,
hiring both a band and a DJ is next on the list, having an open bar is important, etc.
It is overwhelming and stressful planning a wedding! This is why hiring a
professional is a wise move. There are so many details that can get overlooked
when planning a wedding yourself. Now that you have these few tips, call a wedding
planner and schedule an appointment. This will help make you and your fiancee’s
wedding planning experience enjoyable and stress-free.
wedding planning. In my day, a wedding simply meant you needed a church,
reception venue, dress and you were ready to enter marital bliss. A wedding today is
much more intricate and is the first chance for the bride and groom to express and
portray their common interests and tastes. Therefore, planning a wedding has taken
on whole new meaning.
In order to plan the wedding you desire and still have your head on straight by your
wedding day, it is wise to hire a planner to help you choose the right venue, the
most reliable vendors, and offer her professional opinion. As you begin the planning
process, you will see why hiring a wedding planner/coordinator is beneficial.
Before you schedule an appointment with a wedding planner, sit down with your
fiancée and make some decisions regarding the big day in order for the planner to
have a clear idea of what you envision.
Here are some tips for you and your fiancée to think about:
1. The Date
Knowing the date or at least the month you wish to marry is crucial. Certain months
in the year are busier than others, so venues tend to get swept up quickly. The
most popular months are April and October, so if this is when you are planning for
your big day, it is important to book the venue early. Wedding planners know this;
therefore, the sooner you solidify the date, the better. Also, the month you marry
affects the theme or style of the wedding, and even choosing the proper wedding
dress. It is also important to know the time of day you wish to marry, as this too will
have a bearing on certain aspects of your wedding, such as menu options. You would
not want to serve a chicken or steak dish at a mid-morning wedding.
2.The Theme
Go to the meeting with your planner with an idea of the way you envision the
ceremony and reception décor. This is where bridal magazines and Pinterest
can help. Cut out pictures of what you like, everything from flowers, to lighting,
table scapes, etc. From here, your planner/coordinator can guide you to the right
vendors. If you have a theme in mind, be sure to include pictures as well. Your idea
of “Vintage” could be completely different than the way the planner interprets this
style.
3. The Bridal Party
Creating a list of the bridal party is helpful. Decide approximately how many
bridesmaids and groomsmen you and your fiancée wish to have. Also, think about
how you would like the wedding party to walk down the aisle. For example, do you
want the bridesmaids and groomsmen to walk down the aisle together, or do you
want the groomsmen to enter from the side along with the officiant and groom and
the bridesmaids to walk down the aisle alone.
4. The Budget
Most importantly, make sure to have a budget in mind. The number of guests you
invite will greatly determine the budget. You and your fiancée should write a Top
10 List of the items you feel are non-negotiable when planning your wedding. For instance, having the most beautiful and lush flower arrangements are top on the list,
hiring both a band and a DJ is next on the list, having an open bar is important, etc.
It is overwhelming and stressful planning a wedding! This is why hiring a
professional is a wise move. There are so many details that can get overlooked
when planning a wedding yourself. Now that you have these few tips, call a wedding
planner and schedule an appointment. This will help make you and your fiancee’s
wedding planning experience enjoyable and stress-free.
About the Author
Pam Sparks is an event manager and event specialist for En Vogue Events and is known for her amazing energy and love of designing beautiful wedding themes.
Pam is currently a member of NACE, the National Association of Catering Executives, and serving on the Crystal ICON Awards committee for ISES, the International Special Events Society.
You can connect with her on Twitter!
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