Before you can begin to plan your wedding, you need to figure out how much you want to spend. You should establish a budget and ask your family and friends for financial assistance. Another thing to think about is what type of wedding you want. Some couples prefer a traditional wedding, while others prefer something more modern. Either way, it’s important to remember that your wedding is a very personal event.
Make an inspiration board
When planning a wedding, a mood board can help you visualize how the design elements will flow together. Mood boards can be created with images of your wedding venue, dress, and other elements. Using images of these elements will help you visualize the flow of the entire event, and ensure that everything is in line with your vision.
You can make inspiration boards either in the form of a board or on a digital platform. They can include celebrity images, possible color schemes, and ideas for decorations and dresses. A board of ideas is an important step in the planning process. It will help you organize your thoughts and ensure that they are implemented into your wedding.
Once you have your board of images, it’s time to start narrowing down your choices. Pinterest can seem overwhelming. An inspiration board can help you stay focused and choose the images that you want. This allows you to select images that best reflect your vision and share them with your vendors.
In addition to collecting inspiration from magazines, a wedding inspiration board can be created digitally. While Pinterest is an invaluable resource when it comes to discovering the wedding theme, it can also be an information overload. Creating a board of images and quotes helps you stay focused and avoid a “mod podge” of contradicting ideas.
When creating an inspiration board, start by thinking about the overall mood of your wedding. Write down keywords and phrases that describe how you envision your wedding to look and feel. For example, you may be envisioning a boho-chic, southern charm, or a modern and industrial theme. Next, think about the materials and colors that will make your vision come to life.
When planning a wedding, it is important to keep your focus on what is most important to you and your husband. A visual inspiration board will help you narrow down your choices and create a dream wedding.
Make a budget
It is important to create a budget for your wedding. It will help you prioritize your wedding expenses. This way, you will know exactly how much you can afford to spend on each item. Next, you can look for vendors who are within your budget and decide who to book. This will help you avoid going overboard and spending more than you can afford.
Start by listing all expenses necessary to make your wedding memorable. You may want to stretch your budget for something like a DJ or videographer. Open bars are another option. These little extras can quickly add up, so make sure to keep track of your expenses.
Once you have established your budget, you can sit down with your spouse to discuss your priorities. You should make a list of the top 3 items you want to include in your wedding. Whether it’s rocking music, late-night tacos, a live string quartet, or a huge bouquet of flowers, having a concise list will make it easier to allocate your resources.
The costs of flowers, food, decorations, and alcohol are the biggest expenses at a wedding. You can save money by adjusting the number of guests, but you should also be willing to negotiate if you need to. Ask vendors for sample menus and the price per person. After you have a clear idea of your budget, you can look for areas where you can cut costs.
You should choose a smaller venue than the most expensive. You can also opt for a more affordable wedding venue by choosing a midweek date. If you don’t wish to hire the venue exclusively, many venues offer discounts. Another way to save money is to DIY the centerpieces. You can hire professional musicians, but they can be costly. They may be able to perform wedding music for half of the price.
Planning a wedding is only possible if you have a budget. Though it may seem complicated and time-consuming, having a clear budget will make the entire process easier. It will also help you determine your honeymoon expenses.
Make a guest list
There are many things you need to think about when creating a guest list for your wedding. For example, you’ll need to decide whether to invite children to the wedding. Children will definitely add to the guest list, and it can be a difficult decision for couples. Although it may be tempting to invite everyone, it is best to take into account the needs of each family member and create a list that is both enjoyable and practical.
You can start by considering your closest friends. Then, think about friends from school, coworkers, and neighbors. Invite the people that matter to you most. If you have a plus one, you might want to invite them. It is a good idea for cohabiting couples to be invited but only invite them if they have been together for a while.
Another way to keep track of your guests is to create a spreadsheet. This can be done on any platform. To manage your guest list, you can use Excel or Google Sheets. This way, you’ll have a complete list in one place. This will make it easier to manage your guests.
Next, discuss the guest list with your parents. Parents may feel entitled to a certain proportion of the guest list, especially if the wedding is paid for by them. If this is the case, make sure to have a talk early on and rank the guests according to their importance.
If you work at a company that requires long hours, consider excluding your coworkers unless they’re very close to you. Consider inviting only married or engaged coworkers to your large group. This will allow you to narrow down your guest list and ensure you have the right number of guests for your wedding.
It’s a good rule of thumb to start your guest list 8 weeks before your wedding. Once you have the list, you can begin sending out invitations to the guests. You can send out different RSVP dates if you wish. You can also print out separate RSVP cards and slip them into envelopes.
Find an officiant
The officiant for your wedding is an important part of your wedding day. Your wedding ceremony will have a special “vibe”, and your officiant should reflect that vibe. You want someone who is friendly, professional, and respectful. You should choose someone who is comfortable with long ceremonies if you are planning a lengthy ceremony.
When searching for an officiant, make sure you choose one who has the appropriate training and license to perform wedding ceremonies. You should also be sure the person is available. You might think twice about choosing a friend who is very busy at work. It’s not a good idea to have someone cancel your wedding because they are too busy.
Wedding ceremonies are not complete without officiants. Make sure you choose an experienced, thoughtful officiant who can keep the ceremony on schedule and help you choose other details. If you are planning a wedding, they can be invaluable as they will be able to guide you through the process and help you make it personal and unique.
It’s important to get to know your officiant before you start looking for one. Most officiants will ask you to fill out a questionnaire to get a sense of you and your partner. If you have any questions, schedule a meeting with them.
Your wedding planner should also be able to guide you in choosing an officiant. If you’re planning a church wedding, you might want to choose a pastor or rabbi. However, if you’re planning a non-religious wedding, you can choose a friend or family member to perform it.
The type of ceremony you want is another important aspect to consider when choosing an officiant. While most weddings are religious, there are also secular ceremonies. Your officiant should be able to perform both types of ceremonies and be flexible with the type of wedding you want.
