Wedding Planning 101
How do you plan a wedding if you’ve never been to one? That was the first thing that crossed my mind, paired with stressful thoughts about making it the most perfect day. What I learned? Take it one step at a time and everything will work itself out, even if it happens hours before you walk down the aisle😅
10 steps to planning your ideal wedding
Choose your bridal party
Your bridal party will help throughout the planning process. They will help you choose your dress, will come up with ideas on what to give as favors, and most importantly, will make sure you have the most amazing day. Your bridal party will be your support system. The sooner you ask, the better!
Pick a wedding theme
Create a mood board with photos of wedding styles you like. Consider the colors, types of flowers, decor details, as well as the type of venue and the season in which you would prefer to get married.
I created both a Pinterest board and an Instagram collection.
Set your budget
It’s important to set a realistic budget and evaluate which items you would be fine spending a little extra on. In my case, I went back and forth between not wanting to spend a lot, but also wanting to splurge on every single line item. The key to setting a wedding budget is to figure out your non-negotiables.
Hire a wedding designer/planner
Your designer will help bring your vision to life by coordinating all aesthetic elements. Most wedding designers also have the dual role of planners to make sure everything runs smoothly. Unless you are choosing a venue that offers all-inclusive packages, I highly recommend hiring one. I was able to relax and enjoy every moment, all thanks to @exclusiveweddingsDR.
Choose venue & set the date
When choosing a venue you will need to consider what type of services the venue offers. Some may offer the full package (decor, linens, catering, cake, DJ, etc.) whereas others are a blank canvas and you will be responsible for renting the tables, glassware, and everything in between. There are pros and cons to both, but if you are hiring a planner they will take care of contracting all services.
Once you’ve decided on a venue, it is important to check its availability to set your wedding date right away. Keep in mind venues might offer discounts for booking your event on slow days (typically Monday-Thursday) and during their off-season (typically in the winter months).
Put together your guest list
Deciding who to invite will probably be one of the most stressful items on your list. As in most cases the number of guests you are able to invite is dependent upon the budget, start by splitting up how many guests you can each invite. If you are having trouble narrowing down the list, think about the people who you’ll want to share this occasion with. In our case, we decided to limit it to close relatives and friends, but you can also create rules to help you narrow it down. For example, if you haven't spoken to them in years, don’t invite them.
Send save-the-dates & invitations
It’s important to send out the save-the-dates far in advance, especially if you are planning a destination wedding. Invitations are typically sent six to eight weeks prior to the wedding day, but for a destination wedding I would suggest sending it out eight to ten weeks out. Don’t forget to include the RSVP deadline!
Book must-have vendors
If your venue is not providing any services, you will most likely have a long list of vendors. Work with your planner to secure the date with your must-have vendors. We booked our photographer, videographer and the band for our reception first. When it comes to photography and videography, make sure your vendor’s shooting and editing style aligns with yours. You’ll need to trust them to capture details in a way that you’ll like. The same goes for the band. Live music adds a unique experience and you need to make sure you pick the right one. Listen to their playlists, watch their videos and pay attention to quality.
The pros we enjoyed working with: @juancastrovargas, @jetsfilms and @shephardband
Create your wedding day timeline
If you want things to go smoothly, creating a timeline will help your planner and vendors to stay organized. Try to make it as detailed as possible, starting by listing the time your photographer and videographer should arrive at the getting-ready, to the moments leading to the event closing. It’s also a good idea to include the songs you would like played at the ceremony and throughout the night, as well as the names of those giving speeches and leading the toast. You will also need to share the timeline with the master of ceremony.
Write your vows
Most articles suggest writing your vows two weeks out. It’s close enough to express how you are feeling, but it also gives you enough time to think about what you want to say and room to edit them as you go. Although I wouldn't suggest you wait until the last second, getting started two weeks out is easier said than done. With everything going on, I ended up crafting my vows the same day and having one of the bridesmaids make a clean copy to read off of. Try your best to start early but don’t stress if it doesn't happen. It will all be ok!
Your wedding is a once in a lifetime event. Planning can be stressful, but it also has its perks. Cherish every moment and have fun!
Drop your questions in the comments.
Love, Barbs.