How do I start planning a wedding? Where do I even begin? It’s overwheliming- we know! Couples often don’t know how to get started planning out their dream day.
You may have a vision in mind but you’re not quite sure how to map things out.
Being able to effectively plan your wedding is important. It will help you convey your ideas to your vendors when meeting with them which helps them bring your dreams to life.
To help get things going we’ve broken the task down for you in a few simple steps.
Step 1. Budget
We’ve mentioned in our previous blog post that setting a budget should be one of the first steps you take when planning out your wedding day.
Your budget will provide you with a guideline for planning all aspects of your wedding.
Knowing upfront what your comfortable spending will set you up for long term success and no disappointment. It can keep you in check and help you prioritize.
This in no way means that you can’t have an absolutely beautiful wedding with a strict budget. The right theme, style, date and place along with an amazing vendor team can help bring your dream to life.
If the thought of not only planning your wedding but mapping out a budget seems like too much, check out our budget spreadsheet. It’s a great resource for you to budget, plug in numbers, and calculate your total expenses.
Step 2. Pick a Date
Having a date in mind is important as it is the first question all vendors will ask you when you inquire. Pricing and availability of product may vary based on time of year. You’ll need to let them know when the wedding is so they can confirm if they have availability whether it be the venue coordinator , florist, wedding planner or photographer.
When picking a date, it’s important to think about the weather in the location you want to get married in. January or February may be too cold if you would like an outdoor wedding in an area that is typically snowy during those months. On the other hand, July and August may be too hot or rainy for an outdoor wedding in an area prone to heavy rain and heat.
Choose with keeping climate and seasons in mind.
Step 3. Guest List
Decide on who you want to be there on your wedding day. Some couples find that they will revise their guest list quite a few times until they create a guest list that fits their budget and really reflects who they want to be a part of their big day.
It’s important to note that your guest list has a direct impact on your budget. The more guests the higher the costs. If you are on a tight budget, try to invite only those who you truly want to celebrate your big day with.
After having your guest list figured out, you’ll now know how much people are trending generally and you can make a decision on venue, invitations and decor. It’s a great starting point to get your planning going.
Step 4. Decide on Wedding Style
What kind of style do you want for your wedding? If you’re finding it hard to narrow this down we recommend you look to real weddings to be inspired by. Pinterest is a great resource that allows you to browse through photos of almost everything you can think of needing for your wedding. Invitations, Florals, Wedding Dresses, Decor and anything else you can think of can be found on there to inspire you.
Another great place for inspiration is looking through wedding blogs online. There’s bound to be local companies where you are getting married who showcase real weddings to help inspire couples. For example, here in Central Florida we recommend you take a look at Marry Me Tampa Bay or I Said Yes FL.
Step 5
If the task of planning your wedding still seems too hard to tackle, consider hiring a wedding coordinator. Wedding coordinators can help take the stress out of the planning process and allow you to still be involved and have the wedding of your dreams but in a much easier way. The not so fun parts can be taken care of by your wedding planner while you get to focus more on other aspects such as selecting your dream wedding dress.
Conclusion
Planning a wedding can be stressful but make sure not to lose sight of the purpose- celebrating your love with your partner. Throughout the process, make time for one another and enjoy being engaged and bask in that happiness. And don’t forget a wedding planner will help the planning process and wedding day run smoothly. Book a consultation with Socialite Events here .
Photos by:
Life and Love Studio
That First Moment
