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Planning a wedding can be one of the most exciting yet daunting experiences of your life. With so many details to consider and decisions to make, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, starting with a clear plan can help you navigate this journey more smoothly. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the five essential steps to begin your wedding planning process. Let’s dive in and turn your dream wedding into a reality.
photo credit: Eighteenth Hour Photography
Setting a Budget
The first and most crucial step in wedding planning is setting a budget. Your budget will determine every other aspect of your wedding, from the venue to the guest list and even the type of flowers you choose. Start by having an open and honest conversation with your partner about how much you’re willing to spend. Consider any contributions from family members as well.
Once you have a general idea of your total budget, break it down into categories. Allocate funds for major expenses such as the venue, catering, attire, and photography. Don’t forget to set aside a contingency fund for unexpected costs. Keeping track of your spending with a detailed spreadsheet or budgeting app can help you stay on track and avoid financial stress.
Creating a Guest List
Your guest list is another foundational element of your wedding planning. The number of guests you invite will significantly impact your budget and venue selection. Start by making a preliminary list of everyone you’d like to invite. This list can include family, friends, colleagues, and other important people in your life.
Next, categorize your guests into groups based on their relationship to you and your partner. This can help you prioritize who to invite if you need to make cuts. Remember to consider the capacity of your chosen venue and your budget when finalizing your guest list.
Choosing a Location
The location of your wedding sets the tone for the entire event. Whether you dream of a beachside ceremony, a rustic barn wedding, or a glamorous city affair, the location will influence your venue options, decor, and even the attire of your guests.
When choosing a location, consider the accessibility for your guests. If you’re planning a destination wedding, think about the travel and accommodation arrangements for your guests. Additionally, consider the weather and seasonality of your chosen location. In Florida, summer weddings outside are just miserable due to the extreme heat.
Some couples decide that this is the point where they would like to begin working with a wedding planner. Whether this professional is someone in the local area, or if choosing a destination wedding, a professional understands how to research the area to help you find the venue of your dreams.
Selecting a Venue
Once you’ve chosen a location, it’s time to select a venue. The venue is one of the most significant aspects of your wedding and often one of the largest expenses. Start by researching venues in your chosen location and make a list of your top choices.
When visiting potential venues, pay attention to the capacity, amenities, and overall ambiance. Ask about the availability of dates, catering options, and any restrictions they may have. It’s also essential to read reviews and ask for references from other couples who have held their weddings at the venue. Booking your venue early can help secure your preferred date and give you peace of mind.
For couples that did not decide to begin working with a wedding planner once they decide on the location, this is the point in planning where a planner can help navigate every selection you make from this point forward. Listening to your dreams, desires, the experience you want to create for your guests, and the overall feel of your day they are the professionals you want to guide you when selecting potential venues and taking tours.
Picking a Date
Choosing a wedding date is a significant milestone in your planning process. Your wedding date will influence many other decisions, including the availability of your venue, vendors, and even your guests.
Start by considering any significant dates that are meaningful to you and your partner, such as anniversaries or holidays. Additionally, think about the season and weather conditions in your chosen location. Once you have a few potential dates in mind, check the availability of your preferred venue and key vendors. It’s also a good idea to consult with close family and friends to ensure they can attend.
Starting your wedding planning journey with these five essential steps can help you build a strong foundation for your big day. By setting a budget, creating a guest list, choosing a location, selecting a venue, and picking a date, you’ll be well on your way to planning a wedding that reflects your unique love story. Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the process and celebrate the love you share with your partner.
Are you ready to begin wedding planning and need a professional to guide you through the process? Here at Blessed Magnolia, we specialize in Full-Service Wedding Planning working with our couples for 12-14 months ensuring that every little detail is handled along the way. We listen to your dreams and the experience you want to create for your guests and bring it all together for you. We think, so you don’t have to. We guide you through decisions, so you don’t have to make them alone. We understand how vendors think and understand their needs to ensure your day is perfect. Let us guide you through the process. Click here to book your free consultation.
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The ceremony is over, you made it down the aisle without tripping, the groom did not pass out and Aunt Betsy did not stand up and give every reason why this marriage should not happen. Thank goodness. You get to the reception and everyone is there waiting on you. Family that lives in town, lives out-of-town, friends you see all the time and friends you have not seen in forever. You are moved from one side of the room to the other, greeting and speaking to everyone you can. All along all you can think about is eating and dancing.
These days brides and grooms are enjoying their ceremony and their reception and just when you think the night is over, they are moving to the after party, party! It is the biggest thing happening now. Brides and Grooms are hiring transportation to take their closest friends from the reception to the after party to finally let their hair down and celebrate their wedding into the wee hours of the night. Please note, it is not because they did not enjoy the reception, there are just a lot of guests there that the bride and groom just do not know and need a place to just be with their closest friends.
Brides and Grooms are truly getting creative and very intimate with their weddings and the experience they are giving to their guests. The thoughtfulness they give to everyone attending is truly exceptional, from a more traditional wedding for those that would enjoy that experience to the new after party, party.
Enjoy every moment of your big day and make it the experience that you both want. It is a memory that will last a lifetime.
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It’s the day you have waited for all your life. You dreamed about it, waited to meet your Prince Charming, bought the most amazing dress, have the most beautiful flowers, have the cake of your dreams, dance to your favorite love song and watch your parents as they cry with joy over the love that you had found.
Sounds great doesn’t it. If every day were like a fairy tale, weddings would be easy. The fairy godmother would just come riding in on the stars and make sure everything was taken care of in the snap of her fingers. Oh, wait a minute, I meant with a swooshing of her magic wand.
Well when you hire a wedding coordinator that is professional and pays special attention to detail it will feel like you have a fairy godmother in your corner. You want your wedding day to be the day of your dreams, and a good wedding coordinator should give you just that. Before you think that you can not afford a coordinator or think you do not need one, consider the following things:
1. Do you have contacts with local wedding vendors?
Did you know that a wedding coordinator with good contacts may be able to help you get better pricing on items such as catering, dj, photography, florist, cake, etc….
2. Are you doing a lot of DIY?
While DIY is great at saving money, who is going to put everything together for you on your big day? You are the bride, you have a job that day. Your mom has a very important job that day, supporting you. Your family members, while eager to help out, should enjoy this moment with you as well.
3. Who is setting up the church, reception, flowers, food, music, etc?
When you hire a wedding coordinator they take responsibility to ensure that all items are set up and ready to go. The only thing you need to worry about is getting married and enjoying this moment.
Take time to research local wedding coordinators, set up a meeting to find out if you get the feeling that he or she will take care of you every step of the way and find out what type of experience they have and ask for reviews or referrals from former clients.
Sit back and enjoy your wedding day, you have hired someone to do the hard work for you and your family. It looks like you have your fairy godmother after all.
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