Congratulations! He asked, you said yes and now it's time to plan the feat!
Well before you go mad crazy and start spending away there are a few things that EVERY bride should consider before booking, shopping and shipping!
Here are a few things to properly start the planning process and set you off on the right foot.
♥ First the vision. What do you see, smell, taste, hear and feel when you close your eyes and imagine your wedding day? What are the key elements, the must-haves, and the key non-negotiables? This can include colors, theme, design, location, date, guest count and menu.
♥ Next, it is time to consider your budget. Yes the budget! It is always wise to start off with a realistic number as the foundation when discussing your plans. Think in terms of the reception, decor, your attire and include your honeymoon as this is a part of a wedding budget as well.
♥ Think about the guest list. This number is the most important because it dictates where the bulk of your budget will be spent (most times). How? Simple. Your venue must accommodate your guest number and the catering bill is created by adding the price per head. So consider for a second if you are inviting 150 people to your wedding, your venue rental is approximately $1000 for 3 hours and the price per head to feed all your guests including your wedding party and vendors is approximately $13.95 you are looking at a budget of $2,092.50 (not including rentals or gratuity). Plus the $1000 for the rental of the venue (not including decor, rentals or tips). Now you see why budget planning is so important. This is only one end of the spectrum so take care to consider every detail.
♥ Also, think about your date. Every bride should know that your wedding date is not official until you book the church (or place of ceremony) and the reception venue. You also should consider calling your Pastor, Priest or Officiant right away to discuss the protocol, etiquette and requirements prior to setting a date. Marriage counseling classes or meetings may be a requirement so be sure to contact them right away.
♥ Finally, consider hiring a professional planner to pull all the elements of your special day together, tie it in a beautiful bow and delivering your dream come true! Careful consideration should be given when hiring a wedding planner or manager. Consider association, education, experience and overall professional image. Be sure that you research the planners' track record with the Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce and ask the planner for a bridal reference. Be sure to visit the planners' website and blog to research and examine the professional appearance and overall outlook of the company. If blogs are outdated, phone numbers or disconnected or information on websites and design is not up to par you should be really careful before hiring. When meeting your planner she/he should be prompt, professionally dressed, the materials given to you should be professional, neat and clean and the planner should be engaged in every detail of your discussion.
Remember this is a once in a lifetime experience. You want everything to be beautiful. You do not want to be stressed and frazzled on your wedding day! If you need help give me a call I'll be more than happy to assist you in choreographing, producing and directing an experience that you will never forget.