"Planning a wedding was easy and stress-free!"- said no bride. Venues, cake receptions, bridesmaids, groomsmen, rings, hair, flowers, colors, food, music, favors, invitations, and registry creation. And this isn't everything.
Do you feel overwhelmed just by reading this list? Then you might be a bride or bride-to-be. Wedding planning can be stressful, so we have some wedding planning tips to help you gain some of that time and energy back.
Budget
Nailing your budget should be the first thing you do before anything else. Don't just have a ballpark number in mind. Instead, break down your budget into categories.
Breaking your budget down into categories and knowing how much you can spend on a venue, your dress, music, food, flowers, and other categories will help you from overspending.
Extra hot tip: Try using an envelope system. By separating your budget into envelopes, you are sure only to spend the amount you allotted, and if you have extra, you can use it for other categories.
Location and Guests Come Next
Once you have your budget nailed, it is time to find your location. Locations for weddings will go quickly, so you must plan and move fast.
Once you have your location picked and the deposit paid, you can create a guest list and send out invitations. When sending your invitations out, give guests about 6-8 weeks before the wedding to clear schedules and make arrangements. If it is a destination wedding, then try to provide about three months' notice.
Your Day, Your Rules
It is your day, do not let anyone tell you differently. You must stick with your decisions and things that are important to you. Sure, you can consult others and get advice, but don't let them take your special day away from you. If not, you could end up with the Pepto Bismol pink wedding from the movie Steel Magnolias.
Source Local When Possible
When wedding planning, local businesses ensure that they will be available if issues or questions pop up. When you source local don't look for services specifically labeled "wedding" because most local businesses like hairstylists, DJs, or photographers will not differentiate themselves into wedding and non-wedding services.
Supporting local also supports your community in ways using a more significant business or company won't. One way to look for local wedding help is to network, check online and ask around!
Delegate
Yes, is it your day, and you need to be the one to make the final decision, but don't try to be a superwoman and do it all. Planning a wedding is stressful and taking on that responsibility alone is not something you should aim for.
Hire a wedding planner, delegate responsibilities to your wedding party or friends, and recruit people to help you when needed. By doing this, you will hopefully free up some of your time to focus on things you should be focusing on, like the enjoyment of your big day.
Wedding Planning Tips
This guide is only the start. There are so many things that go into a wedding to make it personal, but we have covered only some more general topics. These wedding planning tips will set you up for success while planning your big day.
If you liked this guide, found it helpful, or want to read other wedding planning tips, then make sure to check us out here. Also, if you have any questions about your big day, contact us, and we will send you in the right direction.