Your wedding is one of the biggest events of your relationship, and it’s a special day for you both to remember – so you want it to turn out great. It can take time and a lot of investment when you’re trying to get things going, and you’ll also want to make sure you manage your expectations during the planning. You can only afford so much, and you can’t guarantee everything to go exactly as you plan it.
Take your time
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you’re likely not going to get to retry later on in life, which is why it’s so important to not rush this. People change their minds over the things they want, and some of the plans you choose for your wedding might no longer be what you want when you get to the event itself. Make sure you start your planning a long time before you decide to have your wedding, so you can make sure that it’s everything that you want to be, and that the plans are realistic. Things can go long during the planning process, things can change leading up to the event.
Determine your budget
When you’re planning your wedding, one of the first things you’re going to want to do is figure out your budget. You want to know how much money you’re working with, as that’s going to be what helps you figure out what you can and can’t afford. You won’t be able to choose your venue, your decor, your planner, or anything until you know how much money you’re able to spend on this wedding.
Discuss with your partner how much money you both have combined to put towards your wedding, and make sure you plan something you can both afford. Even if it is your special day, you don’t want to put your financial situation at risk once the wedding is over.
Hire your wedding planner
Now that you know how much you’re willing to spend, it can help to hire the services of a professional. Someone who knows how the process goes and can give advice with your planning can really change how things turn out. Realistically, you’re not going to know every aspect of the wedding, and having a planner is going to help you get a hold on things. If you want your day to turn out the best it possibly can, your wedding planner is going to be key in achieving that.
Consider your guests
Depending on who you’re wanting to show up to your wedding, you need to make sure you’re putting a lot of thought into how things will be for your guests. The wedding is ultimately about you and your spouse, but if you want your guests to remember this day too, you need to consider their needs too. Will it cost your guests a lot to attend your wedding? Will they need to travel a long way? If the answer to those questions is yes, you should expect that not everyone will be able to make it. It’s not their day, and they may not have much money to put towards it in the end.
Guest accommodation
If you are having your wedding far away, then you should consider the accommodation for them, so that they have a place to stay. Just like mentioned before, they might not have the money or be willing to pay for it if it’s going to be too costly for them. It would be much more convenient if it was discussed with your guests before planning for it so that everyone is comfortable and happy in the same place.
Picking your venue
One of the hardest parts of planning your wedding is planning the venue. It’s a special day, so you need to find that special location. Of course, everyone has their own preferences, but it will help to take some time to look and possibly even visit the areas that you think are a good fit for your venue. You’ll want something that’s going to be available on your ideal date and able to fit all of your guests that you want to come. You don’t want a cramped wedding! It’s also worth considering that the more popular venues are going to be more expensive.
You can find out more about the venues that you’re interested in online, and there are even sites like https://www.laurelridgeexperience.com/weddings/mountain-wedding-venue that will give you a good idea of what you can expect at your venue. It can save you the time of visiting if you’re already quite busy, or you don’t like what you see on the site.
Planning your decor
Once you know where you want your wedding to be, you can start to choose how you want things to be decorated for the special day. What you choose can help to set an overall mood and theme for the wedding, even if it’s just small trim – it can make a huge difference.
Choosing your dates
The day you pick for your wedding is very important, and it’s completely up to your preference on what’s best. Of course, the main thing that you have to account for is the weather at your wedding, as you want to make sure that no one is uncomfortable, or that the weather is too extreme to continue the event. Usually, people want their weddings to be set in the summer, but so long as you prepare for it, a winter wedding can be equally beautiful and enjoyable.
Remember it’s not just your day
One of the most important things to think about during the planning process is how your spouse feels. It’s not just your day, it’s their special day too, and if you want it to be memorable for both of you; you need to make sure you’re both making compromises. There’s a special day for both of you, but it won’t be if it’s only planned in favor of one of your wants.