photo by Gina Rose
So the Holiday season brought you the most fabulous gift of all, a beautiful piece of bling on your left ring finger. Congratulations! Getting engaged is one of life's most thrilling moments. You call the family, your girlfriends, run out and buy that Martha Stewart Weddings you have been glancing longingly at in the checkout line, and start dreaming of that perfect wedding. But where should you start? There is so much to do and so much information to sort through.
~ Get organized! ~
First things first, budget. Yes, totally unromantic I know, but it needs to be the first step. Who is paying for what, and how much you have to spend really influences all other steps. Get the money talk with your parents out of the way as soon as possible so the rest of the planning process is relaxed. Once you know how much you can spend, you can either hire a planner like myself to help draft a formal budget (how much will be spent on each area of the event) or find the worksheets on great online resources such as Wedding Wire.
Next, discuss as a couple what kind of wedding you want. I suggest writing a list of the Musts you envision separately, then coming together and compromising till the two lists become one.
Now you can start asking friends to be in your wedding party. I suggest having a vision of the event before doing this, so you ask the appropriate number of attendants. Be thoughtful in this selection. I have seen many weddings brought down by cranky attendants who should have been guests rather than standing by the Bride.
Now the fun stuff. You need to find the site that matches your vision. For more information of finding the perfect site check out our previous posts on Ceremony Sites and Reception Sites. After you find the perfect site, the rest usually follows pretty easily. A few more pearls of advice-don't pick a dress till you find the site. You wouldn't want a dress of English Net for a garden wedding, or a slinky silk slip dress for a ballroom reception. If finding vendors becomes a challenge, reach out to your site coordinator or hire a professional planner who will be able to match you to vendors based on your budget, personality and style of wedding.
If you are planning a wedding in the Monterey Bay, I suggest making an appointment at The Couture House to give your planning a jump start. This affordable service provides you with the professional budget template and assistance in finding the sites, services and vendors that fit you best. For more information call 831-600-8206.
The most important thing to remember is that planning your wedding should be a fun journey you take as a couple. If it gets stressful, get help. Remember that guest comfort is as important as the little details and make sure your event reflects your personalities. Congratulations and good luck!
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