5 Tips To Planning Your Wedding | Midwest Weddings

 Maybe you got (or are getting) engaged over the holidays or maybe you are just now getting to your planning process. After you take some time to celebrate together with family, take a deep breath, get the pen and paper out and make this list.  Let me help you with the first 5 items you should start planning for your wedding.

  #1  Wedding Date
Oh boy! Everyone wants to know.  The second thing that people will ask you following your announce of your engagement is, “So, when is the big day?!”  Break out your family planner.  Maybe there is a date that means so much to you like an Anniversary date. Perhaps you’d like to share the wedding date of your parents.  Your wedding date doesn’t need to have special meaning but make sure that the wedding date works for you guys.  Write down several dates 5-10 dates and start discussing each date.  Before you know you’ll have your date.

Keep in mind that this wedding date is about you. Don’t sweat it if people can’t make it.  It will be merely impossible to meet everyone’s schedule.  Pick the date you both want and your loved ones will be there.  Promise!

#2  Set your budget (Cha-ching!)

Before you can start picking vendors you must set your wedding budget.  I know, I know, you are antsy to start looking at pretty stuff but setting a budget is important.  This will set the tone and make the planning process go easy breezy. ;–)  You will want to pick vendors that are in your budget and not show up to a meeting wasting everyones time when they are out of your price range. This budget will help with this.  Consider having the people paying for the wedding present at this part of the meeting.

And as a side note, no one really likes discussing money.  So make this part fun.  Pop some popcorn, break out the bubbly and sweets available.  This meeting will be over before you know it. ;–)

Once you have your date settled, now comes all the fun stuff. Picking your vendors.  The first place is a venue.  This with set the tone to your entire wedding theme.  Are you looking for a farm? Country club?  Maybe you’d like an industrial wedding look.  These are things you need to keep in mind.  As soon as you pick your date, pick your venue asap.  Venues book up fast depending on your desired location (10months to 18months out).

Now this is NOT #4 because I am a photographer.  Truly.  Photographers book out 9-12 months in advance so if you have a particular photographer you want the longer you wait the chances will be greater that they are booked.  So make sure you make #4 a priority….along with #3.  Once you have selected your photographer you will want to schedule your engagement session too. You’ll also want to get a portable printer so you can have pictures printed at your wedding and given to the guest. Check out this portable photo printer in Singapore.

Wedding Planners are not just for the busy, out of state couple.  They are truly there to help you find the best of the best vendors within your budget, make decisions based on your desires and to be there for you to run the show on your wedding day.  #5 will be one of the best investments.  I suggest to my couples to at least consider hiring a wedding coordinator for the day of.  Imagine all of the hustle and bustle being taken care of by the wedding planning and you get to enjoy every ounce of your wedding day.  Sounds like a dream, huh?

How is your wedding planning process going? Have you come a crossed any hick ups?  Comment below with what is working for you.

Happy Planning!