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He Put A Ring On It! Now What?

Photo: Studio Carre' Photographie

Hello all of you brides-to-be! It must be something about the winter air that makes men swoon, because we’ve been seeing lots of new bling and we’re excited to help you get started with your planning – that is, if you can take your eye off your new sparkle for a few minutes!

You may feel like you’ve been planning your wedding since you were five years old – from the magical princess gown to your dapper prince, and everything in between. Or maybe you haven’t given wedding planning one thought. Wherever you are in the process, I have some tips to help you get started planning the party of your dreams, and relieve some of that planning “stress” you hear everyone buzzing about.

The Budget & Guest List: Two major details you’ll want to sort out before you even get started. You’ll need to know the parameters of your budget when talking with vendors, and you’ll need to know a ballpark number of guests when looking at venues.

The Gown: Get shopping! Most brides end up ordering their gown, which can take months to arrive. Allow time for alterations and several fittings; you’re looking at a good six month process, possibly longer. Many shop owners need to make space for new designs at the beginning of the year, so January and February are great months to find discounted gowns on last year’s styles.

The Venue: While you’re shopping for your gown, be thinking about and calling on venue availability, which is equally important. It’s easiest for planning purposes (and guest convenience) to have both the ceremony and the reception at the same location, but if you are set on separate venues for the two, make sure you ask for several availability options when you call. One location may have conflicting availability to the other, so it’s easiest to have a few options written down as you compare the two.

The Stationer: Hire a stationer eight months to a year before the wedding (another top priority on your “to do” list). It takes time to choose a main suite, and you also may consider all those day-of details like programs, menus, coasters, napkins, signage, and favors. It doesn’t have to all match, but the font, colors, and theme should be the same to maintain a cohesive look.

The Photographer: Photographers and live bands or djs also book up quickly, so those are vendors you want to contact sooner rather than later as well.

For more detailed information on where to begin, utilize a “Wedding Planning Checklist.” If you don’t plan on hiring an event coordinator, purchase a wedding planning binder from a local bookstore, which will include a checklist to help you get started. A few suggested online sources for planning checklists:

Martha Stewart Weddings Worksheet:
http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/worksheets

The Knot Wedding Planning Tools:
www.theknot.com/wedding-planning-tools

Real Simple Wedding Planning Checklist:
http://www.realsimple.com/holidaysentertaining/weddings/planning/wedding-planning-checklist

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