What Should I Do First When Planning My Wedding
“Help! I’m planning a wedding and have no idea where to start!”
Don’t worry - we’ve got you. In today’s article we’re going to give all you newly engaged couples straightforward action steps you need to take as you first start planning your wedding.
Step 1 : DECIDE ON YOUR BUDGET
What should be the first thing you do when planning your wedding? Decide on your budget! If your budget is $5,000 acknowledge it, if it’s $500,000 acknowledge it. Just know, first and foremost, how much you want to spend. You should be 100% clear on where your money is coming from - how much will you contribute, how much will your future spouse contribute, how much will you get from family. Knowing these amounts (or estimates) will allow you to accurately create a budget, giving you a strong starting point.
Step 2: WRITE A GUEST LIST
Now it’s time to think about everyone you have ever encountered in your life and add their names to the list. I always recommend starting with everyone and then scrubbing down from there. Divide your list into categories - for example: immediate family, extended family, school friends, work friends, church friends, barbershop friends, hair salon friends, social group friends, sports league friends, happy hour friends, public transportation friends, you get the gist. Whatever the category it is, write it out. Then begin deleting people. The reality is, you probably don’t want all those people at your wedding and many of them may not show up. So, you want your list to to reflect the people you truly want plus or minus a few people. Now, do you have that number? Good, it’s time for step 3.
Step 3: WHAT IS YOUR WEDDING DATE?
Many couples choose dates that are signiificant to them others think of dates that have fun patterns. Whatever your method to deciding on your date, do it and then add a couple options to that list. Then, think about when you’d want to get married - the date doesn’t have to be set in stone, but come up with 2-3 dates. Having these dates ensures that if the venues you reach out to don’t have your first date in mind, you can provide them with alternatives.
Step 4: WHAT DO YOU ENVISION YOUR WEDDING VENUE LOOKS LIKE?
It’s time to write out all your requirements for the venue of your dreams. List out all your must-haves and your nice-to-haves.
Examples of must haves:
You can envision having your ceremony and reception in the spaces available to you
It comfortably fits your guest count. Meaning, you won’t have to chop your list in half and it won’t be so big you lose the intimacy of a wedding.
There is a rain backup plan that you’re okay with.
Your wedding is the only one on the day. You don’t want to be rushed through your ceremony and reception because there’s another wedding party hot on your heels ready to walk down the aisle. Make sure your venue doesn’t have a policy to double book weddings.
The location is ideal. Meaning, it’s not in the middle of nowhere (making it hard for guests) and it’s also not in a congested part of town.
Examples of nice to haves:
It has some curb appeal. Be honest with yourself in realizing that you want to be able to take pictures outside and around the venue, not just inside. Do you really want your venue to look sketchy outside?
You can bring in your own catering
They have their own venue coordinator who will be available to you on the day-of. Don’t get this confused with a day-of coordinator that you hire for yourself. If you want to know the difference, check out this article.
The space is already so beautiful you won’t have to add much in terms of florals and other decor. This helps significantly with your budget.
There is not only a room for the bride and her bridal party to get ready in but there is also a space for the groom and his groomsmen to hang in (which ideally doubles as the vendor room). Having multiple spaces available for behind the scenes activities is always very helpful.
Now speaking about the venues….
Step 5: RESEARCH AND REACH OUT TO VENUES
Reach out to the venues who can hold your guest list capacity. If your list has 200 people on it, reach out to venues who can hold 225 and up. Give them your dates, and ask them for pricing. Wondering what other questions you should ask them? Consider these listed here.
In Summary:
Focus first and foremost on your budget. Know how much you, your partner, and each side of the family can potentially contribute.
Once that is at a good place, move on to your guest list. Look at all the people you know would attend whom you’d actually want to celebrate with, categorize them, and list them all out.
Next up - decide on a date, or two, or three. Options are good.
Time to write your list of must haves and nice-to-haves for your venue.
Research and reach out to those venues. Get their availability and their costs.
The steps listed above help you set a solid foundation for the rest of the planning process. The venue is by far one of the largest expenses you’ll encounter which is why it’s recommended that you start with this vendor first. You shouldn’t however start reaching out to them until you’ve determined your budget, guest count, and wedding date. These components of the planning process are pieces you’ll be referring back to when speaking to every other vendor on your wishlist, so it’s beneficial for you to have it solidified.
Oftentimes the stress associated with wedding planning comes from not having a plan. Not knowing where to start will have you starting at the middle and wondering why things aren’t making sense. So, follow the plan summarized above and you’ll be building a solid foundation for your wedding planning journey!
Need some further support? Reach out and let’s talk!