Expert Tips for Planning Your Wedding
1. Start with a Guest list
Before you decide where you want to get married, decide who will be invited. This will help determine if there is a venue in your area that can accommodate your special loved ones.
2. Look at Calendar Conflicts
Check with family and friends whether there are specific dates that will conflict with your special day, is there a marathon in town that will fill up hotels, and raise prices? Is it during a holiday that causes flights to sky rocket?
3. Mother Nature knows best
Are you planning on a July wedding? Is that the hottest part of the year? If so it may be best to look at venues with air conditioning, guests are known to leave early if the weather is not ideal. And if you want a sunset ceremony in July, make sure you check out SunriseSunset.com
5. Vendor Lender
Vendors, such as photographers, will be able to tell you the best band in town, or the best floral to pick for your bouquet, listen to them, they have the experience.
6. Lighten Your List
The easiest way to trim your wedding budget? Cut your guest list. If it's costing you $100 per person, eliminating one table of 10 can save you $1,000.
7. It's all about the Extras
Many vendors have steep competition, If you are about to sign on the dotted line, ask for them to include an extra hour of pictures during the reception, or Hors d'oeuvres for the bridal party while waiting for the guest to get situated. More than likely they will rather secure the reservation that let you pass by.
8. Get Focused
You have seen it in the movies, and probably laughed, but truth be told a three-ring binder is essential to compile all your vendors, notes, and photos. There are also a lot of apps you can download on your phone as well
9. Prepare for Set up
Unless you have a wedding planner, You need to ask about set up and break down policies, depending on the rules you may need quite a crew just for this. Ask about the day before, or at the very least the entire wedding day, before the event starts.
10. Research Marriage Licenses
Check your state's license requirements online, but its also best to confirm with a call to the county office to see when they're open. Give a copy of your marriage license to your mom or your maid of honor (just in case)
11. Follow the Rules
Getting married in a house of worship? or any site really for the list of restrictions (if any). For instance, is flash photography or bare shoulders prohibited? These are important facts you need to know.
12. Emergency Contacts
Keep an emergency contact sheet, with your vendor contacts on you on your wedding day—it may come in handy, Pass out more than one, you never know what transpires on that special day.
