You’re engaged! Congratulations! Now that you have a stunning diamond ring on your hand and a partner for life, you’re probably feeling pretty thrilled. Once you’ve taken some time to celebrate your engagement and enjoy your ring, it’s time to start planning your wedding!
Planning a wedding can often be complicated and even stressful. Even a smaller, more simple wedding still involves a lot of planning, organizing, and work. If you’re getting married soon, here are some of the first five decisions that you’ll want to make.
Your Budget
Your budget will determine nearly everything about your wedding. After all, the cost of having a wedding for 200 people is significantly different than having a wedding for 50 people. That's why you'll want to set a budget before you do much else.
Sit down and realistically think about how much you can afford to spend on your wedding. Remember, it often doesn’t make sense to go into a large amount of debt over a wedding. To help you come up with a budget, do some research online about typical wedding budgets in your area. Costs are different in different cities, after all.
Preparing your budget will also be affected by who is paying for the wedding. In some cases, parents of either person (or sometimes both) might be willing to pay for some or all of the wedding costs. Figure out if this applies to you because that can make a big impact on the budget.
Your Guests
Of course, it’s important to figure out who will be attending your wedding. Early on in the planning process, you may not need an exact number, but you’ll want to have a general idea. This ballpark number will help you with various other decisions that you'll need to make. Both of you should sit down and make a guest list for who you would like to invite. It’s also a good idea to ask your parents who they would like to invite, since weddings are often family affairs.
Once you have prepared a list, you might need to do some trimming. This is especially true if your wedding guest list is getting very large. While cutting people from the list can be difficult, it might be necessary. Since this process is often tough, you’ll want to give yourself some time to do it right.
Your Venue
Once you know how much you can afford to spend and how many people you expect to invite, it’s time to select a venue. Of course, some people will choose a venue first and then create a guest list that matches the venue, which also works as well.
Remember that some popular venues will book up far in advance. You’ll likely need to book your venue at least a year in advance, if not even sooner. Some very popular venues fill up several years in advance.
Your Wedding Party
Your wedding party will help you plan your wedding. They’ll stand by your side and provide support. They’ll be there for you when you need them. Choosing your wedding party is important. It’s up to you how many people you will choose, but it’s a good idea to make this decision early in the planning process. Not only will you want help and guidance from your party during planning, but you’ll also need to figure out their clothing as well as various other logistical concerns, so the earlier you make the choice, the more time you’ll have to finalize these decisions.
Your Rings
Of course, wedding rings are a very important part of your wedding. You’ll exchange rings at the ceremony and you’ll wear your wedding rings every day for the rest of your life. That means you’ll want to take the time to pick rings that you absolutely love.
It’s often a good idea to visit the same jeweler that sold you your engagement ring. Why? Because he or she will likely have a wedding band that goes well with your engagement ring. However, if you decide to go with a different jeweler, be sure to do your research beforehand.
When buying a wedding ring, it's also a good idea to try it on and wear it for a little while. Remember, this ring will be on your finger for eternity, so you’ll want a ring that is comfortable. Your jeweler can help you choose the right ring that suits your needs.
