Planning a wedding is stressful. There are so many different moving parts, decisions to make, and considerations to keep in mind that it can be very, very difficult. It’s not uncommon for couples to feel great anxiety around this time. However, there are a few things that you can do to make wedding planning a bit easier. Here are some tips.
Set Your Guest List Early
While you may not know exactly who will be attending, it’s a good idea to set as much of the guest list as possible as early as possible. Even a rough number will help. This is because your guest list will determine many other aspects of your wedding, from the size of the venue to the cost of the meal. Once you have a good idea of your guest list, it becomes easier to set a budget, choose a location, and even set a date.
Be Flexible
While you likely have an idea of your dream wedding in your head right now, it’s a good idea to not stick to a rigid plan too closely. After all, there are a lot of variables involved with planning a wedding. For example, the venue you really want may be unavailable or not suitable for the size of your wedding or the time of the year you want to get married. You’ll then need to come up with an alternate plan. If you spend time sticking to your original idea, you could miss out on some great alternatives.
Also, flexibility can help you save money on your wedding. If only one venue, one date, or one dress will do, you could find yourself overpaying. However, if you are flexible and willing to shop around and consider different options, you could save some cash.
Remember Potentially Problematic Dates
There are some wedding dates that could potentially cause trouble for your wedding. For example, if a big conference, sports competition, or charity event is taking place on the same day as your wedding, this can make things difficult in a number of different ways. There could be more traffic, it could be more difficult to book hotel rooms, and roads, venues, and even entire areas of your city or town could be closed. Plan ahead and avoid these dates.
It is also a good idea to try to avoid big moments for those in your immediate family and close friends. For example, you probably don’t want to book your wedding at the same time as your parents’ vacation or your sister’s graduation.
Get Advice
Ask for advice whenever you can. You don’t necessarily need to follow all of it, but it’s certainly worth asking. For example, if you find a caterer that you really like, ask if they have any recommendations for a photographer or DJ. You should also ask friends and family members who have gotten married recently if they have any suggestions for you. They might give you the name of someone you would have never found on your own and this could make planning the day easier.
Be Organized
Organization is crucial when you’re planning a wedding. Get a binder, folder, or box and use it to store all relevant documents, photos, business cards, notes, etc. You might be able to use an app to store all of this information if that’s what you prefer.
It’s also a good idea to jot down some detailed notes whenever you finish a meeting with a potential vendor. This will make it easier to remember what you talked about months later when you’ve spoken with dozens of other people.
Having a calendar (either a physical one or a digital one) is also crucial. This can help you keep appointments and remember important dates and deadlines.
A lot of couples create a special email address just for their wedding where they receive all relevant information. This makes sure everything is all in one place and that both of you have access to everything you need.
The most important tip is to remember that this is your wedding. While you obviously want your friends, family members, and guests to enjoy themselves, the truth is that you need to make yourself happy first. If you’re stuck on a decision and don’t know what to do, think about what would make you and your partner the happiest.
