Weddings are one of the most exciting times in your life. However, it can also be a significant investment in both time and money. Although it is the one of the best days of your life, it can also be the most stressful, especially when you’re in the planning process.
There are many things to consider in the run-up to the big day. You’re going to want to be prepared for every eventuality. Preparation is, of course, necessary whenever you’re arranging a small or large event. But it can be a little overwhelming to know where to start.
Many people always remember the main points about getting their wedding day perfect. However, there are lots of little things that can cause setbacks if not considered beforehand. Some elements also require significant advance planning, so they are ready in time because you don’t want to turn up and find out you forget to confirm a booking on the day.
To make the process a bit easier for you and let you concentrate on the excitement. Here are some of the top things to plan early to avoid not getting precisely what you want for your nuptials.
Booking a venue
This might sound like an obvious one, but venues get booked up sometimes one or two years in advance depending on their popularity. Thanks to social media, you may as well rule out some of the favourites, as a lot of exposure has made these locations extremely sought-after. There are heaps of options available to you in your local and surrounding areas. But if you don’t want to compromise on anything, you need to get in early.
As mentioned before, places get booked up fast, and if you want all the bells and whistles, you’ll have to decide on a date soon after you get engaged. This can be a tricky decision as planning so far in advance often creates issues for family and friends. However, you’re giving them plenty of notice so they can be there on your big day.
It’s also good to consider more low-key venues or spaces you can decorate yourself. These options may be quite a bit cheaper, and you’ll be able to dress them how you please. Try not to fall foul of diving into a full package venue from the outset. These options often require lots of add-ons, which can make your day even more expensive than first anticipated.
Sorting the rings
Unless you’re picking off the shelf, getting your wedding rings is something to order early on. You can choose to have more simplistic designs or get some tailored to your preferences. Looking at how different designs work with different engagement rings is also crucial because you don’t want it totally mismatched.
The designing and making process on rings can be quite lengthy, depending on the material you choose and any gems you want to be included. Engraving can also be incorporated. Plus each of you can have slightly different designs tailored to your style and personality.
To get everything you want in a wedding ring design, book an appointment early on in the planning. That way, you can see all the samples and options you can choose while having plenty of time to make a final decision.
Save the date cards
Before you send out the invites, it’s a good idea to get the save the dates completed. However, this might be easier said than done. Save the date cards are a great way to pre-warn everyone that they should expect an invitation before the big day. Plus, it prompts them to take a look at their calendar and let you know in advance whether they have conflicting commitments.
The tricky part about sending the save the dates is that you need to have an approximate idea of who you’re going to invite. Of course, this doesn’t have to be the final set up. But there’s no point in sending a card to someone you know you’re definitely not going to be inviting in the long run.
This is the perfect time to sit down with your partner and thrash out some of the details of the preliminary guest list. It’ll also get those early disagreements out the way (because we all know family politics is a nightmare!).
Decide on a theme and colours
Once you’ve picked a venue, the next big decision will be what theme you want your wedding to be. Anything goes these days so you can really let your personality and passions shine through to make it unique. Popular choices include shabby chic, vintage vibes and country wedding. However, if you’re looking for a modern feel, there are plenty of suitable options.
The theme will be incorporated into every aspect of the day, so you’ll need to consider how it works with everything. Think about what type of cars you might hire, the dresses the bridesmaids will wear and even down to the food you eat on the day need to be considered.
Some themes are easier to integrate than others. However, most can be achieved on any budget. Why not consider some DIY options at your wedding and you could save a significant amount of money. But also get everything just how you like it.
Stick to the budget
Budget is the most significant point of contention between couples because sometimes you want to splurge while the other saves. Deciding on the budget is the first step (something you both agree on!), and the next thing is to stick to it. That’s the tricky part!
It’s a total myth that weddings have to be expensive. However, it is challenging to get away from businesses bumping up the prices as soon as they get a whiff of the big event. The only way to stick to your budget is to be firm about your requirements. Many people will be able to negotiate on price, but you may have to meet in the middle if not.
The budget shouldn’t cause arguments either. If you’ve said you’re sticking to it, try not to go crazy with the credit card as soon you get a little carried away. Also, don’t be afraid to walk away from a deal that doesn’t fit your needs. Some suppliers will create must-buy now style promotion to avoid disappointment. Unless you really want it, try not to fall foul of this tactic; otherwise, you could be signing up for something that doesn’t quite fit your original plans.
Pick your dream dress
Possibly the best part of the planning is picking the dress you’re going to wear. Selecting the perfect one for you is said to give you one of those breath-taking moments where you just know it’s right for you. However, that’s not going to happen in the first shop you walk in to (well of course unless you’re extremely lucky!).
You might find that dress shopping, although the best experience also becomes the most stressful. So it’s essential to start looking early. Lot’s of things can change between now and the wedding, but you can get it altered nearer the time. Some dress options are handmade, so you will need to take this into consideration too as lead times will be longer. Book appointments early, try on every style (even one you don’t like), and you may be surprised about what dress creates that ‘wow’ moment.
These are just some of the things to prepare that will make your day less stressful and go exactly as planned.
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