Things You'll Need:
- Three ring binder (Optional) but helps to keep you and any and all contracts organized.
- Computer w/printer or scrappaper to take notes and create wedding forms you may need
- pencil
- pen
- stapler
- three ring hole punch
- sheet protectors (optional) to keep forms neat and clean
- wedding budget
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Step 1
Okay you've made the decision to get married. First and foremost you have to know what kind of financial budget you are on. So you need to ask yourself some questions: What kind of wedding will you have? What type of ceremony will be performed? What will be the level of formality? Approximately how many people will be invited? And What type of reception will be held? The answer to these question has to be decided because this will greatly affect any further planning. Once you have been able to answer your pre wedding questionaire your ready to move into the planning phase.
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Step 2
Deciding an overall financial aspect should be your next move toward the planning of your wedding, with that in mind try to find a wedding budget form online and write what the overall amount that you can spend. This will help you make a list of what you would like to have at your wedding and also help determine what you can actually afford based on your budget.
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Step 3
If your are working with a smaller budget, remember that some of the financial responsibilities can be discussed with family and friends. Try surfing the web to find a wedding financial responsibility chart, this will help you determine who you can ask to contribute to your wedding and what they will be financially responsible for.
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Step 4
The next step should be the preparation of your guest list, this task can prove to be very difficult for large weddings or weddings that are working on a shoe string budget. remember it just may not be possible to invite every person that you would like to attend, but do use caution at this time not to hurt respective family members feelings. but keep in mind your budget. Start with the total number of estimated guests, based on the size of your budget, then divide this number in half and the bride and her family invite half and the groom and his family invite the other half.(your list should include the following: relatives, friends, coworkers, and neighbors). once this is done you have created what is traditionally called the master guest list. Don' forget to surf the web for a wedding budget form this will help you stay on track and you can place it in a three ring binder, this is used a your personal wedding planner.
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Step 5
Now that you have your master guest list you can start making arrangemants with various vendors based off your number of guest. This is when things start to ge tricky and you really realize that you may have to sacrifice somethings that were not terribly necessary for the things that you must have on your wedding day. Always keep your budget in
check so that you do not over spend but also do not sale yourself short on the things that really matter and that are a wedding must have. -
Step 6
Try shopping around for your wedding linens, favors, flowers, and decor, and anything you think that you may be able to purchase cheaper than you could rent or buy it. Check out some of your local thrift stores, salvation armys, dollar stores and consignment shops, maybe even a flea market or two. You may very well be able to pick up items for your wedding at half price or better.
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Step 7
Try doing some of the things for your wedding yourself like DIY wedding crafts, you can start by visiting your local craft store and checking into silk flowers, DIY Invitations, or try visiting some online bridal forums for great wedding craft ideas, this may save you money on buying the items and also don't be afraid to ask friends and family for help in crafting items for your wedding.
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Step 8
Once you've made all your arrangements, invitations are ordered, date is set, take a look at your budget and review it to make sure you have stayed within the budget that you had set for yourself. If not this is the time to make some last minute changes, try narrowing your food cost a little depending on the time of your wedding, it helps to have a mid-day wedding to control food cost because catering is so exspensive, and people have already had breakfast and lunch so you may be able to just serve horderves. You can also save on photography if you only do a photo session. Have a family member record the ceremony for you. If you have been able to maintain your budget. I wish you many happy years of marriage and great success. Happy planning
