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How to Plan a Wedding

By eHow Weddings Editor

Rate: (52 Ratings)

Now that you've recovered from the delightful shock of your engagement, take a deep breath, grab a notebook and your address book, and then let the countdown to the Big Day begin! Planning a wedding isn't easy, but with organization, time, focus and vision, you can plan the wedding of your dreams.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Tuxedos
Invitations
Bridesmaid dresses
Notebooks
Index Files
Calendars
Thank-you greeting cards
Calculators
Wedding gowns

Step1

Envision your wedding from beginning to end. Where and when have you dreamed the wedding would take place? How formal would you like the event to be? What will the wedding party wear? What kind of food would you like to serve?

Step2

Pick a date.

Step3

Set a budget–—one that is functional and provides for some flexibility. Here is where you must combine fantasy with practicality.

Step4

Ask friends and family to recommend a reputable jeweler. Order your engagement and/or wedding rings.

Step5

Book the wedding and reception sites.

Step6

Meet with the officiant of your wedding. Now is the time to be clear about rules and restrictions regarding the ceremony and ceremony site.

Step7

Select your wedding attendants–—your wedding party can be as big or small as you like.

Step8

Choose a dress and wedding attire for the rest of the wedding party.

Step9

Make a guest list. You may have to compromise on the number of guests if your budget is limited.

Step10

Plan your pre-wedding parties, ceremony, reception and honeymoon–—consider menus, decorations, favors and music.

Step11

Interview and hire vendors: wedding coordinator, photographer, video professional, caterer, florist and entertainment.

Step12

Check state requirements for obtaining a marriage license, and find out how long the license will remain valid.

Step13

Take care of the rest of the paperwork, from ordering invitations to signing up with gift registries.

Who Can Help:

Find Decorators & Designers Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.

Tips & Warnings

Ask your parents early on in the planning stage for their input.
Be kind to yourself and your betrothed–—this can be an extremely stressful time.
Keep a notebook to fill with things like swatches of fabric, notes and vendor contracts.
Be sure to take time away with your partner and give attention to your relationship.

Comments

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 I went to a local grocery store and ordered three "smooth frosted" white cakes of different sizes. I had the bakery pipe colored icing around the bottom edge of the cake, but other than that, had them leave it bare.

I then had the cakes brought to the reception site and arranged so that the biggest one rested on the table, the middle one was propped up on upside down wine glasses directly behind it and the smallest cake was put onto a taller tier made out of an upside-down vase.

I had a friend decorate the toops of each cake with cut flowers to match my bouquet. (It cost about $55 for all three cakes and the flowers).

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Private clubs may seem costly, but they include items you'll have to pay for elsewhere anyway: decorations, linens, servers, bartender, setup, cleanup, planning consultant, etc. To have a planner handle all those details is a real stress-reliever.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 To save a little on flowers for my wedding, I made my own bouquet and flower baskets for the bridesmaids. For the greenery at the altar, my mom was good friends with the flower shop lady and she let us rent some palm plants and only charged us for the ribbon/bows she made. Most churches have some greenery for special occasions, ask them!