How to Plan a Wedding and Choose a Wedding Site Location

Staying organized and focused can make planning a wedding and choosing a wedding site location less stressful.

Every little girl has spent hours planning what her dream wedding will entail --- from the dress to the colors to the reception. Wedding planning can be a daunting and time-consuming task. Ensuring every detail is addressed and within budget is challenging. Planning a wedding and choosing the perfect location requires time and a high level of organization. With the assistance of friends, family and a good wedding organizer, anyone can plan the wedding of her dreams.

Instructions

1. Use a wedding checklist to ensure that no detail is left undone. Find a sample wedding checklist in the Resources section below.

2. Set a realistic budget. Determine how much the bride, groom and family will contribute to the overall cost of the wedding. Knowing how much you are willing to spend from the beginning stages of planning will assist in determining every factor of wedding planning.

3. Start planning the number of guests who will be invited. The reception is the most costly component of a wedding; knowing the number of guests will assist in determining the budget and how large of a reception location will be needed.

4. Determine your ideal wedding location. The possibilities are endless when determining wedding ceremony and wedding reception locations. Consider whether the wedding ceremony and reception will be in the same location or separate, what time of year the wedding will be held, and whether the ceremony will be indoors or outdoors.

5. Start looking for a location; booking early will help ensure availability and reduce costs. The availability of the location may also determine the actual date of the wedding. Consider budget-friendly alternatives to a traditional wedding reception, such as a picnic on the lawn, barbecue or breakfast reception.

6. Ask about any restrictions the reception location places on decorations so that you can plan decorations and floral arrangements accordingly.

7. Determine seating arrangement. Understanding the sizes and shapes of the tables and possible configurations within the location will allow you to plan the seating arrangement and placement of the bridal party table and may even determine the number of guests invited.

8. Speak with the reception location representative to understand dance floor setup and band or DJ location and to find out whether the room will need to be rearranged after the meal. Understanding the flow of the day early in the planning process will help the overall planning process.

Tips & Warnings

• When it comes to wedding planning, the only limitation is your imagination.

References

• Wedding Guide: Step by Step Wedding Planning Guide
• "Perfect Wedding Guide"; Reception Ideas: 5 Money Saving Alternatives; Susan Southerland; May 28, 2010

Resources

• WeddingDetails.com: Wedding Planning Checklists, Worksheets & Articles