Steps to Planning a Wedding

Video Transcript

"When it comes to the steps of planning a wedding, the first thing you're going to want to do is determine your budget. That's the one thing everyone is afraid of. Oh my goodness, am I going to spend my life savings? No, you don't have to. Oh my goodness, we only have ten thousand dollars, I'm so embarrassed, no one's going to work with me...absolutely not true. But you have to have a range, a number you don't want to go over. There has to be something. You really can't do anything with without that number, so I would say that determining your budget would be your your biggest factor. Once you've determined that budget, at that point, you're going to want to select your location. Once you've selected your location, at that point you will probably have your date determined. Take that date and tell the world, whoever you want to invite, let them know. Decide if you're going to send out formal "Save the Date" cards. And that's just kind of a a nice way to let people know, hey! Save this date, don't go out of town, don't make plans, we really want you to come and celebrate with us, it's it's really that important to us. "Save the Date's" are a a great tool, you don't have to spend a lot of money, you can do 'em yourself at home or use a company on-line, not terribly expensive but such a great way just to let people know so they make sure they can be at at your big day. After that is done, I would definitely take a a step back and really stop and think, do some research, how do I want my day to unfold? Ha, how do I, how do I see things happening? What do I want to see? What do I want to eat? How do I want to feel? What do I want to hear? Really use your senses and bring those into your day. It needs to be as personal as it can be. It doesn't need to be a vision of something you've seen and it it's not you at all. Yes, take some elements in to spice it up if you're more conservative and you want to break out of the box a little bit. Definitely do it, but make sure it feels like you. It it does no good to contact a vendor when you don't know what you want, so I know there's a big rush to get the best photographer to get this or to get that, but try to hold off until you know what you're looking for. And when it comes to selecting your vendors, make sure you do your research. I know that it can be time consuming and people can say "oh but...they seem so nice or they had such a great recommendation from so and so..." well, that that may be true, but you need to find someone who fits you. Once you've met with vendors, selected who you're going to use, at that point, you you kind of have another little break to stop and think "what do I want to eat? Do we want a full buffet? Do we want stations? Do we want a plate of dinner?" When it comes to your rentals, you can take a little time and dig through the wedding magazines and find the latest and greatest. At that point, you do have a little bit of time, so take that time. Really establish your vision and where you're going. In regards to your vendors, rip out pictures of everything you like and things you don't like. A lot of brides come to me with pictures that they love and don't give me anything that they don't like, so I have some freedom and some room to move within what they like, but I certainly don't want to...if they're allergic to something, put it in. You have to know those things. So, likes and dislikes are a good thing. Pictures are a really good thing. When it comes to your food and your caterer, did you see something displayed in a unique way? If you want to try it out, take it to your caterer, can they do it? Big, big thing is with flowers, what do you, you know, what type of bouquet would you like? What type of centerpieces are you looking for? Pictures are a really good thing, so make sure you you do your research, do your homework, and bring them to ensure you get exactly what you're looking for. Once your vendors are enacted, at that point, you look at invitations, you know, what, again, bring in what do you...colors, textures, what are you thinking? Ha, how will your vision play out through your invitations? Once your invitations have been selected and they're out, at that point, you're really close, so get ready. Try to relax, try to enjoy this last month. Enjoy everything that comes with it, the the good and the stressful. Your RSVP's will be coming in like crazy. Make sure you manage those and get that information to your caterer, that's the biggest thing. And at at that point, it is normally turned over to whoever will be directing your wedding, whether it be someone at the locations, the venues you've chosen, or whether you've hired a professional. So at that point, your job is is really done and it it's turned over and get ready for your your big day."