So you’re engaged? Congratulations to you and your partner on taking this exciting next step in your lives together! Now, once the dust from the proposal and engagement party has settled, it’s time to start planning the big day itself. Organizing a wedding can feel overwhelming at times, so to help you out, here is a quick checklist of eight main factors you need to get covered. Enjoy!
1. Budget
It’s no secret that weddings can be expensive, so it’s wise to work out your budget before doing anything else. Once you know how much you are willing and able to spend, do your best to stick to that budget religiously. Don’t let family or salespeople push you into going over it! Make sure that you factor in all the different costs involved, so you’re not caught out. It’s also sensible to set aside a bit of reserve money as part of your budget for last-minute emergencies or costs you didn’t anticipate.
2. Date
There are a lot of issues to bear in mind when choosing a date for your wedding. For example, what season would you most like to get married in? What time of the year has the best weather in your part of the world? Are there any dates your best friends and close family definitely can’t make? You should also factor in which times of the year are most popular for weddings because venues, entertainment, and catering for these dates will be more expensive and also get booked up further in advance.
3. Guest List
Another area to think about early on is how many people – and who – you want to invite, as this will impact other factors such as the size of venue you require. To begin with, you and your partner should make a list of everyone that you would like to attend. Depending on how long the list ends up being, you may well have to make some cuts. Don’t forget to think about who you’ll be offering a ‘plus one’ to and whether or not you want to allow people to bring their children to the wedding.
4. Venue
Location, location, location. Your venue is a big factor in your wedding day celebrations, so take your time with this. Visit lots of different places in person and research many possible options before signing anything. Be sure to check prices, what packages may be on offer, and whether there are any restrictions (such as guest numbers). It’s also wise to consider how accessible the venue is and what accommodation options there are nearby. Part of this process will involve deciding whether you want an indoor or outdoor reception too.
5. Entertainment
This is an important factor these days, and luckily there are lots of different Wedding Entertainment options to choose from. That enables you to find a style that matches the size and theme of your wedding, as well as your personal preferences. Live music is a popular choice, and this could be anything from a string quartet to a rock band or jazz band. Other options include magicians, singing waiters, party games, karaoke, DJs, and much much more. As well as the style of entertainment, be sure to plan the timing around other parts of the day (such as when you’re serving food).
6. Menu
Speaking of food, you and your guests are definitely going to get hungry at some point, so don’t forget this! There are lots of dining styles to choose from, whether you want a fancy three-course meal, a casual buffet, or a funky food truck. Remember to ask people about any dietary requirements or allergies they have well in advance so that you can plan alternatives accordingly. If your celebrations continue long into the night, you might want some secondary food options to keep everyone satiated.
7. Theme
Although not strictly necessary, it can be nice to choose a theme to help plan your wedding around. This could be as simple as a color scheme for inspiration, or you could go all out with a specific concept. For instance, popular themes include bohemian chic, sleek minimalism, fairytale magic, or quirky alternative, depending on both of your personalities and preferences. You could even theme your big day around your favorite book, movie, or TV show! Make sure to give your guests plenty of advance notice so that they can plan their outfits accordingly.
8. Dress
Bridal fashion is one of the key factors to think about, as all eyes will be on you and your partner, so, of course, you want to look your best! It’s best to start hunting for dresses well in advance so that you have lots of time for fittings and to make any necessary alterations. Don’t forget to think about what the rest of the wedding party will be wearing too. In addition to the main event, you’ll also want to consider outfits for any rehearsals, pre-wedding celebrations, and so on. Oh, and the honeymoon!
