A wedding is not just a celebration of your love, but also a celebration of the community that surrounds you. That’s why it’s so important to make decisions that represent you as a couple and fit your style and personalities.
To help you create a meaningful day, start with a clear vision of what you want your wedding to look like. Whether you’re dreaming about an elegant, black-tie affair or a rustic vineyard wedding, establishing your vision from the beginning will ensure all of your decisions align with it.
Many vendors will ask to see digital references or a binder of images in order to understand your vision and offer suggestions. This is a great opportunity to use Pinterest or Instagram and make a wedding inspiration board that will guide you throughout your planning process.
It’s also a good time to decide how you’ll approach your guest list and determine whether or not you’ll include children. This will help you finalize your RSVPs and create a seating chart. Additionally, you’ll need to give your venue a final head count to help them plan for the event.
If you’re hosting out-of-town guests, consider booking hotel room blocks for your wedding weekend. This will ensure your guests have a place to stay if they’re staying for the weekend and allows you to get the best rates on rooms.
You’ll also need to decide on the catering style for your reception, such as a buffet or food stations. Make sure to take dietary restrictions and preferences into account. Also, if you’ll have music for the ceremony and reception, this is a good time to choose songs and confirm details with your DJ or band.
Once you’ve settled on your menu and music, it’s a good idea to create a wedding website or Evite so that your guests have a central hub for all of your info. This is also the perfect time to purchase any wedding day accessories, such as your guest book, toasting flutes, cake servers, unity candle, and more.
At this point, you should be able to provide your florist with a clear vision of the decor you want for your big day. She’ll be able to help you select the right flowers and size arrangements to match your vision and budget.
Lastly, it’s a good idea to determine which vendors you’ll be tipping and assign someone (like your planner) to distribute those tips on the day of the wedding. Remember to also set a realistic budget for yourself so you’re not overwhelmed by the sheer number of details involved in a wedding.