A wedding is a special ceremony that symbolizes a couple’s commitment to one another. It can be as small as a simple civil ceremony at City Hall or as large as an extravagant multi-day event with religious rituals, food and drink and hundreds of guests. The word wedding is also used as a noun to refer to any object, place or thing associated with a marriage ceremony.
If you’re planning your own wedding, the first step is to decide who you want to celebrate it with. This may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s important to think about the people in your life that you’re close to and who are most likely to be involved in your future together as a married couple.
It’s also a good time to talk to your family and friends about their roles in your big day and how much input you would like them to have (or not) in your planning process. It’s especially important to have these conversations if you plan on asking for any financial contributions from family members.
The next step is to set a budget and start researching vendors. It’s a good idea to create a spreadsheet early on so that you can easily keep track of your spending and compare the costs of similar items/services from different vendors. Prioritize venues, florists, caterers, rental companies and videographers before moving on to fashion designers, stationers and niche entertainers.
Once you have a clear vision of your wedding, it’s time to start sending out the invites. If you have a limited budget, it’s best to focus on inviting the people who are most important to your relationship and stick to that number. This will save you money and ensure that everyone has a great time at your wedding.
It’s also the time to get your RSVPs in, and make sure you and your planner have the final guest count so that they can create the seating chart and place cards. It’s a good idea to have your MOH or someone else in the wedding party check the list often, since sometimes guests can be slow to respond.
If you have out-of-town guests, it’s a good idea to offer them hotel discounts or help them book rooms near your venue. This is a great way to show your appreciation for them and will make their stay much more enjoyable.
The week of the wedding:
This is a busy time for couples! Make a checklist with all of the things you need to do in the week before your wedding and share it with your MOH/best man and any other key team members. Check-in with your vendors to see if they need anything from you and to confirm all the timeline details with them. Be sure to purchase your welcome bags/gifts, and have a dress/suit fitting so that you’re ready for your big day!