A wedding is a ceremony or celebration where two individuals unite in marriage, often with rituals and customs that reflect the couple’s culture or religion. It’s also an occasion for family and friends to celebrate the happy couple’s union.
Once you and your boo have agreed to tie the knot, there are many planning decisions to make. A major one is setting your budget, which will influence every decision that comes after. It’s important for the two of you to discuss your priorities to decide where you want to splurge and where you’re willing to compromise.
Another biggie is deciding on the number of guests you’ll be inviting. This will be influenced by your venue and budget, but should include considerations of whether you’ll allow children and who will be getting a plus-one. It’s also a good time to start thinking about entertainment options, such as a live band, DJ, or string quartet.
This is a great time to ask friends and family for expert tips and advice. They’ve probably been to a few weddings themselves and are more than happy to share their experiences. Plus, they might have some amazing photos of their day to show you!
You’ll also want to book any other vendors, such as caterers or florists, by this point. It’s always helpful to get a contract from each vendor that includes payment terms and details about what is included in your package. Also, this is a good time to determine what kind of music you’re interested in, including first dance and parent dance songs and processional and recessional hymns.
If you’re having a destination wedding, this is the time to research transportation and accommodations for your guests, if needed. You’ll also want to book your honeymoon, which is a fun way to wrap up the festivities and start planning for the next chapter in your life with your new spouse!
By this point, you should have all your RSVPs rounded up and will need to give the final guest count to your venue and caterer. This is also a good time to order any last minute items, like table runners, toasting flutes, cake servers, unity candle, and the guest book.
A few weeks before the wedding, touch base with your vendors again to confirm dates and details. Also, if you haven’t done so already, purchase your rings and start considering who will be responsible for holding them during the ceremony (and keeping them safe until after the reception). You should also finalize any legal paperwork and name-change plans with your venue coordinator.
It’s a good idea to get your MOH or someone else on board to help you keep track of all the details, deadlines, and payments leading up to your wedding. You’ll also want to put together a wedding website that includes your invitations, hotel information, travel directions, attire guidelines, your registry, a day-of itinerary, and any other relevant info. This will be especially helpful for out-of-town guests and those who may not receive your invitation in the mail.