7 WEDDING PLANNING TIPS

Congratulations as you embark on planning your wedding. Here are 7 wedding planning tips that will hopefully get you focused on the essentials. Bottom line, it should be what you both want to happen as you celebrate your love and lifetime commitment to each other and who you want to celebrate with you.

1 DISCUSS AND AGREE ON WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT

• The two of you are the most important people on your wedding day. Planning your wedding together is the opportunity to work as the team you'll be in your marriage.
  
• Make yourselves a list separately of what you would like in order of priority. Swap and see if you both want the same things. If there are differences discuss and come to a consensus.
• This will be your blueprint as you go forward with your planning.

2 THINKING CAREFULLY ABOUT THE DATE
Yes everyone will try their best to attend but consider this:

• Weddings on a weekday cost less than on a weekend
• Flights are cheaper at certain times of the year, and is significant especially if you have guests coming from abroad or you want a location wedding.
• Standing in the freezing cold for winter wedding photos may not be that cool but neither is frying in the sun on a tropical beach.
• Marrying during a public holiday may mean your guests are off work but you may be fighting through congested traffic and crowded locations.

3 WHO WILL PAY THE BILL?

• In the past it was a tradition for parents to help or even pay for your wedding, but we know that things aren't that simple nowadays.
  
• You may not have an itemised cost list at the beginning but at least have an idea of your overall budget. If you're saving for your first home, this will probably limit your wedding spending.
• Also decide whether the money will come from a single account or each of you will take financial responsibility for different aspects, depending on your own individual income.
• Most importantly keep each other in the loop so at any given time you both know when and where the money is going.

4 CONTACT VENDORS AND OFFICIANTS ASAP

• Don't take it for granted the church minister will be available on your wedding date, or the popular  florist and venue isn't already booked.
  
• Whatever service provider you require will need to be booked as soon as you can.
  
• Get referrals, check out vendors websites, visit and speak to individuals personally, preferably together.
  
• Don't book the first one. Do your research, prioritise by what they have to offer that fits your initial vision.
  
• Decide where you're willing to compromise and act quickly once you're clear on your choices.
  
• Most vendors will require a deposit to secure your booking.
  

5 DECIDE ON YOUR WEDDING PARTY

• This is so important to do right at the start because this is your team and support throughout the process, or they should be.
  
• It will be as important who you choose as who you don't.
  
• Friends and family may feel slighted that they weren't chosen.
  
• Be clear why you have selected individuals to be your bridesmaids and groomsmen.
  
• Usually it's because they have played a significant role in your lives individually or as a couple. You trust them to have your best interest at heart and that will give you their honest opinion where it matters.  They know you.
  

6 REMEMBER THE LEGAL STUFF

• Make sure your documents are at hand and easily accessible.
  
• You will need your birth certificates and divorce certificates if applicable.
  
• If you were separated from a previous spouse and they subsequently died before you got divorced, you will need to prove this.
  
• You will need to register your intent to get married so this can be displayed publically at the local Registry Office or as Church Banns at the church. This gives the general public the opportunity to know and come forward if you're breaking the law and committing bigamy by intending to marry when you're still legally married to someone else.
• If you're planning a location marriage in another city or country there is usually a minimal length of residency before you're allowed to marry in that vicinity. Make sure you check and comply.

7 APPOINT A PLANNER

• A wedding takes planning no matter the size of the guest list, even if you're eloping. Know yourself. Are you both capable and have the time needed to keep tabs of vendors, appointments, visits, ordering, selection, payments and deliveries during the run up and on the day of your wedding?
  
• If doing it yourselves, then get ultra organised and keep a file of everything in one place so you can easily access all relevant information when needed.
  
• Pay a wedding planner, they will be worth every cent if you can budget for one. Failing that find the most organised relative or friend you. Every family has one.
• Meet with your designated planner  at the very start, preferably before contacting any vendor, so that they can be involved and share their expertise and guidance with you.

Below I have included a few links to hopefully show that there's no set way to plan your wedding but it helps to decide on what works for you.

If you like this post please leave a comment and share. See you next Wednesday for more weddng planning tips.
Marlene x