You have popped the question, you have chosen the ring, and stars are shining in your eyes…but what now? Planning a wedding can be overwhelming because there are so many details and tasks that need to be done. It can be overwhelming if you don’t have enough time to plan your wedding and organize the tasks month-by-month with a wedding checklist and timeline.
Determine Your budget
Now it’s time for the math to crunch some less-fun numbers. Before you can begin anything, you need to determine who is paying for what and how much. You’ll need to determine what priorities are and how much you can afford. You’ll need to determine what priorities are and then allocate funds accordingly. This is where market research comes in handy. These numbers can change over time so it is smart to create a detailed spreadsheet right away. This will allow you to keep track of your spending, and also make it easier to adjust the numbers as needed.
Create a guest list
You wish you could invite everyone. You won’t be able to invite everyone, so you will have to limit how many you invite. Consider your budget when deciding on your head count. How much can you afford? Your venue (how many people can it hold?) and your budget. What are the costs? Then, you can decide how to divide up the invites. Assume that you and your partner will pay 70 percent, and both parents will split the 30 other invites.
A Wedding Planner to Hire
This will again depend on your budget. Fair warning: Not everything will. If your finances allow, or if you need peace of mind, now is the right time to contact the manager of your wedding. This person will serve as your right-hand man or woman and will help you make all the decisions, including selecting the venue and tracking your budget.
Decide Formality and overall theme
This is the perfect time to have a heart-to-heart conversation with your partner. The vibe of your wedding should be decided by the guests of honor. Pour a glass of wine/water/tea, and ask your guests: What is important to you? What are you most proud of?
Choose the Venue
You know who you are marrying. The real question is, where? We are confident that the choice of venue is the most important decision you will make. The location has a huge impact on everything, from the number of people invited to the type of flowers that are placed on the tables. It’s likely that it will also be the largest amount of money you have ever spent. You should explore all options and visit the best contenders to find the right place for you.
Choose the Caterer
Your wedding is the most important (and largest!) dinner party in your life. How do you feed 150 people? Start by hiring reliable caterers, whether they are the venue’s own caterer or a recommended caterer from your planner. Or even your favorite taco truck.
