If you’re reading this because you just got engaged, Congratulations! You and your partner are probably overjoyed right now with the bliss of knowing you’ll be together forever. The anticipation of a beautiful wedding is looming on the horizon, as well, and soon it will be time to shake the stardust from your eyes and get started. You can put together the wedding you’ve always wanted pretty quickly if you’re organized, flexible and open-minded. Here, the wedding experts at Marco Island Weddings want to share some tips to point you in the right direction and get you started planning the biggest day of your lives together.
Start Here
Once you’ve created a wedding budget and basic timeline (both essential before planning anything else), a great place to start will be choosing a date and a venue for your wedding and reception. Without these two key pieces in place, it will be difficult to nail down any other details. So much depends on when vendors will need to arrive, and where they’ll be bringing their products and services. Every photographer, caterer, and DJ will first ask you “What’s the date?” to check availability, then “Where will it be held?” to make sure it’s within their general area. When you can answer these two questions clearly, you’re ready to move forward with many other wedding details.
Some Things to Prioritize
The next group of priorities should include any wedding vendors that will need to be booked early. Caterers, photographers, DJs, florists, and decorators often book months in advance, so securing these first will be a priority. Many take a down payment to hold the date, which becomes part of the final price. This is also a great time to make appointments for things you and your partner, along with the wedding party and close relatives, may need the week of the wedding. Take time off work and book your dress and tuxedo fittings, pick up the rings, make appointments for manicures and hair, and don’t forget to book a rehearsal dinner! By booking these key vendors and appointments right away, you will not only have several things crossed off your to-do list, but you’ll also save yourself and your fiance a lot of panic and anxiety later when the wedding date approaches.
Things that Can Wait
Since you can’t do everything first, certain aspects of your wedding can wait until closer to time for the wedding. Choose clothing accessories, your wedding, and reception playlist, and the decoration details later. You can make final decisions about the cake, the dinner menu, the flowers, and the reception “extras” (like a photo booth or candy bar) nearer to the wedding date as well. Most vendors will work with you to make appointments based on their expertise, so go with the flow and you’ll find everything easily falling into place.
Remember that this day will be magical because it’s YOUR day! Don’t let the wedding planning ruin your excitement over Happily Ever After. Be ready to roll with the punches, embrace the experience, and work together with your partner. At Marco Island Weddings, we hope your wedding planning is so much fun, you won’t walk- you’ll run down the aisle to marry this special person! Talk to us about what we can do to help you get organized and plan the perfect day for you.