First and foremost, you’re probably here because you just got engaged. Congratulations! This is one of the most exciting chapters of your life, and we want to assist you in making it as stress-free as possible. But before you dive headfirst into wish lists and to-do lists, it’s important to sit down together and answer a few wedding planning questions. Not only will the answers to these questions provide you with a clear vision of how you want your wedding to appear, but they will also make wedding planning a breeze.
Before you can secure vendors and locations, you must consider your wedding budget. It is one of the most stressful aspects of wedding planning, so completing it early will save you issues in the future. While budgeting discussions can continue as the due date approaches, having the difficult issues out of the way early allows for smooth planning in the future.
The initial decision to make is between how much you want to spend and how much you can afford to spend. Numerous couples have envisioned their nuptials since childhood and have high expectations for a grand celebration. Nevertheless, this is not always feasible. Consider your savings and determine what you can and cannot afford to spend on the wedding as a whole. This will affect all of your future decisions.
Hizon’s Tip: Questions Regarding Wedding Planning For Family
Another factor to consider is whether or not you have family members who will contribute. If your parents or ancestors have not yet broached the subject with you, do not be afraid to inquire politely and out of genuine curiosity, rather than out of obligation. This significant difference in tone will increase their likelihood of comprehension and potential assistance, even if it’s minimal. You should always be prepared for the possibility that they will not assist, so you and your companion will be responsible for the costs.
Once you’ve created a budget, you can use our free wedding budget spreadsheet to ensure you remain on track and spend your money on the things you truly care about.
Unless you choose to elope, your visitor list will have the greatest impact on your wedding budget. The more guests you invite, the higher the cost will be. The more guests you invite, the larger the venue and the more food you’ll need to provide, both of which will consume a significant portion of your budget.
Take the time to be strategic about who you do and do not want there if your budget is limited. Ask yourself which individuals you cannot legally marry without. If you wish to reduce the size of your guest list even further, you can also exclude plus-ones and invite only adults.
Now that you have a budget and guest list in mind, it’s time to consider the location of the wedding, which will also affect your guest list and budget. There are benefits and drawbacks to each option. For instance, local nuptials are typically less expensive and allow guests to attend without traveling.
Destination nuptials are ideal for those who enjoy traveling or have a special connection to a particular location. Unfortunately, they can be more costly, making it difficult for some of your loved ones to attend. Destination nuptials may appeal to those desiring a smaller wedding because they naturally and guilt-free reduce the number of invited guests.
The time of year plays an important part in determining the type of wedding you will have. Have you ever imagined a winter wedding? Or perhaps you desire a beach wedding with a spring breeze wafting while you exchange your vows. Regardless of your decision, the season can help you visualize the type of venue and atmosphere you’ll wind up with.
Even though evening nuptials are popular, they are not your only option! If you and your partner are morning people who want to party all day, or if you want to get married in the morning, recover in the afternoon, and party at night, you may want to consider a brunch or morning wedding. Additionally, morning nuptials save you money, increase venue availability, and give you the opportunity to snack on waffles and mimosas.
When it comes to venues, the possibilities are virtually limitless. There is something for every flavor, ranging from beaches to gardens to castles to hotel ballrooms to Airbnbs. Consider a location that you and your partner would find meaningful.
If you frequently go camping or hiking on the weekends, a wedding in a forest may be the best option for you. Or perhaps the notion of a small ceremony and dinner with your loved ones appeals to you. In this case, you may wish to book an Airbnb where you can feel at home. If the ocean is calling your name, proceed to the nearest shore to determine your options.
Because there’s no rule book when it comes to planning a wedding, there’s no set list of what vendors you absolutely need to hire. Instead, consider the aspects that are most essential to you. Invest in a professional photographer if you wish to have photographs that you can proudly display in your home for years to come. If you are prone to tension, a planner may be the best option for you, as they oversee all planning and execution. Do you prefer live music to DJs? What about plants? Are they among your top priorities? Instead of a wedding cake, would you prefer a refreshment table?
It is most helpful to create a list of all the aspects of a wedding and rank them on a scale of importance from 1 to 10, where 1 is the least important and 10 is the most. This will assist you in determining what you deem worthy of spending your budget on and what you would rather save money on.
We are aware that not everyone desires to plan their own special day. You have a lot going on between work, a social life, maintaining your own relationship, and everything else. Focus on employing a wedding planner if you’re easily stressed or if you’d prefer a professional to take charge of the planning. In fact, hiring a wedding planner can save you a significant amount of money because they will help you adhere to your budget. It may also save your sanity; that alone is priceless.
Don’t plan a wedding based solely on the social media images that have inspired you. Even if it turns out gorgeously, it won’t accurately reflect who you are as a couple, and you may end up regretting it.
Make a list of the words you want to use to describe your special day before you begin choosing your color palette or deciding on a backdrop. Utilize terms such as intimate, daring, glamorous, homey, eclectic, vintage, and timeless. Create a mood board centered around these words. You will notice that a pattern emerges in the decorative items and color palettes you gravitate toward.
This question is equally as essential as the previous one because it helps you determine how you can make your day all about you.
Consider how you met, the activities you enjoy doing together, the inside quips you share, and the phrases you always say. How can you incorporate these minor details into your day?
Consider adding a coffee kiosk if you’re a caffeine addict. Perhaps you are so enamored with your furry companion that you want them to walk down the aisle with you. If you make each other Spotify playlists, transform one of them into a sign for the wedding and use it as your guestbook. There are numerous ways to incorporate your love story and the things you both adore into your wedding day, down to the smallest details.
You have successfully completed the first stage of wedding planning. Now that you have the answers to your wedding planning queries, it is time to plan your engagement photos for your save-the-dates!
For more than 30 years , we have been blessed to be a part of thousands of weddings, debuts, kids parties, corporate events, and private celebrations. In all these events, we make sure we are not only your caterer but more importantly your partner in every step from conceptualizing, budgeting and planning up to final execution.