How to Start Planning a Wedding
You have dreamt of this day since you were a little girl. The man of your dreams has asked you to marry him. You answered with a resounding yes. Now what? The planning begins. Planning will take a great deal of your time and energy. It is important to be organized. Here is how you can get started planning your wedding.
Design a Budget - It doesn't matter if you have $1,000, $10,000 or $100,000 to spend on a wedding, every wedding needs a budget. If you don’t plan ahead financially, you may spend too much or not have enough money for what you really want. Work with your groom and any other family members who may contribute financially to your wedding. Set a budget that fits your income. Determine who will be paying for each aspect of the wedding.
Pick a Place - Once you know how much money you can spend, you will need to pick a place to be married. There are thousands of places to get married. A simple wedding can be completed in a courthouse, park or church. Extravagant wedding locations can include ballrooms, cathedrals and museums. Determine where you would like to get married, and then contact the location to find ask about prices, dates available and regulations.
Pick a Date - Picking a place may help you determine the date of your wedding. Certain places are only available on certain days or times. Many couples are placed on waiting lists for specific dates. It is not uncommon to have a one to two year wait on historical or extravagant locations. You may also want to pick a significant date in your life. When did you meet? When were your parents married? There are 365 days in a year. Pick one that will become an historical date in your life.
Choose a Party - Deciding who will be a part of your wedding can be exciting and fun. The wedding party is essential to the wedding plans. Legally, you will need at least two witnesses to your marriage. You will probably want to incorporate more people and guests. This takes some additional planning on your part. How many bridesmaids? How many groomsmen? Do you want a flower girl and a ring bearer? Do you have someone special that you want to sing or perform at your wedding? Who do you want to invite?
Keep a List - As you begin to plan all the aspects of your wedding, keep a list of items you still need to do and plans you have completed. Make a list of places you have contacted about attire, rentals and promotions. If you keep all of your wedding materials in one place, you will be able to find the necessary information more quickly when you need it. Planning takes time and organization. Keeping your materials handy will make planning a little easier.