(This article first appeared in the August print edition of the Hendersonian.)
Now that you’re engaged, it’s time to dive into the exciting world of wedding planning!
Begin by getting a thick binder to organize your wedding planning materials. Include a detailed timetable, a calendar with plenty of room to make notes, essential contact numbers for vendors, your gift registry information, and a guest list spreadsheet to keep track of RSVPs and all those lovely gifts you will receive. You’ll need pockets for marriage license information, inspiration photos, orders for your bridal gown, attendants’ dresses and tuxes, fabric swatches for color selections, honeymoon details, and travel documents.
Share your news with family and friends. Consider placing an engagement announcement in the newspaper. When you hire your wedding photographer, ask about an engagement photo session as part of the package. Use these photos on save-the-date cards, social media platforms, and your wedding site. Another option is to book mini-sessions, which are shorter in duration and more budget-friendly.
When planning your wedding, consider the style and size. A casual and laid-back style suits a relaxed and informal wedding, while an elegant and sophisticated look calls for a formal wedding. Daytime weddings are perfect for garden settings, while evening weddings exude formality and elegance, making grand ballrooms or banquet halls ideal venues. It’s important to discuss the time of day and size of the wedding with your partner to ensure you’re on the same page.
Schedule a meeting with your parents to go over wedding expectations, costs, responsibilities, and to set the date. Prepare your guest list first, then ask your parents to provide you with theirs. The size of your guest list has a tremendous impact on the cost of your wedding, so realize you may have to pare it down. If you are fortunate enough to have the offer of financial contributions from family members and generous friends, be prepared for them to feel they have a say in your decisions. When selecting a date, consider your and your family’s schedules and any seasonal weather that could impact travel plans. Additionally, consider other events in your area that might influence vendor and hotel availability. To be safe, book a block of hotel rooms for your out-of-town guests.
Set a realistic wedding budget. Determine and prioritize your wedding must-haves and assign dollar amounts to each category. Consider opening a wedding savings account so you won’t be tempted to overspend. Don’t forget to include often forgotten items, like attendants’ gifts, transportation costs to and from the wedding, marriage license and officiate fees, tips and gratuities, cake knife, toasting glasses, wedding favors, guest book, hair and makeup, tanning, teeth whitening, child care, pet care, and Honeymoon expenses. And the list goes on and on!
Meet with your officiant, book your ceremony and reception venues, and select your attendants. Interview vendors for food, cake, flowers, transportation, entertainment, rentals, and linens. Schedule taste testings with your caterer and baker. If your guest list is 75 or more, discuss with your fiancé the wisdom of hiring a Wedding Planner. Asking your closest friends and family to be a part of your wedding as bridesmaids and groomsmen is a significant and heartwarming occasion. Consider turning it into a memorable event!
Put on your comfy shoes and shop for the perfect gown, headpiece, veil, and all the accessories to complete your look. Choose your bridesmaids and groomsmen attire. Register for household items, place your invitation order three months before your ceremony date, and buy thank-you notes for all the gifts you will receive. Finally, don’t forget to make reservations for your dream honeymoon!
My Love Note: There’s no such thing as a perfect plan. But a really good plan can be perfectly wonderful.
Pem Pfisterer Clark has been hosting the nationally syndicated radio show “Wedding Planning With Pem” for over 20 years. The show provides valuable advice, insider tips, etiquette and money-saving ideas to listeners across the country. Bill Stevens Stark is the executive producer of the show.