If you’re an engaged couple, you’ve likely envisioned your dream wedding many times over.
But to make that dream a reality, it’s essential to take concrete steps now—ones that will lead you to a wedding day filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories.
As luxury wedding planners, we’ve helped hundreds couples through the planning process and paved the way for a truly happy wedding day.
Here are our tips and insights to help you, too!
4 Essential Things To Do Before Anything Else
- Build a Realistic Budget
One of the initial and most vital steps is to establish a detailed plan that considers your unique circumstances. Creating a realistic budget based on your estimated guest count is a pivotal part of this process, as it allows you to tailor your financial plan to your specific needs.
It’s worth noting that the generic budget estimates you might find on popular wedding websites can be misleading. These numbers are often based on the average cost of a wedding which includes a few luxury weddings, many small weddings and two people married at City Hall, divided by the total number which is heavily skewed towards smaller scale weddings which hardly represents the grand celebration most couples desire.
Ensure your budget aligns with your vision by getting a realistic estimate based on your desired style and the number of guests you intend to invite. This is where the expertise of a wedding planner becomes essential. We can help you create a customized budget that accounts for your unique desires.
Furthermore, before you jump the gun and send out save-the-dates, you should know you can comfortably afford your wedding expenses.The reason is simple: Everyone that receives a Save-The-Date needs to be included in the mailing of your final wedding invitation. Planning your budget carefully from the start can help you avoid the stress of realizing you’ve over committed.
- Create the Guest List
To create a guest list that aligns with your vision, sit down with your partner and discuss your priorities and preferences.
- Are there certain people you can’t imagine celebrating without?
- Are there any limitations on the number of guests due to budget constraints or venue capacity?
These discussions will help you establish some basic parameters.
As you narrow down your list, consider the practical aspects of your wedding. Are there logistical constraints that may limit the number of guests you can invite?
Also, keep in mind the type of wedding experience you want to create. An intimate gathering can provide a different atmosphere and level of intimacy compared to a larger celebration.
One of the valuable roles a wedding planner can play in this process is providing guidance and an objective perspective. We can help you make the tough decisions and find the balance between inclusivity and practicality.
Guest list creation requires thoughtful consideration, open communication with your partner, and sometimes difficult decisions. However, once it’s finalized, you’ll be one step closer to creating the wedding day you’ve always dreamed of, surrounded by the people who matter most.
- Pick Your Venue and Date
Picking the perfect venue and choosing a date are intertwined. You can’t have one without the other. They form the foundation upon which your wedding day will unfold, so making these choices wisely is essential.
To ensure a match made in venue heaven, visit potential locations and consider their ambiance, available spaces, and any restrictions. Pay close attention to included services and amenities, as these can significantly impact your budget and the overall experience.
Regarding choosing a date, consider factors like weather, budget (peak times cost more than off-season dates), and the availability of your preferred venue and key vendors.
- Hire Key Vendors
Crafting a dream team of vendors ensures your day unfolds seamlessly. The first five to reach out to and book include:
- Wedding Planner
- Photographer and videographer
- Hair and Makeup Artists
- Florist
- Band
Why is it important to hire these vendors first?
Availability & Scheduling: These vendors typically book dates well in advance. By securing their services early, you have a broader range of available dates, making it easier to find a time that works for your vision and their availability.
Comprehensive Planning: Wedding planners coordinate your big day’s moving parts. Hiring us first allows us to guide you through crucial decisions, which ensures every aspect of your wedding is thoughtfully planned and cohesive.
Peace of Mind: Once these foundational vendors are in place, you can confidently move forward, knowing your wedding planning is in capable hands.
Bonus Tips for a Beautiful Wedding Day
You can do a thousand little things while you’re engaged to ensure a happy wedding day. It would take a book to explain them all! But here are our top recommendations.
5. Hire a Bridal Attendant
While your wedding planner is invaluable for the broader coordination of your wedding, they can’t be everywhere at once. A bridal attendant provides you with individualized support focused entirely on you. They are by your side, tending to your needs, including any wardrobe malfunctions, and ensuring you feel pampered and confident.
6. Delegate, Delegate, Delegate
Planning your dream wedding is a monumental undertaking, with numerous details to consider and countless tasks to manage. Delegating tasks can be a game-changer, lightening your load and allowing you to focus on the moments that truly matter. So, if someone asks if they can help, say yes! Then, pick a to-do from your list and share the workload.
7. Don’t Overschedule Yourself
It’s easy to get swept up in the tasks, deadlines, and details of wedding planning. But it’s also easy to pack in fun pre-wedding activities right before the big day. We’re all about self-care, but things like massages and facials should be done a few weeks before. Otherwise, the fun stuff will feel like another task you must tick off your wedding to-do list.
8. Don’t Worry About the Details
The fundamentals come first! Sure, it’s fun to think about your hairstyle and what the table linens will look like, but you can’t get caught up in the details before you’ve built the foundation. Think of the essentials as the building blocks of your wedding. Without a venue, date, key vendors, and a well-thought-out budget in place, the intricate details will need to wait.
9. Let Go of the Things You Can’t Control
Learning to let go of uncontrollable aspects can bring you a sense of serenity and a more enjoyable wedding planning journey. For example:
Weather Woes: You can’t control the weather, so instead of worrying about it, have a backup plan and trust that whatever conditions come your way, your wedding day will still be beautiful.
Others’ Opinions: You can’t control the opinions and expectations of others. Remember that your wedding reflects your love, and it’s okay to make choices that resonate with you and your partner.
Embracing Imperfection: By letting go of the need for perfection, you can appreciate the beauty in unplanned moments and surprises. Sometimes, the best memories come from what you didn’t anticipate.
10. Hire a Wedding Planner
Aside from everything we’ve written about here, there are still lists of things to do before your big day.
Ask yourself how much time you have because planning is a full-time job. And even if you have all the time in the world, do you want to take on everything? What about the tasks you’re not even aware of?
When you hire us, you hire a confidant, organizer, and trusted advisor. We will guide you through the complexities of planning and execution. With us at your side, your wedding day will unfold with precision, joy, and breathtaking beauty.Contact us, and treasure every moment of this extraordinary journey.
