Couples’ wedding days should be the most memorable days of their lives. Read on to find out how to organize the perfect wedding in seven steps to remove some of that stress and ensure that everything goes smoothly on the big day.
Step 1: Set a Budget
It’s important to set a budget before so much as looking at venues or calling Select Catering Services to arrange services. The last thing couples want is to fall in love with a particular vendor, dress, or venue only to find that it’s well beyond their reach. Instead, couples should set an overall budget, then figure out how much to allocate to each aspect of the wedding well in advance.
Step 2: Create a Guest List
The number of people in the wedding party and the overall number of guests will help determine everything from the venue to the size of the cake and how much food to provide, so come up with a cursory guest list early on. There’s no need to come up with a finalized list, although it is a good idea to finalize the guest list and send out save-the-dates as early on in the process as possible. For now, though, just try to get an idea of how many people will be there and contact bridesmaids and groomsmen to make arrangements.
Step 3: Narrow Down the Dates
Choose a range of dates that will work for the wedding, not one particular date and time. Start with the season and the night of the week and take potential work, holiday, and family conflicts into account. This will make it easier to select a venue and make other arrangements.
Step 4: Select the Venue and Book Vendors
Once they have a budget, an estimate of how many guests to expect, and a few dates in mind, couples can book their wedding venues. Visit plenty of them in person and review the contracts thoroughly. Wait until after choosing a venue to book vendors.
Most couples hire at least a dozen vendors to help ensure that everything goes smoothly. These vendors typically include wedding planners, caterers, florists, photographers, wedding DJs, and others.
Step 5: Purchase Wedding Attire and Rings
Take plenty of time to choose the perfect wedding dress, tuxedo, and bridesmaids’ gowns. Having attire properly tailored can take months, so it’s never a good idea to wait until the last minute. Most couples also purchase their wedding bands at least a few months in advance to ensure that there’s time to have them fitted.
Step 6: Obtain a Marriage License
The best ceremony in the world won’t be legally binding if the couple doesn’t take out a marriage license. Every state has different license laws, so study up in advance. Keep in mind that some states have waiting periods while others allow their licenses to expire after a certain period and plan accordingly.
Step 7: Confirm the Details and Enjoy the Big Day
In the weeks and days approaching their wedding days, couples should take the time to tie up loose ends with vendors and make sure everyone has been paid. If they’ve followed the steps above, they’ll be prepared for a stress-free wedding.
The Bottom Line
With adequate planning, couples can plan their perfect weddings even on a budget. If the steps listed above seem daunting, there’s nothing wrong with hiring a wedding planner. Either way, couples who take the time to plan everything well in advance will be perfectly prepared to enjoy their wedding days.
