Wedding Planning (TOP SECRET Tips + Tricks)
VENUE
This is one of the most important things to conquer when planning a wedding.
Once you have the venue, everything else falls into place!! Yay!!! Wedding venue is booked, let’s celebrate!!
Tip 1 — Most couples book their venue 1-2 years out. There are some venues that have a waiting list, so if you find the perfect one, make sure to contact them to find out when you are able to book and how that works.
Tip 2 — Most vendors can’t book or give you pricing until you have a date + venue.
Tip 3 — Venues can be extremely helpful in looking for other wedding vendors.
Tip 4 — Some venues can accommodate ceremony, cocktail and reception. This can be good so that your guests don’t have to drive to different locations. They can also provide overnight accommodations for out of town guests.
Book 9-12+ Months before wedding date.
CATERING
Will typically take up most of your wedding budget, so it’s important to consider this right after or at the same time as a venue.
Thoughts: some venues have in-house catering, which can drive costs down. Additionally, some venues have a preferred catering list that you can choose from, which can be helpful.
Book 9-12+ Months before wedding date
WEDDING PLANNERS
…are wedding pros!!! They can be very useful for not only helping you create and manage your budget, but they also know which vendors to pair you with that match your style and fit your budget.
Don’t think of a wedding planner as something that will take a chunk of your budget, but rather someone to help you maximize the value of what you are receiving for what you pay. They can be a huge resource for your leading up to, planning the day of and even designing your vision.
Tip 1 — Make a connection!! Check their reviews if you aren’t sure which wedding planner to choose.
Tip 2 — Some vendors provide a discount if you are using a wedding planner.
Book 9-12+ Months before wedding date
ATTIRE
…shopping is SO much FUN!!! Make a day of it, go to Starbucks with the crew and have a light breakfast.
Tip 1 — Make an appointment. Shoping for your wedding attire should be FUN, not stressful. Specialty shops only take a select number of clients a day.
Tip 2 — Nerves start kicking in high gear, take a breath and enjoy the moment.
Tip 3 — Do your hair and makeup that day so you will feel more confident when you try on your wedding day attire!
Purchase 8+ Months Before
PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER
Make sure to DO your research. Finding a reputable photographer that you trust to make it on time and capture this once in a lifetime event is SO important.
Tip 1 — During your meeting, show them your vision. It’s ok if there are certain poses that you don’t feel comfortable with. Be honest and upfront of what you do and don’t like.
Tip 2 — Make sure to look over the details of the packages.
Tip 3 — Consider adding a videographer if it’s not an option with your photographer.
Tip 4 — Look at their work online: blogs, Facebook albums, Vimeo, etc. This will give you a good idea of what you can expect if you hire them. Some photographers may even provide you with a full wedding album, for you to see not just the portfolio work.
Book 8+ Months Before
DJ/LIGHTING/PHOTOBOOTH
This is the time to really be picky!! Let’s party!!!
Making sure the dance floor is packed and your guests are truly enjoying themselves is not an easy task and good vibes all around is SO important.
Tip 1 — Find a DJ that does more than just DJ. There are DJs who go above and beyond for not only you and your fiancé, but for your guests. They also should be your MC for the evening as well and take requests from your first dance to your last dance.
Tip 2 — Consider having your guests request their favorite songs in addition to the special dances.
Tip 3 — Consider adding a Photobooth and use the photo strips as a wedding favor. This is sometimes an option to add on with a DJ package depending on the company.
Book 8+ Months Before
RENTALS (CHAIRS, TABLES, ETC.)
This is something décor-related to consider if your caterer or venue doesn’t offer a selection that goes with your vision.
Tip 1 — Consider specialty chairs or tables as part of your décor.
Tip 2 — Rentals can also include vintage furniture, china, drape, uplighting, etc. This is all part of your vision.
Book 6+ Months Before
FLORIST
This part of wedding planning can definitely showcase your wedding theme. Colors, textures and smells. Tie in your favorite color with his favorite color.
Tip — Etsy is a good resource to use when looking for those really unique wedding pieces like wooden bowties for the guys and brooch wedding bouquets for the MRS!!
Book 6-7 Months Before
CAKE
This can be a focal point in the room or an entire table — or desserts and sweets!
Tip — Make sure to have an idea of how many guests you’re anticipating having at your wedding. This will provide the baker with an idea of how many tiers will cover all of your guests. Yum…sweet and tasty!!
Book 4-5 Months Before
HAIR + MAKEUP + STYLING
Tip — Don’t sleep on hiring a stylist for your wedding day – they can design and put together your entire look for you, from shoes, accessories to hair style and make up.
Book 4-5 Months Before
Important Things to Remember
- Remember – most vendors can’t book or give you pricing until you have a date + venue.
- Reviews are everything! Do your research online and see what other couples are saying about that vendor.
- Ask other vendors who they recommend and what they think of the vendor you are looking at.
- Personality is key – do you mesh well with this person? They are going to be with you throughout this process and sometimes even spending all day with you.
