Congratulations, you're going to get married! However, weddings aren't just a simple matter of walking down the aisle on your chosen day. You will need to consider several things to make sure that your wedding runs smoothly. This article will help you plan ahead so you can get the wedding that you've always dreamed of.
Budget
Before you plan for anything, make sure to fix just how much your budget for the wedding is. Weddings are a costly affair, so don't just leave this open-ended, or you might find yourself having a lavish wedding only to wake up penniless the next day. Set the budget so you will know what options are available for you. Try to give room for any additional costs that you haven't planned for.
Guest List
Even if you want to invite just about everyone in the world to join you in your special day, you will need to be practical and choosing which of your acquaintances will actually receive an invitation for your wedding day. If you have a limited budget, try to keep your guest list small by inviting only your family and your closest friends.
Entourage
You will also need to determine who the entourage is, especially who the maid of honor and best man will be, since they will play a huge role in the wedding.
Theme
If you want to have a themed wedding, you will also need to determine this early on so you will know what to shop for and what to tell your guests.
Clothes
You not only need to shop for the bride's gown and the groom's tux, you will also need to think about what your entourage will be wearing. It's best to have this fixed as early as possible. You will also need to give yourself extra time in case any alterations will be made.
Venues
You will need to determine if the venue that you want to have your wedding at is available on your wedding date. If you are planning to have a church wedding, you will also need to check whether the ministers are also free on that day.
Transportation
You can't go to your wedding venue on foot! Make sure you hire a transportation service to get you to the venue and/or the reception area.
Stylists
Remember: the bride has to look good on her wedding day! A hair and makeup stylist will also need to be hired for the bride and her entourage to make sure that they look great on the big day.
Invitations
You will need to scout around for a good printer who will be producing your invitations, even months before the wedding. That way, you will be able to remedy any problems with the invites early on. Make sure that all the relevant details are already listed in the invitations!
Caterer
As they say, the one thing that people will remember in weddings is the food, so make sure you get a good caterer. Try to go to tasting sessions so you can have an idea on what kind of food the caterers serve. Don't forget the cake!
Music
Whether you're planning to hire a wedding singer, a band, or a DJ, you will need to make sure that your wedding will have music to liven the mood. You can also come up with a music list if you want certain songs to be played on your wedding.
Wedding Photographer
Of course, you will want to have lasting souvenirs of your wedding day. Hire a wedding photographer whose style and personality is in sync with yours to prevent any problems from popping up with regards to your wedding photos.
Wedding Registry
Don't forget to sign up to a wedding registry to make it easier for you and your guests to figure out what gifts to get!
Honeymoon
This needs to be fixed as early as possible, especially if you plan to travel to a distant place to have your honeymoon. You will also need to fix all of the other requirements that need to go with this, such as your passports, visas, plane tickets, and such.
Good wedding preparations are integral if you want to be stress-free on your big day. Good luck and congratulations on the wedding!
