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There is no time quite as special, or as stressful, as planning the wedding of your dreams. There are decorations, venues, food, drinks, and the location to think about, after all. It can be overwhelming and drives many couples to a stressful point when they should be enjoying the anticipation of becoming newlyweds. Wedding Planners and Locations is here to help alleviate some of the stress so that you can better enjoy this time together. We point couples toward the services and locations that will best suit their vision and their budget. Working with Wedding Planners and Locations is a surefire way to minimize the headache so that you can focus on what really matters the most: looking toward your shared future together.

The Wedding Checklist Top Tips No One Ever Tells You

As you begin planning your wedding, your friends, family, and the internet will be full of so much advice, you’re probably choking. And sure, some of it is likely to be super helpful. But what about those secret top tips— the little wedding life-hacks you’ll always wish you’d known in advance? Lucky for you, that’s why we’re here! So, take a look at some of our best advice.

Some Days are Just a Bad Day to Have a Wedding

Maybe you’ve got a perfect date in mind. And maybe that date just so happens to fall on a holiday, or in the middle of a peak tourist season, or the day of some national or local event. And while you might not think those factors will affect your special day, the truth is that unlucky coincidences of dates can be a nightmare when it comes to venue bookings, hotel availability, and vendors’ schedules. So, before you plan, consider the timing factors at play in your location.

Watch Out for Unexpected Expenses

Planning your reception menu is fun! Until, that is, you find out at the last minute that you’re also expected to feed your entire wedding crew. Chances are, you haven’t thought about exactly how many people make up that crew until it’s the day of your wedding and you’re now providing filet mignon to everyone from your photographer to the guy who carried in the band equipment. And since feeding your crew is a really nice gesture, it might not hurt to provide some sandwiches or a few pizzas as an extra way to say thanks. Just make sure that you’re not required to and that this isn’t an extra fee being added to your bill.

Trim the Guest List

Next to your budget, your guest list is kind of the most important piece in your wedding day puzzle. Although you might not have thought of it that way, it’s critical to remember that your guest list can not only impact your budget tremendously, it also affects everything from your venue to your catering plans. (Sure, you can afford an open bar for 50 guests, but 250…??) So, if you have any worries about your guest list at all, make sure you’re appropriately prepared to prioritize your people as needed. It may sound harsh, but if your budget simply can’t accommodate everyone you’d like to invite, the decision-making process will be made easier if you know off the bat whose presence is absolutely necessary on your special day.

What About the Kids?

Kids are often one of the trickiest parts of any wedding, so before you get tangled in any snafus with your guests or wedding party, it’s a good idea to go ahead and make a universal kids policy. Whether you choose to limit your event to adults only (arguably a simpler option), or allow everyone to bring their children, either of these will be easier than navigating a sticky situation in which only some people are allowed to bring their children. Best practices for handling this include only allowing the children in your wedding party (because that’s pretty understandable) or only allowing the children in your immediate family.

Don’t be Afraid to Ask

You might be hesitant to ask your wedding vendors for a little extra anything— and we totally get it! —but you’d be surprised at the perks you might get from attempting to negotiate with them early on. If you’d like your open bar to stay open for just an extra hour longer or maybe you want time for a couple more song requests, consider asking your vendors if they’d be willing to accommodate before you get into a contract with them. This is a great option because, prior to signing you on as a client, your vendors are trying to sell you on them as much as you’re trying to sell them on you. So, if they know flexibility will help them get your business, they might be more willing to work with you now than if you ask two days before the wedding.

Know the Rules

Does your wedding or reception venue have any rules you need to be aware of? Checking this out in advance—ideally, before you book with them—is a great way to avoid any last-minute inconveniences that might screw up your special day. So, double check for any policies regarding decorations, photography, or anything else you might need to know in order to keep your day running smoothly and avoid any extra fees.

While this list isn’t quite a comprehensive collection of every insider top tip you might need, knowing a few of these things in advance just might save the day. And if you have any questions that weren’t answered on this list, don’t hesitate to ask us about them—we’d love to hear from you!

Crafting the Perfect Wedding Checklist

So, you’re engaged! Yay! …now what? If your brain is swirling with an endless list of to-dos and no idea where to start, never fear! Your perfect wedding checklist is here! So, sit back, relax, and check out our twelve-month top tips.

Think About the Big Picture First

There’s no need to think about the guest list today. (Although, let’s be honest, lists are so much fun). Twelve months ahead of your wedding date is perfect because it gives you al the time you need to draft a big-picture plan you’re comfortable with and then zero in on the details as it gets closer to your big day. So, at this stage, start by drawing up your budget. Having a clearly defined financial plan will help you to avoid disappointment and set important limits early on. Here are a few steps to consider when designing your wedding budget:

Who’s paying for the wedding?

Communication is key with this stage. Talking about money can be so awkward, but sadly, you’ve got to do it sometime! Whether you and your partner prefer to cover the entire cost yourselves or you’re getting some help from family, it’s important to clearly establish who will be paying for what and exactly how much each party will be contributing. (Yikes!) If you’re not sure how to go about starting this discussion, you might try asking both sets of parents to be up front with you about a specific dollar amount or asking each set to help with one specific aspect of your wedding so that everyone’s clear on their commitments.

Figure out how much you actually need

Splurging on a new pair of shoes you don’t actually need is one thing; chances are, you’ll make that $50 back before you start missing it too much. But given that the average wedding costs upwards of $30,000, it pays to think a little more carefully about whether or not you actually need some of the things on your list. Small decisions like choosing a cheaper type of wine or making your guests’ treat bags yourselves can make a big difference in the amount of money you save! So, think carefully about which parts are the most important to splurge on.

Another important big-picture step is determining your unique wedding style. Everyone has multiple different elements to their personality, and while you want your wedding to be a reflection of yourself and your love story, it’s also important to make sure that you don’t have too many conflicting themes at play in one ceremony. (For example, a rustic wedding with strong elements of boots and burlap won’t pair well with any touches that have a Disney princess or fairytale aesthetic). So, take some time to evaluate what stands out to you and what really connects with your vision for your wedding.

And as you contemplate your budget and style, you may find it helpful to enlist the services of a wedding planner. Wedding planners are awesome because they can help you figure out your style, make helpful suggestions, and work with you in coordinating vendors. However, hiring a wedding planner doesn’t necessarily mean you’re committed to working with someone full-time until the day of your wedding. You can bring someone on board as early or as late you need! (Not that, as wedding planners, we’re biased or anything!)

During this phase of plan, you should also take care of a few other slightly important details. Just those little things like:

Choosing your venue

(See why we suggested choosing your budget first!)

Choosing your wedding party

(While you’re sharing the big news, go ahead and ask your favorite people to get involved! Bonus fun activity: brainstorming cute gifts or gestures to ask your bridesmaids, maid of honor, etc. to be in your wedding).

Drafting the guest list

Now Zoom in a Bit

Now that you’ve made a few big picture decisions, it’s time to narrow in on the details. At this stage, you’re about eight to ten months out from your wedding date, and now it’s time to dive into the fun part! Shopping around for a wedding gown now is a great idea because it leaves lots of room to get alterations if you need them. This is also the time to:

Think about planning the menu

(Do you want a breakfast bar? Light hors d’oeuvres? Just cake? The sky’s the limit!)

Consider what type of entertainment you want

(Are you thinking a classy piano lounge kind of vibe or your thirteen-year-old nephew as a DJ?)

Check out save-the-date cards

(It’s starting to feel real now!)

Register for gifts

(Ahh, the really fun part!)

Make a wedding website

(Not going to lie, having a one-stop online spot for consolidating RSVPs, registries, and the million questions your guests will have is beyond convenient!)

And while you’re brainstorming all those fun details, this is also the perfect time to start checking out potential wedding vendors. Begin making a list and contacting your favorite options for:

    • Catering
    • Cake
    • Photography and videography
    • Reception venues
    • Any and all entertainment
    • Your florist

The Home Stretch

At six to eight months from your wedding date, you’re almost there! (Congrats!) This point should be the follow-up or decision making stage for all the lists you were making earlier. So, go ahead and lock in your bookings with your musicians, florists, caterers, and everyone else you’ll need on the big day. You should also start deciding on and ordering your wedding party’s attire now. This is also a great time to order invitations and check out calligraphers if you’re interested in using one.

That wasn’t so bad, was it? Although planning your wedding might sound really stressful, breaking down the process by sorting your tasks through a simple month-by-month calendar can take away a lot of the pressure and confusion. And while you’ll still need to put together a few extra details closer to the day of your wedding, by this stage in the process, you’ve gotten all the big stuff out of the way. (Plus, your wedding planner can help tie up all the loose ends! That’s totally not a shameless plug for why you need a wedding planner…)

Tips for Having a Great Wedding

Every couple dreams of having the perfect wedding, but getting it will require some planning and also a lot of patience. You’ll need more than just having a general idea about how you’d like your wedding to be, so we’ve gathered some tips that could help you in reaching what you want for your wedding.

General Ideas 
First of all, you should know what you want, at least in general – if you want a big party for your wedding, if you want something thematic, if you want a simple event with just a few guests or if you want a specific ceremony. All these things should be in your mind when planning the wedding, as these will guide and shape your choosing.

The List 
Everyone should start a list as soon as they think about getting married, so start your own as soon as possible. Make different columns for different aspects – the food, the list of the guests, the arrangement for the tables, the ceremony, and the colors of the dresses – the bride and bride maids, and everything else you can think of.

Professional Help 
A wedding planner is more experienced than you might think, so make sure you get professional help. Choose a wedding planning company that is at least a few years on the market and has a portfolio that you can see. Talk to a few planners and get an idea of what they have to offer – organizing the event, vendors, portfolio and so on.

The Price
As you’ll talk to different wedding planners, you’ll see that the prices will be different, as they can offer you different services. Make sure you save their offers and compare them with your partner to make a good choice regarding this event. Don’t go for the cheapest, but also don’t choose the most expensive wedding. Sometimes, the price is given by the trademarks – you’ll pay a high price for the “name”, so choose something in between, but also something that you can afford paying for.

The Photograph
One of the most important aspects is to choose the right photographer for your wedding. You’ll want this moment captured in time, so you’ll need someone who’s professional and delivers perfect services. Make sure you ask your wedding planner about the photographer they use, or if they can recommend someone. It’s also possible for you to know someone who works in this area, so if you know their work, ask them about price and portfolio to be able to make the right choice.

How to Plan the Perfect Wedding

Yes, planning the perfect wedding takes time, indeed, but if you start early, you’ll get everything right. It’s essential to think about every aspect of your wedding before that wonderful day comes, as you’ll want to have everything perfect. You’ll need professional help to get everything done, but it will make the task a lot easier.

Talk to a Wedding Planner 
If you want to have a great party at your wedding and a perfectly organized event, you’ll need professional help. We don’t say that it’s impossible to get it all done by yourself, but with someone who knows what they’re doing it will be a lot easier. A wedding planner will know exactly who to call to organize everything, from the ceremony to the party. They already have contacts in this world, and it will be a lot easier just to choose what you want instead of searching for lots of vendors for your needs.

Make a List 
Every party starts with a list, so why not start your own since you kind of know what you want for your wedding. Consider what kind of flowers you want, the color of the tables and chairs, the small details that will make the design of the room and so on. Also, think about the food that will be served at the wedding ceremony or at the party, and consider how would you like the party – if you’d like to have a thematic wedding or something simple and elegant.

Accept Advice
We don’t tell you that you should go with an idea that the wedding planner has, but in some cases, they know better what works and what doesn’t. For example, if you want a wedding with a ranch (or country) thematic, don’t accept animals (like pigs) at your party. Weddings like that can be a total ruin if not thought out properly.

Make sure you get your ideas across but recognize when some things could be improved. For example – the color combination for the setting of the wedding, the flowers or other details. The planner will always have a portfolio to show you, so you can have an idea of how some things might look. Accept advice, but keep in mind that it’s your wedding and it should be as you want it.

Make It Simple
Don’t consider that an opulent wedding can’t be simple. Most of the times, what’s simple will be more elegant and fancier than other things. You can have classic themes of design, like beautiful combinations of white and ivory, or light pink and snowy white. There are different tones of white, and even if you combine them with a stronger color, you’ll get a marvelous arrangement for your wedding.

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