Preparing a wedding is never a piece of cake. It takes a lot of work — from setting the date to choosing a local wedding photographer in Salt Lake City. But it is not an impossible task. You can always seek professional help and start learning more with a wedding planning guide or checklist.
For starters, here are some details that can cause blunders on the wedding day when you fail to prepare for them:
Theme
It is important to decide what kind of wedding you will have before anything else. That will dictate most of the decisions on the design of your wedding outfit and those of your guests, the choice of date and location, the kind of ornaments you’ll need, and other details. Just make sure that your wedding theme is significant for you and your partner, not for other people.
Wedding date and location
People usually expect a wedding date after an engagement. However, you are not under any obligation to decide on a date right away. Remember to set the date that will not compromise the preparations. It should not be too soon, but no one wants a very long engagement.
Decide on your target timeline and consider buffer days or months in case of delay
The date also dictates when you should start giving out invitations, choosing the flowers, making reservations, and having your wedding dress made. Invitations should not be too far from the date so that there would be fewer changes in circumstances. On the other hand, the flowers, reservations, and the dress should be prepared early to give way for possible adjustments and changes.
Marriage license
When you have decided on the wedding date, make sure to prepare all the legal matters before the actual wedding day. Since dates could still change based on several circumstances, consider getting a license a month before the wedding day. Also, check the number of days the marriage license is valid because they differ depending on states.
Budget
A wedding may sound like a perfectly romantic event, but behind the celebration, money plays a significant role in every plan to materialize. You need to know who pays what expenses. Whether your partner intends to shoulder all the costs or split the bill, that should be clear between the two of you.
You should delegate responsibilities if you decide to share the cost
It’s best to work with a realistic estimate of expenses to avoid blowing it up. It would be more difficult to manage an event with a limited budget. So, setting your budget is vital even before you decide what kind of wedding you’ll have.
Guests, RSVPs, and plus-ones
Considering location, budget, and personal preference, you and your fiancé should decide on who and how many guests you’ll invite. Can you afford to allow plus-ones? Also, when do you need their reply? Take note that responses to invitations are crucial in preparing the venue, food, and program for the wedding, so missing RSVPs need a follow-up. Set a deadline and stick to it.
Professional and trustworthy suppliers
You need a team to take care of your wedding car, wedding cake, food catering, on-the-day coordination, flowers, musicians, hair and make-up, host, photographer, videographer, wedding dress, and other details you need for the wedding. Hire professionals that you can trust and pay them fairly. The same treatment should be given to friends who are professionals in the field.
Your wedding preparations require dedication from you and your spouse-to-be
Consider it the first challenge you need to face as you start your life of doing things together. Focus on what is important, and do not hesitate to call for help when you need one.
