Did you know… Every weekend, on average, about 44,230 weddings take place in the U.S. Every little girl dreams of her wedding day her whole life. Regardless, that doesn’t mean the planning process can be drawn-out, complicated, and frankly overwhelming. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Let’s take a look at how you can plan a wedding like a pro.
Set a Budget
One of the biggest sources of wedding planning stress can be the finances of the situation. If you sit down ahead of time with your parents or others who might be contributing to the cost to set a budget. Then you can allocate a certain amount of money per expense in order to keep the price tag from running away from you.
For some perspective, the average cost of a wedding in 2018 was $33,391. Of course, some people spend less and some people spend way more than that.
Gather Inspiration
This is the time when you get to dream, dream, and dream some more! Look at magazines, Pinterest, Instagram, your favorite romantic movies… take inspiration anywhere you can find it. You can also check out some of the best wedding planning apps.
If you’re wondering how long to plan a wedding, you should probably start with this aspect of things pretty early on.
Get a Head Start on Your Guest List
Your guest list won’t have to be finalized for a while, but it’s good to start thinking about who you want to invite. How many people on your guest list will have a big impact on the price, the venue, and the feel of the wedding.
Select Your Wedding Party
The members of your wedding party are the ones that will work most closely with you before and on your wedding day. You’ll want to decide fairly early on in the process who you want standing at your side on the big day.
Narrow Down on Potential Dates
You don’t have to pick the exact dates to start with. However, narrowing down a general time frame will be a big help when selecting a venue.
Pick Your Venue
Once you know the season, the budget, and a rough guest count for your wedding, it’s time to pick your venue. Do some research online and then take the time to visit different prospects to find the right spot.
Create Your Wedding Registry
You’ll want to start your wedding registry pretty early on. This way, your family and friends can have time to decide what they’d like to gift you.
Set Up a Wedding Website
Weddings involve a lot of communication. The easiest way to keep everybody in the loop is to set up a website that includes all of the most important information about dates, times, travel information, accommodations, and more.
Book Your Vendors
Take a look at online reviews to find the vendors that will make your day the most magical. You’ll need to fill roles such as the photographer, videographer, florist, DJ, caterer, and more with people you trust to do the best possible job.
Finalize Your Wedding Day Guest List
It’s time to set your guest list in stone. Don’t over-invite with the assumption that some people will say they can’t make it. Instead, always keep the capacity of your chosen venue in mind.
Send Out Save-the-Dates
Once you know when you’re wedding will be, you’ll want to give all your invited guests a heads up. Send out your save-the-dates pretty much as far in advance as you can.
Buy Your Dress and Other Attire
When it’s time to find the perfect dress, shoes, and accessories, don’t rush it! Not only will you want to have the outfit of your dreams, but tailoring and alterations could take quite a bit of time.
Sort Out the Details of the Rehearsal Dinner
Rehearsal dinners usually happen the night before the wedding. This is usually planned by the groom’s family, but you’ll want to sort out who’s footing the bill and making the arrangements well ahead of time.
Plan Your Honeymoon
It’s easy for your honeymoon to get lost in the shuffle when planning a wedding! If your honeymoon’s going to start right after your wedding, you’ll want to start sorting out the details fairly early on.
Send Out Your Invitations
It is absolutely essential to send out your invitations on time. You’ll want them to go out about six to eight weeks before your wedding day. Guests will generally have to respond one way or the other by two to three weeks before the big day.
Buy Wedding Rings
Find wedding rings that you both love and find comfortable. Remember, you’ll basically be wearing them all the time!)
Create Your Reception Seating Chart
About a week before the wedding, you’ll want to finalize your reception seating chart. You’ll want to work with the venue to figure out the layout and number of tables.
Get a Marriage License
Don’t forget about this one! Some states have a waiting period and/or expiration date for their marriage licenses, so do your research ahead of time.
Confirm Wedding Day Details and Dates With Vendors
When it’s your big day, there’s no shame in over-communicating. As the wedding gets closer, feel free to check in with vendors and make sure they know when and where they’re supposed to be.
Tie the Knot!
Wow, it’s felt like a long time coming! All this work to create one beautiful, magical, memorable day. Remember to relax and have fun… this day’s all about you and your partner!
Make Your Wedding Day the Most Memorable Day of Your Lives!
Your wedding day is a day when you can get together with all of your family and friends to celebrate the love between you and your partner. While it can be easy to experience wedding stress, it’s important to step back and remember how special and precious the whole planning process really is!
Is it time for you to start planning your wedding day? We would be honored and excited to be your wedding photographers in your Lake Tahoe wedding or elopement! Feel free to contact us today, we’d love to hear fro you!
