Wedding Planning Guide

4 • 2020 Wedding Guide Wedding Planning:Where to start

By Andrea Dantzer andread@ogemawherald.com

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task for even the most seasoned party planner. You can make it much easier on yourself by taking it one step at a time. Whether you have a whole year to plan or just a few months, breaking the process down into manageable steps will save you time and stress.

Step one: set your budget

Your budget is going to be the driving force and deciding factor for almost every detail of your wedding. Start by figuring out your overall budget, and don’t forget to include a 10% splurge cost for any unaccounted for additions or must-haves you come across along the way. This will also help you to avoid falling in love with a venue or dress that you can’t afford.

Step two: set the date

Once you have your budget set, it is a good time to set your big day. If you have a tighter budget, setting your wedding day farther out can help alleviate the stress of having to fork over large sums of cash all at once. Most of the time, you will set your wedding day according to the availability of your chosen venue, so have a few favorable dates selected so that if your venue is booked on your day of choice, you have alternatives available.

Step three: set your style

With your budget and date settled, now is the time to set the style of your wedding. There are countless tools available online and in bridal magazines to help you decide if you want a totally glamorous affair, a shabby chic wedding, a country celebration, a traditional church wedding or anything in between. Consider the season in which you will wed to draw inspiration for color schemes, decor ideas, flowers and more.

Step four: set your wedding party and guest count

You don’t have to worry about a finalized guest list quite yet, but you will want some idea of how big or intimate of a wedding you want, and this will help you in later steps as well. There is quite a big difference in a 50-person wedding and a 500-person wedding, not only with the costs involved but size of the venue, available caterers and how many guest favors are needed are also affected. You will also want to choose your wedding party at this time, so that you can start delegating later tasks to your maid of honor and best man.

Step five: set your venue

Now that you know your budget, have a few dates in mind, your style and your guest count, you can start to look for the perfect venue to host your wedding. Be sure to read reviews of any potential venues and read the contract carefully. Some venues include items such as tablecloths or chair covers and you don’t want to buy them if they are already provided. Additionally, some venues have hidden charges or cleaning fees that you will want to be aware of to ensure you are staying within your budget.

Step six: set your vendors

According to Zola, the average couple hires 13 vendors for their wedding. This may seem a lot, but there are countless vendors available for every aspect of the wedding day. From caterers to DJs to florists to cake bakers, you will want to book your favorite vendors as soon as you have an official venue and wedding date. Don’t forget to book a judge, minister or officiant at this time as well and find out if they require any premarital counseling.

Step seven: set a registry

Almost as soon as you announce your engagement, brace yourself to be asked where you are registered multiple times. Many retailers have created online registries, which are convenient for the busy bride and groom. Your friends and family can also use the registry to purchase bridal shower or engagement party gifts as well.

Step eight: set the bridal attire

This is the favorite time for brides all over the world - choosing the dress. You will want to discuss wedding attire with your betrothed and decide how formal or casual you want your wedding to be. It can take months for custom tailoring and getting your bridal gown or tuxedo properly fitted, so leave yourself plenty of time for fittings and alterations. Now, you just need to say yes to the dress of your dreams, and the tuxedos or suits and what your bridal party will wear as well.

Step nine: set the final guest list and send out save-the-date cards

You are getting farther into the process and now is a great time to sit down and finalize your guest list. Once you have it finalized, use your guest list to send out save-the-date cards to all your family, friends and loved ones and let them know to mark their calendars for your big day.

Step ten: set the honeymoon

Whether you choose an adventurous honeymoon in Greece or a relaxing beach vacation in St. Barts, you will want a separate budget for your honeymoon to ensure that you are getting the most bang for your buck. Booking travel accommodations early can save a great deal of money compared to booking at the last possible minute and will prevent you missing out on sold out flights or hotels.

Step eleven: set the details

Now is a good time to start shopping for all the decorations and accessories that are going to help set the ambiance for your big day. You will want to have flowers chosen, table pieces and center pieces set as well as any other decor. If the bulk of your wedding decor is DIY, set specific work days and times and delegate tasks to family and friends willing to help. Additionally, think about other small details like if you want a massage the day before or the day of your wedding. Any appointments for hair, makeup, waxing and manicure and pedicure should also be booked.

Step twelve: set invitations It is time to choose your wedding sta

tionary and get those invitations in the mail. Typically, wedding invitations are sent out 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding day.

Step thirteen: set the bands

Not the musical bands, that should have already been done in step six. Now is the time to go shopping with your betrothed and choose the wedding bands you will exchange during the ceremony. Wedding bands are an important symbol for many couples and you will want to give yourself adequate time to shop around and find your favorite since you will be wearing it for the rest of your life.

Step fourteen: set the seats

Figuring out where to sit Aunt Bertha and how to keep cousins Mike and Joe from sitting too close together is one of the least fun parts of the wedding planning process, but creating a wedding seating chart can save you from enduring drunken brawls, in-law fights and family dynamics in tact.

Step fifteen: set the license

You need to apply for a marriage license at least three days before your wedding day as Michigan has a three-day waiting period before issuing the license. You don’t want to get it too soon in advance however, marriage licenses also have an expiration date.

Step sixteen: set your confirmations

In all likelihood you have kept in constant communication with your vendors, but it is still a good idea to confirm all the details and make sure everything is paid for and good to go for your wedding at least one month in advance. Make sure all loose ends are tied and all your carefully selected options are still available.

Step seventeen: set your vows

Whether you are writing your own vows, having prescripted vows or something in between, you will want to get those finalized and the flow of the ceremony planned out. Talk with the judge, pastor or officiant of your wedding to find out which parts of the ceremony must be included legally so that you don’t accidentally skip any proceedings that you need in there to be considered legally wed.

Step eighteen: set your I do’s

Now, is the last and final step: saying your I do’s and marrying the person of your dreams. You have come through a long and arduous process, but in the end, you have a beautiful wedding, a day full of warm and happy memories to cherish for a lifetime and you married the person you have chosen for life.