Okay so it finally happened. He popped the question and now you have to plan the big event. So how do you start? Where do you go to plan a wedding? What's the first thing you need to do in planning a wedding? Your head is swimming the many details. Hopefully the following information will help you out and cut down on some of the stress.
So first things first, what kind of wedding do you really want? I'm sure as a little girl you always dreamed what your wedding would be like, and now here's your chance. Picture your wedding from beginning to end. Where and when do you want the event to take place? How do you want your wedding? What is the wedding party going to wear? Do you want a full blown dinner or finger foods? Or are you even going to serve food?
Next on the agenda you need to pick a date. Once you have a date in mind, the where and when can easily be decided. Also what everyone is going to wear might also be easier to decide.
Decide and settle on a budget for the event. It needs to be functional and practically but flexible as well. Consider what is included in the budget before writing it in stone. You have rings to order, dresses, tuxedos and a reception.
All of these items are part of planning a wedding.
The next step in planning the wedding is choosing and booking the sites for the wedding and the reception. If the places are very popular you may be required to book a year in advance. Now would also be a good time to meet with the official who will be performing the ceremony and be clear about any restrictions involving the ceremony or the site where it is being held.
Now comes the part where you get to decide who you want in the wedding party and what you want them to wear. Remember it is your wedding it can be as large or as small as you want it. This includes guest as well, get with your betrothed and make out the list together. You want to make sure you get all the relatives from both sides and your friends.
Planning a wedding is very stressful for both of you, remember that when making decisions and tempers get short. If you can not make a decision right then, agree to resume the discussion later once you have calmed down.
Some other things that you will need to take care of are hiring a photographer, florist, baker for the cakes, and possible musicians. You will need to decide on any pre-ceremony parties, the ceremony, and reception and of course the honeymoon. Ordering invitations once everything has been decided is next on the list, and last but not least, check the state requirements for obtaining a marriage license. Make sure you pick it up early enough to take care of any waiting time, but not so early it will not be valid.
Some fun things to do in this stressful time is signing up with wedding registries. Take you fiancé along with you and make decisions on dishes and colors for the house together. He will be living there too!
Get a notebook or a folder and keep everything together. You may also want to keep swatches of material, or examples of invitations or flowers and such in it for future reference. Everything will happen quickly, and this is a good way to stay organized.