Getting used to that new Sparkly ring on your left handโฆ Well, that’s the start of this wedding process! The Wedding process is one that you should find fun and excitement in and not be one that causes stress and tension in your relationship.
As Wedding planners, we are your wedding Experts! We have thousands of types of weddings from Lavish and over the top, to small and intimate we are here to guide you and ensure your wedding is Epic!
Below is a Step by step guide for you to follow and think about in your initial wedding planning process.
1. Set a Budget
When it comes to figuring out how to plan a wedding youโll first need to decide how much money you have to spend for the entire wedding. It might not be the most fun part of the process, but itโs a task that really needs to be completed first.
Your wedding budget will be the driving factor for many of your wedding-related decisions, so this should be one of the first things you tackle. If any family members are contributing, chat with them about what their contribution will be.
ย If youโre footing the bill yourself, itโs time to take a hard look at your finances. Once youโve got that magic number, stick to it!
So sit down with your parents or other potential contributors to come up with a total budget, and then divide it up by vendor or service accordingly.
2. Get Inspired
Think about any past weddings that you and your fiance have been toโฆ Think about anything from the wedding(s) that you really would love for your big day or would really not want for your big day.
Next, Think about the look and feel of your wedding. Close your eyes and start to imagine.ย
Are you going for a super-classic and formal vibe? Or perhaps a feeling thatโs more relaxed and rustic.
Now go to Pinterest and start pinning!
3. Figure Out the Formality
The setting of your wedding can also dictate the visionโa beach wedding calls for a more laid-back vibe, while a ballroom may require a more classic and elegant wedding
Do you like hosting intimate dinner parties, getting decked out and partying until dawn, or throwing a low-key poolside picnic? Whatever you decide, you’ll want to carry your chosen formality through every aspect of your wedding, from the stationery to the Entertainment, Lighting, Decor all the way to your favours.
4. Start Your Guest List and Pick Your Wedding Party
While you donโt have to have a final guest list until a bit later, when thinking about how to plan a wedding step by step, coming up with an estimated guest count early on is important.
Thereโs a big difference between a 50-person wedding and a 300-person wedding, particularly when it comes to your venue options.
So before you start browsing wedding venues, get an idea of how many guests youโll host.
You’ll also want to use this time to choose the people who will stand beside you on your big day.
So go ahead and select your bridesmaids, groomsmen, grooms ladies or bridesmen and ask them to take on this important role.
5.Narrow Down the Dates
You wonโt officially โset a dateโ until you book your venue. But, we recommend choosing a few potential wedding dates before you start looking at venues.
If its a Saturday night wedding is a must (convenient, but potentially more expensive and competitive) or if youโre open to a wedding on a different (perhaps less in-demand) day.ย
Then, take a look at the calendar, taking into account work schedules, holidays, family conflicts and narrow things down to a few choice dates.
ย Having some potential wedding dates in mind will be very helpful during the venue selection process.
6. Choose a Venue
Now that you have a budget, an estimated guest count, and a few potential wedding dates in mind, you have all the information you need to book a wedding venueโone of the most important parts of our how to plan a wedding guide.
At Epic Events we can make amazing Wedding Venue recommendations based upon all of the information you have put together. We will point you in the right direction based upon your wants and needs for a venue.ย
Once youโve thoroughly read your venueโs contract and signed on the dotted line, youโve officially set a date for your weddingโand the real fun begins!
7. Start Your Registry
Pretty much immediately after you announce your engagement, your loved ones will ask:
โWhere are you registered?โ When thinking about how to plan your wedding step by step, itโs a good idea to register relatively early on in the process.ย
Your family members and friends may want to purchase engagement giftsโyou can always make changes and additions to your registry later on.
8.Book Vendors
The average couple hires 13 vendors to help create their dream wedding day. 98% of couples who discuss their wedding with Epic Events book 5-6 vendors because Epic Events provides all of the Essential and Best services as your Wedding Expert Team!
As Wedding Experts, our Team will give you the most amazing wedding possible. The Epic Events Team is composed of Amazing Entertainers, Creative Photographers and Videographers,ย Floral Designers, and Wedding Planners!ย
9.Create a Wedding Website (and Wedding Hashtag!)
Setting up a wedding website is the easiest way to keep your guests in the loop, and one of the most important steps to planning a wedding.
Make sure to include all of the important information about your big day on your websiteโdate, location, travel information, room block details, and more.
Nowโs also the time to create your wedding hashtag to use on social media and build your wedding planning story.
10. Finalize Guest List
If you havenโt already, itโs time to create your final wedding guest list.ย
Remember that if your parents are contributing financially to your big day, theyโll get a say in whoโs invited.
ย Be sure to keep your venueโs capacity in mind as well, and donโt invite more people than space can handle.ย
Even though youโll likely receive regrets from some guests, you donโt want to risk it.
11. Send Save-the-Dates
Itโs time for your guests to mark their calendars! Save-the-dates should be sent as far in advance as possible to ensure that your loved ones can plan accordingly.
Your wedding day will be one of the most important and beautiful days in your life! Enjoy every moment of it and you will be Stress-Free!ย
We hope that this guide helps you start the planning process for your wedding and puts you in the right direction.ย
Epic Events is known for providing our couples with the Best Services for your Wedding Day! We are your wedding Experts and we are ready to ensure you have the Most amazing Stress-Free Wedding!! Give us a call at 201.203.6400 or check us out on the web at EpicEventsNJ.com