Ask Yourself These Questions Before You Start Wedding Planning!
Being engaged is so exciting, and I want to help make this as stress-free for you as possible. Before you start making checklists, to-do lists, and dive head first into planning, sit down with your fiancé and answer these questions. Then you can start your planning experience knowing that you’re both on the same page.
How much money can we actually spend?
Discussing your budget should always be your first step with any big life decision!
Every part of your wedding planning depends on how much you can afford. The conversation about prices and budget will always continue, but you need to talk about it before anything else so you know how to allocate it.
Look at your current finances, who can help you out, and how long you need to save. There are lots of budgeting tools online that can help you figure this out.
If you’re looking for ways to save, try:
Having a weekday wedding
Skipping favors, programs, and menus
Have a buffet instead of plated dinner
Do an early afternoon reception so you only need refreshments, not full meals
Who can we not imagine getting married without?
Your wedding budget will depend on how big your guest list is. Think about how big or small you want your wedding. Do you want something intimate where you can spend time with every guest? Or do you want to include as many people as possible?
Start your list by putting down the people that you absolutely don’t want to get married without. After that, you can start adding other friends or acquaintances to your guest list.
What are the most important things for you to include in your wedding?
There are so many potential vendors to pick from. Venue to photographer to DJ to caterers to hair and makeup to live entertainment. Your priorities will be different from other couples, so you need to figure out what is most important to you.
Once you’ve chosen your top three things, make sure your budget reflects that. If it’s important for you to have a planner, make sure you book them before anyone else. Maybe you’ve always dreamed about beautiful florals, so you’ll want to book the best florist in town. If having your day captured in photos and video is what you want most, book a photographer and videographer before your other vendors. Don’t risk spending your money in the wrong places by not reserving your top priorities first!
How do we want our day to look and feel?
What words come into your mind when you think about your wedding? Some people might say intimate and sweet, others might say classy and modern. Before you pick your colors, start a Pinterest board inspired by the words you thought of.
Remember to incorporate things that you BOTH like. Are you both avid coffee drinks? Have a coffee bar! Do you have a record collection together? Make a funky backdrop out of old records. Is there a drink that you always get when you go out? Feature it at the wedding. These things can help your wedding feel more like you.
If this was helpful for you, let me know in the comments!