Helpful Tips for Planning the Perfect Day

You’re engaged! Now what? You’ve pictured this moment and the excitement of it all, but where do you start with planning? What are the first and final steps you take to ensure your day is everything you have imagined it would be? Wedding planning can be stressful and chaotic, but if you develop a plan of attack from the start, seek help and advice from professionals and simply allow yourself to enjoy the process of planning, it can be a wonderful and fulfilling experience for both you and your fiancé! Here are some helpful tips we’ve put together to make this time of your life less stressful and more enjoyable.

1) Spread the News:

For starters, you’re going to want to share the good news and show off the sparkly rock that now rests on your finger! Your loved ones and close friends would probably appreciate an in-person reveal, but over the phone will suffice if they are not near-by or if you are just too excited to wait to see them in person. Can’t spread the news fast enough via phone? iPads, iPhones and computers have great apps, such as Pingg and RedStamp, which allow you to send out creative announcements via text message or email. Being that it’s 2013, this might not be a bad way to spread the word quickly and with your own artistic touch. Wedding websites are another great way to spread the news and keep everyone updated on information throughout the planning process. Be warned, those who have access to your wedding website will most likely assume they will be invited to the big day. Therefore, make it exclusive to your family and friends that you will be inviting. Those who get added to the list later can be invited to the website when wedding invites go out.

     2) Hire a Planner:

Before you make the next move, you may want to think about who will be your go-to person throughout the entire process. This is where the idea of hiring a planner or day of manager may come into play. If you are someone who loves planning, tends to take charge of situations, is extremely organized and has trouble letting go of control, hiring a planner may not be necessary. However, hiring a day of manager will be worth every penny. A planner can help you from start to finish. They will bring your vision to life, manage your budget, find the best vendors to fit your needs and expectations and provide you with the advice and knowledge needed to create your perfect day. A day of manager is equally as valuable. The last thing you want on your wedding day is to be running around worrying about when the musicians will arrive, how the floral centerpieces are being set up, or even wardrobe malfunctions. Hiring a day of manager will allow you to sit back, relax and enjoy your day. They will take care of phone calls, vendors who are not on time and any mishaps that may happen along the way.

      
3) The Big Picture:

So now you’ve told everyone you are going to be saying your “I do’s” and the questions come pouring in: When and where will it be? What are your colors? Have you found your dress? This is where you may begin to feel overwhelmed if you haven’t thought about any of these things. Take some time to envision your big day and what that day is going to look like. 

• How many people will you be inviting? 
• What type of ceremony do you want? 
• What's your style; formal, vintage, rustic...
• Do you prefer having a destination wedding or staying close to home? 
• What color schemes do you love and what’s trending this year? 

Creating the “big picture” will help you determine the time of year you’d like to get married, the best location and venue for your wedding, the décor, and the overall feel for the day.

4) Set a Date:

After you’ve thought about the big picture, determined how long your guest list is and what time of year you picture yourself heading to the altar, it’s time to set a date! Sit down with your fiancé and immediate family members to determine the date that works best for all of you. Think about the time of year, travel, holidays, school, work, etc. If you have your heart set on a summer or holiday wedding, keep in mind that they are the busiest times of the year for weddings and venues and vendors will book up quickly. Getting an exact date narrowed down will allow you to book everything else you will need. Word of Advice: If you're set on a specific venue you may need to remain flexible on the date.

5) Determine a Budget:

“The budget” conversation is very important to have early on with your fiancé and anyone else contributing to the wedding expenses. Understand what you have to spend and how to work within that budget. When determining what you want to spend money on, it’s helpful to make a list of your priorities. For example, if you want your wedding to be a fun party, then food, drinks and entertainment will most likely be your highest priorities. If your heart is set on having a destination wedding on an exotic island, expensive décor may be the least of your priorities. Once you determine what your priorities are, it is easier to find ways to cut back on the things you don’t care as much about while really playing up the parts that will make your wedding memorable.

Your wedding will arrive sooner than you can imagine and the day goes by even faster! Enjoy every moment and don’t let the stress of planning and all the nitty gritty details turn you into a bitter bride and couple. Use these helpful tips for a smooth planning process and let the kinks work themselves out along the way!

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Want to sit down with a wedding planner to talk about your big day? Our showroom is open Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm and on Saturdays from 9am-4pm, call to make an appointment or just come right in!

MarrymeNY 

a division of The Events Company

230 Harrison Street

Syracuse, New York 13202

315-422-9400