Plan – A good wedding plan will make the whole process go more smoothly. Start by making a list of how you envision your perfect wedding to be. Work with your fiancé to combine your ideas and make compromises when needed so that you will both have the day you want.
Budget - A great wedding doesn’t need to go over budget. Take a realistic look at your finances and determine how much you can spend on the wedding. Prioritize your desires and try to fulfill the most important ones first. Try to find less expensive alternatives for things that are out of your price range. Be sure to leave enough money for a nice honeymoon.
Organize – Get a notebook to use for all the wedding plans. Make tabbed sections for each item such as church, photographer, baker, caterer, reception hall, etc. You can purchase ready-made planners loaded with lots of tips. Make a written note of each conversation you have with any service provider and put a copy of the signed contract in the notebook. Follow up any oral conversations with a written email.
Delegate – Don’t be afraid to let go of some control. Others want to help so give them jobs they can do to take some of the pressure off of you. They can report back to you with updates when needed.
Make Decisions – You are still the decision maker so be sure to make timely decisions based on the best information you can. Some decisions need to be made early on to be effective.
Start Early – Get the earliest possible start on planning your wedding as possible. A year is not too soon to start the basic arrangements including securing the church and hall. If you less time take necessary shortcuts. If you have more time, great.
Go With The Flow – Understand that there are some things that will go wrong and some things may need to be different than you would like. Know that this is just one day and that good planning can overcome even obvious problems such as budget issues.
De-Stress – Plan everything as much ahead as possible so that you have time to relax and de-stress before the big day. Plan to take the week before your wedding off. You can deal with any unexpected issues with ease and spend a day at the spa as well.
Get Advice – Listen to the advice of parents and friends who have experience with weddings. While every tiny detail seems utterly important now, in the big scheme of things it may not be. Know that others have only your best interest at heart.
Have Fun – All that planning will reward you with a wonderful day that you can enjoy with your family and friends. After all, the ultimate goal is to have a wedding you will love!