Tips For Planning A Wedding

You have already answered yes to the most important question of your life. Every family member has received the exciting news and your friends have already started spamming your inbox with Pinterest wedding ideas. It is no doubt a very exciting time in your life, but planning a wedding is no easy feat, especially when this is the first big event you have ever planned. Knowing where to start and which points are most important can help make the planning a smooth and enjoyable journey. Planning the wedding is half the fun after all. If you are a new bride-to-be, here are a few tips from industry experts to help you get started on planning the wedding of your dreams!

Budget, Budget, Budget

The first step to planning a stress-free wedding is to set a reasonable budget. The budget is the driving force behind many of your decisions, so it’s best to get the numbers sorted as soon as possible. If any of your family members are contributing towards the big day, have an open discussion with them first to find out how much they will be comfortable spending. If you and your partner are footing the bill alone, you will need to take a hard look at your finances and set aside a reasonable amount together. The last thing you want to do is max out credit cards or forfeit on any debt payments for an OTT wedding. Rather spend within your means so that you don’t have to start your new married life with crippling debt hanging over your heads.

Guests

Guests always come first, especially when planning a huge event like this. Before you can settle on a venue and catering company, you need to know approximately how many people will be attending the wedding. This will ensure that you have enough space, seating and food for your entourage. There needs to be enough floor space for your guests to sit comfortably without being bumped by passing waiters or the people who are letting it all go on the dance floor. Remember the budget? Well, most of it goes towards wining and dining your guest, so be sure to invite the people that really matter the most to you.

Pick a Date 

Now that you know how many guests you will be inviting, it’s time to set a date or at least the month you are planning to say your ‘I Dos”. Having a date set in mind will help when it comes to choosing a venue for the big day. If you already have a venue in mind that is quite popular, it may be best to set a date a little further ahead in case there are no reservations available for the upcoming few months. When setting a date, it is also important to factor in Mother Nature. She has her own plans, and sometimes they can clash with yours. If you are planning a wedding outdoors, it’s best to stick to dates before the rainy season hits, you also don’t want it to be freezing cold or too hot. Generally, indoor weddings are perfect for every season, but at the end of the day, if you get your timing right, you can pull off either.

Venue Scouting

Now that you have a date in mind, it is time to start scouting venues. Be sure to take notes when visiting venues, it can be a lot to remember everything they have to offer. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions too. Keep your guest count in mind, the season you have picked, and if there is a backup plan for outdoor seating in case there will be rain. Some venues do not have a kitchen on-site or any catering equipment and may request that you bring everything there. If you don’t have extra hands or a wedding planner, it may be a better option to look for venues that offer seating, tables, and catering equipment on site. 

Wedding Transport

It may not seem like a big deal at first, but hiring wedding transport for your guests is one of the most important aspects of your big day. It not only helps to combat drinking and driving but also ensures that the wedding runs smoothly and on time. No latecomers interrupting the ceremony and the usual culprits who overstay their welcome long after the party ends won’t have a say in it either. That’s not to mention those who try to slip away straight after the reception. Parking woes are over and your guests can enjoy the day without the stress of driving to and from the wedding. And as an added bonus, all your guests get an opportunity to bond before and after the ceremony! When it is time for you and hubby to leave the venue, a shuttle is the best thing for hauling all the gifts, flower arrangements and decor back to the hotel!

The Finer Details

Now that the budget, date, venue, and transport is ticked off the list, there is still a lot more to go. You still have to scout out vendors, themes, decor, stationary, flowers… we could be here all day listing the finer details of the perfect wedding! Just thinking about it is enough to get anyone flustered! Fortunately, all of these services and advice can be sourced from one incredible platform. I Hear Wedding Bells is an online wedding service directory designed to help make your life easier when it comes to planning your wedding. From wedding dresses to venues, kitchen teas to bachelor parties, florists to DJ’s and everything in between, I Hear Wedding Bells has it all. 

We hope these tips help make the planning process an easy and exciting one! Here’s to the happy couple… we wish you all the best for your special day!