You’re engaged, and the Wedding Planning is about to start!

Don’t worry, it will be overwhelming at 1st but if you stay organized, it will all come together just as you planned!

“So, the time has come, and you said YES!”

Congratulations, you must be SO excited!  It is such a joyous time that everyone looks forward to and we know that you are more than ready to get started on this extraordinary journey with the person that you love the most in the entire world.

When planning your wedding, you are going to need to stay organized and possibly even double check that everything has been completed the way that you want.  After all, there are so many little details that come into play on your wedding day, and you are not going to want a little snafu to cause you to have a mini meltdown seconds before walking down the aisle.  

Here are the main items that you will want to focus most of your attention on, so that you can sit back, relax, and enjoy every minute of your special day:

Choose a Date

Every couple seems to find a date that either has significant meaning to them, like the day they first met or sometimes even the day that they got engaged, or they simply choose a date that works with their current schedules.  You will need to sit down and determine when your big day will be, because you can’t book anything else until you know this little, yet significant piece of information!

Find the Perfect Venue

Unless you plan on having your wedding in your own backyard, you are going to need to start the search for the perfect venue.  This may be easy or difficult, depending on what type of ceremony and reception you have always dreamt about.  Popular destinations will book quickly, so if you are planning a wedding within a year or less of your engagement, you may need to broaden your choices a little.  

Your options are endless though, as you can have your ceremony in a church or at the same place that you are holding your reception.  You may even decide to have a destination wedding, so that everyone can have a little vacation while they are celebrating with you!  Just don’t forget to find an officiant once you book your ceremony and reception venues!

Find the Perfect Caterer

Some venues have their own staff that can prepare the meal for your wedding reception, but that isn’t always the case.  If you happen to choose a venue that does not have this option, you will then need to find a caterer to prepare all the food.  

No matter which option you have, you will still need to choose your menu.  Many couples choose to have hors d’oeuvres available while guests are waiting for the couple to finish with pictures and the reception line, but that isn’t a necessity.  The main course should have three options available for guests to choose from, but you can also go with a buffet if you want to make things much easier and more budget friendly.  

Don’t Forget the Flowers

There is no set amount of flowers that you need for a wedding, as it is a personal preference for couples.  However, you will need to find a florist for the flowers that you do want.  This step usually isn’t too difficult, especially if you have a local florist that you love!  They may even be able to help you create beautiful decorations that do not incorporate flowers at all.  

Determine What You are Using for Transportation

Some couples are happy driving away from their reception in their own vehicle, but no one really wants to drive to their wedding ceremony or reception on their own.  This is when hiring a limousine is an excellent idea.  The couple, or just the bride, can be picked up at their home and transported to the ceremony venue to get ready.  After the ceremony, the couple can be transported in the limo to where they are having their photographs taken and then directly to the reception.  

Choose a Wonderful Photographer

Wedding day photos are necessary, because they allow you to look back and see the memories from your amazing day.  That means that you are not going to want to hire just any photographer to capture all those precious memories for you.  Excellent photographers book well in advance for weddings, so you will need to start your search as soon as you know your wedding date.  

While photographs are fantastic, you may also want to capture at least your “I Do’s” on video.  Therefore, you will want to begin looking for a videographer to tackle this task on your big day.  Some photographers work along with videographers and offer special packages for both items.  Therefore, you may want to begin your search with that criteria.  

There are many other items that you will need to decide on as you are planning for your big day, but these are most of the major ones that normally cannot wait.  Once you start working on these, we recommend heading out to find your perfect wedding gown.  After all, you can’t walk down the aisle without it!