10 Suggestions for Planning a Wedding

So the day you have always dreamed of as a little girl is now a reality! Your (Best Friend, Soul Mate), or person that makes you feel whole has proposed. You feel like you are on top of the world and you shall. You wonder where you start. If I may suggest the top 10 ways to help your "Big Day" comes true with little or no problems.

1. 
    You and your  fiancé need to announce your engagement. This can be as simple as verbally telling all your family and friends or getting very creative. Some examples would be to make engagement announcement cards on your computer, or start a web page to keep your family and friends on top of the current plans on planning your wedding day
   


2. 
    You and your significant other will have to agree on a budget you are willing to spend for your special event. This will be one of the biggest financial costs you will encore together. Remember to stick to your budget,  you may want to allow for a 2% adjustment either way for any unexpected expense. What is most important the both of you want for your wedding day? It could be the cost for the hall... or the florist, In any event you get the point. Most Brides and Grooms will receive back most of the money spent on the cost of the wedding from the gifts and or money received at the reception.
   


3. 
    Chose your wedding date. I would advice to check with your clergy to find out  what available dates they may have open then book your Wedding and reception hall around that date. It's also customary to give the Clergy performing your ceremony a donation for his or her services. Most of the churches and reception halls are normally booked a year in advance, so pre planning is the key to an eventful wedding day. Then either make your wedding invitations on your computer or check the prices at your local print shop, now days you can even go to an office supply store and they’ll offer this service at a low cost.
   


4. 
   Chose your Best Man, Groomsmen, Maid of Honor and your Bridesmaids. Generally these are your closest friends and family in your life,  the ones you can confide in for anything. Now the question how many do you want to be in your Bridal party? The average amount is 5 of each. Also consider the financial obligations that your wedding party will have for the cost of the formal wear they have to purchase. Remember this is a time to celebrate the union of your love and commitment to each other for the rest of your life, many couples have many other finical obligations and the cost of the formal wear could put a burden on their budget.
   


5. 
     What are your colors and the theme of your wedding do your have in mind?  Maybe a FairyTale Wedding with a carriage drawn by white horses. Then there’s a Beach Wedding with the elegance and simplicity that will be a lasting memory. What ever your preference may be – remember -  It's Your Day!
   


6. 
     Book your Hall... You will general have to put down a minimum deposit that will be non refund if you cancel your date. I would suggest asking the reception hall owner or manager  what their policies are, and get that in writing. Also a lot of halls now days require you to use their catering service which can range from $28.00 a plate and up. It can get quite expensive if you have a many guests that will be attending your wedding reception. You will also have to consider if you want to serve alcohol. Most halls have open bars that will charge you for what the use. Unlike the remaining food that you can take home you can not take home the remaining open bottles of alcohol.
   


7. 
    Contact your florist or do the floral arrangements yourself with the help of friends and family. Your local craft store is the closest to wholesale you can get and have many how to ideas to make your Flower Bouquets, Boutonnières and center pieces for the bride and groom table and also the reception tables. You can use votive glasses with cracked ice (colored) if you prefer with a floating candle. Be advised to check with the hall some have policies of no open flames. In that event you can get flickering candles at the craft store that use batteries which also make great presentation, or if you prefer, use silk flowers and vases.
   


8. 
    When choosing a caterer,  get references and get written quotes so you can get the best and lowest price. You will need to know what you want on your serving menu. Most caterers offer (2) two different types of meat, vegetables and potatoes , salad, bread , and of course dessert. Remember you also have a Wedding Cake for dessert too. I would inquire about the left over food, most caters will package what is left in containers for you to take home.
   


9. 
    What type of music for your wedding guest entertainment? I would recommend a DJ. Than you have more control of the music being played. I would suggest for the first 2-3 hours of the reception a softer side of music... as they are settling in and eating dinner. Remember a large amount of your guest may be middle aged and do not relate well to new modern music. Also, tell your DJ what you consider appropriate music for your event. 
   


10. 
      Last but not least...... The Wedding Cake, the Photographer, and the Limousine. Your local Baker is a good start, or ask around,  many  women do cake decoration for a much lower dollar amount and you maybe surprised on how well the presentation and of course the taste is . Ask to see pictures of their work. Ask how much, most bakers will charge per cake slice. The photographer  is truly one of the most important details of all the three. This will be your memories for the rest of your lives... tell the photographer what type of pictures you expect to have. Examples:  Parents of the Bride and Groom. The Grandparents, Wedding Ceremony, Cutting of the cake, The Dollar dance, etc. These are just some of the choices for great photos.  You may want to hire a Limousine to drive the bride, groom and bridal party after your Wedding vows or just use family and friends. I want you to remember what you want to spend your budget on. One more thing it's a nice jester to invite the event planners of your wedding to the dinner at the reception.
    

The only advice other than what I have described to you would be... It's not all about the wedding day, but more about sharing one of the most important days of your life with your family and friends! So remember to enjoy the whole journey of planning and the actual event of your special day adn into wedding bliss.