The first step to planning any style, size, or type of wedding is really to think about it and talk it out. You likely have some ideas as to what kind of wedding you are looking for, your future spouse may also have some ideas. In order to avoid any miscommunication, and lots of arguments, talk about things first. Here are some key things to think about and discuss with each other:

• Where do you want to get married? (ie. destination wedding, your hometown, your future spouse’s hometown, the city you live in now?) This may seem extremely basic, but if you’ve never discussed getting married before you may not realize that this could be a conflict.
• What type of wedding are you looking for? (ie. formal, informal, indoor/outdoor, etc). If you want white linens, black ties, and an orchestra and your future spouse wants burgers, beer, and heavy metal, you may want to have a discussion and find a compromise before booking a violinist.
• What are both of your priorities, the things that you will not compromise on? Each of you should make a list of 3 things that you have to have for your wedding. (ie. your future spouse has always wanted to drive a vintage car to his wedding, or you’ve always wanted pink tulips for you big day). These items have to be of utmost importance and should be priorities in your planning. Most often, the bride takes the lead in the wedding planning, but if your future spouse’s top 3 must haves are taken into account, the day will turn out great for both of you.
• Where is the money coming from and how much will there be? You and your future spouse need to understand each others views on how much you are willing to spend. To avoid fights, disappointment, and potential bankruptcy, this must be discussed right from the beginning. You should also decide if family/friends will be helping out and how to approach them about it. Keep in mind, if family/friends provide financial support, they may have some expectations that they also get some say in the planning or details.
• What family values, religious views, and/or family politics may play a role? You have likely met your future spouse’s family before, but you likely do not understand how much they can play a role in the planning of your wedding. Find out if your future spouse “has to” invite all 625 members of his/her extended family, or if your wedding will be boycotted unless you get married in a church, etc. You may choose the do things you own way regardless of the family politics; however, you should at least consider your other half’s thoughts and understand the potential consequences.

At this point, the possibilities are endless. If you both have a good understanding of each others’ thoughts about your wedding, you can plan things accordingly or at least you have ample time to battle it out if necessary.

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You finally have the guy of your dreams, a ring, and now you get to plan the wedding you’ve thought about since your were little. It’s a big task, takes a lot of time, and there are a lot of things to consider. If everyone had an endless supply of time and money, wedding panning would be easy, unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Here are some wedding planning tips to think about:

• The day is all about you and your fiancé…don’t let others make it about them. There are always family and friends that have their own ideas about your big day. Try to make sure the day turns out the way you want it to, you hopefully will only have one wedding…so make it yours.
• Get creative…it will save you money and make the day truly unique. If you are planning a low budget wedding, you will need to be creative with party favors, decorations, invitations, etc. Try using things that may not be intended for weddings or items that you change a bit to suit your décor. Even if you have unlimited funds, being creative will set your wedding apart and make sure your guests remember the details.
• Make lists, write things down, and stay organized! With so many details, you won’t remember everything. Unless you have a wedding planner, make sure to have a notebook or wedding planning book, and keep everything in one place. When you plan things almost a year in advance, if everything isn’t in one place, you’ll never remember where you put a contract or someone’s contact information.
• Location…location…location! If you are truly happy with the venue for your ceremony and reception, things will fall into place a lot easier. Find places that you really think are already beautiful, the decorating won’t be as difficult or expensive. Also, when comparing venues, keep in mind the services that they offer, the food (if applicable), the location, the cost, and their reputation.
• Beware of too many do-it-yourself projects! Do-it-yourself projects are great because they can save you money and are really fun; however, you need to keep in mind how much time you will need to do everything, usually they take longer than you originally thought. Make sure you have help, and budget for some sample or practice materials.
• Book early. If you are planning a cheap wedding, you really need to book early. Often the cheaper vendors (ie. photographers, dj’s, cake people, etc) with good reputations are snatched up early. In order to make the most of your budget, don’t wait until the last minute.
• Make a realistic budget and try to stick to it. The budget is a big decision, you need to balance what you can afford, and a realistic amount for the wedding that you want. It is really hard at the beginning to consider everything and what everything will cost. Seek advice from someone who knows, look at budgeting checklists, and really do your research! Once the budget is set, try to stick to it! It becomes very easy to go over budget by adding things, upgrading services, or by losing track of what you’ve spent. Keep records, and remember that it is only one day…you don’t want to go bankrupt or be paying for it for years!
• Make contingency plans. Plan as if things are going to go wrong, because the likelihood is that some things will. Always consider the possibility that the weather may be bad for outdoor weddings or for pictures. Have family or friends ready to help out if anything last minute comes up.
• Be flexible…you may need to compromise on some details, but if you keep an open mind, you may be surprised to find that things may turn out just as good or better than originally planned. Unless you have unlimited funds, there will be things that are too expensive or unavailable. Don’t dwell too much on the small details, you can find ways to change things without compromising your theme or the mood that you want to set.
• Have fun! Although it is a lot of work and can be very stressful at times, it really is a fun party to plan. Enjoy it!

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