While you don’t have to have your date set in stone to start planning, it is one of the key components you’ll want to figure out before finalizing many of your other details. First, consider how much time you need to prepare for all that is involved in a wedding. Next, check significant dates: You may want to get married on a special anniversary or 11/11 for luck, and definitely look to see if there is a competing event like a holiday. You may want to avoid a big game weekend, as visiting guests will have to pay premium accommodation prices. Finally, you’ll want all your loved ones at your vows, so take a moment to think about any health concerns. If you have an elderly grandparent who isn’t well, for example, you may want to consider moving up the wedding date.

Before you begin, talk with your parents and figure out who is paying for what and research the vendors and venues in the location you’re planning to tie the knot. Note: If you have a smaller budget, you may want to avoid major cities.  When you start to create the budget, think about what’s really important to you and be ready to compromise if needed. For example, is it necessary to send out Save the Date cards or provide wedding favors for your guests?

This one goes hand-in-hand with choosing your date. Depending on the location, you’ll have to plan around venue availability.  Some venues book up over a year in advance.  If there is a particular location you have your eye on, give them a call to see how far in advance couples typically book or to inquire about potential dates. Your venue can also inform the size and style of your ceremony, so consider these things when making your decision.

Once you have made these decisions, try to anticipate how many guests you are planning on inviting.  This decision will greatly affect your budget and guide you on what type of other decisions will need to be made.  

Have you created your wedding inspiration boards on Pinterest or in a digital journal as you have dreamed of your wedding day?  Are you a creative individual — with lots of time and energy– and maybe slightly OCD — to want to do a “Do It Yourself” Wedding?  Consider the following article from DIY network professionals at https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/make-and-decorate/entertaining/dos-and-donts-for-saving-money-on-a-diy-wedding.

The advantages of doing everything yourself can be summarized in few aspects.  First, you have total control.  And it is you who is making the timeline.  Scheduling your vendors, including confirming their job descriptions when your wedding day arrives.  Perhaps you are considering delegating some of the details to a member of your family or your bridal party —  which is typically a good choice. Unless, of course, you end up butting heads.  You may save money on doing everything yourself or having someone in your circle of friends and family handle details.

Secondly, you can add all of your personal touches.  Some venues have restrictions and perhaps, limit your input of decor and uniqueness.  The limitations depend totally on the venue.  You may choose to do your own backyard, church, or a public place in a park.  These could have restrictions as well. And, in that same objective, you can make it all your own and create and hopefully implement your own timeline or schedule of what’s to happen on that day.  And lastly,you have the final say over how your money is budgeted and control your investment and expenses.  There is a trend now to buy wedding decor and even wedding gowns as resale items.  Brides who have finished with their decor and no longer need or a place to store said items. Your wedding is an adventure in and of itself, trying to scope out and find deco in your selected color scheme or theme.

https://www.gwennanrees.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-a-diy-wedding

A DIY sounds pretty good so far. What are the advantages of choosing an all-inclusive wedding package or a more inclusive wedding package?

Would you or Should You?

Sometimes,  a bride who wants to control everything herself is often her own worse stumbling block. It might not be easy to make a final decision.  And with that comes an elevated level of stress. You want to control everything. So you have trouble “letting go” and letting others help.  You want to save money, so you choose not to have a wedding coordinator.  BTW, if you don’t want to hire a wedding planner, at least invest some money in your sanity and hire a day-of-coordinator. It’s often a misconception that choosing an all-inclusive wedding package is much more expensive.  It’s a matter of deciding what is most important. Consider a venue that will offer you the best of both options.  Check out their reviews and feedback from former clients.  Experienced wedding coordinators who work inclusively for a venue understand all of the decisions which need to be made. They can save you both time and money.  Most importantly, they will go to battle for you to shoulder most of the stress and anxiety that always happens on a wedding day. Wedding coordinators take on many roles.  They are decorators, planners, organizers, trouble-shooters, problem-solvers.  Much like directing and producing a major motion movie, these individuals know what to do and how to get it done most effectively. You, as the bride, will benefit from the relationship that they have with the venue, the vendors who are included, the caterer, flowers, setting up tables, linens, overseeing staff, and so much more. All venues are not created equally, so as you research on having an all-inclusive wedding package, make a list of questions regarding what you want to be included and how much of your own uniqueness you can have in your desired package.

Is it all about the cost of the wedding or that you want to stay in control? 

Saving money by choosing to do a DIY wedding is a common misconception.  Yes, you can save on labor, food, and decor, but is it worth it when your anxiety levels go through the roof?  Are you going to have a timeline?  Or will you go with the flow and let everything happen as it will?  What if you miss important moments that were very important to you? Do you really want your Aunt Sally to be responsible for making all of the food and cleaning up?  Are your photos going to be truly stunning if the father of your best friend has volunteered to do the photography and he has a nice camera?   What are the most important aspects of having your perfect wedding?  Let that answer guide you to whether a DIY Wedding or All-inclusive Package is best for your wedding day.  The bottom line is this.  At the end of the day, the primary focus is to be married to the love of your life. Happy wedding planning!