Planning Advice

Here are some pointers that might help with the start of the planning process from start to finish:

1. First, the Big Picture.

What do you envision your wedding and reception to be like? Discuss it with your spouse-to-be.
Decide on possible dates and book a location for the ceremony and reception as early as possible.
The way the sites look, and the season you choose, may help you decide on color schemes, decorations, and possible themes for your wedding.

2. Decide on a budget.

You should not go into debt for a wedding. Money spent does not necessarily coincide with your guests' enjoyment.

Your main expenditure will most likely be the food, which will depend on the number of guests you expect to attend.

Make sure you know what you will and will not compromise. (Do you really need that expensive gown, or could some of it go towards the favors?)

3. Think of your guests.

From how far they have to travel to what they can or cannot eat. Many will say, "Do whatever you want - it's your wedding day," but this is something you are sharing with everyone.

4. Get a wedding planner and a binder/folder.

Keep all your paperwork, especially contracts, from vendors.

Keep a calendar to track every appointment or milestone.

There are online sites and software programs available to help you. You can also track everything in spreadsheets, in your planner, or on plain sheets of paper. It's your preference - just try to keep records of whatever you can.

5. Communicate wedding logistics to the wedding party and helpers.

Inform and involve them in your planning process. If you want to do a wedding party dance, for example, you want to tell them well in advance.

It's important to truly consider those who are sacrificing their time and effort to make your day special.

Don't expect anyone to read your mind or remember everything you say (they don't deal with the planning everyday like you do).

Give a copy of the tentative schedule to those who might need it.

6. Don't skimp on photography.

View the portfolio and ask for any references.
The flowers will be gone, the band will go home, but your photos you will keep.
Some people also choose to take photos days before the wedding. That might be better if you are on a tight schedule or you wish to take the photos at a farther location. Rushing through photos is not a great feeling, as we discovered.
Videography is worth it. If you don't have the money, find out if a family member or friend can videotape the wedding for you.

7. Do something unique to make the wedding memorable.

We had a celebration of our different cultures. You don't have to have a theme for a wedding and you don't have to do anything outrageous.
It's probably better to do the fun stuff during the reception rather than taking away from the focus of the actual ceremony.

8. You cannot please everyone.

When a bride worries on her wedding day, it has a negative effect on the guests and the groom because they can see it.

9. Run through the entire day in your mind.

Think of every need, every possible hitch, and make a list to cover your bases. We made a list and asked for help for the details, from someone with a big car to transport the wedding gifts to Manny's parents' home, to someone who could bring the unity candles from the chapel to the hotel.
A good wedding coordinator and reception manager really help. Do an informational interview/consultation and a little research if you can.
Who is going to place your favors at the tables? Who can tape cards to unmarked gifts so you know who it's from? Do you have microphones and a sound system for your soloists? Where is the DJ going to set up? Try to think of everything.

10. Maintain your perspective.

If you plan well, you will be rewarded with events running smoothly. However, we all know that things do not always go as planned. (At the beginning of our ceremony, the officiator was nowhere to be found. He was just talking to someone outside, but it gave people quite a scare. No one told me about it until later. But it didn't ruin the day, and it didn't really even affect the wedding at all).
If something goes wrong, just move on. You will probably look back and realize that no one noticed or remembers. What's most important is that you are happily married!

Any more advice that you'd like to share? Let us know and we'll add your thoughts!