Getting engaged is an exciting time for every couple, but it's also the time when the real work of planning a wedding begins. To get you started on the right foot, these tips from wedding coordinator Andrea Wyn will get you off and running on solid ground...
How to Plan a Wedding
There are so many steps involved when planning a wedding. In fact, it can be overwhelming and stressful for someone unfamiliar with special event planning. This article will help explain how to plan a wedding.
One of the first steps when planning a wedding is to determine your wedding planning budget. It is important to be realistic with this budget - don't expect caviar and champagne and yet only spend what you would for hamburgers and beer!
No matter what type of wedding you are planning you must decide in the beginning how much you want to spend and stick to that budget. This dollar amount will help you stay on track with your wedding and make your life a lot easier. If something doesn't fit in the budget, then you will need to take creative steps to find alternatives or eliminate it all together.
As a special event planning coordinator, I am often asked how to plan a wedding and when to start a wedding planning budget. My first response is to consider all aspects of the wedding itself from the dress and invitations, to the venue, the menu as well as the guest favors. In fact, here are some of the basic budget line items to consider when planning a wedding:
Dress
Invitations, escort cards and thank you cards
Food and Beverage Venue Fees - including parking and ceremony site
Officiate Fee
Music for ceremony and reception
Flowers
Event Rentals such as a special chair, linen or upgraded china to name a few
Room Décor and upgraded lighting
Photographer and Videographer
Cake
Special event planning or wedding coordinator fee
Party Favors
Hair and Makeup
Special Event Insurance
With each one of these line items, there are numerous options a bride should take into account when she starts to consider how to plan a wedding for herself and her fiancée. And don't forget, these days many fiancées want to be part of the wedding planning process as well.
In the upcoming articles on this topic, I will provide more details on the wedding planning budget in efforts to help ease your stress when planning a wedding. Wedding planning is a job within itself and it is important to consider all aspects of the special event planning budget so that your lasting wedding day memories are a joy to remember. Until next time, remember the Budget Bash mantra: make it simple, delicious, stylish, fun and economical for all!
One of the first steps when planning a wedding is to determine your wedding planning budget. It is important to be realistic with this budget - don't expect caviar and champagne and yet only spend what you would for hamburgers and beer!
No matter what type of wedding you are planning you must decide in the beginning how much you want to spend and stick to that budget. This dollar amount will help you stay on track with your wedding and make your life a lot easier. If something doesn't fit in the budget, then you will need to take creative steps to find alternatives or eliminate it all together.
As a special event planning coordinator, I am often asked how to plan a wedding and when to start a wedding planning budget. My first response is to consider all aspects of the wedding itself from the dress and invitations, to the venue, the menu as well as the guest favors. In fact, here are some of the basic budget line items to consider when planning a wedding:
Dress
Invitations, escort cards and thank you cards
Food and Beverage Venue Fees - including parking and ceremony site
Officiate Fee
Music for ceremony and reception
Flowers
Event Rentals such as a special chair, linen or upgraded china to name a few
Room Décor and upgraded lighting
Photographer and Videographer
Cake
Special event planning or wedding coordinator fee
Party Favors
Hair and Makeup
Special Event Insurance
With each one of these line items, there are numerous options a bride should take into account when she starts to consider how to plan a wedding for herself and her fiancée. And don't forget, these days many fiancées want to be part of the wedding planning process as well.
In the upcoming articles on this topic, I will provide more details on the wedding planning budget in efforts to help ease your stress when planning a wedding. Wedding planning is a job within itself and it is important to consider all aspects of the special event planning budget so that your lasting wedding day memories are a joy to remember. Until next time, remember the Budget Bash mantra: make it simple, delicious, stylish, fun and economical for all!
With over 15 years in the special event industry, Andrea has now taken her knowledge and experiences and incorporated this information into an easy-to-read book called Budget Bash - Simply Fabulous Events on a Budget. You can talk to Andrea via Twitter @awynningevent or learn more about wedding and special event management by visiting awynningevent.com.
Related Wedding Planning Resources
How to Plan Your Wedding on a Tiny BudgetWedding Planning Budget Calculator
Wedding Invitations - Wedding Favors
Wedding Flowers
