Expert Advice from wedding guru, Sharon Naylor

Answer:

The first thing your friend needs to do is build a guest list, so that a suitable location can be booked ASAP. The size of wedding determines not just the budget but also the style, since it's possible to have a big, informal backyard wedding for a fraction of the price of a banquet hall wedding. Once the guest list is finalized, then your friend needs to decide on a style and then decide if and how much the parents will be involved in the planning details and payment. With sites booked, it's time to research vendors...a task that shouldn't be rushed. Your friend should talk to lots of recently-married couples, within her circle or here on WeddingMapper to locate the best-performing and best-priced vendors. It's not too late to get the best ones, since many of the top experts have availabilities due to cancellations and the growing trend of destination weddings. With the site and experts booked, then it's on to the next, fun steps.