Expert Advice from wedding guru, Sharon Naylor
Question:
Hi, we're planning on getting married next year at the end of July. And I have no clue as to what to do first, and when! I know what I want and have ideas. But I just don't know what to do.. please help!
Thanks,
Jessica
Answer:
Hi Jessica!
The start of wedding planning can be *very* overwhelming! There are SO many details to arrange, it's almost like a second full-time job. So to get you started on the best footing, here are my suggestions for the first things to do:
1. Talk with your groom about your Priorities List, those parts of the wedding that are the most important to you, that you'll agree on together before parents get involved with the planning, and where you'll devote the biggest chunks of your budget.
2. Next, decide who is on your planning team. Will both sets of parents be involved in planning and paying for the wedding? If so, you'll have to plan an initial meeting with them, to decide who will pay for what, or how much they are planning to contribute towards your day. Establishing a realistic budget is essential to every step that comes after that.
3. Start a first-draft guest list so that you know the size of your wedding. That important figure -- even if it's a ballpark number right now -- could mean that your wedding locations will be fun, unique settings like a botanical garden or museum, rather than a big, expensive ballroom. To keep your guest list in check, assign Tiers to your list -- parents, siblings, grandparents and the bridal party are Tier 1 (Must invites), Tier 2 are aunts, uncles, cousins, close friends, Tier 3 are co-workers, Tier 4 are neighbors and friends you haven't talked to in a long time, etc. This allows you to build a B-list, or if your budget shows that you need to cut down your guest list, you can just eliminate Tiers 6, 5, and 4 in an organized manner.
4. Look into getting a wedding coordinator, which you can find at www.bridalassn.com or through suggestions here on WeddingMapper [friends' referrals are always great!] and look into their partial packages, such as having them help you find your sites and vendors, or just help during the month before the wedding. I think it's a great investment, since a good coordinator can take on the stressful parts of planning, keep you on budget, use their connections, etc.
5. Look through my books at www.sharonnaylor.net to see which ones you'll need to guide you through your plans. For instance, you'll find books on writing your vows and toasts, planning an outdoor wedding, avoiding the 150 most common mistakes, finding the perfect way to handle difficult parents and people during the planning, and more...
6. You have a lot of time before your wedding, so start interviewing vendors now! It takes a while to get all of their info, and great vendors figure into your successful wedding! The more time you take to interview folks, the better your chances of booking terrific experts at this year's prices, not next year's!
I can help with any additional questions you have! Just post here~
Comments:
Comment From [email protected]:
So you’ve got the ring. Now what?
According to the Association of Wedding Ministers, the average wedding engagement is seven to 12 months. If you were one of the lucky ladies who got engaged on Valentine’s Day, odds are you will share wedding vows during the months of September to January. This makes sense seeing as the most popular wedding month in Atlanta is October. There’s a lot to do between now and October!
So what do you do first?
My very first recommendation is to find a venue. A couple of questions to ask yourself before trekking all across the Metro Atlanta area:
1. What will my wedding date be?
This is a question that you might not be able to dictate. Especially if you are looking at a September or October wedding, venues may have a limited number of Saturday’s available. That’s when you might consider a Friday or Sunday celebration. Many venues will discount their food and beverage minimum or site rental fee on those “off” days.
2. What is my general style?
Do I enjoy the historic feel of one of Roswell’s Antebellum mansions? Or is it more important to me that the guests can just take the elevator to their room after the reception?
3. Where do I want to have my wedding?
One of the biggest trends is to have a mini-destination wedding. Choose a venue that is about an hour and a half from your home – someplace like Serenbe or a winery in North Georgia. Having your celebration there cuts down on the number of guests – generally just getting rid of the ones who are just coming for free food.
Secondly, discuss with your fiancé what each of your Most Important elements of your wedding will be. Do you have your heart set on a band instead of a dj; is his most important element the food? By bringing him into this conversation early on, both of you will enjoy the planning process more because each of you knows what’s a key ingredient for your partner.
Above all, remember, you are not planning a wedding. You are planning the first day of your married lives together. The two of you are planning a marriage celebration. That’s what is Most Important.
Byline: Erica Prewett is a wedding expert and owns A Big To Do Event. You may contact Erica at 404.547.5712 or [email protected]. You may also follow her blog at checklistqueen.blogspot.com. (**note: no www.)
Sharon's Latest Book
Buy It Now »
Visit her website for more information about her books and articles.
