Wedding Planning and Organizing Guide-1

Every couple desires and anticipates their wedding to be grand and beautiful. But planning and organizing a wedding is a Herculean affair. You need to plan every little thing very carefully ranging from booking a venue, hair stylist, caterer, sending out invitations, getting clothes made, shopping, finding the DJ, decorator and so on. Several right decisions need to be made to make a wedding a success. This wedding planning guide will help you plan a sensational wedding.

• Planning for the wedding: Pre-wedding planning is very essential and you should give enough time to plan all wedding arrangements well. Pre-wedding planning involves brain storming, discussing various aspects of the wedding, devising ways to prevent errors and handle any possible mishaps, dealing with delays, etc. A good plan allows the host to have fun without being too stressed out.
  
  You must visualize the wedding and plan accordingly. It is wise to make a checklist of all the important tasks that need to be done according to time. For example, you can list the tasks to be done 3 months before the wedding, 2 months before the wedding, 4 weeks before the wedding, 3 weeks before the wedding and so on. You must also have separate checklist for things to be done on the wedding day. Some sites also provide a ready made wedding checklist that you can use. As time progresses, keep updating the checklist to know about areas that need attention and things that are already done. It is a good idea to divide responsibilities to avoid any confusion.

  Wedding theme also needs to be decided during pre-wedding planning. You can select historical wedding theme, holiday/seasonal wedding theme, country and western wedding theme, beach theme wedding, fairy tale wedding or a cultural wedding theme. You can also take the services of a wedding consultant too as they are professionals and know exactly what to plan and how to plan.

• Wedding Invitations & Announcements: Wedding invitations and distribution is an important task in itself that needs planning. You need to print engagement announcement, bridal shower invitation, wedding invitations and Thank you notes. Things to consider while selecting bridal shower invitation are bride’s style, personality and preference.
  
  After the couple announces engagement, the guest list needs to be prepared to decide on the number of wedding cards to be printed. It is advised to visit a few wedding cards stores to see the latest invitation styles and designs. Consider paper quality, weight, size of invitations, cost, etc. to select an invitation that fits your budget. If you have a wedding theme then select the invitations accordingly. The content that you want to include in the invitation is also very important. The invitation should contain vital information like names of the couple, venue details, RSVP needed, etc. The couple can choose pre-printed wedding stationary, custom wedding stationary, or design your own wedding invitations using your creativity. You can also go contemporary and send invitations in the video format. The couple’s picture can also be displayed on the invitation. Always print more invitations than required just in case you need to send out more at the last moment

• Wedding Costs and Budget: Budget preparation and analysis is one of the key aspects of wedding planning as the money you can afford to spend will shape up all other arrangements. It is good to calculate the budget before hand to avoid any kind of defaulting. It is always advisable to plan an affordable and memorable wedding party and tie a knot without overspending.
  
  First you should analyze to see how much can you spend. Be realistic in your approach unless you don't mind spending a big amount. Calculate the estimate cost by including all the expenses from the cost of the wedding ring to the honeymoon arrangements. This includes food and drinks, wedding cake, flowers and decoration, invitation printing and postage, wedding dress and jewelry, gifts, booking the venue, transportation, guests’ accommodation, DJ and entertainment, wedding planner fees, etc.
  
  Allocate your money accordingly, and in case it exceeds your budget, think of ways to cut cost. You can cut costs by selecting a suitable but less expensive venue, not hiring a wedding planner, not spending too much on decoration, and by sending simple but elegant wedding invitations, etc. You can cut down on the guest list as it will reduce the wedding cost significantly.

• Selecting the Wedding Venue: Select the appropriate wedding venue matching the wedding theme. Ask yourself if you would like to have a traditional or modern wedding. You have varied options like hotel ballrooms, banquet halls, churches, country clubs, mansions, parks, beaches, etc. Make sure to book the wedding venue in advance to avoid any last minute problem.
  
  Check that the venue has enough space to accommodate your wedding guests comfortably. Visit the venue and check the parking situation. Speak to the staff to check that they are professional and friendly. Also observe the décor, space, lighting, and other arrangements. Find out if the venue has a stage for band and a dance floor. The venue should also be able to provide a provisional space in case of bad weather conditions. Also inquire if they offer transportation and arrangements for pets and kids. Are the decoration charges included or you need to hire a decorator on your own? These and many more questions need to be clarified.
  
  You can also go for destination wedding wherein you choose a holiday destination for your wedding. If most of your close family and friends are located in other cities or countries and need to travel any way for your wedding, destination wedding is perfect idea. In destination weddings, all guests stay together for a weekend or more and all ceremonies and events take place there itself that includes rehearsal dinner, the ceremony, the reception and the morning-after brunch. Destination weddings are truly memorable for the couple and the guests as well. For a destination wedding, you must hire a local wedding planner who is familiar with the place.