A wedding is without a doubt one of the most important days in the lives of any couple and the planning that precedes it is equally important just like the actual day. From planning for the engagement photos to choosing vendors to organizing the wedding party, meticulous planning is always necessary to ensure that come the ultimate day; it will be all systems go with the couple to exchange the three magical words – Yes I do!
Of course, planning a wedding is never a walk in the park, but again, it should not be overwhelming and stressful. Below we take a look at some of the essential wedding planning tips and tricks to grant you smooth sailing through the entire process.
Table of Contents
1. Start planning early
The earlier you start planning your wedding, the easier and the less stressful it will be as the actual date approaches. A great overwhelm normally ensue when couples rush to have everything fixed when it is just a couple of months to the D-day. It is imperative to start the planning well in advance so that you stay on top of everything and deflate any pressure that may come with the last minute rush. Check out on the venues, service providers, and the guest list and be sure that you have an idea of where you will secure all the essential services for the day.
2. Have a budget and stick to it
One way to ruin your wedding planning is not to have a budget, or have one which you will not be committed to. Many are the desires that couples have for their weddings, but for you to pull off everything successfully, it is imperative to have a budget and commit to doing everything within the constraints of that budget. Stressing over finances as the wedding day approaches is a sure way to have a very disappointing day, not to mention that it is also a good recipe to start your lives with a lot of financial stress due to the debts accrued in attempt to have a wedding that was beyond your means.
3. Have very clear timelines
There are very many things that should be achieved before the wedding the day. For example, you need to choose a venue, sign contracts with the service providers, get a gown, propose to bridesmaids and groomsmen, and do pre-wedding photoshoots amongst other things. It is important that you create a checklist with all the items that need to be accomplished before the wedding day, indicating your preferred times that you wish all are accomplished. With such a timeline, you will know if you are well on track with the planning, and you will also identify in good time if something is likely to lag or cause delays then make the necessary arrangements.
4. Get helping hands
Though it is your big day, the process of planning it shouldn’t be your sole affair. If anything, a wedding is a social event which will be graced with lots of family members and friends. And as usual, your family and friends would desire to be part of your big day as they have always been a part of your life. As such, don’t tire yourself to death by trying to plan a wedding by yourself or just with your fiancée alone. This is the perfect recipe to get stressed and overwhelmed and have the most miserable wedding.
5. Figure out the guest list in good time
You should sort out the guest list as early as possible because it will impact directly on your venue selection, and sometimes on the ultimate budget. With most of the service providers, the rates will be based on the costs per head, and you need to know in advance who you want to attend your wedding and who you don’t want to attend your big day. Of course, selecting the guest list is one of the hardest and biggest decisions in most wedding planning processes, but you don’t have to stress over it since ultimately, it is your day and you have every right to choose whom you want to share the day with.
6. Vendors are the key to the kingdom
Your vendors are your golden ticket to the wedding of your dreams, and by no means should be sloppy in choosing them. Be very diligent when it comes to hiring your vendors. Do your research, get references and the get the agreements and contracts done in good time. You must meet them in person, and have follow up meetings to cross-check that there will be no surprises on the wedding day. To help you out, you can enlist the help of your trusted relatives or friends to help on following up on some of the vendors, because as the day approaches, it may too much work on your part.
7. Anticipate challenges and have a contingency plan
Challenges will always be there in every wedding planning, and whether or not the day is salvaged depends on you knowing the challenges you are likely to encounter and how to deal with them. Of course, you will expect your vendors to give their very best, but what will you do in case of delays with the bridesmaid clothes, or how do you plan to deal with a weather that suddenly turns harsh on the wedding day. What if the function and the reception are held in places that are a distance apart and which may require some good logistical planning? All these are likely challenges you may encounter, and you should anticipate as many of them as possible and come up with contingency plans on how you will deal with them.
Conclusion
There are other essential wedding planning tips and tricks, though we believe these are some of the core ones, and you did enjoy reading them. We have taken part in planning a plethora of weddings, and from an expert’s point of view, we strongly believe that if you get the above right, then nothing will come in the way of you getting the wedding of your dreams. We’d love to hear your thoughts and comments on our tips and tricks. Kindly leave a comment below and share this article if you have liked it.
Vines of the Yarra Valley Blog
What Does a First Time Wedding Photographer Need to Know?
Many photographers get their start by shooting a wedding for someone they know well, be it family or a close acquaintance. Of course, their first enquiry was some variation on “how do you photograph a wedding?” If you’re not a professional photographer but you have some skill, you’ll probably get asked to take pictures at […]
35+ Best Digital Marketing Agencies in Melbourne [2022]
Finding the best digital marketing agency in Melbourne can be a challenge. There are so many options to choose from, and all of them claim to be the best. How can you tell which one is right for your business? Start by asking around for recommendations, then research the agencies that come up most often. […]
Top 15+ Male Strippers Melbourne, Victoria (2024)
For a fun hen’s party activity, hiring male strippers in Melbourne can be an exciting way to get the night started. But, no matter how you plan to celebrate your last night as a single lady, there are many benefits to booking a stripping service for your group of friends. If you’re still on the fence about this idea […]
How to store a wedding dress before a wedding?
A deposit was placed on the perfect, white wedding gown after you fell in love with it. This stunning gown will soon be customised to fit you perfectly. It will remain hidden until the big day, when you can walk down the aisle in all your bridal glory. This seems like a lot of work […]
Fun Hens Party Ideas
Taking it from personal experience, there seems to be a growing trend of brides preferring relaxing getaways, experiences and dinners with their girlfriends over a rub-up by as many topless men as possible while downing a bottle of Champagne for their hen’s night. Sounds like you and the bride-to-be? If yes, we have compiled a […]
Top 20 Math Tutors In Melbourne, Victoria [2022]
Math tutoring enables students to learn under the supervision and guidance of our qualified and experienced maths tutors. Math tutoring is a great option for students who need extra help with their studies. If you’re looking for the best math tutors in Melbourne, Victoria, you’re in luck! There are plenty of great options to choose […]
What Are the Things Not to Overlook When Planning Your Wedding?
Do you feel like you just can’t keep up with everything that has to be done for your wedding? It’s not just you. But don’t worry; we’re here to help by pointing out some key details you shouldn’t ignore as you plan your perfect wedding day. We’ll assist you in organising a day that your […]
30+ Best Wedding DJs and MCs in Perth [2022]
Music and celebrations go together like you, and you’re beloved. From your first entrance as newlyweds to your last dance, your wedding DJ will provide the soundtrack for your big day. You want to ensure not only that the music fits every momentous moment but also that your wedding runs smoothly – and much of that responsibility […]
How Do You Choose a Wedding Photographer?
How exciting that you’re engaged! Raise a glass in toast! What do you think is going to happen now? There are likely hundreds of photographers competing for business in your area. The task of choosing vendors has proven to be stressful for many a future bride. It’s all become a blur as they sift through […]
Where to Buy Bone Broth in Melbourne, Australia
Bone broth is a fantastic way to get nutrients and minerals hard to find in the diet. It’s also a great source of amino acids, which can help break down protein into smaller pieces for easier digestion. There are plenty of places where you can buy bone broth in Melbourne, Australia, but we recommend checking […]
