Beginning Steps in Planning Your Wedding

You just got engaged and your wedding planning excitement is in full swing.  Your head is filled with colors, flowers, dresses, etc. You are trying to get a theme and color scheme in mind.  But that is not where you should begin your planning.  You don’t need a theme or color scheme.  As you plan your wedding, your colors and style will emerge naturally. 

First Step – Guest List:

After you have set your wedding budget, your first decision needs to be your guest list and the number of people you plan to invite.  You would hate to book a venue that is not large enough for the number of guests you are expecting.  So many of your decisions and costs are going depend on the number of guests you are going to invite.  Your guest list will consist of the collection of smaller lists; family members, relatives, friends, colleagues, attendants. The bride and groom list should be close in number. Each set of parents add who they wish to add to the list. 

Second Step – The Venue: 

          

Once you have finalized the guest list, you are ready to start your search for a venue.  There are two main ways to narrow your search; location and type. Save some time and do some research before you go to visit the venue.  Find out specifically what is included in the price; tables, linens, set up, take down, caterer on site or not, venue coordinator, etc.  It is not necessary for you to be totally in love with your venue.  You are not going to be living there…just getting married there.  If you can see yourself saying “I do” but the chairs or tiles in the bathroom are not exactly your style, it shouldn’t be a deal breaker.

Now the rest…

Now that you have your guest list and your venue booked, you can start thinking about colors, flowers, music, menu and all the other decisions.  But don’t let those decisions stress you out.  Keep it simple.  You do need to have some color at your wedding. It can be colors that you like or colors that would look good on your bridesmaids.  If you are not sure what kind of flowers you want, talk with a florist, look at flower galleries, read real wedding blogs to find something that you like.  If the flowers in the pictures are out of your price range, let the florist know that is the color and look you like and have them suggest flowers that are more in line with your budget.  

You have a dress you love, a centerpiece idea,  foods that you definitely want…then build your wedding out from there.  

Happy Planning!!

Happy Bridesmaids...Happy Bride!

Historically, bridesmaids wore dresses similar to the bride's wedding gown and groomsmen dressed similarly to the groom. This custom began for the couple's protection against evil and not for uniformity. The belief was that if evil spirits attempted to harm the couple, they would be confused as to who was the bride and groom.



Today, rather than warding off evil spirits, bridesmaids have other important obligations. You chose your bridesmaids because they are your nearest and dearest friends, and will be there to offer emotional support on probably one of the biggest days of your life. Other duties they may fulfill include helping you choose your bridal gown and accessories, hosting a bridal shower or a bachelorette party, putting together your favors and standing beside you at the altar when you say "I do".

Feeling Beautiful and Confident!
When your bridesmaids are all wearing the same style of dress, they are probably not all feeling beautiful and confident. Remember these young ladies are there to support and love you on your wedding day and not there to stand beside you to be your own personal Barbie dolls!  Your bridesmaids are more than likely different shapes, sizes and heights, so it is not necessary to have them all wear the same style of dress. If you want to stick to one color of dress, consider allowing each girl to wear the style of dress that best fits their body type and size.  Be assured...if your bridesmaids feel beautiful and confident in what they are wearing, they will look great standing beside you and in your wedding pictures.

Keep Costs Reasonable
Since these girls are your closest and dearest friends, be understanding about how much they are spending to help you celebrate the happiest day of your life.  I know it is easy for you to get wrapped up in how much you are spending that it is easy not to realize the amount of money everyone else is spending. So try hard to keep costs reasonable. The money that bridesmaids spend doesn't stop after they purchase their dress. Remember there are alterations, shoes, accessories, bridal shower, bachelorette party, travel, lodging and the wedding gift.  All of this can easily add up to hundreds of dollars per person.  Think twice before you ask them to get spray tans, professional hair and makeup, manicures, pedicures that adds even more money they will have to shell out. Allow them to feel comfortable enough to say no to all the extras.  If you decide you want the girls to have their hair and makeup done professionally, then it will be your responsibility to pay for it. Another option is for the girls to be responsible for their own hair and makeup.  And, if your friend prefers to do their own makeup and hair, that doesn't make her a lousy person who doesn't deserve to be a bridesmaid. Remember the real reason you chose them to be a bridesmaid in the first place and be an understanding bride.

Be a Friend
Even though you are busy planning for your big day, continue to be a good friend. Make a conscious effort to ask your girls about what's going in their lives.  Don't make it all wedding talk.  Don't just call, text, email when you need something or to remind them of a deadline. Remember they have important things going in their lives that they would like to share with you. Your bridemaids are putting time, effort and money into your wedding so be sure to make them feel special too. List them on your wedding website with photos and a little bit about each. Also, be sure to include them in your program at the ceremony. They are your closet friends so be sure to treat them that way.  They will notice!

Say Thank You!
Above all else, be sure to thank them for all their love and support. Give them a gift that is meaningful and include a personal note.  Put some thought into what you think each girl would like. If you decide to give them jewelry to wear in the wedding, consider getting them each a different piece that suits their personality.  Something that is special just for them.  Remember all the time, money and support they have given to you, so be sure to spend a little extra in the gift that you get each of them.


In the end, when all is said and done, remember the real reason you chose these particular girls to stand beside you.  You want them to still be glad that they said yes!