Wedding Planning 101

Weddings are a once in a lifetime event (hopefully!) and therefore can get pretty expensive.  Having planned my own wedding last year on a budget, I thought I would pass along some tips I learned... some on how to save money and others on how to make the day a memorable and successful one.

1.  SET A BUDGET AND STICK TO IT...  Figure out what you can afford, who will be chipping in and don't be shy about letting your vendors know your budget.  The worst you should hear is that the vendor cannot work within your budget and then should offer advice on where or whom you should look into. 

2.  PICK 1 OR 2 THINGS THAT ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU AND INVEST... To me, the food and entertainment were most important.  Therefore I spent a good chunk of my budget on those two things and wasn't so picky on all the rest.  To others, your pictures or wedding video may be most important, so you will want to invest in quality vendors in those areas. 

3.  DOUBLE DUTY... Do you like the idea of giving out favors but can't find it in your budget to give out gifts at your own wedding?  Find items to double as favors such as picture frames that are placecard holders, custom wine or martini glasses that can be used as bar glassware or small wildflower arrangements in an assortment of antique vases that decorate the tables.

4.  TO INVITE OR NOT TO INVITE... I read up on a lot of etiquette books regarding the proper invitation rules.  What I learned is that it is completely OKAY to not include "and Guest".  You should definitely invite the significant other of your guest if they are living together, have been dating six or more months, or are considered serious.  I just recommend sitting the single guests together so they do not feel lonely or out-of-place. 

5.  HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER...  For those of us who are not experienced in the art of event planning and don't know where to begin, then do yourself a huge favor and hire a wedding planner.  You will more than make up your cost through preventing contract mistakes, avoiding inexperienced vendors, receiving money-saving tips/expertise and most importantly, keeping your sanity!  If you are excited about planning your entire wedding but want to relax on your special day, then a Day-of Coordinator is perfect for you.

Hope this helps you in planning your special day!