An important wedding requires an effective and creative organization on the part of the spouses, but also of the family and friends who are involved. Wedding planning can be exciting, a wonderful chapter in your life, but it's also challenging and stressful. In fact, everything will never go according to your plans, so you must be ready to face even the unexpected! The secret is to organize everything in detail, respecting the budget and having all the necessary time available.
Steps
Method 1 of 11: The Budget, the Chronological Order of Due dates and the Accounts
Step 1. Establish a budget
It is important to respect the established quota, trying to fit your wishes into a realistic framework. It is a very important day in a person's life, however it is not an excuse to go crazy with excessive expenditure, especially when you do not have much availability. When you feel the need to spend money on extravagant things, remember that after the wedding there are so many more wonderful days ahead of you and it would be a shame to ruin them by trying to repay the excessive expenses made impulsively.
- You should aim to never exceed the established quota. If you spend too much on something, you have to save in another area. Try to be flexible, prioritizing the most important aspects. You can accomplish the less relevant and frivolous things with DIY projects.
- If your parents and in-laws finance the marriage partially or completely, let us help. In any case, avoid putting too much weight on their shoulders. Ask for the amount they can spend, without going overboard.
Step 2. Set a chronological order of deadlines to meet
This is the most important aspect of the whole project. Establish a reasonable chronological sequence, based on the time you have available. Grab a calendar and try to follow the chronological order listed on a wedding guide. It is also found in books dedicated to wedding planning, but also in magazines, on specialized websites and even at the end of this article. In general, the guides assume that you have about 12 months to organize the wedding. If you have less time, adapt the timeline to your needs. In any case, the last three months are the most important. In this article you will find other tips regarding this aspect.
- Don't panic if you don't have 12 months. In general, the guides recommend doing some things in the first months that can be done in a short time, such as announcing the engagement, publications, buying books and programs for the organization, establishing the budget, choosing the venue and deciding the date.
- One of the main reasons for leaving early is to book the church or the venue for the ceremony. The most requested are often reserved until the following year and often people organize the wedding starting from this reservation. If you are bothered or you don't have a year left, look for alternatives, such as public gardens, lesser-known churches, the town hall or a congress hall. Avoid falling into a trap by choosing the hottest spot of the year!
Step 3. Choose a practical method for keeping accounts
You will need to keep track of what has already been decided and what has to be planned. In addition, you must keep invoices, quotes, receipts, seating arrangements, photos of desired clothes and decorations, patterns, instructions, and so on in order. It is better to keep everything in a folder, or in a ring binder, dividing the documents into different categories.
There are apps and programs that are useful for organizing a wedding. If you have a computer-savvy friend, you might want to ask him to create a wedding wiki for insiders. It can be extremely useful for coordinating people, sharing information and strategies. However, programs and wikis need continuous updating through manual data entry and document scans, while a laptop is easy to carry around, useful for jotting things down quickly, just as a simple ring binder is perfect. to keep the stack of documents growing larger and larger. In fact, many people prefer an organization based on the combination of digital and paper tools
Method 2 of 11: The Size of the Wedding, Location and Date
Step 1. Decide how big you want the wedding to be
Talk to your boyfriend or girlfriend about it. Maybe you don't dream of the same kind of wedding. You need to know how many people will attend to choose the right venue, catering and invitations.
- It is essential to decide the number of guests. How many bridesmaids and witnesses would you like? One or a dozen? The choice depends on the wedding you have always dreamed of and the space available during the ceremony.
- Usually, this decision is made about ten months before the wedding.
Step 2. Choose the location where the ceremony will take place
It is best to do this as soon as possible, as you will have a better chance of being able to book the place you really want. Check the space available, the catering offers, the cost of the wedding, the possibility of decorating the church or the place for the celebration and so on. Check if the prices displayed cover all expenses or if there are extras to pay.
- Remember that even in church they may charge you a fee or ask you for an offer.
- Usually, searches for the right place for the ceremony begin about eleven months before the wedding; as soon as a decision is made, book within a month.
Step 3. Set the date
The factor that most influences the choice of date is the availability of the location, friends and family. Most people go out of their way to be present at a wedding, so you shouldn't have any problems unless someone gets married on the same day or if a person has a firm commitment like an intervention.
- Start revealing the date to friends and family. As soon as you confirm the guest list and the venue for the ceremony and reception, you need to spread the word. Send e-mails to those who use it, or send a ticket by regular mail.
- Generally, the date is decided together with the reservation of the place for the ceremony and reception. The guest list should be closed about seven months before the event. Consider possible last minute additions and sudden absences due to illness, pregnancy, travel abroad, and so on. These are randomness that you cannot avoid, so try not to put too much weight on it.
Method 3 of 11: The Wedding Theme and Invitations
Step 1. Choose a theme
It doesn't have to be something specific, but the most beautiful events usually follow a certain thematic coherence. It is important to consider that the theme is different from the "style" in civil marriage as in the religious one and that in any case it will be possible to create one storytelling, that is, a narrative order that allows the development of the event on dynamics similar to those created when a story is told. Usually wedding planners are experts in this, but anyone can think (and act) in these terms. Choose a theme that is easy to set up. Try to be consistent.
- You could hire someone to take care of the decorations at the wedding, although it can be a significant expense.
- Do an inspection and some photos to get a precise idea of the environment in which the ceremony and reception will take place. You could also take measurements, in order to plan everything in detail, establishing the position of the various elements and evaluating the space available.
- Flowers are also part of the theme, so you have to choose the ones that suit you best. Try to choose from seasonal flowers to save money (the cost of transport can be very high). Make a decision about four months before the wedding.
- Match the decorations to the theme color to create a more harmonious environment.
Step 2. Send out the invitations
Start thinking about a design suitable for invitations at least ten months before the wedding, having them printed at least six months in advance. If you've decided to make them yourself, start well in advance and remember to make a few more, because writing errors can happen.
- Be creative; you can make the invitations by hand, adding a personal touch, or you can hire a professional.
- Send out the invitations at least two months before the wedding; this should be a sufficient amount of time to receive confirmation, especially if you have already spread the word among friends and family. If you are Jewish, don't forget to order kippahs.
- Prepare the schedules. You can create them by hand, just like invitations, or ask a professional. It is not recommended to print the programs too in advance, as there may be changes in the ceremony. If possible, print them about a week in advance, after consulting the officiant and making sure there are no mistakes.
Method 4 of 11: Who Celebrates the Marriage
Step 1. Choose the right person to celebrate the wedding
In the case of a religious wedding, contact a parish priest, priest, pastor or rabbi. If there is no fee to pay for the ceremony, leave a large offering as a thank you. In the case of a secular marriage, you can choose a justice of the peace, the mayor or whoever has the authority to perform the marriage, making sure that he is available on the chosen date and that he is willing to follow your directions if you have prepared a symbolic rite and vows personal.
- If necessary, take a premarital course. Obviously, this is a time-consuming commitment, but it is often worth it. Be honest with yourself about the wishes and expectations you place in marriage. You can get advice on both the religious and secular aspects of marriage.
- If you have about twelve months to organize the wedding, you should start taking the course at least eight months in advance.
Method 5 of 11: Wedding Dresses and Accessories
Step 1. Find and order the wedding dress
It is advisable to start looking for the right dress at least nine months before the wedding, to get an idea of the models available on the market. Would you like it to be made to measure? Do you want to change a family dress? Or have you decided to buy it ready-made? In any case, you will have to try it several times to make the necessary changes to make it perfect. Alternatively, create it with your own hands, or break away from tradition by purchasing a simple dress that you love to die for and can be worn again after the wedding. You don't have to follow tradition or spend a fortune on a dress you'll never use again.
- If you prefer, also choose the veil. And don't forget the shoes! You can choose from flip flops to diamond studded satin slippers! What do you prefer? Will you order them to measure or will you buy them already made?
- If you have bridesmaids, you need to think about their dresses too. Will you be the one to buy them, or will you make them pay for them? In the second case, you won't have much say when they choose the model, but they will probably be happier to buy a suit that suits their style, respecting the color you indicated.
- In some religions, the mother of the groom and the mother of the bride contribute to the choice of dress along with the bridesmaids. This tradition can vary according to different cultures and religions.
- Purchase the suit for the groom and witnesses at least four months before the wedding. A month before you may need to make some changes to make them perfect.
Step 2. Choose your wedding rings
It's a fun purchase to make together, especially since the rings represent your love. Many couples choose matching wedding rings, which are similar to each other, to demonstrate how one is the complement of the other. If you intend to order wedding rings on commission, do so well in advance; in addition, you must be prepared to acquire different notions regarding the types of gold and the origins of the metal, for example from fair or unequal sources. Try to choose wisely.
Choose the wedding rings at least five months in advance, picking up the rings one month before the established date
Method 6 of 11: Photos, Videos and Music
Step 1. Find a photographer and / or videographer
Hire a professional, making sure he is reliable (and therefore he must not forget the date, he must capture the most important moments without forgetting the videos and so on), so that he does his job perfectly without it being an additional worry. Most people who entrust this task to friends and / or relatives end up regretting it, due to unreliability, inexperience, blurry photos and bad or missing videos.
- Get a photographer's recommendation from friends who recently got married.
- Ask to view a few albums to get an idea of the photographer's style and skill.
Step 2. Hire the musicians
You have to choose between a string quartet, a small orchestra, a group or a DJ. It is not recommended to rely on the iPod. Live music is much more exciting than just playing, plus professional musicians are able to liven up the party, make announcements and highlight reception events. In each case, there are advantages and disadvantages, so decide according to your needs.
- College musicians are cheaper than professionals because they are well trained and offer good service at a low price as many of them just want to perform in public.
- Don't leave the choice of musicians to the end, as the best bands and DJs may not be available! Entertainment is a fundamental aspect of a wedding, it is what could make it memorable! It is advisable to make a decision at least ten months in advance.
Method 7 of 11: Food and Gifts
Step 1. Decide on the menu and the type of refreshments you want to offer at the reception
Try to find a good compromise between quality and price. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of a professional catering: it is not cheap, but you can personally keep the whole organization under control. Some couples decide to choose the menu based on the culinary traditions of the family, or give priority to the tastes of the guests, choosing dishes belonging to ethnic or fusion cuisine.
- Some people prefer to add a dessert buffet to allow those with a sweet tooth to enjoy delicacies at any time.
- When choosing catering, reserve any type of equipment you need, such as pavilions, chairs, tables, dishes, cutlery, tablecloths and so on.
- Focus on this at least six months in advance.
Step 2. Choose the cake
It would be better to do some tasting before deciding. Also, choose a cake that goes well with the chosen theme and that both spouses like. Start tasting some about eight months in advance, also deciding on the toppings.
- Contact the pastry chef a few months before the wedding to make sure he hasn't lost his order and that everything is going according to plan.
- It is preferable that the cake is delivered directly to the restaurant or the place where the reception takes place. Do not rely on friends or family, it would be too big a responsibility, so give the job to the pastry chef. If there was an unforeseen event, it would be difficult to find a spare cake at the last moment!
Step 3. Create the Wedding List approximately nine months before the wedding
In this way, guests will have plenty of time to check the list and choose the gift they prefer.
Be practical: include in the list of items that have fairly varied prices, from the most expensive to the most affordable. Also, consider including a list without specifying a particular store, as some people don't like constraints
Method 8 of 11: Available Transportation
Step 1. Choose the most suitable means of transport
If the ceremony and the reception take place in different places, you need to organize the transfers. Some couples rent a limousine, or an antique car. Others even choose a horse-drawn carriage. Don't wait until the last moment, especially if it is a highly sought-after means of transport. In case you decide to use your car, remember to take it to wash a week before the wedding.
- If you offer alcohol at the reception, ask a friend or relative to be a driver to take home guests who have raised their elbows too much.
- In some families, there is a tradition of decorating the bride and groom's car, so if you have a nice car, leave it at home in the garage!
Method 9 of 11: The Honeymoon, the Bridal Suite, and Out-of-Town Guests
Step 1. You have to decide whether to leave for the honeymoon immediately after the reception, or book a suite for the first wedding night
Many couples prefer to spend the night in a suite before leaving the city for their honeymoon, in order to start their vacation calmly, while others decide to leave immediately after the wedding. The choice is absolutely personal.
Step 2. Make sure guests from other cities have accommodation for the night
You must book a certain number of rooms for guests arriving from outside the city or from abroad. Generally, you receive a discount on booking a group of rooms, but you have to do it in advance, at least four months before the wedding.
You have to be clear about paying for the rooms. Invitees need to know if you are willing to offer an overnight stay. Maybe you can explain that you have reserved rooms at a preferential price, but the guests have to cover the remaining expenses. Don't expect too much from outsiders; they have already paid for the trip, so it would be preferable to reduce the cost of accommodation as well
Step 3. Start your honeymoon research about eight months in advance
In this way, you can take advantage of special offers and preferential prices. Book as early as possible, but be careful that the booking is flexible: it is better to pay a little more, as long as you have a partial refund in case the trip has to be canceled (due to illness, postponed marriage and so on).
Method 10 of 11: The Evidence
Step 1. Organize the rehearsal of the ceremony and reception
It starts about five months before the wedding, which includes booking a rehearsal room. In addition, all the people who need to participate must be contacted. Generally, dress rehearsals are held about a week before the scheduled date.
- It would be preferable to create a program for the day, so that the guests know what will happen, what time they must be in a certain place for the photos, the hairdresser, the ceremony and so on.
- In North America and English-speaking countries, a dinner is held after rehearsals, but it is not compulsory.
Method 11 of 11: The Last Three Months Countdown
Step 1. Over the past three months, create a detailed schedule with a countdown timer to leave nothing to chance
Organize the last 90 days according to your needs, but keep some basic things in mind:
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Three months before:
- Choose the final grades and put them in writing.
- Buy or create the accessories for the wedding, such as the pillow for the wedding rings, the glasses for the toast, the favors, the candles for the marriage rite, the guest album, the flower baskets, etc.
- Book a session at the hairdresser, beautician and make-up artist.
- Prepare the ceremony program by doing a last minute check.
- Decide the layout of the seats at the reception; check in at the last minute.
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Two months earlier:
- Send out the invitations.
- Book the dress rehearsal (more than one can be done).
- Request publications.
- Attend the stag / hen party.
- Buy or prepare wedding favors.
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One month before:
- Complete all the plans for the ceremony.
- Check the reservation of the hotel, the means of transport, the church, the accommodation of the guests, etc.
- Collect the wedding rings if you haven't already.
- Keep rehearsing the dress (some brides continue to lose weight or gain weight due to stress, so it may be necessary to make last-minute changes to make sure the dress fits perfectly).
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Three weeks before:
- Write the placeholders.
- Keep rehearsing the dress.
- Check that you have purchased the wedding favors for the witnesses.
- Contact anyone who hasn't sent a confirmation after the invitation (maybe the bridesmaids can take care of it).
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Two weeks before:
- Pack your honeymoon bags so you don't have to worry about it at the last minute.
- Have the final changes made to the dress. At this point it should be ready.
- Check your bills and invoices, making sure all suppliers have been paid.
- Resolve outstanding issues, especially those that worry you.
- Go to the hairdresser for a haircut.
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One week before:
- Relax as much as possible. By now, you should have done almost everything!
- Collect wedding dresses if you haven't already, including accessories and shoes.
- Store everything in the same place, away from animals, children and snoopers.
- Enjoy the bachelor / bachelorette party.
- Attend rehearsals and the following dinner.
- Repeat the vows, but don't make an obsession.
- Take it easy!
- On the wedding day, you have to accept the fact that not everything will go as planned. It's a fun day, but you have to consider mishaps as part of the fun!
- Even if you are preparing for the wedding day, it would be better if you read something about cohabitation and married life as well. It is useful for putting the right priorities into perspective. The wedding ceremony takes place in a single day, but a wedding lasts a lifetime.
- Keep everything organized. Grab a flip binder to categorize the wedding details into separate cards. By taking notes and cataloging the details of the organization in an orderly way, you will be able to create an unforgettable wedding, reducing stress to a minimum.
- In the United States, it is possible to ask a friend or relative to celebrate the wedding.
- Lately, involving your dog in the wedding ceremony has become a fairly common practice. If you have a dog that you are very fond of, you can have him wear a tuxedo or an elegant tailored dress. Entrust the dog to a trusted person, because obviously you will not be able to take care of him on such an important day.
- If you try to organize the wedding on your own, you may feel disheartened. Assign some tasks to other people, such as friends and family. Moreover, the bridesmaids and witnesses are for this!
- Make the concept of yours your own resilience, that is, the ability to face and manage difficulties, because especially when you have to organize a wedding, the times and ways in which you are able to react to the unexpected are important.
- Don't be confused by the opinions and advice of friends and family. Remember that it is a day dedicated only to you and your partner!
- Pay attention to wedding etiquette. Check out some books on the subject written by experts like Manners, rather than wedding magazines and websites that aren't reliable in this regard (especially forums). Contrary to common thought, respecting contemporary etiquette can be useful to spend less money and not more!
- Consult with several entertainers to find out if they are insured, to understand how they move at a wedding and if they are reliable. Always sign a written contract. It would be annoying to be without animation on the very day of the wedding!
