Alright, so you just got engaged, now what?! That’s where we come in! Wedding planning can get pretty overwhelming pretty quickly to someone who doesn’t do it everyday, and that’s why hiring a wedding planner can really be helpful! We know the tips and tricks to a planning timeline, and how to get more bang for your buck. We also can help with picking out vendors and which ones might suit you better than others.
So, with all that being said, are you looking to start your wedding planning process? In this blog we’re going to give you the best starting point in your wedding planning journey, and then after that the rest can fall into place!
The Ruth, Casey Hendrickson Photography, Collective Beauty, Greg Foster (florals)
First, we like to start with a budget. What’s the max you’re willing to spend, who is contributing payment for what, things like this. Having a set number to work with can make the planning process easier by being able to map out vendor quotes and things like that when we start reaching out to them.
Next, we go to a guest count. Try to get a ball park range of the amount of family, friends, and your parents’ friends that will be invited. This is also a good time to decide if kids are allowed and/or plus ones.
The Ruth, Casey Hendrickson Photography, Collective Beauty, Greg Foster (florals)
After figuring out these two steps, you’re at a good place to start your venue search. Budget and guest count will narrow down your search a little bit, but there are still so many options so you will need to set perimeters. Figure out your “style”, do you like the rustic barn, or modern art gallery vibe? Or maybe something in between? How far are you willing to drive for your venue/ make your guests drive? What season do you want to get married in and does that venue fit that season (like does it have an indoor or outdoor ceremony and reception space). What are some dealbreakers? For example: having liquor versus beer and wine, on-site bridal suite, pets being allowed, sparklers allowed, bands permitted, noise ordinances/ ending times, etc.). Another great tip is to try and pick a venue that includes tables and chairs, or lets you bring in your own alcohol. This can definitely help stretch a budget out! It’s great to keep all of this in mind when searching for your venue!
After you secure your venue and a date, it’s a good idea to start securing your vendors, especially if you have dream vendors that you come into this process knowing that you want. A lot of vendors can be booked up a year in advance, so hop on this quickly if you can!
The Ruth, Casey Hendrickson Photography, Collective Beauty, Greg Foster (florals)