Planning a wedding is both exciting and overwhelming for many couples. So to help break down this large process we have outlined the best way to plan a wedding along with tips on who to ask to help plan your wedding. Our wedding planning guide will set you on the right path!
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Brides Often Ask
How much time do you need to plan a wedding?
Most couples plan 12 months or so for planning a wedding but that does not mean you have to have a 12 month timeline. Some couples need 18 or 24 months to plan, while others pull off their dream wedding in 6 months or under. If a couple is looking to save for their wedding day or take their time with the planning process the longer engagement period they have the better while some couples are ready to start planning the moment they get engaged.
Once the planning process starts moving forward it is reported in several outlets that couples spend between 10-12 hours each week planning and working on their wedding.
3 Important Questions To Ask Yourself Before To Plan A Wedding
1. What’s giving you the most stress about the wedding at this moment?
There is always going to be stress around wedding planning; but it might help when you encounter wedding planning stress to try to pinpoint the source. For some, it is family issues while for others the stress is related to the budget and payment for the wedding. No matter what the source of the stress is once you can nail down the source you can start to find a way to alleviate it.
2. What’s the part of your big day that you’re most looking forward to?
Of course, you are looking forward to your entire wedding day; but many couples are looking forward to one particular part of the day. For some couples, they are looking forward to the ceremony while others can’t wait to celebrate in style at their reception.
3. What’s the worst thing that could happen on the wedding day?
Couples like to play devil’s advocate all the time and focus on the worst thing that can happen on a wedding day. So it is not uncommon for couples planning an outdoor wedding to be worried about rain or bad weather; while other couples are concerned about the timeline and having everything run smoothly. So no matter what you are worried about on the wedding day; you can rest assured that no matter what happens you will still get married and it will be amazing.
Who Can Help You To Plan Your Wedding Day
No one can plan a wedding completely on their own. It is crucial to rely on your support team to help make your wedding day come to life. It is totally fair and also somewhat expected for you to ask someone to lend a helping hand.
Your partner
Wedding planning should be an equal balance between both partners, but more often than not one partner is more willing to take on wedding planning tasks than the other. Even if one partner takes the lead it is certainly reasonable to ask your partner to pitch in and help. Asking your partner for opinions and thoughts might seem easier said than done; so one good strategy is to ask your partner if there are any aspects of the wedding that they would like to take the lead on and then let them run with it. Not everyone cares about the seating chart or the type of favor that will be given so if your partner is not into a specific wedding planning area just take it.
Bridesmaids
There are tons of ways you can ask your bridesmaid to help with the wedding planning process. Of course, you will need their help on the wedding day to make sure the day runs smoothly; but you can also enlist them early in the process. A few perfect tasks for your bridesmaids are assembling favors, planning the bridal shower and bachelorette party, stamp invitations and also help shop for your wedding gown.
A Miss To Mrs Subscription Box
Love is in the air and it’s time to start planning your big day! Engaged couples encounter a lot of stress during wedding preparation, but Miss To Mrs® Box will make this journey enjoyable. Our products are tailored to fit any stage from engagement to the wedding day. You will receive fun bridal merch, plus helpful advice on how you can bring all of these elements together for an unforgettable special celebration. It’s never too late to subscribe! After all, when do you get goodies delivered right to your door each month?
When Is The Best Time To Subscribe?
After taking the first step towards happily ever after. When you subscribe to Miss To Mrs® Box. This will combine your wedding ideas and help you along the way with fun bridal merch. This will be tailored specifically to your wants and needs. For whatever stage you are in during this journey. We will help you to ensure that no detail will be left behind!
What Is Included In The Subscription?
With Miss To Mrs® Box Subscription, you can look forward to something much more than just merchandise. Every box comes with a free Wedding Planning Guide and additional premium perks – so not only will your engagement journey be filled with delightful apparel and decor elements, but you will also save money for the big day! Miss To Mrs® has been to be Voted #1 Bridal Box.
Miss To Mrs® Box is a unique subscription service, crafted with love by their in-house design team. Every themed box they offer provides specialized selections to help couples celebrate each stage of the wedding planning journey – and it shows! Thousands of glowing reviews have awarded them an impressive 4.7 rating out of 5 stars, testifying to their quality of work as one that truly stands above the rest.
Top 3 Reasons To Subscribe Now, Even If The Wedding Date Is Not Set Yet
- Weddings occurring in 2023 and on will be able to choose from monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly plans that are specifically designed for your ideal wedding.
- You will not only receive products perfectly tailored to your upcoming day of celebration; but also gain access to premium resources upon subscription!
- It’s time to celebrate your engagement journey! Enjoy a little pampering too! Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to have it all!
What brides said:
– Amber A.: “Miss to Mrs is the best bridal subscription! The gifts are very cute and functional! Customer service is also very helpful and quick to respond. Highly recommend it!”
– Blakslee H.: “Great customer service and great products. My busy schedule makes planning a wedding difficult and the miss to mrs box not only makes planning easier, but helps me enjoy the process and builds my excitement more and more for the big day”
Disclaimer: All opinions expressed in this post are of the Wedding Forward editorial team, and are based on the actual boxes
received in mid-2021 from each company reviewed below. Miss To Mrs Box sponsored this post.
Your family
Your family is emotionally invested in your wedding day just as much as you are. Leaning on your family to help your wedding day come to life is not only helpful but they will love being involved in the wedding planning process. Ask your family for specific help on tasks so that you can make sure it is being attended to but you don’t have to oversee each step.
Your future family
Involving your future family in the wedding planning process is not only a good thing for you but it will also help to create a new bond. Since your future family is investing in the wedding day just like you are it is nice to accept their help and assign them some wedding tasks. Traditionally the groom’s family hosts and pays for the rehearsal dinner; but the planning does not have to end there. If your future family has a specific area of interest such as flowers or DIY projects you can ask them to get involved.
Instant Poll
It’s time to start planning! What part of the planning process are you most excited about?
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Essential Steps On Planning A Wedding
There are some essential steps you need to take to ensure the day is a success. There are many more steps when planning a wedding; but we have outlined the 21 MOST important steps to take to plan the day of your dreams!
- Join Wedding Forward mailing list to get wedding help and inspiration
- Decide on a location and date
- Select your wedding party
- Decide on a wedding coordinator or planner
- Choose the best bridal subscription box
- Host an engagement party
- Make a guest list
- Decide on a theme for your wedding
- Start gathering information and inspiration
- Connect with vendors
- Create a budget
- Create your wedding website
- Put together your registry
- Order save the dates & invitations
- Plan the honeymoon, rehearsal dinner
- Plan all pre-wedding events (bridal shower, bachelorette party, bridesmaid brunch)
- Send out invitations
- Collect RSVP’s
- Buy wedding bands
- Obtain your marriage license
- Get married
Wedding Planning Guide
No matter what type of wedding you are planning; you need to create a plan and a checklist so you can have your wedding planning run smoothly. From planning a beachside destination wedding to a courthouse wedding; we have a breakdown of all the steps you need to take.
How to plan a small wedding
Small weddings or what are commonly referred to as micro weddings are really in fashion right now thanks to issues like a global pandemic. If you are planning a small wedding you need to make sure you have a structure for where and when your wedding will take place, who will be invited and what sort of menu and entertainment you want to have. Many couples who are planning a small wedding decide to host the event at their house or the house of someone close to them to save on venue cost. If you are thinking of going down that path you still might need to plan out a space for food, dancing, bathrooms, and parking.
All weddings regardless of size should have a well thought out plan for what the style and theme of the wedding will be. Plus planning some logistics so the day has no surprises.
How to plan a beach wedding
Beach weddings have been a staple in the wedding world for a very long time and with the natural beauty of the beach as a backdrop, it is not hard to see why.
“If you are planning a beach wedding that is a destination wedding you should consider sending out your save the date cards with travel information earlier than normal since it may take guests longer to secure travel, flight and hotel accommodations.”
- Location. When selecting your beach wedding location is key! If you are hosting your beach wedding at a resort they usually have a dedicated section of the beach for events; on the other hand, if you are hosting your wedding at a public beach you might have to deal with public beachgoers close to your ceremony location.
- Time of day. Location is not the only thing to consider when planning a beach wedding; you must also focus on the time of day. Afternoon weddings on the beach can bring with them brutal heat; so you might want to schedule your ceremony for later in the afternoon. Ideally, it’s after 5:00 pm when the sun starts to sink a little.
How to plan a courthouse wedding
Big weddings are not for everyone and many couples decide they want to have a simple courthouse wedding. If you are planning a courthouse wedding here are a few tips.
- Make an appointment. Most courthouses require couples to make an appointment for their wedding ceremony so make sure you call ahead. You will also need to get a marriage license. So gather all of the necessary paperwork before you can actually say “I do”.
- Hire a photographer. You will want to capture the big day of course; so hire a wedding photographer to join you. Take your images before, during (if allowed), and after the ceremony.
- Celebrate post ceremony. Just because you don’t want a big wedding doesn’t mean you don’t want to celebrate. Host a brunch, lunch, or dinner to celebrate your courthouse wedding with friends and family.
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How to plan a destination wedding
Destination weddings are a fun way to celebrate your wedding day and can take place in a variety of locations. At one time a destination wedding meant that it was a beach wedding someplace tropical, but today couples plan destination weddings all over the world in all different locations. So take a look at a few tips for planning your destination wedding:
- Send out information early. When travel is required it is best to give your guests a little more time to plan and book their accommodations. So send out your save the date cards early. Also, include there all of the travel information your guests will need to start booking flights, hotels, and car rentals.
- Consider working with a local wedding planner. It is not easy to plan a destination wedding from a distance. So you should consider working with a local wedding planner who can help navigate and organize things at your destination. Having a local planner will also help you be able to locate vendors and services you may need. Also if you are booking your destination at a hotel or resort oftentimes they will have an onsite wedding coordinator who can help. If they don’t you can also ask for a recommendation.
- Reserve a large group hotel block. Since all of your guests will be traveling to your wedding location you should book a large hotel block as soon as possible to make sure you have rooms for the guests. Tropical and other popular destination resorts fill up quickly so the sooner you can block out rooms the better.
How to plan a backyard wedding
Backyard weddings can be extra special since often couples will exchange vows at their own home. A backyard wedding does allow you to have complete control over your decor, look and feel of your wedding; but it also comes with a few challenges. When planning a backyard wedding you do need to consider a few key planning items.
- Parking. You will need to find a place for your guests to park for your wedding; also the chances are you can’t do it all in your driveway. So you might have to secure a separate parking location and shuttle guests to your backyard.
- Space for vendors. Your catering team will need a space for set up, food prep, and clean up. Your kitchen might not be the best spot so work with your catering team to make sure they can prep at a different location and bring food to your reception and remove all the clean up as well.
- Bathrooms. So, yes, you probably will need to rent portable toilets; but thanks to all the new solutions in this industry you can rent nice ones for your guests.
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Planning a wedding during Covid
Planning a wedding during Covid-19 will not be an easy task. There are no current ways to plan for perfection, but there are a few tips that you can follow to ensure that things go as smoothly as possible.
- You should know about social distancing and government rules
Every area of the country is going to treat Covid in a unique manner. Make sure that you are consistently up to date with State and County guidelines and be prepared to adjust your plans accordingly. - Meet with your wedding suppliers virtually
The easiest way to reduce spreading to your more at-risk guests is to make all of your arrangements virtually. Apps like zoom allow you to interview and meet with all of your vendors from the comfort and safety of your own home. - Trim down the guest list
Most of your friends and family will agree that these are trying times. Reject those feelings of guilt and feel free to slash that guest list down to the bare essentials. - Look into wedding insurance
Although your plans may seem firm today, there’s always a chance that more restrictions are just around the corner. Before you sign a contract, make sure there is an exit option to get your money back if things go south. - Contact your church or registrar
The registrar is a big deal to many couples. Before you get too deep into other plans, contact your registrar to confirm their policies about in-person and virtual ceremonies. - Book a suitable wedding venue
Make sure that your event space can accommodate social distancing. A large space can quickly turn into a tight squeeze once you factor in 6 feet of space between guests and staff. It’s best to get a real-world photo to gauge what you can reasonably expect.
Wedding Planning Mistakes To Avoid
There is lots of information and advice on how to plan your perfect wedding day. But there is also some good advice on what not to do when planning your wedding. By knowing some of the major mistakes to avoid when planning you can feel relaxed and confident that your wedding day will be perfect!
10 Don’ts When Planning Your Wedding:
- Don’t forget to pay all invoices before the wedding date
- Don’t overspend in one area of the budget and majorly skimp in another
- Don’t stress over the little things
- Don’t invite someone to the bridal shower or bachelorette party that is not invited to the wedding
- Don’t plan a ceremony location that is far away from your reception location
- Don’t add your registry information on your invitations, you can provide this information on a separate enclosure card
- Don’t make your guests wait too long before the ceremony starts
- Don’t make guests pay for drinks – if your budget is tight limit the drinks to 2 or 3 options.
- Don’t forget to feed your vendors – work with your catering team so there is a meal for vendors
- Don’t forget to offer a vegetarian option for guests
So as you decide on how to start planning a wedding, remember a few things. Do it one task at a time, and avoid pressure as much as possible. Also do not fret about the little things, and learn to delegate. Also, remember to rest and pamper yourself by getting a bridal subscription box. And also follow through with our guide on how to plan a wedding step by step.
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