Most brides have their idea of a dream wedding, and they’re not all the same. Some brides want to escape to an exotic island and tie the knot will close friends and family members in tow, and some brides want to have an extravagant party with hundreds of people in attendance.
It doesn’t matter what your dream wedding entails—it only matters that you plan appropriately. If you truly want to have a dream wedding, the following are six tips for planning it.
1. Know your budget.
Before you can start planning, you need to know how much money you have to spend on the event. This is the time where you have to sit down with your fiancé and determine your budget so that you’re both on the same page. Decide exactly how much you can afford to spend, and factor in any outside money you may be receiving, such as money from friends or family to help cover some of the costs. Once you know your budget, you’ll be able to start planning your dream wedding.
2. Lock in your necessities.
When planning your wedding, it’s a good idea to lock in your necessities. Deciding on the venue is extremely important, so this is something that has to be done first before any other wedding-related items can be addressed. Once you have the venue chosen and booked, you can start booking your photographer, buying your dress, getting a caterer, etc.
3. Know your must-haves.
There are certain things you want for your wedding, and there are certain things you “need” for your wedding. When planning your wedding, make sure to make a list of your must-have items. Maybe you want the wedding to take place at a certain venue, or maybe you want a certain dress. It doesn’t matter what’s on your list, just know what it is that will truly make you happy on your wedding day. This way, when it comes time to cut costs, you’ll know where you can’t afford to make any adjustments and where you can.
4. Get help.
Planning a wedding is stressful, and there’s no need for you to do it all by yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask others for help. Bring your friends or fiancé along to help you make some wedding decisions. Ask married friends and family members for advice when you need it. You should also look into wedding websites like The Knot for wedding tips and advice.
5. Gather some inspiration.
You probably have some ideas for your wedding, but adding some physical inspiration will help. One great resource to help gather your inspiration is Pinterest. There are plenty of wedding ideas on Pinterest that will certainly help you gather some great ideas for your wedding. You can even gather ideas from other sites and keep them organized in your own wedding Pinterest board.
Another great way to gather some inspiration is to look into the history and meaning of weddings. Get some perspective on the commitment you’re making, learn a little bit about the language of marriage, and even try to find some old marriage traditions that you like. This can help you gather ideas for your own wedding.
6. Be creative.
You are likely to come across an idea to you want to use for your wedding that you simply can’t work into the budget, but have no fear. Instead of ditching the idea altogether, try to be creative. For example, instead of spending a fortune buying all those pretty table settings you like, get some friends and family members together and make your own. Instead of hiring a DJ, hook up an iPod to some speakers. Instead of spending a fortune on transportation, ask friends with cool cars to chauffeur the wedding party. There are plenty of ways you can be creative with your wedding, so do your best to bring that creativity to life.