Staying on Track

Organization and careful planning are the keys to a happy wedding day and a fun wedding planning process.  Once you say, “Yes!” what’s next?

Sit down with your fiancé to discuss the budget, to plan the special elements of the wedding, and to decide who is responsible for each area.  Which areas are most important to him and to you?  In what areas is there room for a compromise? Remember, it is his wedding too, and he should have some input.  This is the start of making decisions together, a very important part of marriage.  Open communication is the key. 

Helpful Suggestions

1.  Don’t procrastinate.  Once you make a decision, move forward; otherwise, you may lose your favorite location or that special wedding professional you really wanted to another bride while you are deciding.

2.  To keep track of paperwork, contracts, and wedding ideas, purchase a 3-inch binder to help organize your information. You want to have the information organized, but you don’t want to overthink every detail. This binder will be your life’s manual until the wedding day.  The binder should contain: 

• Calendar/date book for appointments - Be sure to mark your wedding date!
• Sheet protectors – great way to protect pictures you have collected
• Dividers – one for each vendor category
• Pocket pages – to hold receipts and items that may need to be accessed often
• Business card protector sheet – to hold business cards for quick reference

3. The calendar will keep you organized with dates, deadlines, and appointments as they are scheduled.  Be sure to mark your wedding date and a backup date, if your date is not confirmed.  Also note upcoming bridal shows in your area.
 
4. When you see pictures of what you like (cakes, flowers, or dresses, etc.), cut them out, and place them in a sheet protector in the binder.  When you meet with potential wedding professionals you can show them your dream cake, beautiful dress, or ideal centerpiece.
 
5. Put copies of all contracts and/or proposals from wedding professionals in the binder.  Keep all receipts.

6. Include a copy of your budget. You will need to refer to it when you are pricing different services and items.  A small calculator will also be helpful. 

The Wedding Binder

• Divide your binder into several categories.  Anything pertaining to a specific category should be placed in that section.
• Wedding checklist
• Floral, photography, bakery, and other wedding professionals. 
• Quotes and contracts, etc. 
• Budget, deposits, and balances
• Guest list
• Ideas – any ideas you would like to incorporate into your wedding, write them down or get a picture.
• Important phone numbers

Consultant
Bridesmaid’s page – contact information
Groomsmen’s page – contact information
Parent’s page

• Information page

Include an information page with contact information. You will need to give this information to your wedding professionals.  Type it up, duplicate it, and make it easily accessible. This page should contain:

• Bride’s name, address, phone number, and e-mail address
• Groom’s name, address, phone number, and e-mail address
• Wedding date, time, and location
• Rehearsal date, time, and location

Things to Remember
Work out a budget with a high and low range for each category.  If you see something that you like that is a little over your price range, you can make adjustments in other categories.  Be sure to include wedding coordinator and honeymoon when planning the budget.

Allow enough time to plan the details.  Once you decide on location, everything else will fall into place.  Take each category one at a time to keep from getting overwhelmed.

Solicit the opinions of other people.  If you know someone who has recently been married, ask them about their wedding.  What worked and what didn’t work? Did they like their wedding professionals?  But remember, it is your wedding and their ideas are only suggestions! 

Do not be afraid to assign tasks, people love to help with the wedding. Share tasks and responsibilities with fiancé, bridesmaids, and family.  There are always little tasks that need to be done.  Assign hostesses, gift table attendant, and ushers to family members or friends who are not in the actual wedding party.  Set dates to have tasks completed and write down who is responsible for completion.  Once the task is completed, mark it off your list.

Build in social time.  You will attend showers and parties.  You want to have everything done in advance so that when your family arrives from out of town, you will have some quality time to spend with them.

Remember to schedule time for your massage the day before the wedding!  This will help to relax you.  A massage, manicure, or pedicure is also a nice way to thank your attendants.  Grooms should also get a manicure and pedicure before the wedding.

The Wedding Day
On your wedding day, be sure to eat a good breakfast.  Then relax and get ready to enjoy a fantastic day.  Remember, your wedding consultant is there to handle any details or questions that may arise.  Don’t you worry about a thing!

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