Whether you’re planning a lavish, as-seen-on-tv affair or something more simple and low-key, the coming together of two people who want to spend their lives together is a big deal. And, if it’s done right, it can set the stage for a happy, healthy and long marriage.
It’s important to share your vision for the wedding with your partner, even before you begin. This will give you both a chance to talk about what’s most important and help ensure that everyone is on the same page. Most couples change their minds multiple times during the planning process, so you’ll need to be able to compromise and work together. This will also make it easier to avoid surprises (which are never a good thing).
You’ll need to decide who’s paying for what, which isn’t the most fun part of planning a wedding, but it’s an essential step. This will help you determine your budget and allocate funds accordingly. It’s also a good idea to start saving now-cutting out lunches out, canceling streaming services you don’t use, and so on-to put toward your wedding.
Many newlyweds forget that their wedding day isn’t just one event, it’s the beginning of a lifelong commitment to each other. So, it’s crucial to focus on the vows and making your marriage a priority. This will help you stay on track when things get busy and prevent you from getting burned out.
While it’s a great idea to ask for help from friends and family, it’s also a good idea to have some professional assistance. This could include a planner, florist, or photographer. It may cost more, but it will save you time and money in the long run.
Another often overlooked task is sending out thank-you cards. This is a must-do to show your appreciation for all the people who helped you make your wedding special. It’s a good idea to create a spreadsheet or use a wedding app to keep track of the names and addresses of your guests so you don’t accidentally skip anyone or send duplicate gifts.
Depending on the culture of your wedding, it’s common to tip vendors who provided a service at your wedding, including musicians, DJs, hair stylists, makeup artists, drivers and bartenders. Some couples even tip their planner! So, be sure to check out this guide for tips on who to tip and how much.