Planning your wedding can feel like being caught up in a whirlwind of ideas, choices, and decisions. Wedding planning is a busy time in your life, filled with many components you are looking forward to and some that you instead put off to the last minute. Whether you and your partner are savvy event planners or new to the world of event organizing, we have a few tips to help you find your track and stay on it!
Get Your Priorities In Order
The first rule of wedding planning is to prioritize. Take into account what is most important about your event to you and your partner and select the top three priorities. Maybe you rather have an elaborate ceremony and forgo an expensive reception or simple nuptials followed by the ultimate dance party, whatever the three most important things should be prioritized.
How To Determine Priorities
When deciding on your wedding priorities, it helps make a list of every wedding component and use this list as a baseline. You can choose to rate each element from one to five as least or most important to you, keeping in mind that your top three most important are your top three priorities.
Have your partner do the same, and then compare your lists, discuss, and compromise as needed. This process may seem tedious, but it allows for open and structured communication between you and your partner that will serve as the basis for the planning that is to come.
Rank Your Priorities List
Again, while this step may sound redundant or too time-consuming, ranking your priorities list is essential to solidifying the top three most important things for your experience and that of your guests.
For example, if you feel that entertainment at the reception is an essential factor to you and your guests, keep it on your top three priorities and make concessions if necessary in other areas such as wedding favors or lengthy ceremonies.
Budget Rules The Roost
Once you have your list of priorities, you can more effectively set your wedding budget. With your three top priorities in mind, plan your budget accordingly to help you make the big decisions. You will be able to adjust your budget to meet the needs of your prioritized factors, making sure that the most critical parts of your wedding are kept in focus.
This process should help you determine what is important to you and what elements can be edited or omitted as needed.
Keep Your List For Reference
Keep your priorities ranking as your reference for your wedding planning. Make your wedding planner aware of your priorities, and you may even consider providing him or her with a copy of your master list. Even as the day approaches, you will be happy to have your ink and order priorities as you facilitate the upcoming events. Remember, above all, the top priority is your union with your partner; all else is merely icing on the cake.