The day you’ve dreamed about ever since you were little has finally come—your partner has finally popped the question and after a long engagement, it’s time to plan the wedding that will leave your guests impressed and speechless. Anyone who’s ever planned a big event, let alone a wedding, knows that there are a lot of details to take care of and the sooner you get down to business, the better it will be in the long run. You’ll want to avoid any last-minute panic and stress, right? Unless you’re in a really big hurry to tie the knot, you should try to have at least a year to plan everything. Naturally, the first thing you should decide on is the wedding date and the venue. Some venues are booked several months, even a year in advance, you’ll want to make sure your venue of choice is available for your special date.
Also, a rule-of-thumb to follow when planning any type of a big celebration, is to first take care of the big things and then move on to the smaller details. As mentioned, the venue should be your first concern. There’s no use in planning the centerpiece if you’ve not even booked a restaurant hall. If you want to learn some additional tips and tricks we’ve got prepared, stay tuned until the rest of the article and hopefully you’ll find some of the advice useful.
Finalize guest list on time
After you’ve agreed with the partner on the wedding date, it’s time to sit down and start writing down the names of all the people you want to be included in your day. Think about family members, friends, colleagues, distant relatives, neighbors, etc. It might be a bit difficult to compile a list right away, but at least try to put together a list of closest friends and family. Then, as your planning progresses, you can add names to the list and calculate the final number. Having a guest list prepared in advance will help you with keeping your budget under control and it’ll also make it easier for you to focus on other details, such as choosing the wedding invitations or making thank you notes.
Plus, when you have a certain number in mind, you’ll know which kind of venue you’ll need. If you’re going to have a small wedding, there’s no need to book a huge restaurant hall.
Think of thoughtful gifts for the bridesmaids
By no means should you forget about the women that have been by your side through the entire process. Your bridesmaids are the ones who’ve been there during every meltdown and you should really use the special day to express your gratitude and appreciation. It’s a custom to buy the bridesmaids a small yet thoughtful gift that’ll remind them of the occasion every time they see it. That’s why most brides usually opt for jewelry when picking out a gift. Jewelry, whether it be a pair of pearl stud earrings or a vintage brooch, is a present for a lifetime that never loses its value.
If you’re not sure where to start with the shopping, it’s always best to first head down to your local jewelry store and check out its current collection. The best part about buying locally is that you can easily check what other people are saying online and whether they are satisfied with the service or not.
Take the night before easy
After a year of non-stop planning and rushing to get things done, you at least deserve to have the night before the wedding all to yourself. After all, if you forgot to do something, one night won’t change anything. We advise you to take some time off because you have to feel rested before the big day. Use the opportunity to pamper yourself and maybe book an evening at the hotel’s spa to get the full experience.
Also, remember to drink lots of fluids and eat some lighter foods so you’re prepared for the special day. Unless you believe in the good old superstition that the bride and groom should spend the night before the wedding apart, you can plan something special with your loved one and enjoy your night together.
