| ing a wedding is certainly exciting. It can also be | | | | man. You may also wish to have additional |
| overwhelming for many couples. Even the prospect of | | | | bridesmaids and groomsmen. Other possible wedding |
| planning a small wedding can entail a number of details. | | | | party members include flower girl(s), ring bearer(s) and |
| Organization is the key to ensuring that everything | | | | candle lighters. If the wedding is to be large you might |
| flows smoothly. | | | | also consider ushers. Larger weddings may also |
| Where should you start first? The first detail that must | | | | include junior bridesmaids. |
| be decided upon is the date. This is essential because | | | | Contact each individual personally and allow sufficient |
| it may help you to determine other details, such as the | | | | time for them to check their schedule and ensure they |
| availability of venues for the reception and the | | | | will be available not only for the wedding but also for |
| ceremony. | | | | any other additional functions that may be associated |
| After you have determined the date for the wedding, | | | | with the event, such as the rehearsal dinner. You |
| you may be tempted to begin booking sites for the | | | | should also be prepared to provide them with an |
| ceremony and the reception. Before you do this, you | | | | approximate amount of money they will need to spend |
| will need an idea of how many people to expect. This | | | | for clothing, etc. This matter becomes even more |
| means that you will need to begin planning the guest | | | | important if you are planning a destination wedding or if |
| list. While you should not expect everyone on the | | | | it will be an out of town wedding and they may need |
| guest list to attend, you should plan for approximately | | | | to travel to the wedding location. If you are able to do |
| two-thirds of your guest list to be present. | | | | so, you might consider assisting financially with these |
| Once you have settled on a date and you have a | | | | costs. |
| basic idea of the number of guests to expect, you will | | | | Another important matter that will need to be attended |
| need to give some thought to location. Just as with | | | | to is the catering. Consider your budget in this matter |
| anything else, location can be critically important. | | | | and the time of day when you are planning to |
| Consider the time of the year when the wedding will | | | | schedule the wedding because this may impact your |
| be held as well as the number of people the venue is | | | | catering budget. For example, if you plan to hold your |
| able to accommodate. You should also consider | | | | wedding in the evening then you may need to set |
| whether it will be possible to hold the wedding | | | | aside a larger budget for a sit-down dinner. On the |
| ceremony and the reception at the same site or | | | | other hand, if you plan a mid-afternoon wedding then |
| whether you will need to book separate locations. | | | | you may be able to save money by holding only a light |
| At this point you may wish to give some consideration | | | | buffet. |
| as to whether you will hire a wedding planning or a | | | | Once you have reserved the sites for the ceremony |
| wedding coordinator. A full wedding planner is another | | | | and reception, chosen your bridal party and handled |
| expense to consider, but you may be surprised to | | | | the catering, there will still be several other tasks that |
| learn that you can actually save money through hiring | | | | will need to be addressed, depending on the |
| a professional wedding planner due to the fact that | | | | complexity of your wedding. These tasks may include: |
| they are typically knowledgeable out different venues, | | | | • Selecting music |
| vendors, pricing, etc. In addition, hiring a wedding | | | | • Selecting wedding dress |
| coordinator can help to ensure that everything goes | | | | • Choosing bridesmaids’ dresses and |
| smoothly and relieve some of the stress during this | | | | tuxes |
| important time of your life. If you feel that your budget | | | | • Lining up a photographer |
| really cannot extend far enough to hire a full wedding | | | | • Choose and order invitations |
| coordinator, then do consider hiring a day of the | | | | • Book venue for rehearsal dinner |
| wedding coordinator to oversee things on the all | | | | • Choose and order wedding cake |
| important day. Even a close friend who is well | | | | • Order decorations-flowers, ribbons, etc. |
| organized, but not part of the actual wedding party, | | | | Remember that although planning a wedding can take |
| can fulfill this role. | | | | a lot of time and energy, it can also be a lot of fun. |
| After you have settled upon reception and ceremony | | | | Rely on anyone who is willing to help and do not be |
| venues, if you have not already given thought to who | | | | afraid to delegate tasks to others. There is no need to |
| will be in your wedding, it is time to address this matter. | | | | do it all on your own. By carefully organizing the |
| Even if you are planning a small wedding, you will | | | | planning of your wedding, you can be confident that |
| generally need a maid or matron of honor and a best | | | | everything will turn out just as you have planned. |