Here at Oak & Honey Events, we know that planning a wedding can be overwhelming, and sometimes couples don't know where to begin. To make things easier, we've compiled a short list of tips to get you started with the planning process.
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Photo Credit: Full Bloom Photography
1. Do your research on pricing in your area for weddings before creating a budget
You need to first figure out the average wedding budget for your area. Most vendors cater their pricing to the area's average (while some can be higher or lower), but this will give you an idea of how much you should be looking to spend on quality vendors in your area. If it is your first time planning a wedding, you may not know how much any of these services run (catering, venues, florists, etc). Doing your research first will better prepare you for what you will be looking at spending in each category.
2. Set a budget
One of the first things you need to figure out at the beginning of the planning process is your budget. Knowing how much you plan to spend in each category will narrow down your list of vendors that you can choose from. Almost every decision you make will depend on your budget.
Once you have your budget set, we'd also advise starting to browse around for a wedding dress. Some brides-to-be spend months looking for the perfect dress, while others find it in a matter of weeks. Starting your search early will at least help you get an idea of what you're looking for, even if you don't purchase right away.
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Photo Credit: Full Bloom Photography
3. Create a guest list
The guest list and budget go hand in hand. The larger the guest list, the more you will probably be spending on your reception. This cost includes the amount of food provided by the caterer, the amount of alcohol being served at the bar, the size of the wedding cake, and much more.
Creating your guest list will also help you decide on a venue. If you plan to have a 200-guest wedding, any venue that holds up to 150 people or less will not be an option. Even if you don't have your guest list set in stone, you can at least get a ballpark figure, and it'll help you make some of the big decisions early on.
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Photo Credit: Full Bloom Photography
4. Consider hiring a planner before you hire other vendors
One of the greatest resources that a wedding planner can provide a couple with is their preferred vendor list. Planners know who to recommend based on the couple's style and budget, as well as previous experience working with these vendors. They will only recommend vendors that they believe will do a good job and are within your price range. Hiring a planner first ensures that you will be provided with the top vendor options, so you know that you are putting your wedding services into good hands.
5. Search for socially conscious vendors on sites like Black Sheep Bride
Black Sheep Bride is a great resource for finding vendors that cater to the socially conscious bride. Whether these vendors source their materials from environmentally conscious companies or donate part of their earnings to a worthy cause, Black Sheep Bride can help you find the socially conscious vendors that are right for you.
We hope this list will help point you in the right direction as far as where to begin the planning process. Planning a wedding is a lot of work, but it is well worth it in the end! Happy planning!
