Wedding Planning 101 - Get Ready, Get Set... Get Organized!
So you've been to your local bookstore, surveyed the rather
large collection of wedding books and wondered how anyone even
gets through this whole planning process... and why all those
wedding planning books are so thick!
This is completely understandable - it is a bit on the daunting
side. Planning a wedding is definitely not something you can
throw together in a matter of days, and there will certainly be
quite a few projects along the way to keep you busy.
But these 'projects' can actually be fun - a lot of fun! And
with a plan, you may even find yourself looking forward to
them...
1.) Most importantly, keep things SIMPLE.
There will always be another photographer to interview, another
centerpiece idea, another wedding favor website. When you find
something that "clicks" with you, go with it! You've just
crossed off one more thing on your wedding checklist.
2.) Decide on a good filing system before you begin.
Order a box of file folders or an accordion file with multiple
sections to hold all of your contracts, notes, etc. If you're
really ambitious, consider investing $20-30 in a labeler at an
office supply store - it keeps things especially neat and
organized. As you go along, designate one folder for each aspect
of your planning -- caterer, rehearsal dinner, guest list, etc.
3.) Get started! Begin tackling items on your wedding checklist.
Look at the first group of to-do's on the list. Don't try to do
all of these at once - take one at a time and consider putting
the others on your calendar so that you know they'll get taken
care of, just not all today.
4.) Don't be afraid to delegate.
Family members and attendants will more than likely be willing
to help take on some of the planning tasks - if they offer, take
them up on it! If there are parts of the planning that you know
you don't need to be (or care to be) directly involved in, ask
for help.
5.) Have FUN.
While some tasks will take longer than others, there will be
others that will balance out all of the hard work - treating
yourself to a day at the spa for example. Also, consider
subscribing to one or more bridal magazines - when you think
you've run out of wedding ideas, these glossy guides are a great
pick-me up.
6.) And lastly, don't worry that you won't possibly be able to
do all of these things...
Everything will get done, in due time, and you'll see all of
your hard work pay off when things really start to come
together. So start planning, and have fun!