How To Plan The Perfect Wedding Without Killing Yourself By Gabriel Adams At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

You have the ring, but do you have the date? The venue? The caterer? If you’re hyperventilating trying to figure out where to start, this article can help. We’ll cover the 6 steps you need to take to plan and execute the perfect wedding.

1. Dream. It sounds easy, but too often people start planning their wedding with the budget and a checklist of all the standard things you’re supposed to have in a wedding. Unfortunately, that cookie-cutter format doesn’t always work out.

Start by working backwards. Don’t think about budget constraints or the stereotypical ideals of a standard wedding; instead think about all the aspects of your perfect wedding. As you imagine, write down these thoughts and share them with your fiancé. As you brainstorm, you’ll come closer to the reality of the wedding that you actually want.

2. Prioritize. Once you have your fantasies in order, try putting them in order of importance. If that log-cabin church is more important than an ice sculpture, figure it out. Start prioritizing your season, the time of day and whether or not you’d rather spend on a couture dress or a full orchestra and choir.

3. Focus. The next step is to take your priorities list and bring it to reality. You’re going to have to start thinking about money as you rough out a budget.

Remember, this preliminary budgeting isn’t etched in stone and once you start getting price quotes, you can change it. For now, you’re just laying a plan.

4. Organize. This is when it starts to get a little rough. You’re going to have to break down all the tiny details without having your own break down.

Start with your rough budget, your focus list, a file folder, a scrapbook and a good calendar. Begin jotting down tasks with firm deadlines in the calendar, keeping all your wedding documents in the file folder, and storing all your swatches and grand ideas in the scrapbook. For tracking guests, start a spreadsheet now with all their pertinent information, including address, RSVP notes and the name of their guest.

In your file folder, keep a single page of important phone numbers. Here you’ll write down the contact information for everyone from the hair dresser to the photographer to your tailor.

5. Delegate. You’re going to have to delegate. If you do opt for a wedding-planner, know that you can hire a full-service event producer (with fees ranging from $20,000 - $75,000), a full-service coordinator who works alongside you (with fees ranging from $5,000-$50,000), a day-of planner who can start working the day of your wedding or a few weeks ahead of your big day (with fees ranging from $1,000 - $6,000), or an hourly planner (with fees ranging from $50-$200 per hour).

If wedding planners aren’t in your budget or you want to take on a more active role, you’re still going to have to delegate. Have an honest conversation with your family members and bridesmaids and see what they’re willing to take on. Remember, your friends are there to help, but they may not enjoy spending an entire day sealing envelopes.

With the exception of invitations, most weddings can be easily taken care of in under 8 weeks. That doesn’t mean you should leave it to the last minute, but it does mean you can start breathing. Remember – dream, prioritize, focus, organize and delegate.

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