#1 Announce it!

First things first! Announce it to everyone! Whether you announce it like Maria in the Sound of Music or send a mass email, make sure to share the joy of your impending nuptials with all your friends and family so they can join in the celebration!

#2 Bridal Party
Determine whom you’d like to stand by your side on your wedding day. Be very thoughtful about the selections you make. Keep in mind that, particularly, in this economy, you should consider your potential bridal party’s ability to afford what can be a very expensive role. Consider those who have to travel, pay for garments, etc. This is not to say don’t ask them. This is more to say, be prepared for the possibility that they may not be in a position to afford to support you in that way. We recommend asking early in the process as the longer people have to pay, the more it eases the cost. If you can afford this by paying for some of those costs, be prepared to have that conversation, as well.

#3 The Numbers: 1+1 is not just a Beyonce song

Consider now how much you want to spend on your wedding. Consider the absolute maximum you can afford. Everyone wants an amazing wedding day, but be realistic for your own good. You don’t want to be paying for your wedding day 10 years from now, so being realistic in the beginning and staying within budget are a must.

#4 Develop the Budget

It is imperative that you set a budget in the beginning. Before you do anything else, we recommend developing a detailed budget. From the fancy favors you want to give your guests to the venue to the boutonnières, each and every possible associated cost should be included in your budget. This considered, your budget should be more than a page. If you are working with a wedding planner they should have a really good template that you can customize for your own needs. To give you an idea, the budget template we provide our clients is five…count ‘em, (one, two, three, four) FIVE pages. Details are a must!