A wedding is one of the mot important events in life so it’s not a bad idea to start the preparations for it early. Count on the fact that you will have a lot to decide, deal with, arrange and eventually pay for. The most important thing is to plan everything well so that you don’t have to arrange anything at the last minute. Where’s a good place to start and what’s good to do a couple of days before the wedding? Read on to find out.
Decide on a budget
Before you start thinking and planning anything, work out a rough budget. Consider how much you can and want to spend on the wedding as a whole. Weddings can be very different, from low budget ones for a few close friends, to very lavish. The total cost of the wedding is of course made up of each of the individual components, but the most expensive items usually include the cost of food and drinks for the guests – a celebratory lunch, or an evening wedding reception. Be clear therefore about how many guests you want to invite to your wedding and make a guest list. This will make it easier for you to calculate the cost of the food and drinks later on and it will also make it easier to choose the venues for the various parts of the wedding. Your wedding jewelry should also be included in the budget. The engagement ring and wedding bands are key elements of your day, but other jewelry pieces, like earrings, bracelets, or necklaces, add personal touches to your overall look and may need to be factored into your spending plan as well.
Select a date and location
Choosing a date and venue is a key step in the wedding planning process. In order to have the most options possible when choosing the location of your ceremony, you need to start looking around a year in advance. Make sure the date you choose suits you and your key guests. Traditionally, most weddings take place in the summer months from June to September, so at popular venues, these dates will fill up first. You might choose to have the ceremony at a venue that is more traditional or one which is more modern. Each district or city borough has designated areas for wedding ceremonies. However, you could arrange to have your wedding ceremony somewhere else, such as at a church, a private property or even out in the country, say in a meadow.
Create a timeline for the wedding
Once you know the date of your wedding and have booked a venue for it, you can continue with your preparations. A wedding checklist will help you with these, whether you get a ready-made one or create it yourself. It can save you a lot of stress and time. It could be in the form of a simple paper calendar or an online one. The important thing is that you identify who is responsible for what and the exact things they are in charge of. Involve close friends in the preparations since they would no doubt be happy to be part of all the action. It’s customary for the best man and the maid of honor along with the bridesmaids and groomsmen to take on some of the organization. If you are planning a larger or more expensive wedding, you could also contact a special wedding agency that will arrange everything for you.
Choose your wedding dress and rings
The wedding rings will be a symbol of your love and devotion. It is important to choose ones that you like and that will be comfortable for everyday wear. Wedding rings are usually made to measure because they have to fit you perfectly, therefore make sure you get them at least a month in advance. And you should choose your wedding dress and suit even earlier, especially if you are going to have them custom-made. Along with your wedding dress, you should also pick out jewelry for your big day and think about your hair and makeup. And all of the components should go together well visually.
Get the invitations made
The wedding invitations should be in keeping with the theme and style of your wedding. Choose a design that reflects your personality and puts the guest in the right mood for what’s in store for them at the wedding. The invitations should include all important information such as date, time and venue, and they ought to be sent at least one to two months before the wedding.
Plan the details of the ceremony and reception
Consider all the details that are essential for the wedding. Choose the decorations, wedding bouquet, pastries, cake, and catering. Also, think about the schedule for your wedding day, whether you want to include a live band, a DJ, or other activities and entertainment. Plan ahead for the transportation of all participants to the venue. Assign someone to coordinate the guests on-site.
Enjoy your day
After months of planning and preparation, you deserve to relax and enjoy every moment. Your wedding day should be full of joy, love and memorable moments. Try to take at least two days off before the wedding and ideally don’t organize anything else in that time. Treat yourself to a massage or a health spa. You will then feel relaxed and wonderfully ready to enjoy your big day.
