When he’s gotten down on one knee and asked you to spend your lives together, it’s off to the races. The engagement phase is fun and exciting, but now, there’s a wedding to plan. And there are so many details to handle. Birkat Elyon has been one of the top purveyors of high quality cubic-zirconia engagement and wedding rings…and in their time serving couples, they’ve picked up a few helpful ideas for wedding planning. Here are nine must-have tips for planning your wedding.
GET SOME “CREDIT”
The expenses of a wedding can add up – and fast. So take advantage of it. Sign up for a credit card with a Rewards program, and use it exclusively for your wedding expenses. You’ll find yourself quickly racking up “points” that can be applied to airline miles for your honeymoon, shopping and more.
GET ORGANIZED
There are a lot of moving parts in planning a wedding. If you’re more old-school, get a three-ring binder to keep track of all of your contacts, notes, vendors and any handy articles or inspiring magazine photos. There are also digital apps to keep you on track. The bottom line: have ONE place to maintain all of that critical information. You might also want to set up a special e-mail address for wedding-related business.
START WITH YOUR GUESTS
The number of people you want to invite will determine the size of the venue. So make a list. A good rule of thumb is to allow for 25-30 square foot of space per guest. That accounts for things like tables, waiters, band and the dance floor.
SPEAKING OF GUESTS…
On your first pass, you’re probably wanting to invite everyone. That can get expensive, and fast. So use this trick to prioritize. Immediate family is the first “level”, with your best friends and the bridal party as part of it. The next level would be people like aunts and uncles, and other friends who should be there. Then move to neighbors, coworkers and so on. When you need to cut the list, work from the bottom up.
BE SMART ABOUT MARRIAGE LICENSES
It’s one of those boring details that can get lost in the shuffle. Don’t leave your marriage license to last minute. Call your local county clerk’s office to find out when they issue a license (it may be limited to certain days). And to be on the safe side, give a copy to someone (like your maid of honor) in case yours goes missing on the hectic lead up to your wedding day.
LAST-MINUTE TIMING MAY WORK FOR YOU
Typically, couples book a venue at least six months ahead. Depending on your nerve, you may be able to score a better deal if you check two months before your hoped-for wedding date. Picking up a remaining opening at a venue can save you as much as 25 percent Also, opting for a Friday or a Sunday wedding generally costs 30 percent less than a Saturday celebration.
REMEMBER THE WEATHER
A hot, bug-filled summer day can put a damper on your wedding. So can an unexpected cold snap when you’re holding your ceremony in a drafty barn. Consider things to offset any potential discomforts: pest control services to spray for bugs ahead of time, portable heaters for a fall or winter ceremony. And because the unexpected always happens, have a Plan B in case Mother Nature is uncooperative.
DON’T NEGLECT YOUR CREW
Photographers, the band, various assistants….your vendors need to eat, too. Be sure to include them in your meal plan. They probably don’t need anything as fancy as what you’re serving your guests, but should have something yummy. Work with your caterer to come up with a plan, and have that in place before you sign any contracts with the vendors (some contracts may require them to receive the same meal you’re serving guests).
BACKUP LIST
On your wedding day, have a copy of all vendor contact information at the ready in case the florist gets lost or the limo driver has a flat. It’s smart to give that to either the best man or maid of honor.
Planning your wedding doesn’t have to be super-stressful. Neither does choosing a great gift for the members of your wedding party. Birkat Elyon offers a wide selection of quality, affordable pieces just perfect for every occasion.