DIY Brides: 5 Tips to Planning a Wedding with less than 6 Months to Go.

 

Traditionally, June is one of the most popular months to get married.  We know that there are many DIY Brides (and Grooms) out there, who decided to “take the bull by the horns” and started to plan your own wedding.

If your wedding is in the summer of 2015, you should have at least done the following by now:

• Picked a Date
• Set a Budget (Overall and Itemized)
• Picked Venues (Ceremony & Reception)
• Hired a Wedding Planner (if not, Go to EventsByEpic.com)
• Selected and meet your Officiant
• Started Guest List

With about 6 months to go, this is crunch time!  6 months may seem like a long time, but it will go by really fast.  You are looking at your to-do list and thinking “that’s not so much” but not considering the 10 steps it will take to do each of the 10 “To-Do’s”.

Progress in the next 2 months will significantly impact your stress level in April.  Spend the next 30 days finalizing the following and it put you in a position to walk into the end zone when it matters:

Update Your Budget

By now, you will have a more realistic view of how much you have to spend. Prioritize and balance the budget based on need.  Do not overlook the value of a photographer and videographer.  Hire Them Now!  The good ones book quickly!  You may think that flowers are more important, because you want the ceremony to look beautiful.  There are creative and less expensive ways to decorate.  However, if you have a poor photographer / videographer who does not properly capture the key moments, has poor editing skills, or even worse, you cut them from your budget all together, you may regret not having the memory of grandma walking down the aisle, or a dance with mom or dad, which years later you realize that is what made your day most important to begin with.

Finalize Wedding Party

They don’t just stand there and look pretty (or handsome).  Pick a team who is committed and able to support you in the days and months leading up to your big day.  There is a difference between willing and able.  It takes time, money, and effort (and sometimes talent).  Do not be afraid to set expectations up front.  Most people do not really know what they are saying yes to when they agree to stand with you.

Click Here Bridal Guide did a great job in providing an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the wedding party.

What will you Wear?

Brides…I know you may be holding out for the perfect dress, but this is the time to narrow your choices and make a final selection.  As you know, the style of your dress impacts your decision when selecting your head piece, veil, shoes, lingerie, and accessories…all of which, you should be buying now as well.  There is no greater stress than wondering what you will wear.

Grooms…Consider the colors.  Will you where a tuxedo or a tailored suit? Vest? Bow tie? Begin to research stores or fabric to determine ship time on custom pieces.  Starting this early will give you options.  If you find what you really like, finalize it.  Usually, you can wait until 4-5 months out, but it is better to get what you want than to look for it later and can not find it.

Finger Licking Good

Schedule an appointment with your cater to taste the food.  If you do not like it, this gives you “a little” time to make other arrangements.

 Remember the Marriage

Most importantly, sign up for pre-martial counseling.  Some of you may think you know everything about who you are engaged to, and that may be true.  However, pre-marital counseling helps you ask and answer the tough questions to prepare you for better or worse.  It is better to know the plays and your role (and what others expect you to do) before getting into the game.

Shameless Plug…this is why we advocate hiring a wedding planner.  Allow them to focus on the details of your wedding, while you focus on the details of your marriage.  

Discuss Honeymoon Destinations.  This is not just a vacation, but a time for the two of you to get away to get to know one another even more and for the first time as husband and wife.

Let’s Get To It!

This is the first post of a series that will help you think through and prepare for your Epic Day!

If you have any questions, please let us know.

EventsByEpic.com | Info@eventsbyepic.com | 630.492.0077

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15 Secrets from a Wedding Planner (Better Homes & Gardens)

15 Secrets from a Wedding Planner (Better Homes & Gardens)

The Wedding Planning Cycle

According to Victoria Canada, of Victoria Canada Weddings and Events, brides typically go through five phases over the course of the engagement.

Phase One: ENGAGED! You buy every magazine out there and become overwhelmed with the prospect of all the colors, ideas, and other choices.

Phase Two: The planning process starts. It’s fun! Your friends and family are interested. Strangers in line at the grocery store know you’re getting married and before they leave the checkout they know your colors and number of bridesmaids. The whole world is happy for you!

Phase Three: Anarchy in the ranks. Why does your mother think hydrangeas aren’t appropriate? Why do your bridesmaids think they can pick out their dresses?

Phase Four: The wedding wall. “I have plenty of time, the wedding is months away.” You believe things will all work out, you just need a break from the planning for a couple of weeks.

Phase Five: “Oh my gosh! The wedding is almost here!” You panic that there’s not enough time to individually hand-stamp all the cocktail napkins or make all the favors! Help!

The following tips tips from, Victoria Canada, can keep you from becoming overwhelmed.

Remember What’s Important

Your fiance, family, and friends. Focus on why you’re getting married. You’ve found the love of your life and the wedding is a celebration of you both. That being said, you want it to reflect your fabulous style and taste, so the next tips are for you.

Set a Budget

Budgeting isn’t romantic, but you want to start your marriage off on the right foot — not buried in credit card debt. Create a realistic budget, then find that one item you want to splurge on — flowers, photography, or some Hi-Def Videography.

Think Outside the Box, but Be Practical

Out-of-the-ordinary locations can be undiscovered jewels. Just remember some of the hidden planning that can be involved. For example, with an outdoor venue what happens if it rains? Is there power available? What are the noise restrictions?

Be a Girl Scout

Their adorable motto holds true to weddings: BE PREPARED! Make a little box of the necessities you will need on the wedding day: fashion tape, a needle and thread, deodorant, safety pins, bobby pins (all colors), a pen and paper, flip flops, and extra cash and checks — just in case.

Put Pen to Paper

Just like any other bill, all of your vendor contracts should have due dates with the amount due. Write them on your calendar and mail them a couple of days early. Many contracts become void if payment is not received on time. You signed the contract, so it is your responsibility to make sure they receive it in a timely manner.

Toast Before the Wedding

If you’re not getting married in a church and you’d like a relaxed feeling at your wedding ceremony, serve your guests champagne BEFORE you dazzle them walking down the aisle. If you would rather go the nonalcoholic route, try lemonade, ice tea, coffee, or hot chocolate if it’s a bit chilly. It really makes a statement.

Be Nice! Really Nice!

As a wedding planner, I’ve seen it all. I’ve had clients who constantly call on my only day off (or on Christmas or Mother’s Day); they get a little obsessive and start to worry me a bit. Remember to treat your vendors with respect. If you treat them like you hired them for their services, they will give you exactly what you paid for. But if you go out of your way to send a thank-you during the planning process, vendors appreciate it and will give you the above-and-beyond treatment when it comes to your big day. I have had photographers stay an hour later than contracted for free, because they just loved the couple.

Don’t Make Up “Filler” Jobs

Okay, here is another gem. Your cousin — you know, the one you see once every five years — doesn’t want to stand at the guest book and watch people sign all day. Let Cousin Mary enjoy the ceremony and maybe catch the eye of a cute usher!

An Inventive Guest Registrar

A great way to involve your guests is to have a Wish Jar. Guests write you a wish that you open and read on your first anniversary. This is more heartfelt than a name in a book. All you need is a jar, paper, a sign explaining what to do, and plenty of pens. It’s a great way to keep guests entertained during cocktail hour. Dress up a table with some flowers and a candle and you’re set.

Avoid a Seating Disaster

If you’re having a wedding without assigned tables you need to have 5 percent extra seating available. Not all of your guests will sit in perfect little pairs or all of the single people together. So if you have a wedding of 200 people, you’ll want to have enough seating for 210. This buffer will save you some headaches.

Put Your Money Where It Counts

I just attended an event that had beautiful table linens and bare chairs. By bare, I mean the standard banquet chair. For a more complete look, skip pricey linens and order the less expensive linens and chair covers.

Keep Your Guests Sustained

A new trend, and one of my favorite tips, is the late- night buffet. Most of the older folks will leave after the cake, but the young kids will surely appreciate having to avoid hitting the drive-thru on the way home from the reception. Why not serve them some comfort food? Try chimichangas and tacos or sliders and onion rings, or French fries. The younger crowd will rush this table!

Don’t Forget to Tip

Tip vendors that have gone above and beyond. If you met with the band every month for a year or asked your wedding planner to revise your itinerary 11 times and they did it with a smile, a tip may be in order. If it’s in their contract to revise the itinerary 11 times, or to meet with you once a month, think again. On wedding day if you don’t have a wedding planner to hand out the tips, put them in envelopes, write the vendor’s name on the outside (for example — Jodi, Band), and give them to a sober and responsible family member.

All About Organization

Number the back of your reply cards in pencil before you send them out and correspond them to the guest list. This will make it easier to figure out who’s coming to the wedding if people forget to put their name on the reply card.

Never Assume — Put It in Writing!

Never assume the groomsmen will be on time to the photos. You’ll need to tell all involved when to arrive dressed and ready for photos. Make sure you allow some time if someone is running late. For example, if you are starting photos at 5:00, tell them to arrive at the church at 4:40. Oh, and don’t let the cat out of the bag that this is not the “real” time.

Transend the Traditional: Unconventional Registry Ideas

ReBlog: Transend the Traditional: Unconventional Registry Ideas

How many other brides out there only registered at the conventional retail stores for their wedding? I wish I would have gone a more unconventional route in the beginning, but it’s never too late to give your guests other gifting options!

Here are 10 unconventional registry ideas I found while giving my registration page on a website a nice uplift!

1. Honeyfund – Register for all things related to your honeymoon…Things like a romantic dinner, surf lessons, activities in the area. Let your guests feel like they are contributing to your amazing honeymoon experience. They can also contribute money to the flight, hotel/resort accommodations, shopping, etc.

2. Ask each guest to bring something memorable like a book or movie they love. Have them sign it and add it to your collection.

3. Register at Home Depot! They have a registry too! Have your guests contribute to remodeling a new home or building that deck you always wanted. Or you can register at Down Payment Dreamsand guests can contribute to your future dream home!

4. Card Avenue lets you sign up for gift cards! That way, your guests know exactly what you want.

5. Don’t forget about Simple Registry where you can register for anything.

6. My Registry lets you register from any store on the internet comprised into one easy location.

7. Guests can create their own wine specifically for you through Bottlenotes!

8. Etsy has such unique and amazing things! I actually got part of my bridal thank you gifts and my wedding favors from Etsy (exact details will be in a later post)! They have a registry too!

9. Want to give back to the community? The I Do Foundation allows couples to create a charity that allows guests to contribute to a charitable and great cause (secure online donations directly to the charity)!

10. Spa certificates!! Set up a link on your wedding website for Spa Finder or allow guests to book a spa or massage for you and your partner at your honeymoon resort!

Good luck beauties!

Romance Bride

Courtesy of http://www.Sassychicagobrides.com