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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#OurDayNotYours #WeddingsUplugged

Even Real Time is almost too late. Technology and social media has enabled us to expand our reach and it has it’s advantages.  However, when it is not used properly and with permission, it could turn what is supposed to be one of the happiest days of your lives, into a nightmare.

Being proactive and making a decision about if you will allow guest to use cell phones and social media during your wedding ceremony has now become a norm to manage when planning a wedding.  It seems like no big deal, until the Maid of Honor posts a picture of the Bride in her wedding dress before the wedding…while the Groom is a few rooms away passing time on social media and sees the picture that she posted.  That’s a No-No!

Unplugged: Disadvantages of Using Technology & Social Media at Your Wedding

1. Be Present!: Your guest are so distracted trying to record the moment that they miss actually “being presence” for it. Don’t feel guilty. Be excited about them not being distracted, but able to clap, laugh, cry, and simply share in the moment, instead of clicking and posting.  You can also include a note in the ceremony program that reads something like this:
   

   Thank you for taking the time to be witnesses of our vows and the beginning of our marriage. We invite you to be truly present at our ceremony, and respectfully request that all cameras and phones be turned off. Please feel free to share photos at our reception only. Please use hashtag #Mr&MrsPowerCouple

2. Excuse Me: Everyone wants the best angel.  If they have it, then that means that your grandmother missed it, because they were blocking her view.
3. Money Shot: You pay a professional to get the money shots!  Empower them to ask your guest to be seated if they get in the way.  You would hate to have the back for cousin Pete’s head in the middle of “you may now kiss your bride!”

Plug In & Turn Up: Advantages and Ways to Maximize the Use of Technology & Social Media

1. #HashTag!  Go all out!  From the save-the-date announcement through the honeymoon, create a hash tag and ask your guest to use it every time the post something.  This will allow you to search and remember the day while relaxing on the beach or by the pool on your honeymoon.
2. Talk About It!  Communicate the rules desires to your guest prior to the wedding.    Talk about it on your wedding website, Put it in the program, have the Hostess announce it as people come arrive, and even have the Officiant make a brief announcement.
3. They Were There?: The day will go by so fast! We used to use disposable camera for this reason, but now everyone has a high definition camera in their pockets.  Allowing your guest to talk pictures and post them, provides a perspective that you would not have experienced otherwise.

Whichever works for you, with a little planning and communication, you can incorporate technology into your #EpicDay or request that your guest to remove all distractions to be present for one of the most intimate moments of your life.

EventsByEpic.com | Info@EventsByEpic.com | 630.492.0077

10 Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Vendors

Take Recommendations Lightly

A friend’s good word goes far, but there is no one caterer, band, or florist perfect for everyone. Compatibility is key: Do you have the same taste and temperament as the advice-giver? If not , proceed with caution. And never use all of the same vendors that a friend did — it can leave your wedding feeling like a repeat.

Let Your Passions Drive Your Priorities

Arm yourself and your fiancé with notebooks, and spend a week recording anything you encounter that grabs you, whether it’s a color on a sign, a song on the radio, or a dessert at a restaurant. Then compare notes. Does food dominate your list? Did he jot down only song titles? You’ll see on paper what matters, so you can budget for the most important.

Create a Guest List That Reflects Real Life

When you’re narrowing down the invites, think about your present (and future) relationships rather than the past. Is this someone you want in your life in 20 years? If so, invite that person. The others are negotiable.

Chat with Recent Clients

Once you’ve edited the list of potential vendors, ask to talk to a few of the couples they’ve worked with in the past year. It doesn’t matter if a bride 10 years ago loved someone; their staff and resources have likely changed since then.

Note Your First Impressions

Be aware of how potential vendors deal with your initial contact: How do they react, how quickly do they respond, and how do they conduct themselves? If a band tells you to come to a wedding to check them out, it ’s a hint that they may invite strangers to your event, so make sure they understand that your day is for invitees only.

See Beyond Your Own Style

Look for a diverse portfolio when you’re hiring any vendor. You want to see a body of work with a consistent level of quality — not a one-trick pony who can only do, say, boho. You might not like a Glee-centric birthday party, but if the work can still wow you, imagine what the vendor could do with a theme you love.

Know When Familiarity is a Good Fit

In some cases, a vendor having an existing relationship with a venue can be a big plus. They’ll already know about any shortcomings — like if the space needs a generator or is challenging to load into — and how to work around them. Alternatively, if you’re having doubts about your vendor, you can ask the venue manager about her experience with them. Questions about how they treat people behind the scenes and if they handle stress well can tell you a lot. With a photographer, though, the first time at a location can be charmed. Someone who’s seeing a space with fresh eyes may bring more spontaneity than a lensman who’s already shot the same backdrop for 10 other couples.

Hire People Who Accept Your Budget

Whether you’re in for $9,000 or $9 million, find a team that will creatively rise to the occasion. The best will be able to suggest savvy budget-trimming swaps. So if you’re asking for pricey peonies when they’re out of season, a resourceful florist might suggest lush, fully opened garden roses instead.

Look For a Team Player

You want to collaborate with someone who will listen and create an event that isn’t just beautiful but reflects you two as a couple. For instance, skip a barn wedding with cowboy boots if neither of you has ever ridden a horse. When your future children look at your wedding album and ask, “Why did you get that cake?” you’ll be able to say, “Your dad and I used to go to this great restaurant and…” The right vendor will create moments where your guests think, “This is so Jane and John!”

Don’t Be Afraid to Walk Away

When you’re not happy with a vendor, wait until you can articulate your concerns in a non-emotional way. Express the problem, and then ask for a solution. Depending on how they react, it may make sense to part ways. If you have a contract, you’ll likely have to pay a fee, but it may be worth it to move on to someone who’s a better fit.