Top 5 Wedding Planning Tips: Anne Landis

1. ESTABLISH A BUDGET

Creating an initial budget with an estimated number of guests attending is essential prior to moving forward with the first stages of planning your wedding. As you may be discovering, the options for extraordinary weddings are endless so maintaining perspective from the beginning can make all the difference in your total experience.
 

2. GET ORGANIZED

Getting organized goes almost hand-in-hand with establishing a budget. I always recommend that Brides purchase an expandable folder and alphabetize all the necessary wedding categories (ex: bakery, ceremony, florist, music, reception, etc.). As the planning progresses, it's important to file all your contracts, receipts, ideas, notes taken during meetings and any other items relating to those categories. Everything will then be at your fingertips.
 

3. HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER

What worked for your friend's wedding may not be a good fit for yours. If at all possible, consider hiring a wedding professional. They are trained to look at the whole picture and can help you determine what direction is best for you based on your own desires and the budget you have established No budget?...they can help with that too. In short, be selective-don't under estimate experience when selecting your planner.
 

4. PREPARE A DETAILED PLANNING SCHEDULE

After you have established the foundation to begin planning your dream wedding, assembling a check list is essential to help keep you on track. Many wedding web-sites offer month-to-month planning calendars that you may find beneficial. A wedding week time-line conveying your vision and desires, including emergency numbers distributed to your vendors, wedding party and other participants, will not only give a clear picture of the week but alleviate stress for you to enjoy the week.
 

5. ENJOY THE WEEK OF YOUR WEDDING

All of your efforts and attention to detail at the beginning and throughout the planning of your wedding will be time well spent. Remember that most importantly, you're not just planning a wedding but planning the beginning of life together with the person you truly love. Savor this moment with family, friends and celebration, as you create memories that will last a lifetime.