Things to Do Before Planning Your Wedding

What Should You Do Before You Start the Wedding Planning Process?

When it comes to starting the wedding planning process, there is no such thing as a perfect order of events. The truth is that there are going to be so many little things to take care of between now and the ceremony that the best thing you can do is start checking off items and tasks on your list – and before you know it, the big day will be here! The following are some of the things you might want to consider doing as you begin this process:

• Enjoy the engagement. You and your spouse are going to be spending the rest of your lives together. As you embark on this wonderful journey with the person you love, it’s important that you not lose sight of the fact that your engagement is also something to celebrate. Cherish this time you have before the ceremony and before the wedding planning truly begins. Spend time with your spouse, meet your new in-laws, and show off your ring!
• Be open and honest about what you want from your wedding. It is imperative that you communicate your honest thoughts and feelings about what you want, whether you are talking to your spouse, your family and friends, or potential wedding planners. Don’t hold back as you paint a picture of your dream wedding. Do you want a religious ceremony? A big or small wedding? An outdoor wedding? Talk to your spouse about the kind of wedding ceremony that you desire, so that you can both get to work on making your dreams a reality.
• Figure out a budget. Before you make any final decisions about your wedding ceremony, you will need to have a rough idea of how much money you want to spend on the wedding. Once you know the total budget available for your wedding day, it will be easier for you and your spouse to make the most important choices, such as selecting a wedding venue. You should also try to allow for some flexibility later by including a contingency budget, since your plans could change at various stages in the wedding planning process.
• Pick a range of wedding dates. Do you want a spring wedding as the flowers start to bloom? A winter wedding with the beautiful Colorado snow as a backdrop? The date of your wedding will obviously come with different weather, and different expectations about what is needed to make your wedding day truly memorable. You don’t have to choose an exact date yet, but it will certainly help to have a general idea of the month or season in which you want to get married.
• Choose a geographical location. Perhaps the most important decision you will make during the wedding planning process is the choice of a wedding venue. Before selecting a venue, however, you will need to determine where in the state, or in the world, you want to get married. Do you want a Colorado wedding that is convenient and that allows all your friends and family to attend? Would you prefer a destination wedding in a foreign country? If your wedding is in Colorado, do you want the ceremony and reception to happen near a major city like Denver, or would you rather have a Rocky Mountain wedding?
• Look for inspiration on the internet. When it comes to making choices about wedding décor, you may find that some of the best ideas are already on the internet. Websites and social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram can provide a wonderful assortment of visuals that may serve as good sources of inspiration for your own dream wedding.
• Don’t forget to relax! Although the wedding planning process can be stressful, it can also be fun and incredibly fulfilling. So, make sure that you take some time for yourself as you begin planning your wedding. Remember that this is supposed to be your big day – a day filled with memories that will last a lifetime and a day that you get to share with your closest friends, family members, and loved ones.