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To begin, try to imagine the wedding you've always wanted. How many people will be there? Is there a huge wedding party? Just a handful of guests? What type of environment will you have -- outdoors or at a hotel or in your folks' backyard? Is it daytime or nighttime? What's the decor like? Are you wearing a traditional gown or something colorful and funky? Is it a sit-down dinner or a champagne brunch? Once you have a clear picture in your head, write it all down, making note of what's missing in your vision. For example, you may not imagine yourself in a limo, meaning special transportation is a low priority. Weddings tend to be heavy on details. Being very specific about what you want will save you time in the search for vendors and locations. A well-thought-out plan means that you're also less likely to overlook some important component.
Below is a list of the things you'll need to think about. You and your fiance may find it helpful to create a worksheet, dividing your wedding into the following sections and taking copious brainstorming notes under each category. When you compare notes, highlight the similarities and negotiate over the differences between each of your wishes.
Budget
How much do you want to spend? Is it more or less than what you have available? A budget tends to be the final arbiter in a lot of decisions, so keep it realistic.
Size
How many guests do you want at the ceremony and at the reception? Are children welcome? Just family, or are friends included too? Last-minute arrangements may be difficult for faraway guests to make, lowering the number of invitees who will be able to make it.
Location
Are you going to the chapel or to your favorite park? Do you want to be married close to home, close to relatives or somewhere faraway and exotic? Indoors or outdoors? Hotel ballroom or backyard? Keep in mind that popular locations have long been booked.
Time of Day
This element may have a big impact on what sort of reception you'll have-- brunch, dinner or champagne and cake -- which in turn has a lot to do with the size of your budget. If time of day isn't important to either of you, you'll have an easier time getting a location you want.
Below is a list of the things you'll need to think about. You and your fiance may find it helpful to create a worksheet, dividing your wedding into the following sections and taking copious brainstorming notes under each category. When you compare notes, highlight the similarities and negotiate over the differences between each of your wishes.
Budget
How much do you want to spend? Is it more or less than what you have available? A budget tends to be the final arbiter in a lot of decisions, so keep it realistic.
Size
How many guests do you want at the ceremony and at the reception? Are children welcome? Just family, or are friends included too? Last-minute arrangements may be difficult for faraway guests to make, lowering the number of invitees who will be able to make it.
Location
Are you going to the chapel or to your favorite park? Do you want to be married close to home, close to relatives or somewhere faraway and exotic? Indoors or outdoors? Hotel ballroom or backyard? Keep in mind that popular locations have long been booked.
Time of Day
This element may have a big impact on what sort of reception you'll have