Wedding Planning 101: Your First 10 Steps to Happily Ever After

From the Archives

By: Denise Schipani

Have you bought a wedding-planning book (or four, or five) yet? Even if you haven’t been trolling the bridal aisle at the bookstore, scouring the web, or tearing through magazines, no doubt you’re itching for wedding-planning info, pronto! To get you started, we’ve put together a crash course. It’s Wedding Planning 101, so start studying up! (But don’t worry–there’s no quiz at the end. Just a wonderful wedding!)

 

Your “I Just Got Engaged” Hit List

As a newly engaged bride, you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed by the prospect of planning your wedding. Though there’s an awful lot to do down the line, in this immediate-post-engagement moment, you should be basking in the congratulations and admiring the sparkle of your ring. Just take care of these few small items, and save the rest for later when you really feel like getting started (which could be tomorrow!)

• Make the announcement. Some couples don’t feel “right” if anyone knows their big news before parents and other close family. Once you’ve said “Yes,” make a beeline for home if you can, or make special calls. 
• Delve into dreams. Sit down together–preferably over a candlelit dinner, but the details are up to you–and let your ideas, dreams, schemes, and pie-in-the-sky plans fly. No talk of money. Or practicality. Yet.
• Talk money. Oops, sorry! Dreamtime is over (for now). It’s rare these days to assume that the bride’s parents will pick up the whole bill, so start discussing now–first with each other, then with your respective families–how much money there is to play with. 
• Rough out the timing. While you don’t have to choose a firm date now (unless you’re so inclined), it’s often smart to at least have an idea of, oh, what season you want to marry in, or what month. That’ll give you a sense of how long you have to get things organized. 

The Big Ten

Whether you want the wedding of the century or the most intimate of celebrations, there are some basic wedding tasks you’ll have to think about. Here’s our Top 10:

1. Your guest list.

Why is this first? Because your wedding’s size determines where you’ll hold the party, how much it will cost and whether and how much travel will be involved. So grab your address book and make your list; your fiancé and both families should do the same. You can (and likely will) cut later, but this first number will be your base. 

2. Ceremony who-and-where.

Finding an officiant and ceremony site can be simple–if, say, you wish to marry in your hometown house of worship–or it can be a more complex search. You may want to marry in a nondenominational chapel or have an interfaith ceremony or civil ceremony. Each combo of place-and-officiant requires its own set of procedures (permissions and permits, pre-marriage counseling and other paperwork). 

3. The reception site.

Go back to thinking about those wedding dreams you two have discussed, and see how your fantasies mesh with your actual options. Say you imagine a party at a lovely outdoor garden. Fair enough, but what if you can’t find just the right place, or the weather is an issue. Maybe there’s a quaint small hotel with a pretty courtyard garden that would suit. Now is the perfect time to engage a professional wedding planner and to start relying on their expert advice. You can also ask for references from a recently married friend and surf wedding websites and blogs to narrow down options. Then, start making calls and scheduling visits. 

4. Photos and video.

Don’t wait till the last minute to find a photographer and/or videographer; the good ones book weddings many months out in some cases. Start with recommendations from friends, and do some homework to figure out what style of images you’d like to see–plenty of formal portraits and some dancing shots, say, or a completely photojournalistic, as-it-happens format. Hint: If you see wedding photos in your local paper and/or local bridal magazine, and you like the look, check the photo credit or contact the publication to find out who took the shots.

5. Decorating the events.

This covers flowers, but also any other decor details, such as a chuppah for a Jewish wedding. Wait until you have your reception site booked–what this spot looks like will determine how you spruce it up. A hotel ballroom might have chandeliers, nice carpet, and ornate wall decor already in place, while a party in a blank-slate gallery space may need more than simple centerpieces. 

6. What you’ll wear.

It’s not strictly necessary to know wedding place-and-time details before you shop. Whereas in the past brides adhered to fashion guidelines by not wearing a glittery sheath for a daytime wedding, for example, the rules are looser now (though check with your house of worship–some require covered shoulders or heads). Start shopping whenever you feel pumped up for the process. And don’t forget to order your wedding bands and send your groom to rent formal-wear if he needs to. 

7. Transportation.

Don’t automatically rent the standard stretch limo. Take a careful look at the distances you and your wedding party guests must travel, and see what you need and want. Beyond-limo options include classic cars, a horse and carriage, a decked-out party bus, and more.

8. Invitations.

Invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the big day, so work backwards from there to be sure you order in time. The basic invite announces the hosts of the wedding (whether that’s the two of you, your parents, or some combination), the place and time of the ceremony, and often a separate card regarding the reception details, as well as a reply card and envelope. Never include registry info with your invitation.

9. Entertainment.

Music is the food of love, or so Shakespeare wrote. Make sure you “feed” your guests with beautiful music–whether your budget allows for a string quartet at the ceremony and an eight-piece band later, or your buddy and his guitar followed by a rollicking DJ.

10. Honeymoon.

Finally, you get to plan something that’s just about the two of you! Have fun researching locales, hotel and resort properties, and activities, and consult a professional travel agent for advice and deals. Also, don’t be afraid of announcing your newlywed status when you book your trip. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised with treats and upgrades.

“Wedding Planning 101: Your First 10 Steps to Happily Ever After” Spotlight WiH Partners- Photo: Brit Floyd Weddings | Mandi Roach Photography | Venue: The Tremont House | Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa | Grand Galvez | The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston | Corinthian Houston | JW Marriott Houston by The Galleria | The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa | Ouisie’s Table | CVB: Visit Galveston | Florals: Plants N’ Petals | Beyond Bloems | Linens: EB Inc Event Rentals | Lighting: Bright Star Productions | Makeup & Hair: Polished Makeup & Hair | Cake: Cakes by Gina | Susie’s Cakes | Wedding Planner: Irresistible Events & Services | Registry + Stationery: Bering’s | Wedding Gown: Belle Âme Bridal | Getaway Car: Houston Classic Wedding Cars | Wedding Entertainment: Danny Ray and The Atlantic Street Band | EastCoast Entertainment

Contributing Photographers- Stephania Campos / Eric & Jenn Photography / Caroline Lima Photography / Erika Geier Photography / Daniel Colvin Photography / Mustard Seed Photography / Wandering Woo Photography / Marco Wang Photography / Chris Bailey Photography / Sean Thomas Photography