The Top 3 Most Important Things for DIY Weddings
by Linda Enders on 02/27/16
When I ask 15 brides what the three most important things
for their weddings are, I usually get 15 different combinations! Most are concerned with the cake, their
dress, their flowers, the music, etc…
While those items are important, I believe there are three
biggies—the items you should pay most attention to right from the start—to ensure
a crazy-amazing event your family will be talking about years from now…
Budget ~ Determines Everything.
Your budget is probably the single most important
consideration in your wedding. It will
determine how your funds are distributed for your entire event, so it’s very
important to have it decided prior to shopping or venue hunting.
And while there are still several traditional families who
follow the rules regarding ‘who pays for what,’ it’s quickly evolving into a group
effort, with everyone contributing what they can, and the lot of the funds
being placed in a separate bank account to be used exclusively for the wedding
and activities.
**Helpful tip** Once your budget has been set, look at each
element of your wedding and decide which items are the non-negotiables (you
MUST have that dress, or I NEED a videographer) and book those first. Then adjust the remaining categories as needed.
For an awesome adjustable budget calculator, and other helpful tools, click here ------> HERE
Wedding Gown ~ Determines Style/Theme.
You’ve heard it said…It’s all about the dress. Heck, they have a reality TV show about
saying YES to the dress! So, yeah, it’s
a pretty important component!
For most little girls, daydreaming of their wedding day
occupies a significant portion of their playtime, and as we grow, for some the
obsession leads to dedicated Pinterest boards (Anyone? Anyone?) and meticulous
planning all centered around the perfect dress of the moment.
For those who enjoy the big screen, there are no shortages
of fabulous wedding films, each providing a wedding gowns ranging from the
sweetly simple to stone-encrusted elegance, and each being the centerpiece of a
perfectly planned event.
In finding the perfect gown, you must first decide on the
style of your wedding. Are you looking
for an opulent affair, complete with tuxedos and sweeping silk dresses adorning
the elite of the town? Or, are you
looking for a rustic barn with denim, burlap and boots? Perhaps a simple, but elegant garden party
with vests, bowties and lace is more your style. There are any number of options when it comes
to your wedding style, and your gown should be at the center of it!
Venue/Location ~ Determines Formality.
A 5-star hotel...Burlap and lace. A beach…Stilettos and silk. An old barn…Bare feet and cotton. When you read each of the groupings above, they
all seem a bit off center; there is definitely a disconnect between the
locations and the descriptors for the themes.
The formality isn’t matched up, and as a result, creates an image that’s
almost uncomfortable.
While there are some places where propriety reigns, such as
a castle or exclusive hotel, there are others where formality is a matter of
choice and comfort for the couple. A
park or backyard reflects a more relaxed attitude while an exclusive hotel or
country club would evoke a more refined feel…pull out the etiquette book for
this one!
So, when you’re looking for a venue, keep in mind the ‘feel’
you’d like to express. And also keep in
mind a location that is comfortable for you and your fiancé…if your favorite
times with friends and family are spent laughing around a campfire, you
probably won’t have much fun if you choose a stuffy, quiet hotel for your
event.
For a comprehensive list of questions to ask your venue,
Most importantly, let your personalities shine! In every detail, show your guests who you are…celebrate
YOUR story!
