There is nothing quite like screaming ‘YES!’ from the mountain tops when the love of your life pops the big question, but when it comes time to calculating the who, what, where, and when, things get tricky. Weddings by Funjet Concierge Ashley has all of the tips, tricks, and secrets to planning a fabulous wedding in 6 months or less. Be prepared to take notes, grab your bride tribe, and get ready to be the bride you’ve always dreamed of.
1. Communication is key.
Have the talk with your fiance and family right away. Trust me, I know that it can be a daunting and quite awkward discussion, but it needs to happen. Keeping communication open and straight forward will keep everyone on the same page. By outlining your plans it will set you up for success and avoid heartbreak with everyone involved. Gather the necessary loved ones for a cup of coffee, or perhaps a bottle of wine, and tell them your overall plan. It’s a great time to map out your wishes, and also an equally great time for any financial contributors to speak up.
2. Tackle the "b" word.
Now that you’ve had the big talk with family and your fiance, it’s time to create the dreaded budget. Keep in mind that a budget doesn’t need to determine how perfect, beautiful, or meaningful your wedding will be. It is simply a way to strategically allocate your resources. By divvying up your budget and having a plan, you will be able to make your wedding decisions in a timely fashion. Learn more about how to manage your wedding budget with the help of Concierge Katie.
3. Ask for help!
Planning a wedding often means that you’ll be asking your best ladies (and fellas) to stand by your side. Don’t be afraid to ask your bridal party to help you make your planning process easier. Chances are that your gal pals (and guys too!) all have unique skill sets that make them perfect candidates to contribute to the wedding planning. While a bridal party can be helpful in gathering décor, giving their honest opinions on the perfect wedding dress, and providing emotional support, don’t forget to draw a clear and respectable line of what you exactly would like your bridesmaids to do.
See More: What it Means to be in the Wedding Party
4. Create a timeline, and start with the basics.
Depending on the time of year you choose for your wedding date, you may or may not need to race through interviews and contracts with your desired vendors. When creating your timeline, keep the following things in mind:
- If you chose a wedding date during peak wedding season, you’ll want to focus on your biggest vendors such as venue, catering, and photography first. Wondering when exactly peak season is? It will vary by your home location. Peak destination wedding season runs from January to early June.
- Send your guests a notice! Whether it’s a save-the-date for a stateside wedding or an immediate invitation for a destination wedding it’s important to keep your guests informed.
- Solidify contracts with major vendors before you begin any DIY projects.
5. Say yes to the wedding dress!
It’s noteworthy to remind every bride-to-be that wedding dress shopping takes priority in the big picture. Many times, dresses can take a few months to be ordered and arrive even after you find the one. In addition, there’s a good chance you may need some alterations, so don’t procrastinate when it comes to this part.
6. Manage a calendar.
If you don’t have a Google Calendar, drop everything and get one. It is truly a lifesaver in every possible way. If you are a Type A Personality, this will be the best thing for you since sliced bread. You can set reminders, add notes, enter reoccurring events, invite others, and even color code (yes, just like what you used to do with your gel pens and science notes in high school). Your bridal party will also adore you for being super organized by setting up events and expectations from the start.
7. Be patient and live in gratitude.
We never said that planning a wedding was going to be easy, none of the less a wedding in less than 6 months. Taking things one day at a time and remaining patient and thankful will go a long way. The last thing you want to do is stress yourself, or your fiance out. We all know that no one goes into wedding planning wanting to be a bridezilla, but it happens. If you are keeping a wedding planning binder or calendar, challenge yourself to write down three things you are grateful for each day. Before your wedding day, review all of things you are thankful for. We promise you it will give you all the feels that you deserve!
8. Hire an experienced wedding and travel planner.
We understand that for many brides, the thought of a wedding planner is nearly extreme. We may be biased, but we cannot say enough how beneficial and meaningful it can be to have one! If you’re hosting your wedding close to home, meet in person with several planners and find one that clicks with you. If you’re packing your bags and heading for the tropics, look no further than Weddings by Funjet for your one stop shop that combines wedding planners with travel professionals.
#ConciergeTip: Interview your planner thoroughly. Ask tough questions and be vulnerable. Your planner may start out as a stranger, but in the end she will be your stress-reliever, emergency seamstress, décor setter, opinion giver, and forever friend. Find someone that balances you well and will set you up from success!
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Photography by the talented DeGroot Film Co.
Real wedding planned by Concierge Ashley
