BEGINNING A BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY OF MARRIAGE

Congratulations! You are about to journey to an event that you probably have dreamed about all your life. You have met your Prince Charming and he is about to whisk you away to your fairy-tale castle to live happily-ever-after. This will be one of the most special and wonderful time periods in your life. The memories that you create in planning your once-in-a-life time affair will be moments to treasure for a

lifetime. Undoubtedly you will want your affair to be perfect and you will want to make sure you are doing all the right things but where do you begin? How do you journey from “I will” to “I do”?

Extraordinary weddings are well thought out and planned. Planning a wedding can be a complex task. It takes an enormous amount of time, money, and energy especially when you compare it with the few hours the event takes place. However, by using this planner you can make the process manageable and easier.

The planner covers all aspects of planning a wedding, etiquette tips, ideas, and money saving tips. It also contains checklists, spreadsheets, and worksheets to help you make your decisions and help you feel confident that no detail will be overlooked. It addition, it contains tips on how to select your vendors, the basic questions you should ask them, and what should be contained in their contracts. The most important thing you can do is relax and enjoy this time period with your groom, family, and friends. You are on your way to creating a memorable event that you will treasure for a lifetime.

Getting Organized:

The first step to your blessed event is to get organized. Keeping all of your planning details organized and together will make your planning process easier and provide easy access to your information.

·                   Use this binder to hold not only your planning details but to collect and store vendor business cards, store your vendor contracts, your receipts, photographs, and swatches of fabric. Take this organizer with you on all of your appointments.

·                   Purchase an accordion file to store packets of vendor information, important papers or other items from your binder.

·                   Utilize a computer (if you have one) and wedding planning software to keep track of your budget, to compile and manage your guest list and RSVP’s, and prepare thank you notes (if you don’t have access to a computer, this organizer contains the necessary hard copy forms to generate and track this information).

·                   Review the “Bride and Groom Checklists” found at the end of this section to ensure you will have enough time to plan. Also, you can use the checklists to organize, record and track items you both will need to complete to ensure your day goes smoothly and is everything you’ve dreamed of. Keep in mind, these are just guidelines and should be adapted to your particular needs.

·                   Use a calendar to start adding any appointments and highlighting these on your calendar.

·                   Cut or mark pictures of things you like and dislike from bridal publications or other magazines. Categorized the pictures by grouping gowns together, cakes together, etc. Use these to help create your day as well as to present your ideas to vendors and your Wedding Consultant.

·                   Use your worksheets, checklists, and forms to mark off completed items and keep track of all of your activities. This will also help you stay organized and to ensure everyone stays informed.

·                   Set aside time to attend to your wedding planning and details.

·                   If you begin to get stressed or overwhelmed, put aside your planning, take a breather and relax. Then review the progress you have made and what you have accomplished. Use this exercise to rejuvenate yourself.

·                   Hire a Wedding Consultant to assist you in keeping track of all of your details and to help eliminate stress. This is especially important if you have less than 6 months to plan as a Wedding Consultant can help keep the pressure off of you and allow you to enjoy this special time period in your life.

·                   If hiring a consultant is not a possibility, delegate duties to trustworthy friends and family members who have expressed an interest in helping out.

·                   Delegate duties to your fiancé so that he will feel a part of the planning and festivities.