We hope this guide will provide you with insightful and useful information that pertains to us here in our area, with practical advice from respectable and caring professionals with lots of experience and knowledge, but most of all, we hope you can have a little fun while you are planning and preparing for your big event. It is after-all, a “happy” occasion and shouldn’t be stress-filled. We share in your goal of making your wedding day perfect!

Take a little time to browse our sight and we think you will return often. Feel free to print off any or all of the worksheets and planning information we have provided for you and most important…be sure to visit our participating vendors for the best products and services our area has to offer.

GETTING STARTED
Get organized and stay organized! There is a lot to do, think about and you will have all kinds of advice. You’ll want to collect samples, pictures, ideas, make notes and lists. You will need to collect contracts & receipts, menus & music lists. You’ll have fabric samples and color swatches to match.

Follow this link to our BUILD A PLANNING NOTEBOOK for instructions on a great way to get organized and keep everything in one place so it is ready and available as you need it.

Where do I begin?

Once the elation of becoming engaged and the first round of loving and exciting “congratulations have been received, you and your fiancé will soon need to make some important decisions. You should always share your wonderful news with both sets of parents if you haven’t done so already. The next step is to decide when you want to get married and what kind of wedding you will have. Several factors may need to be taken into consideration…

• What type of wedding?
• What location?
• How many guests?
• Who will be paying?
• When: Summer? Fall? Winter? Spring? Daytime or Evening?

Are there other considerations? Does one or both of you need to finish school? Move for a new job? Complete Military duty? Do you need to marry in a hurry for one reason or another?

Keep all of these things in mind when making your decision. Remember that the more formal and elaborate the wedding you choose; the more expensive and time consuming it will be. Be flexible with dates and times as some venues book up months and even years in advance.

Print a copy of the PLANNING CALENDER & TIMELINE post it in a safe place and check off each task as you complete it.

There are wonderful resources available to help you obtain great ideas in your planning quest. Be sure to attend the local Bridal Fairs and Seminars that are given at least twice a year. These shows offer “one stop shopping” to couples who are planning their weddings, with vendors offering loads of information all in one location. They are not only informative but a lot of fun with samples, door prizes, discounts and fashion shows. Be sure to check out all of the Bridal Magazines and other informative materials that are available, like the “WEDDING RESOURCE GUIDE.” You may pick this guide up for free from any of our Vendors listed with our website.

What Kind of a Wedding?

There are as many kinds of weddings as there are individuals. Here in the USA, most weddings are held in a place of worship and most couples choose a formal and/or religious ceremony. There are however, many couples who will choose a destination wedding, an outdoor wedding or a very simple informal or civil ceremony. Your choice should be determined by your budget, your preferences, the convenience for your family and guests as well as the time of year, the location and the number of guests you would like to attend.

Once you have determined what kind of wedding you want to have, everything else will begin to fall into place. You will then have an idea of what to wear, where to have it, how many attendants, how many guests, what kind of decorations, what kind and how much food, etc. The choices will only be limited by your imagination and your budget.

The following information is offered as a general guideline and is based upon the very traditional. We encourage you to use your own personality and preferences when making your decisions and deciding on the details of your wedding, but do allow professionals to offer advice and direction. They have much experience to draw from and may know a secret or a shortcut that could be of benefit to you.

Very Formal Wedding is always held in a house of worship. The ceremony is most often held at 6:00 pm or later in the evening. The bridal attire consists of a floor length gown, typically with a cathedral length train and full veil. Attendants and Mothers should also wear floor length gowns, usually with gloves and often hats. The Men would wear Full Dress Tailcoats in black with white or ivory vests and bow ties, gloves and top hats. There are often 6 to 12 attendants for each.

Formal Wedding is most often held in a house of worship, but do take place in other venues as well. The ceremony is usually held in the afternoon or evening. The bride will usually wear a floor length gown with a chapel length train and veil. Attendants and Mothers wear floor length gowns as well. Gentlemen wear black or white tuxedo jackets with any color of vest and tie. The Groom may opt for a Tail Coat. There are usually 2 to 6 attendants for each.

Semi-Formal Wedding can be held in most any location at any time of the day. It is usually a “dressy” event with the Bride wearing a ballerina or full length gown, but her accessories should be simpler. Perhaps a hat or short veil. Likewise, her attendants and mothers should wear tea length or short dresses or suits. Gentlemen may choose tuxedos but a business suit would be perfectly appropriate. For morning weddings, the traditional Cutaway tuxedo would be perfect.

Informal Wedding can be held in any location, at any time. These are most often held in small venues, at home, in the courthouse or in destination locations. Attire is anything you want it to be.

Print a copy of the WEDDING PLANNING WORKSHEET

Setting the Date & Time

Deciding on the Date and the time of your wedding can be a juggling act between doing what works best for you and your guests and getting the best rates for your budget. If you have your heart set on a particular location for your ceremony and/or reception and you may be forced to choose a date that is available at that site.

Many popular locations book up quite a long time in advance.

The most economical times to hold a wedding are during the “off-season” and on week-nights or Sunday evenings. On the other hand, many guests would have a difficult time attending during the week or on a Sunday evening because of work schedules, school, etc. In general, you want to choose a time that isn’t going to cause a lot of scheduling conflicts for your guests and family members. Major holidays and school vacations are often difficult. Consider what is best for you, your family and your budget. Choose a date and time that works best for the people that you care the most about, so that they can attend.

The Wedding Budget

This is where the excitement and the romance suddenly become clouded by reality. We often want more than our budget will allow. This is where you’ll have to set priorities, make compromises and communicate with each other and with your vendors.

The first step is to sit down together and with your parents if they are contributing, to determine how much you are going to have available to spend. Because few couples know how much vendor services will actually cost, we suggest that you first determine what you want, and then contact a few vendors in your area to determine what each item will cost. After you have a “ballpark” estimate, then you will have to decide what is the most important to you. Consider your fiancé‘s feelings as well as your parents.

Do you have your heart set on a live band but would be willing to borrow a gown from a friend? Do you want lots of fresh flowers or could you cut down on those and have more pictures? Do you really want a limo for the day or could you borrow a friend’s car? Are you willing to move your reception to another location because you really want to get married in a particular church? These are all things to think about and consider.

Who Pays for What? Traditionally the list below explains what is expected from each member of the wedding party and families, however in today’s society, there are no longer “rules”. It is considerate to be aware of each person’s circumstances when determining expenses. If they will have to pay to travel, you might consider paying for their attire or lodging.

The Bride pays for:
Groom’s wedding ring
Wedding Gift for the Groom
Gifts for female attendants
Bride’s medical exam
Accommodations for out of town bridesmaids (optional)

The Groom pays for:
Bride’s engagement and wedding rings
Wedding Gift for the Bride
Marriage License
Gifts for Best Man and Groomsmen
Officiant’s Fee
Groom’s medical exam
Honeymoon
Accommodations for out of town attendants (optional)

Bride’s Family pays for:
The entire cost of the wedding ceremony and reception including music, site fees, photography, catering, decorations, etc.)
Wedding gift for Bride & Groom
Invitations, announcements and postage
Bride’s wedding gown and accessories
Wedding photographs
Bridesmaid’s bouquets and flower girl’s bouquet or basket
Transportation to ceremony & reception

Groom’s Family pays for:
Wedding gift to Bride & Groom
Bride’s Bouquet
Mothers’ and Grandmothers’ corsages
Boutonnieres for Fathers, Grandfathers and Groom’s wedding party
Rehearsal Dinner
Any other expenses they wish to help with

Wedding Attendants pay for:
Wedding attire and accessories
Travel and lodging expenses
Wedding gift for new couple
Bridal Shower gift for Bride (female attendants)
Cost of hosting a Bridal Shower, bachelor party and/or bachelorette party

Wedding Guests pay for:
Travel and lodging expenses
Wedding gift for new couple

Print the WEDDING BUDGET WORKSHEET

Ways to cut expenses

• Don’t choose a date that coincides with a holiday. This can mean escalated costs for flowers and site rentals. However, since many sites are already decorated for the holiday, you might actually save money.
• Skip the hard alcohol. Serve champagne, beer and wine only. This will not only save money, but might save you the headaches of finding designated drivers and liability concerns.
• Use candles. They set a romantic and intimate tone for your wedding and reception and will allow you to cut down on expensive flowers. (Be sure to check with your locations first).
• Secure your vendors early. Many vendors book months in advance, and booking early will not only assure you the date that you want, but might enable you to negotiate a better deal or discount.
• Reduce the number of attendants. Do you really need 12 bridesmaids? You will have reduced costs in flowers, gifts and accommodations or more.
• Don’t overestimate your guest list. It is tempting to do so, but be conservative. You will be paying per person, whether or not the person actually is in attendance.
• Choose simple flowers and decorations. Hand tied bouquets are much less expensive. Even a single flower tied with pretty ribbon is adequate and will save a lot of money. Choose flowers that are “in season” and readily available.
• Ask about alteration expenses. Don’t assume that the cost of alterations is included in the price. Find out exactly what you will be spending before you choose that dress. It may not be worth it, even on sale.
• Make your ceremony flowers and decorations do “double-duty”. Use those flowers and decorations for the reception site as well.
• Consider a daytime wedding. Brunches and luncheons are much less expensive than dinners and evening parties served with alcohol. Also consider just serving cake with punch & coffee.