Thoughtful Planning can help you choose the best wedding venue and vendors, saving both time and money, so …
1. First, Decide on Your STYLE, THEME, TYPE of Venue & Wedding TRADITIONS
What STYLE do you want for your wedding? (Formal, Informal, Rustic, Elegant, etc.)
What THEME do you want? (Traditional, Party & Dance-Oriented, Buffet Stations with a Mingle & Meet style, or a Seated Dinner … Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall … Special Color Palette … Elegant & Romantic, or Rustic & Charming; etc.)
What TYPE of VENUE do you envision? (Garden Setting, Waterfront, Hotel, Historic Location, Golf and Country Club, Castle, Estate, Vineyard, etc.)
What CULTURAL TRADITIONS do you want in your Ceremony & Reception?
To help, we’ve assembled scores of Real Weddings (which you can access by Region or Type of Venue and on our Menu Bar), thoughtful interviews offering still more ideas in our Insights section, including Wedding Traditions, and features on top-rated Venues (#3) and Vendors (#4), plus Gowns (#5) all of which also can be accessed from our Menu Bar.
2. Determine Your NUMBER of Guests & Your Wedding BUDGET
After determining your approximate Number of Guests, you can set your Budget. Decide who will pay for each item or what percentage of the budget each will be responsible for.
3. Choose Your VENUE & Your DATE
Knowing your STYLE, THEME, TYPE of VENUE, and desired CULTURAL TRADITIONS, plus your approximate NUMBER of GUESTS and your BUDGET, you can start the process of Selecting your Venue. We have an extensive list at Venues and also on our Menu Bar. Our Venue Insights section also can provide more understanding.
Visit several venues with the setting you want and meet those who will help create your day. Do you have a “Chemistry” with them? When ready, book your Venue & Date. Now that you’ve met the planners at your venue, given your own preferences, decide if you want to hire your own Wedding Planner.
4. Choose Your Vendors / Schedule Your Invitations
With your DATE & VENUE set, now you can select your … Band and/or DJ, Photographer, Cinematographer, Officiant, Florist, Invitations, Favors, and any other item.
You’re of course looking for professionalism, talent, and pricing within your budget. We also encourage you to choose vendors who Best Communicate with you and also Understand Your Vision. As you consider vendors, we have lists of special Vendors and on our Menu Bar. Our Vendor Insights section also can provide more understanding, as can our Wedding Traditions section.
With your DATE, VENUE, & GUEST LIST in hand, you can schedule your INVITATIONS, mailing at least 6-8 weeks in advance. Having a Destination or Holiday Wedding (like New Year’s Eve)? Then mail as early as 3 months in advance. SAVE THE DATE emails or mailings are also wise.
5. Choose Your Gown, Accessories, & Beauty Stylists
With your DATE & VENUE set, you also can choose your Wedding Gown, Accessories, Hair & Makeup Stylists, & Bridesmaid Fashions.
These decisions follow from your sense of style, already reflected in your specific choice of Venue and Season. For example, the “Look” you want for your Gown and all related Fashion choices would likely be different if you chose a Waterfront venue than if you chose a Hotel venue, or a Summer Wedding vs. a Winter Wedding. To help you choose your gown, we have the most recent creations from Over 50 Top Designers. To see gowns at actual venue settings, we have Gowns On Location at NJ Venues and also at NY/PA Venues. Alterations and fittings may require an extended period, so make sure to get a workable schedule from your designer and/or gown salon. We also present a variety of talented Hair & Makeup Artists we’ve worked with over the years at our high-pressure on-location photo shootings.
… Once you’ve chosen your Venue & Date, Vendors, Gown, & Beauty Stylists …
6. Set Your Wedding PLANNER & TIMELINE
Create your own personal PLANNER and BUDGET worksheets with Excel or any of the numerous Project Planning Apps, using our Insights section for further understanding. We’re also creating a Complete Wedding Planner and a comprehensive Wedding Budget Worksheet for you, which will be launched soon.
7. Create Your REGISTRY & Plan Your HONEYMOON
Here are ideas for your Registry and Honeymoon Destination.