Choose The Perfect Ring
There is a lot of pressure on selecting the perfect engagement ring. What if your soon-to-be-betrothed picks the wrong one? What if you change your mind? Or, what if you cannot decide because you like them all? There are no wrong answers to these questions, but there is a right one. The way to determine which engagement ring is right for you is to spend some time with the rings.
Find a store near you with a kind, patient, and knowledgeable staff. Get your nails done before you go, so nothing is detracting from the ring itself. Try on a variety of engagement ring styles in different cuts, colors, and settings. Make sure you slip on configurations you may not gravitate toward instead of dismissing them outright. You never know what might move you until you try it on. Take pictures of you with the rings on so you can revisit your choices until you have made a final decision. Engagement rings are extremely personal pieces of jewelry that you will wear for a very long time, so you want to make sure you get it right.
Set A Realistic Budget.
One of the most important things you should keep at the top of your mind when creating a wedding budget is that this is only one day in your life. However, if this is a day you have been dreaming of since you were a child and have beautiful visions of what the day should look like, you have carte blanche to make it the day of your dreams, as long as it fits in your budget.
Talk with your partner and discuss goals, wishes, and hopes for the day. Be sure to discuss the other days that surround it, such as bachelor and bachelorette parties, special dinners before the wedding that include your families and the wedding party, and the honeymoon, of course. These things can add up very quickly. Of note, it is important to think about others’ budgets when considering a destination wedding or expensive bachelor and bachelorette parties. While these are celebrations for your nuptials, if you want people to attend, you should be mindful of what they can realistically afford.
Start The Wedding Planning Process Early
You have surely seen the wedding shows on TV where some go off without a hitch and others are complete disasters with many hovering in between the two extremes. One of the best things you can do for yourself, your future spouse, and everyone else involved in your wedding is to begin planning as early as possible. That way, you will have less stress and can still live your lives without eating and breathing wedding logistics 24/7.
Start the planning with these integral items:
- Set the date: Select a wedding date that works for you and your partner and anyone else that must be there on the special day, such as your respective families and the wedding party. Choose one or two alternate dates, just in case.
- Choose the venue: Since sought-after locations tend to book quickly and well in advance of the wedding date, carefully consider the locations you will enjoy for your wedding and reception. Choose one or two alternates, once again, and look at reviews online before making an in-person visit. Be prepared to put down a deposit right away for popular destinations.
- Book the vendors: Carefully review and vet any wedding vendors you are interested in before making contact. This will help you sift through those with bad reviews and save time. Make appointments to see their work, if necessary. Some vendors you will want to book include a catering service, photographer and/or videographer, officiant, band or DJ, florist, and photo booth service.
- Get a license: Since laws may vary from state to state, it is essential to know and understand the unique laws in your state of residence or the location where you will be married if it is elsewhere. Learn what steps you need to take to secure a marriage license and begin the process based on the legal parameters and timeline.
Checklists can prove invaluable when planning anything of importance. If you are already an adherent of checklists, then you know how helpful they can be. If you have never used one for planning, now is the perfect time to begin!
Sit down with a pen and paper, a printed calendar, an online calendar, a digital spreadsheet, or anything that works for you. Write down every single action you have already taken regarding wedding planning or anything that is pending or planned. Some examples might include: “Contacted [X] venue, waiting for answer,” or “Wedding Day!” Another one is “Payment for caterer due today.” By carefully documenting your actions, intentions, and deadlines, you will avoid missing important items and ensure everything stays on track.
As part of your checklist activities, you need to save receipts and correspondence. If it is related to your wedding, you need to file it away accordingly. Create a physical file as well as a digital one, where you can store PDFs of contracts and wedding email correspondence. By staying organized, you can pull up documentation at a moment’s notice to prove payment was received, for example, and avoid any delays or miscommunications.
Watch this insightful video from a professional wedding planner on pitfalls to avoid during the wedding planning process.
Plan a stress-free wedding by following these realistic tips. Start with your ring to find the one that shines the brightest for you. Move on to the planning and preparation stages. Remember to have fun along the way and enjoy the thrill of your new adventure with the one you love.
This is a contributed post.
Photo: Elle Korea
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