getting married for the first time?

Question

I dont have a clue on what to do first! that would probally be setting a date and place right? how far in advance do you think I need to reserve a place? how many bridesmades? what kind of food should I serve at the reception that is affordable but not tacky? when should I buy my dress?..........Ya see, I am a mess! I have NO idea! PLEASE tell me everything I need to know/do!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

I'm getting married for the first time, too, but have been a bridesmaid in 4 weddings, maid of honor in one, and helped my future sister in law on her big day even though I wasn't in the bridal party.

So, the first thing you need to do is to create a preliminary list of who you want to invite (you, your fiance, his parents and your parents) so you know about how many people to expect at the reception/ceremony so you know what size venue you will be looking for. Then you need to determine a budget so you can figure out how much you want to spend per head (how much you want to spend on your reception, your dress, favors, band, flowers, etc.). Then you need to start looking at places for your reception. Do you want to get married & have the reception in the same place? If not, you need to find a church/synagogue/mosque or wherever you worship and book that place. Then book your reception hall. Your reception hall will usually have different levels of packages ranging from a cocktail hour reception (where only finger foods are served) at the low end of cost, to a buffet, to a less expensive sit-down dinner, to a more expensive sit-down dinner to a most expensive sit-down dinner. Each level will include more things, but you can figure out what you want and what you don't, and you usually can bargain by taking things out or substituting for other items, and find something that is classy in your price range. The food choices will usually be set for you, but if there is something you have your heart set on (like veal scaloppine but the only choices are chicken francaise and seared sea bass) you can usually ask the venue to make that for you, substituting it for another option or paying slightly more to have it added on.

You should buy your dress 9 months in advance of your wedding to give yourself plenty of time for the dress to come in (most are custom made when you order them), get altered, have multiple fittings and be ready to go on your big day.

As for how many bridesmaids you want to have, that depends on who your closest friends are and how many you want to have stand for you on your day. How many groomsmen does your fiance want to have? Most people like to have this number even, but it's not necessary. I've been in a wedding with far more groomsmen than bridesmaids and I've been in a wedding that had the reverse. But, most I've been in have been even on either side. But, remember you need to buy a gift for each bridesmaid who is in your wedding, and a nicer gift for the maid of honor, to be given to them at the rehearsal dinner. Personally, I am having 8 bridesmaids. I've been in weddings with 4, weddings with 6 and weddings with more than 8. But, 8 is the number that works for me.

You will also need to book a photographer, choose a florist, choose dresses/colors for your bridesmaid, choose an officiant, get invitations, get favors (if you are doing them, although they are not necessary) and get any religious things you may need (like a unity candle or a ketubah).

You should also register soon after you get engaged because people will want to start buying you engagement gifts. Choose two or three places to register--a specialty store (like Williams Sonoma, Crate & Barrel or Pottery Barn), a department store (like Macys, Fortunoff or Bloomingdales),

And, don't forget that you have to figure out your state regulations and get a marriage license and blood test (if necessary) in time to have everything ready for your wedding day.

Most wedding websites have a wedding checklist to help you figure out what you have to do and when in order to get everything done in time.

Good luck! There is a lot to do, but you'll have a lot of fun planning it, I hope!

Answer 2

weddingchannel.com has a great tool where you punch in your budget and it breaks out where the best place to spend your money is. Also, they have a checklist with a timeline. The first thing you want to do is set a budget and make a preliminary; guest list. Talk to your parents to see if there is anyone they "need" to invite. Once you know how many people and how much $$ you have, you can pick a venue. Talk to the manager to find out what dates they have available, and set your date from there.

Answer 3

Sit down and think about what you and your future husband want for a wedding and reception. How big or small, how many people you want in the actual wedding, what you want to wear...etc. Write it down, and do a estimate of the cost. If its more than you have to spend right now, start saving for it and set your date for like 3 months after you achieve your goal. But when you get half way to your goal, start making reservations and picking out the dress and formal ware(if thats the way you both decide to go). Its both of yours first wedding, you should do it they way you both have always dreamed it should be, if you don't you will regret it later in life, I know I do.

Answer 4

You need an rough idea of how many people you want to invite then book a place. This could change your date dramatically as some places book upto to 2 years in advance. Give yourself at least a year to plan. If you don't your ever waking moment Will be wedding wedding wedding. Then pick your attendants give them lots of time to plan too as it is expensive to be in a wedding. Try these web pages for a wedding pklanning break down
www.ezweddingplanner.com
www.theknot.com

Answer 5

First and probably most importantly, Set your Budget!!! Once you know how much your planning to spend think about what is most important to you and list them. Find the reception & ceremony location that you desire and then go from there.