I want to plan my own wedding but need help, any ideas?

Question

I would like to plan my own wedding and I don't want to hire an expensive wedding planner, I would rather do it myself but I need some help.

Answer 1

just do some research online...Meet florist to get ideas about flower arrangement...look at wedding book for ideas...or wedding movies

Answer 2

The things you need to look for are usually where a consultant or planner would save you money.

Don't sign any contract for venues or vendor that has an ESCALATION CLAUSE. The whole idea of booking in advance is to set a price.

Remember that just because they are expensive don't mean they are the best. I.E. Photographers, Bakers, DJ's.

On way to dress up a less expensive location is with Chair coverings. Sometimes you can come in cheaper if you go this route.

These are just a few of the costly mistakes that planners usually head off at the pass.

Answer 3

Hello!
First thing is first..... Here are some things you need to work on.
1. Set Budget (church, reception, flowers,cake, rentals, transportation etc...)
2. Make sure you have the date set and both church and reception hall are available.

Tip: Bring a digital camera with you to take some pictures of what the facility looks like so you can start planning on how you want to decorate.

I do not mind giving free advice to you. I am not sure what help you are needing. You can email me at [e-mail].

I am a Certified Wedding Coordinator from Weddings Beautiful Worldwide.

Answer 4

many people think wedding planners or expensive, they're not.... check out their fees and what they can do for you, many planner/coordinators can offer you 10% to 15% cost with most suppliers/vendors, they'll verify your contracts, make sure you don't get scr***wed over. they have tons of cost cutting ideas, that can save you lots of money, and all the research and whatnot, saves you so much time....making their fee, minimal to what you can save (time and money).

i know a lot of people like to do their own planning/prep, but once they get down to all the details, it can be intimidating (depending how big your wedding is).

these boards are great for wedding ideas.... or you can try www.canadianbride.com and www.weddingbells.com, the brides-to-be and vendors are very helpful.

best of luck to you and your hubby-to-be.

Answer 5

First thing you do is sit down with pen and a notebook and put down your "WISH LIST" for your dream wedding.... things like where to have it, who to officiate (JP, Clergy, Captain of a boat out to sea)...who you want IN it (bridesmaids, maid/matron of honor, ushers and best man, flower girl(s), ring bearer)... If your groom is military, then you have to decide if you want a military style wedding--he in dress uniform, military sword "salute" at the reception, Where to have the reception, what entertainment you want, what type of food you want---type of music to be played, you have to pick out the music for your first dance, for the father/bride dance, the wedding photographer, and lets not forget Honeymoon planning!!!!! I suggest you start about a YEAR in advance of the date you want the wedding---you have to coordinate all the times, dates and places so that the wedding runs on a schedule that fits exactly what you want.... Check first for the dates at the church or wherever the wedding ceremony will take place, pick your date and THEN search out reception venues .... make sure of their food choices and prices PRIOR to signing any contracts... you don't want any unwelcome surprises on the wedding day...Also, contact a limo service if you decide to use limo's, and find out if the reception venue INCLUDES the cake as part of the "package" or if you have to find a baker.....some bakers will let you sample several types of cakes to pick the one you like best --other bakers just will tell you the types of cakes they are willing to make...OR, if you have a good friend who is a photographer or another who is a baker, you can deal with THEM, but be very careful using friends for your wedding jobs... I've seen friendships END because of bad pictures done by a FRIEND or hidden expenses or bad cakes or late cakes or even FORGOTTEN cakes that friends promise .... It may cost you more for a professional stranger, but the cost is very worth it if it might mean you could lose a friend who offers to do these things FOR you and then has a dispute with you later...... You should also go for wedding announcements at LEAST 3 or 4 MONTHS before the wedding....or if you have a nice computer printer and photoprogram on your computer, you could opt to do your OWN invitations... but get them out no later then a MONTH prior to the wedding........that's about it for the planning---good luck and have a HAPPY wedding

Answer 6

The most important thing about planning your own wedding is to be able to delegate responsibility and ask for help.

When you insist on doing everything for yourself, it causes a lot of unnecessary stress and could turn you into a bridezilla.

Enlist the help of friends and family, especially those who have been there, maybe more than once. And most important, have fun and love each other because in the end, that's what its all about.

Answer 7

I suggest that you buy a good, detailed wedding planning workbook from a local book store. They will walk you through every aspect of the wedding, and keep you organized from beginning to end.

Answer 8

Your question is not very specific. You need to book a hall and/or a church to have the wedding and reception, you need a caterer, you need a DJ or band if you want dancing, you need someone to perform the ceremony, you need to get flower arrangements....the list goes on. Ask people you know who've gotten married recently where they got good deals and where they spent too much, they will have good advice for you. Good luck!

Answer 9

Hit up your local book store. I know my local Barnes & Noble has an entire section of just wedding stuff. You can buy your own wedding planning book that is filled with ideas and organizational tools. (that's how I did mine!)

Answer 10

Use theknot.com or theweddingchannel.com. They have some tips on how to plan a wedding.