If you are planning a wedding of your own and feel as if you're overlooking something but can't quite put your finger on it, here are some planning secrets to keep your planning on the right path -
(1). Prioritize Your List
To reduce the guest list make use of the 'tiers of priority' approach. First, at the top of the list you should write down your immediate family along with your bridal party and very best friends. Next you can add on your Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, and some of your closest friends that you couldn't imagine not being there. Now you can add friends of your parents, coworkers, neighbors, etc. When it's time to make cuts you simply start at the bottom and work up.
(2). Keep Your Guests Priority #1
You need to know how many guests you're planning to invite before you decide on a venue. For Melbourne weddings a good place to start searching for a venue is a wedding venue directory Melbourne. However, before you decide on one you need to figure out how much space you'll need. One rule of thumb says to allow from 25 to 30 sq. ft. for each guest. This figure might seem a bit much but once you figure in the space you'll need for waiters, a dance floor, the band, and tables, you see it becomes totally logical.
(3). Lighten Your Wedding List
One of the fastest and easiest ways to save money on your wedding budget is to pare down the guest list. Half of all your wedding expenses will go toward wining and dining the guests. Let's say it's going to cost you around $100 for each guest. If you cut your list by 10 people that will save you about $1,000. That's a lot of cash.
(4). Be Organizationally Focused
A good wedding help is a simple 3-ring binder. You can use it to make notes during meetings, hold photos from magazines you'd like your vendors to see, and keep records of all the correspondences you've had with various vendors. It's a big help if you set up a specific email address just for handling your wedding affairs. Keep important numbers recorded on your cell phone. There is a 'Knot Wedding Planner' app that you can download to help you keep all your planning information on-hand digitally at all times.
(5). Clear Your Head and Learn to Relax
Clearing your head isn't just grabbing a little fresh air. It's ridding yourself of all the anxiety that planning a wedding can bring. Maybe you can cut down on your coffee consumption. If you're dependent on a prescription drug you can get help from an addiction rehab facility. That may sound a bit strong but this special day calls for being all you can be. I would highly recommend 'neuro linguistics' practitioners (NLP) to help you learn how to deal with anxiety.
Learn to relax by heading down to one of the local yoga studios and learning some of their techniques. Melbourne is full of really great yoga studios that you can take advantage of. These studios often also have float tanks in Melbourne, so be sure to jump in one and unwind!
(6). Get Honest Feedback on Your Wedding Dress
Never go shopping for a wedding dress by yourself. After looking at so many dresses they soon start to all look alike. It becomes difficult to recall what styles you liked the best. Mothers and sisters are great in this area. If they aren't available then your closest friends can help. You really want to get this decision right so don't go it alone, get some honest feedback from people who love you.
(7). Learn About the Marriage License Requirements in Your State
You can usually check these out online. However, a call to your county clerk's office could pay some big dividends. They can verify the times that they issue the licenses and the other information on the website (not all websites are updated as often as they should be). Let your mother or the maid hold onto a copy of your new marriage license in case you happen to lose your own just before the wedding.
(8). Leave Wiggle Room in Your Wallet
Even the best of wedding planners can be caught off guard by unforeseen circumstances. It's always wise to allow a good 5% of your budget for things that weren't counted on. You could have miscalculated how many people show up or have a table break down on you. You may run short on food or drink. There are loads of things that can happen during such an elaborate event. Make sure there is money to fall back on in case of emergency.
(9). Make Yourself a Meal Plan
A lot of wedding planners overlook the fact that they have to feed their wedding crew as well as their guests. Before you sign on the dotted line with a vendor make sure you won't have to feed the crew the same chow as the guests. This could add up to substantial savings. If the guests are having lobster and you can feed the crew some hamburgers or at least something cheaper, you'll come out way ahead of the game.
(10). Wait on the Right Date
A lot of couples like to book the wedding venue several months ahead of time. If you call to get an open date just a couple of months before your desired date it could save you a substantial amount of money, sometimes as much as 25%. If you can book your venue for a Friday or Sunday wedding, it can cost you as much as 30% less than if you decided to hold it on a Saturday.
(11). Brace Yourself for Rejection
Not everyone who is invited will attend. The rule of thumb is that about 30% of those invited will not show up. Of course, your choice of venue will have a lot to do with that. People coming from out-ot-town have the most trouble making it to the event. Weddings can be tricky, especially when you try to choose a venue that suits not only suits yourself but is convenient for your guests as well.
(12). Keep Things in Order
When planning your wedding schedule you want to keep things very well organized and in a logical, sensible order. Slow down and take your time during your planning stage. Look at each and every detail without rushing through anything. Never hire a vendor prior to confirming your date. Never design the cake until you know what flowers you'll use, or book the band before deciding on a space.
Lots of people may be willing to help but good wedding help may be hard to find. That's why you need to check with the bridal directories Melbourne as well as the wedding venue directory Melbourne before you start deciding on anything concrete.
The information will be invaluable in the planning of a wedding. Make that day be the best it can be by following the tips above. A smooth and memorable wedding is entirely possible when you have good planning.
Best of luck for the perfect wedding!
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