Memphis Wedding Articles » Wedding Planning
Your wedding day is one of the most special moments in your life. The amount of planning that is needed to make the day special is necessary. It is hopefully a once in a lifetime event that through careful planning will be memorable and enjoyable for all of those involved.
When preparing to plan a wedding, you must decide whether you wish to do this on your own or use a professional wedding planner. Cost should not be the factor that drives your decision to use or not use a planner. There are talents, skills and expertise which a wedding planner brings to the table that more than justifies the cost. The cost for a wedding planner is between $1,500 and $5,000 with a median average of about $3,250.
If you choose a wedding planner, choose a person that you can work with and who possesses years of experience. The planner should be able to understand and interpret your vision for the wedding and share ideals that transform that vision into a beautiful wedding experience. The planner takes on the various tasks that would be considered mundane and tedious such as arranging the floral settings and renting a reception hall.
You may choose to pocket the $3,000 cost and plan the wedding yourself, which is certainly an option. Understand that if you choose to go this route, keep meticulous notes and make lists concerning every aspect of the wedding plan. Planning takes time and an attention to detail so maintaining a tickler file of the various milestones and dates would be helpful. You may find yourself devoting as much time to the process of planning the wedding as you do on your career or other outside pursuits. Be aware that this level of commitment is necessary if you want the nuptials to be perfect.
There are many websites and magazines available as well to help guide you in your planning. These resources, such as Bride magazine, can provide you with planning tips, wedding planning dos and don’ts and give you insight on shortcuts that may be helpful in making your wedding successful. A magazine or website can also provide resources on where to go in your area for assistance and be used as a handy tip sheet as you prepare for the perfect wedding day.
You can ask friends who have recently become married about their experiences and to share with you any pitfalls or cautions they may have encountered during their planning. These stories can give you some insight as to best practices as well as areas to avoid as you prepare for your wedding day. Their experiences serve as a great guide for you and may lead you to referrals for services that are needed such as a good baker for the wedding cake, wedding photographer or catering service for the wedding day dinner.