The moment you tell the first person you are officially engaged you will get bombarded with questions (after the hugs, squeals and giggles of course) like so what’s the date? Where are you going to have it? Of course I’m invited aren’t I?! Even if one or the both of you have been planning this day since you were born, chances are that when you put these visions on the table you are bound to have to compromise on something. Before you even get into what colour palette to choose, what you’re going to wear, or who is standing up with you there are two KEY questions that will kick start your wedding planning process:

What is your vision for your wedding? Regardless of the money we have available to us, I list this question first because your vision stays with you throughout the process and can determine how you feel about the day in the end. The budget determines how your vision will be incorporated.

Sit down separately at first with a blank piece of paper and write out three words you want people to use when describing your wedding, and three words you don’t want them to use. This is the time to write down any themes, colours, elements you wish to be included. What does your event look like? Smell like? Sound like? How many people were you thinking of having? Is your wedding going to be local? A destination wedding? These are just some ideas to get you started but you have the idea… you want to create your own unique vision that you can then bring to the table and discuss with your partner to come up with how you are going to tie your visions together to create something unique to YOU as a couple.

What is your wedding budget? Now that you have an idea of what you both want – what are you willing and able to set aside to make this vision happen? I do not suggest going into debt for your wedding. If you have to come up with your magic number and have to save for another year before the celebration I would do that! Lots of people get caught up in the excitement and want to start planning right away. This usually requires securing vendors with deposits so it can get expensive from the get-go. Also on a limited budget you may have to scratch things/people off your list that you really wanted to have/invite.

Your budget will then help you determine your guest list and how you incorporate your vision. I’ve seen weddings for 50 people that have cost what weddings can cost for 200 people, it depends on your priorities and how you want to host that guest list. Create a three part list… the MUST invite people, the WOULD like to invite people, and the IT WOULD BE NICE to invite list. The budget will determine if you make it to the third list.

Looking for a good tool to keep track of your wedding budget, check out Gail Vaz Oxlade’s online wedding budget calculator.  Remember this is only an average but depending on your taste in wedding details/priorities and the wedding location you may be above or below the 20K average.

Dream.Plan.Enjoy.

Holly Matrimony Weddings is a Wedding Coordination company specializing in Muskoka, Niagara and Toronto Weddings. Certified by The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada (since 2005) and by the Gay Wedding Institute Holly looks to work with each couple to facilitate their wedding vision so they can enjoy their day with friends and family.
Phone: 416-508-3370
Email: info@hollymatrimony.ca
Website: www.hollymatrimony.ca