"Prettiest Course in Durham" Play 18 or 9 Holes of Golf - Wedding Reception - Golf Tournaments - Banquets - Lessons - Kids Summer Camp Programs
"Prettiest Course in Durham" Play 18 or 9 Holes of Golf - Wedding Reception - Golf Tournaments - Banquets - Lessons - Kids Summer Camp Programs
Say “I do” to an enchanted vineyard wedding in the heart of Niagara wine country. We offer unique spaces for your wedding celebrations and beautiful garden backgrounds for photos. Whether it be a picturesque outdoor ceremony in front of a Niagara vineyard or a romantic and rustic barnhouse reception, we provide a venue that will make your big day unforgettable. Honour the happy couple in a charming venue located on the main level of our historic restaurant building. A wall of windows provides stunning views of the Twenty Valley and escarpment.
Open blue skies, the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze and the sun dancing on the pond. Beautiful birch and cedar trees line the horizon posing for your perfect pictures. The person you love standing by your side as you take the biggest step of your lives, together. The Wilds at Cedar Valley can help make your dream wedding come true. Your Day, Your Way. The Wilds at Cedar Valley Golf Course offers a magical location nestled in the woods for your wedding day. Our screened timber construction pavilion, located among mature trees overlooking a pond is the perfect, naturally beautiful setting for your special day. Perfectly set tables displaying your romantic decorations, to ensuring your guests receive the best possible service, our staff is here to make sure your wedding day is just right! From helping to coordinate the "day of" details for your DJ, photographer, florist, and even your wedding parties entrance, we're here for you. Our in house catering is second to none, whether you would like an elegant plated dinner or you'd prefer something a little more laid back like buffet style menu, we have options to suit every preference. The Wilds is truly the perfect venue for weddings up to 100 people, seeking stunning outdoor wedding photos and capturing all those special moments to remember.
It’s been said that Glencairn is the closest you’ll come to Scotland without crossing the Atlantic. From the moment you pass the stone gates and wind your way between rock fences to the majestic multi-turreted clubhouse, you will feel like you just arrived at a Scottish links. Designed by Thomas McBroom, Glencairn’s 27 links-style holes are punctuated by steep pot bunkers and framed by fescue that waves menacingly in the ever-present wind that buffets the Halton Hills just west of Toronto. Burns (narrow meandering streams) cut through the heaving landscape of the Niagara Escarpment. You’ll have to be creative on the tight lies that surround the mammoth undulating greens. Afterwards, luxuriate in the castle-like clubhouse modeled after Scotland’s Muirfield, featuring brilliant photographs from three decades of Open Championship golf taken by award-winning photographer Doug Ball. Grab an ale in a cozy corner of the magnificently appointed Friar Pub or end your work week with a Friday night on the patio listening to one of the live bands that offer some sounds of the summer to savour with your delectable meal. The magnificent clubhouse is also an idyllic spot for hosting weddings, banquets or meetings. Make the short jaunt to Glencairn, transport yourself to Scotland, and save the plane fare.
The Ontario Wedding Network has already begun listing hundreds of wedding businesses within our directory, which means that your business may already be listed in our directory. You can find …
Welcome to the Ontario Wedding Network and thank you for taking the time to check out this blog post on getting started. If you are planning a wedding and need …
Looking to add your business listing to the Ontario Wedding Network? No problem! You can either add your business listing yourself, or you can have us list it for you! …
Hello and welcome to the launch of the Ontario Wedding Network! OWN is an online directory of wedding businesses in Ontario created with a dual purpose. On one hand, we …
This post was originally written by by Krisit Kellogg, Anna Price Olson, and Jessie Mooney DiGiovanna for Brides.com The question is popped, the ring is on, stars are in your eyes…but …
This article was originally posted by Mindy Weiss on Brides.com First things first: Planning a wedding can feel pretty overwhelming at times (trust me, I do it for a living). …
The Ontario Wedding Network has already begun listing hundreds of wedding businesses within our directory, which means that your business may already be listed in our directory. You can find out if your business is already listed by searching your business category and city from the homepage or menu.
Once you have found your business listing, if you would like to make edits or take ownership of your listing, you will first need to claim it. You can claim ownership of it by clicking the “Claim Now” link in the sidebar of your listing. This will take you to a form you will need to fill out in order to verify business ownership. For the security of our platform and its business owners, you will be required to prove ownership or stewardship of the business in order to claim your listing.
If you do not see this link to “Claim Now,” this means that your business listing has already been claimed. If you are trying to claim a business and do not see this link, please contact support for assistance and we will review the listing ownership and ensure it is in the right hands.
Welcome to the Ontario Wedding Network and thank you for taking the time to check out this blog post on getting started. If you are planning a wedding and need help finding the perfect wedding venue and vendors then you are in the right place!
As you’re browsing around our directory of wedding professionals, you’re going to want to add any that you like to your “favorites.” As you add these wedding businesses to your favourites, they will automatically be displayed in your profile under “My Wedding Team.” Here you can compare your favorites in each category in order to help you choose which vendors you like the best!
Looking to add your business listing to the Ontario Wedding Network? No problem! You can either add your business listing yourself, or you can have us list it for you!
If you would like to have one of our experts add your business listing on your behalf, please click here. Otherwise, we are going to walk you through the process of adding your listing Step by Step! The first thing you are going to want to do is to begin gathering some resources. Here are the things you will need to get started;
Once you have these items together you can navigate to the List Your Business page and follow the prompts from there, starting with choosing your business type Wedding Venue or Wedding Vendor.
Hello and welcome to the launch of the Ontario Wedding Network! OWN is an online directory of wedding businesses in Ontario created with a dual purpose. On one hand, we exist to help people organize, plan, and book their wedding venues and vendors. On the other hand, our mission is also to help wedding businesses gain more exposure to high-quality leads. So whether you’re here to plan your wedding, or list your wedding business in our directory, we want to thankyou for stopping by.
Our network is built for those who are planning weddings as well as wedding businesses of all kinds. Our mission is to be the most valuable resource for wedding planning in Ontario, and we will be accomplishing this goal through our online directory, our blog, and wedding resources, as well as an in-house team of wedding experts who are here to help and support you.
If you have any questions about our wedding directory or how to list your wedding business, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
This post was originally written by by Krisit Kellogg, Anna Price Olson, and Jessie Mooney DiGiovanna for Brides.com
The question is popped, the ring is on, stars are in your eyes…but now what? With so many tasks to take care of and details to arrange, planning a wedding can seem overwhelming. But, if you give yourself enough time to plan and sort the tasks month by month with a wedding-planning checklist and wedding timeline, the job becomes more fun and less stressful.
“By breaking down the year month by month, you are taking on the planning process in bite-size pieces and it will be far less overwhelming,” says Tessa Lyn Brand, the creative visionary behind Tessa Lyn Events. “You can enjoy each step.” (Trust her. She knows what she is talking about.)
The ideal engagement length, in terms of planning, is 12 to 14 months, according to Brand. With a year or more to plan, brides will usually be able to book their venue of choice. That’s not to say you can’t get your dream venue with less time; it just gets trickier, of course, as popular venues book up quickly.
Brand shared her expert insights to help create this 12-month wedding-planning checklist and timeline to help brides plan a stress-free path to “I do!”
It’s time to do the math and crunch some not-so-fun numbers. Before you can start anything, you have to figure out who’s paying for what and determine your wedding’s bottom line. From there, you’ll want to break down said budget—what’s a priority? What’s not?—and start allocating funds accordingly. (A little market research here comes in handy.) And since these numbers will change as you plan, it’s smart to start a detailed spreadsheet from the get-go. This will help you keep track of your spending and make it easy to adjust numbers along the way.https://6e77b01c08dd8a7474f38c3acd396c6a.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html
If only you could invite any and everyone, right? Chances are, you can’t, which is why you have to put a cap on dishing out invites. When deciding your head count, consider your budget (how much can you afford?) and your venue (how many people does it fit?). Also, who’s paying for what? From there, figure out how you’re going to divvy up the list. If you and your partner are footing the bill, assume you’ll get 70 percent of the invites, while both sets of parents will split the other 30. But if mom and dad are contributing, it’s protocol to give all involved parties—your parents, your partner’s parents, you as a couple—one third each. https://6e77b01c08dd8a7474f38c3acd396c6a.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.htmlNext comes cutting, negotiating, and cutting some more until you reach a final number.
Again, this will depend on your budget. (Fair warning: Most everything will.) But if your funds allow—or if your peace of mind depends on it—now is the time to tap the manager of your big day. This person will be your right-hand woman (or man) and will guide you in all decisions, from selecting a venue to tracking your budget and handling all the logistics.
Now’s the time to sit down and have another heart-to-heart convo with your significant other. After all, the vibe of your wedding needs to be a mutual decision between the two guests of honor. To get the conversation flowing, pour a glass of wine/water/tea and ask yourself: What’s important to you and why? What do you value? Also, know that your venue—more on that below—is going to affect all of this. (Because, in most cases, we’d argue against a glam, black-tie theme for a barn wedding.)
Okay, you know who you’re marrying. Now the real question is where? Trust us: Choosing the venue is one of the most important decisions you’ll make right now. Seriously, the location affects almost everything else, from how many people you invite to what kind of flowers go on the table. Chances are, it’s also the biggest chunk of change you’ve put down, like ever. That’s why you want to explore your options, visit the top contenders, and ultimately select a place that fits your guest count, style, and budget. (Here are the best venues we’d recommend again and again).
Your wedding is the best (and largest) dinner party of your life. So how exactly do you feed 150 of your nearest and dearest? Well, start with hiring people you trust to deliver—whether that’s the venue’s in-house caterer, a preferred caterer recommended by your planner, or even your favorite taco truck. And don’t be afraid to get creative with your menu. Your guests will enjoy tasting your favorite cocktail as much as they will your grandma’s blueberry pie.
Pull up your Pinterest boards, people. It’s finally time to gather inspiration, select a color palette, and create a mood board. If you’re struggling for inspo, planner Jessica Sloane recommends taking a step back to look at things that are already in your world—like how you’ve decorated your house, what you are liking on Instagram, etc.—and draw inspiration from that.
These are the people who will make your night fun—and all those memories last forever (aka, they’re important). Do your research before you hire, ask all the right questions, and maybe even date your photographer. Seriously, this could be the start of a beautiful friendship.
You may know exactly what you want or you might not, which is okay, too. To get you started, here’s an ultimate guide to dress shopping. Also, visit these places in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York City—because finding a gown may be a matter of trial and error, but finding a salon shouldn’t be.
It’s a thoughtful gesture to block out rooms (and secure a discounted rate) for your guests. Here’s everything you need to know.
Get your site running now because you’ll need to put the URL on save the dates next month. Follow these rules and make it pretty using Riley & Grey, Squarespace, or Appy Couple.
Now is a great time to practice being in front of the camera, especially since most photographers include a session in your package. But don’t fret: We have three tips for the camera shy.
The wedding invitation is a guest’s first impression of your big day. That’s why you want to put your best foot forward with a personalized preview. If you’re going custom, start working with a graphic designer or stationer now to create your dream suite. If you’re going for a less involved route, you can wait until the six-month mark. (Invites will be sent out just six to eight weeks prior to the big day.) Here are 12 of our favorite sites to look for invites.
It’s time to say “yes” to the dress if you want to avoid rush fees.
Let everyone officially know when and where you’re making it official. And remember: Everyone who gets a save the date gets a wedding invite. No exceptions.
Involve your better half in this one—after all, you two are building a life (and home) together. When registering, it’s smart to ask for staples—like sheets and pots and pans, and so on—but it’s even more genius to think about what you really want. Are you adventurers? Aspiring chefs? Charity givers? Consider your hobbies and tailor your registry to your soon-to-be-married lifestyle.
After browsing Brides.com for initial research, ask your bridesmaids to come shopping with you IRL—if they live close by. It will be helpful for you to see them in the dresses, and you could even ask how they feel in the options you’re considering. (They do have to wear it in front of a crowd of hundreds, after all.) With that said, we’re all about the trend of selecting a color palette—like yellow, grey, burgundy, or white—and letting your girls choose what they want to wear. Even better, check out our guide to perfectly pulling off mismatched dresses.
Much like hiring your other vendors, you want to be simpatico with your florist, as well. In order to do that, we suggest polling friends for recs, scrolling through Instagram inspo, and asking your planner/venue coordinator who they recommend in the area. It’s important that you find someone who is able to deliver on your vision and budget.
Traditionally, the groom’s family pays for the rehearsal dinner so treat this as an opportunity to impress your future MIL if that’s the case. With that said, you still have say in the theme of this party and where it should happen (especially if you’re footing the bill yourself). We love the idea of hosting a family-style dinner at your favorite restaurant—here are some great ones in NYC—or even hosting a casual celebration like a clambake or backyard BBQ. Read this before you start hashing out the details.
If you’re enlisting the talents of a three-piece band, now’s the time to do so. As for the actual music, we say don’t go generic when you can go personal. Here are 100 song ideas for the processional, and 100 for the ever-important bridal march.
You may think of these as extras, and we beg you to change this way of thought. Great rentals essentially act as the good bones of your wedding-day décor. Conclusion: Don’t skimp on upgraded chairs and cozy lounge furniture (your guests will thank you) if your budget allows.
If you aren’t marrying in a house of worship, you’ll need to hire someone to make it official. Couples can use a professional (check local listings online on Thumbtack) or take a more intimate approach and ask a close friend or family member to do the honors.
The most important detail couples forget about is lighting. Seriously, the bulbs and candles you select are what will ultimately light your perfect venue, make your photos just right, and keep the party going—even after the sun sets. Here are 24 bright ideas, and another 31 of picture-perfect candle displays.
How do you know if it’s needed? Consider your venue’s parking situation, guests’ access to car services or public transportation, and the cost you’re asking them to incur. Good rule of thumb: If it’s going to run them $20 or more—especially if you’ve already asked them to travel for a destination wedding— think about a shuttle bus. Or, some car services, such as Uber, allow you to book rides on others’ behalf. For everything else you need to know about wedding guest transportation, check out our handy guide.
Time to think about you two. Whether you’re into getting in to a stretch Escalade limo, or all about hopping on a tandem bicycle—get around in a style that’s all your own with these 15 creative transportation ideas.
Traditionally, wedding etiquette states the groom plans a surprise honeymoon for the bride. But, if you guys are tag-teaming your honeymoon strategy, try to have things semi-sorted out by this five month mark. That means being on the same page about budget, timing, travel arrangements, and a semblance of an itinerary. You don’t have to schedule every minute, but each of you should share the most important takeaways you want from this trip, and act to ensure those activities will happen. Then, grab our top 13 tips to create the trip of a lifetime.
The groom walks out first, remember? Make sure that first impression on your guests is a good one. Step one is choosing between a tux or suit, based on the formality of your wedding, and then deciding whether to buy or rent. When selecting the actual ensemble, focus on fit and function. A well-made outfit will be flattering, but also allow your groom to show off any and all embarrassing dance moves without fear of splitting any seams. Finally, if you’re going the renting route, avoid these five mistakes groomsmen make when renting a tux or suit.
Whether you come from a religious background or not, pre-marital counseling has worked wonders for countless couples. (The experts say so, and so do the couples.) It’s helpful to have an objective third-party encouraging you to address issues that haven’t come up yet in your relationship. And, counselors can provide you with healthy conflict resolution tactics so you’ll be ready when the inevitable disagreement does present itself. Plus, some states offer a discount on your marriage license if you undergo counseling.
At this point, you’ve asked your caterer to talk through these questions. Now it’s time to taste what they’re really made of. The tasting has become increasingly important as more and more couples choose to customize everything from their signature cocktails to their desserts. If you’re nervous about heart-eyes obstructing your taste buds’ judgment, bring your planner or consultant. They’ve likely attended dozens of tastings, and will be your clear-eyed troubleshooter—paying attention to the detailing of the food and the attentiveness of the service, while you’re crying over crab cakes to bae about how “It’s just starting to feel so real, you know?” Here’s more info on what not to do.
We’ll hit you first with the pinspiration: Check out these gorgeous photos and delicious flavoring descriptions. Now, you and your partner should settle on a look and flavor profile you both love. Don’t stress about pleasing every one of your guests. This is your cake as a couple; it’s about expressing you guys. (You can also consider a groom’s cake.) Got the cake(s) decided? You need a baker. Find a reputable one who’s available on your date, and happy to take on your dream design for an equally dreamy price. (Ask them these questions.)
Does your fiancé (or you) know the difference between an engagement ring and a wedding band? Read up, and then look through some of our favorites for him and her.
Do you want the groom and his guys to be matchy-matchy? How can you ensure the entire entourage gets fitted on time if they live all over the place? What else could go wrong? Breathe. You’ve got this, and don’t be afraid to get the groom involved. He may be able to easily pull rank and get his men in line—a very neat, orderly, and well-dressed one, at that.
Help your stylists help you by researching some particulars before you come in for your trials. Look back at old photos of yourself so you can find something that’s worked before and ensures you still look like yourself. Next, feel free to search social media for other inspiration; just don’t delude yourself with highly-filtered Instagram expectations.
Bring photos and be as specific as possible about what you want and don’t want.
There are a few ground rules when it comes to ordering your wedding invitations: Order enough of them and account for some mistakes, make sure they will arrive in time, set up a system for recording RSVP replies, and confirm all addresses and spelling. But when it comes to design and wording, the options are endless. Need a little advice to rein it all in? Keep reminding yourself that the theme of your invites should match the vibe of your wedding and express you as a couple. If you commission a calligrapher, here’s everything you need to know about calligraphy. Make sure your calligrapher knows it, too, and can prove it before booking him or her.
Once you’ve undergone a successful tasting, you’ll have a good sense of your caterer’s style and offerings, so you’re ready to finalize your food. Maybe you’re the couple who’s hand-selected every hors d’oeuvres, main, side, dessert, and drink situation. Or, perhaps you just told your chef to “handle it” and called it a day. Either way, now is the time to stamp your approval on a completed menu that fits your budget, tastes, and timing.
You don’t have to do favors or gift bags, but now’s the time to decide. Here are some of our favorite options for favors, and these are Lauren Conrad’s thoughts on welcome bags. Go forth!
Photo booths have become a reception staple, but if you’re hoping for something with a little more pizzazz than your standard step-and-shoot, check out these seven creative alternatives.
If you’ve opted to write your own promises to one another, start thinking about what those should sound like for you two as a couple. Traditional? Tear-jerking? Feminist? Millennial? Pop-culture inspired? We’ve got guides for them all.
Bible versus are an obvious choice here (thanks, Mandy Moore à la A Walk to Remember), but there are plenty of nonreligious options, as well. If you’d like for your readers to choose their own, make sure you give them as much guidance as possible.
Lots of things to consider when asking someone to marry you, but your main concerns are availability, eligibility, fee, and fit. Can your officiant of choice lawfully, affordably, and meaningfully help you two become one? Once you’ve chosen, make sure he or she is on the same page as you about your expectations and the overall tone you want for your ceremony. And if you’ve recruited a recently-ordained bestie to head up the charge, here’s an article on how to officiate a wedding ceremony you can send along.
Whew! Let’s hope you were able to control yourself scrolling through our DIY inspo and only have a few projects to tackle at this point. (Read this if you’re overwhelmed.) Get to crafting—and make it anything but crappy with good friends, good music, good food, and good breaks regularly.
You already did the hard part—the selection process. Now, just print and assemble.
If your partner and his or her family are handling the rehearsal dinner, make sure you give them an accurate list of addresses, and feel free to discuss the design and overall aesthetic of the rehearsal dinner. You don’t want it to be an exact replica of the reception that will follow the next night, but you may also want to confirm you don’t show up to an “eat with your hands” BBQ buffet in black tie.
We know you’ve been following along on our Ultimate Wedding Dress Shopping Timeline, but just to remind you: Your first fitting should be anywhere between two to three months after ordering, and your second one around the six-week mark.
Ah, the fine print. There are four steps to getting your marriage license, and it’s important to know where to go, what to bring, how much it’ll cost, how long it’ll take, and how long it’ll last.
Every state has different laws and requirements, so Google yours. If you’re having a destination wedding, whether domestic or international, you’ll need to research those paperwork requirements as well. Then, make sure you as a couple, your witness(es), and your officiant sign it. (Here’s what to do if, God forbid, you lose it.)
How much you spend on your bridesmaids’ gifts is determined on an individual basis, but no matter your price point, your goal should be something that’s as thoughtful, functional, and personalized as possible. Here are some suggestions, and testimonials from real maids of honor.
Floral samples vary depending on your florist and your own wedding décor choices, but most of the time they’ll include a mock reception table setup, centerpiece, and bouquet. Now is also the time to talk tweaks and finalize your delivery and care strategy.
Guys, if you need music suggestions, please hit us up:The 100 Most Requested Wedding Songs of All Time
We’ve got suggestions on ceremony music, too.75 Wedding Recessional Songs You’ll Love
Just off the top of our heads, those include table numbers, toasting flutes, cake topper, cake stand, cake knife, guest book, card box, ring-bearer accessories, flower-girl accessories, a cute hanger for your dress, and a garter. Also consider purchasing pashminas, flip-flops, and/or sunglasses for guests to change into at the reception, as well as baskets to hold them. Then, don’t forget your signs (“Welcome,” “Guest Book,” “Dancing Shoes,” etc.).
Follow the same guidelines as you did for your DIY projects to ensure this task is fun, not frustrating.
The last awkward situation you want to deal with right before your wedding day is a vendor chasing money. Avoid that by keeping careful track of when and how much you pay each vendor. If there are some vendors who must be paid the day-of, or you’re distributing tips, give your most trusted bridesmaid or relative a heads-up that come wedding day, you’ll be counting on them to handle the labeled envelopes you’re going to put together.
You thought the guest list was a pain in the hiney, and now you’ve arrived at the seating chart challenge—another daunting balancing act of relationships, egos, potential, and crisis-management. You’ll want to think about your venue’s floor plan, whether or not you’ll have a head table and who will be sitting at it, and choosing a cool design. Here is a digital planning guide, in case that helps, too.
First, you should know the difference. While both place cards and escort cards designate where each guest will be seated at a wedding, place cards are more specific—and also more formal—than escort cards. A place card not only directs guests to the table where each will sit during the reception, but also points each guest to his or her particular seat at the table. Whichever you choose, you’ll want your cards to complement the overall theme of your wedding, but again, the possibilities are unlimited.
Make a list of questions beforehand, and bring your planner or another close friend or family member to bring up anything you forget.
Remember those labeled envelopes we talked about for last-minute checks or tips? (By the way, here’s a complete tipping guide on how much to give and to whom). Primarily, you don’t need to tip people who own their own business—such as photographers, videographers, and florists. It’s customary to tip the following vendors: musicians, DJs, hair stylist, makeup artist, drivers, bartenders, and servers. Many couples tip the wedding planner, as well.
Walk around your hallways. Dance in your kitchen. Do everything in your power to avoid painful blisters on your wedding night.
Congratulations! You’ve made it all the way to the final week of your wedding planning. Deep breaths now, most of the hard work is over at this point. Now all that is really left is the nitty-gritty details. Take care of things like:
The big day is finally here. All your careful preparation and creative planning have come to fruition, and it’s time to enjoy the wedding. Here’s what to do:
Though 12 to 14 months is the ideal length for an engagement, every couple’s engagement time is different. (Brand once planned a wedding for a couple in a mere seven weeks.) If your engagement length is shorter, Brand’s advice is to condense the schedule.
“If you’re getting married in six months, try to complete all the wedding-planning checklist tasks designated for month 12 to 6 in that very first month, and then you’ll be right on schedule with everything else,” she says.
This article was originally posted by Mindy Weiss on Brides.com
First things first: Planning a wedding can feel pretty overwhelming at times (trust me, I do it for a living). While couples often hire a professional to help manage their wedding plans, there are plenty of reasons why they might also opt to take on the majority of the responsibilities on their own, too. Maybe you’re working with a tight wedding planning budget or maybe you simply love all of the DIY possibilities—in any case, it’s a lot of extra details, but it is possible to plan the wedding of your dreams on your own.
Organization is key to keeping everything on track when you’re faced with decisions, lists, deadlines, and everyday life to deal with. The first step is making sure to give yourselves plenty of time for wedding planning. A longer timeline is your friend here—aim for around a year, if possible. And don’t forget to involve your significant other in this step, as well. Your wedding should represent both of you, together as a couple. So, where to begin? We’ve got you covered. Just remember to keep one very important thing in mind: Try to have some fun! This is your wedding after all. Don’t get too hung up on the tiny details and focus on what’s truly important: celebrating the love the two of you share and getting married, all while surrounded by your friends and family.
Here are our 42 top tips for how to plan your wedding, from getting organized to traversing the legal framework of a vendor contract to maintaining your mental sanity.
Your wedding budget will be the driving factor for many of your wedding-related decisions, so this should be one of the first things you tackle. If any family members will be contributing, chat with them about what they’re comfortable spending. If you’re footing the bill yourself, it’s time to take a hard look at your finances. Be prepared for a reality check when it comes to actually budgeting for your wedding day as many couples don’t realize the full scope of costs involved. Once you’ve got that magic number, stick to it!
Don’t forget to build in a 10 percent “splurge cushion” for those unexpected costs or urges that inevitably arise.
Sit down with your partner and determine what the three most important aspects of your wedding will be. Is it the venue or specific wedding date? Locking in a certain wedding photographer or live band? Prioritize those details and be willing to compromise on the rest. This will help you stay within your budget and help you focus your efforts on what really counts.
Find a few resources of bridal inspiration you like best—Pinterest, Instagram, magazines, trusty bridal sites (including Brides, of course!)—and start researching. Having a good sense of the type of wedding style you want helps immensely once you start meeting with potential vendors. Don’t overwhelm yourself with all the wedding inspiration that’s out there. Creating one or more Pinterest boards—or even a visual collage on a cork or poster board—will help you to figure out what sort of look and feel you really want and keep you aligned with your larger vision.
You can use checklists, spreadsheets, Word, Excel, Google Docs—anything, really—as long as you can gather all your thoughts, budgets, numbers, etc., in one place. There are also some great online tools and apps out there that can keep you organized. We love WeddingHappy for staying on track with tasks and AllSeated for visualizing seating charts and venue layouts.The 32 Best Wedding Planning Books
Don’t feel like you’re in this wedding planning process alone. Consult with your partner along the way; their opinion is bound to be invaluable and—even if they’re only involved in some aspects—it makes wedding planning that much more fun when you can make decisions together. Working towards a common goal not only further bonds you and your partner but also helps you grow as a couple with every issue you tackle as a team.
For couples who opt to take on the wedding planning process sans a professional planner or coordinator, a traditional etiquette and guidebook (such as The Wedding Book) is a wealth of information and expert advice, including tips and tricks and even examples of timelines and checklists.
Check out our master wedding-planning checklist and timeline to keep yourself on track and tackling tasks like a pro. (Feel free to adapt it to suit your own needs, as necessary). This will help you visualize and prioritize goals without being overwhelmed with everything all at once.
Choose a few ideal dates for your wedding and try to be flexible, if possible, so you’re not constrained when attempting to book the wedding venue and vendors. Take into consideration external factors like how popular those dates might be for other to-be-weds (making availability scarce and prices higher), if the dates would be difficult for your guests to attend, and the price differences of venues and vendors between seasons.
Whether it’s specific wedding colors, seasonal or style inspiration, or an actual theme (like the Roaring Twenties or Festival Chic, for example), sometimes it’s helpful to choose a concept to design your wedding around. Once you have an aesthetic in mind, it’s easier to make design decisions, and generally, everything looks more cohesive.10of 42
In wedding lingo, an “off-site” wedding is one where the venue doesn’t have a commercial kitchen and where you need to bring everything in—think places like a park, a public beach, even an open field. In contrast, having an “on-site” wedding—somewhere like a hotel or restaurant—will greatly simplify the planning process as they’ll likely have a range of catering offerings available, as well as access to the basics, including designated space, chairs and tables, and possibly even an on-site coordinator to assist you.
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