So you've been to your local bookstore, surveyed the
rather large collection of wedding books and wondered how anyone even gets
through this whole planning process... and why all those wedding planning books
are so thick!
This is completely understandable - it is a bit on
the daunting side. Planning a wedding is definitely not something you can throw
together in a matter of days, and there will certainly be quite a few projects
along the way to keep you busy.
But these 'projects' can actually be fun - a lot of
fun! And with a plan, you may even find yourself looking forward to them...
1.) Most importantly, keep things SIMPLE.
There will always be another photographer to
interview, another centerpiece idea, another wedding favor website. When you
find something that "clicks" with you, go with it! You've just crossed off one
more thing on your wedding checklist.
2.) Decide on a good filing system before you
begin.
Order a box of file folders or an accordion file
with multiple sections to hold all of your contracts, notes, etc. If you're
really ambitious, consider investing $20-30 in a labeler at an office supply
store - it keeps things especially neat and organized. As you go along,
designate one folder for each aspect of your planning -- caterer, rehearsal
dinner, guest list, etc.
3.) Get started! Begin tackling items on your
wedding checklist.
Look at the first group of to-do's on the list.
Don't try to do all of these at once - take one at a time and consider putting
the others on your calendar so that you know they'll get taken care of, just
not all today.
4.) Don't be afraid to delegate.
Family members and attendants will more than likely
be willing to help take on some of the planning tasks - if they offer, take
them up on it! If there are parts of the planning that you know you don't need
to be (or care to be) directly involved in, ask for help.
5.) Have FUN.
While some tasks will take longer than others, there
will be others that will balance out all of the hard work - treating yourself
to a day at the spa for example. Also, consider subscribing to one or more
bridal magazines - when you think you've run out of wedding ideas, these glossy
guides are a great pick-me up.
6.) And lastly, don't worry that you won't possibly
be able to do all of these things...
Everything will get done, in due time, and you'll
see all of your hard work pay off when things really start to come together. So
start planning, and have fun!
