The First Steps to Planning Your Wedding

The type of wedding you have will coincide with your budget. As for your wedding theme, you can go with the traditional setting or get creative and be original with a beach wedding, celebrate your cultures, or symbolize how you met your fiancé. The possibilities are endless! Most bride and grooms have a color scheme that goes along with their theme. These colors will be highlighted throughout the wedding, usually on the tables, the wedding party's attire, and the flowers. Depending on your budget, you can either have a fancy catered meal or save some cash and have your family each bring a dish to compliment the theme for the meal. You can look online or in the bridal magazines for many creative ideas for your wedding. Once you have an idea of what you want, you can start shopping around for your vendors.

The third step of your adventure is shopping and comparing different vendors. Your vendors include your caterers, photographers, videographers, disc jockey/band, florist or anyone else who offers their services to your wedding. Look in the local phone book or ask for some references from those who have already wed. Contact and schedule an appointment with many vendors and start shopping around. When comparing, look at their portfolio to see if they provide what you need and get a detailed list of what you're getting and what it costs. Feel free to shop around until you are confident with the vendors. When you are absolutely delighted, be sure to draw up a contract and thoroughly read and understand it before signing it. Often, people save money by knowing someone who is a photographer or a caterer, and the vendor will contribute their services to you and your fiancé as a wedding gift. Don't be hesitant to spread the word!

Your wedding will be one of the most memorable days of your life. Although there are many intricate details that make up this beautiful day, if you follow these three imperative steps to planning your wedding, everything else will fall into place. Remember to plan your budget, decide on a theme, and effectively hire your vendors. You can't plan a successful wedding without these steps. Most of all, have a wonderful day and absorb the happiness surrounding you. The joy of seeing your hard work paying off and more greatly the marriage of you and your soul mate. Again, congratulations and best wishes!