Imagine your wedding. You have found the mate with whom you want to spend the rest of your life. Everything is perfect and the setting is beautiful, but it doesn't just happen. In fact, there are very few events that require as much careful long-range planning as does a wedding. There are two stages of this process. Let's get started.
In stage one, you should to try to find your desired location for the ceremony and the reception and ensure that both places are going to be available. After that, you must choose someone to officiate the proceedings (your minister, pastor, rabbi, or a notary if that is what you prefer). If you are planning a church wedding, take into account that most churches require pre-marital counseling. You need to know that wedding venues can book up a year or more in advance, particularly on summer and fall weekends.
Right away, you ought to discuss your budget. Talk with the families to establish who will pay for what. If either set of parents are paying for some expenses, it may make sense to ask them to let you know how much they are willing and able to spend overall, and adjust your budget accordingly. This should help the bride and groom to allocate the money as they see fit, instead of having to ask for money for each item. Talk about plans for your financial future and whether or not you are including prenuptial agreements.
In second stage, the decisions you make now will depend on the ones you made in stage one. They are important in shaping your wedding because, for example, your budget may determine size or how much of the work you will have to do for yourself. With in the first couple of months of planning, you need to create a guest list, and order your invitations. Now is also the time for you to send your engagement announcement to the newspapers where both families live, choose your attendants, and mail out some save-the-date cards. Notify must-have guests (close relatives, best college buddies) by