Written with love, by Evelynn Korszyk
Every little girl dreams of the day her Prince Charming gets down on one knee and proposes forever. The Big Day, of course, is nothing less than magical and perfect, exactly like you’ve always dreamed of. And you then you live Happily Ever After… Right?
But wait a second… The thought of planning THAT day and its necessity to be picture perfect is… Well, daunting! From figuring out the guest list, to cutting down the guest list, selecting colors and theme, to choosing bridesmaids, to their dresses, wait, you can’t forget YOUR dress… Or your shoes, your veil, your jewelry, your hair, your makeup. Not to mention selecting the perfect venue, with the perfect 3 course dinner. The right photographer, videographer, florist, linens, lighting, DJ, favors… Then you think, “How do people do this?!”
Planning the biggest day of your life doesn’t have to be stressful. As long as you keep your head on straight, follow your gut instinct, and follow these simple guidelines, you will be well on your way to your Happily Ever After without turning into the dreaded Bridezilla.
Starting Out
First things first, get the big picture in mind. Sit down by yourself (or with your significant other), in a quiet, relaxed place. Clear your mind of the clutter and focus on your dream day. Think of what you want to see, what you want to smell, and the things you want to experience. Maybe your priority will be your family, or the food. Maybe you begin to think of themes and colors. Start off by writing keywords that you want your wedding to be like. Your keywords may include: Romantic, Family-oriented, beach, garden, intimate, big and loud party, earth tones, sparkle and glam, day/night, etc. Try not to go overboard, and stay within 5-10 keywords or phrases. After you’re done and confident with your list, really feeling like it’s the perfect description of your Big Day, keep it in a safe place and refer to it often during the planning process. During the next few months, you will be bombarded by so many different options, colors and styles, everyone competing for your attention. Brides tend to lose focus on what they originally wanted… what they truly want. Read over your list and almost always, you’ll know what decision to make and what direction to go in. It’s a GREAT way to clear your head and get back to focusing on what really matters. Remember, always have the end goal in mind.
Next Steps
Now that you know where you want to go, how are you going to get there? You have no doubt already started paroozing through countless bridal magazines and online wedding blogs, looking for ideas and the perfect dress. But before anything is finalized, there are about 5-7 (depending on your wedding) big list items that you need to focus on first. These include: getting an idea of a budget, selecting your venue(s), hiring your coordinator, hiring your photographer and videographer, booking your DJ, selecting your caterer, hiring your florist, and booking your rental company. Once you have these set and ready, you can begin to focus on other smaller details.
Qualifying Your Vendors
Your vendors should be experienced enough to know how to guide you through the process. Your photographer gets you going on your engagement session, your florist starts brainstorming floral and décor ideas, your caterer discusses entrees and menu options that fit within your budget, your DJ leads the area of setting the mood for your big day with music and possibly lighting, and your coordinator guides you every step of the way, helping you make decisions and stay on track. In between the meetings with vendors, is when you finalize more personal details. Ask your closest friends or family if they would like to be a part of your bridal party. Visit bridal dress shops and find “the one”. Go on your hair and makeup trials, and figure out your jewelry. Put your guest list together, figure out seating arrangements, and pan out the small details such as your unity candle/sand items, guestbook, table numbers, favors, etc.
Staying Calm
The key to not stressing out is doing a little bit everyday. If you’re not much of a checklist kind of gal, make one anyway. It’s going to help HUGE. If you are, chances are you’ve already got a lengthy, detailed one going. Either way, do a little bit everyday during your lunch hour, after work, while at the gym, etc. Even if it’s brainstorming for that day, at least get ideas rolling that will help you go in the right direction. Getting overwhelmed will certainly lead to stress, so the key is to keep calm and uplifted.
Planning a wedding is supposed to be a fun and exciting experience. Leaving enough time to do everything is a big part of that. Aim to be done with major planning and details two months before the wedding. That way, if anything changes or was forgotten, there’s still some time. You’ll also be able to fully enjoy the last few months leading up to the Big Day with the showers, bachelorette parties and spa days. What a fabulous way to go into the biggest day of your life!
Events by Evelynn
Someone to Trust. Someone who Cares. A Day to Remember.
Your wedding should be the most fabulous party of your life. Events by Evelynn will ensure it is unforgettable, down to the very last detail. With honesty, integrity, and professionalism in mind, Events by Evelynn strives for perfection while you and your family sit back, relax, and enjoy the celebration. May your wedding day be everything you have ever dreamed of and more!
