How to Plan the Perfect Wedding

Getting married is an exciting time, but planning a wedding can be stressful. There are so many details to arrange and coordinate that it is easy to get overwhelmed and not know where to start. Here are some tips to make the event a little easier to plan. 
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Start With the Guest List

Before you can start planning anything else, you need to get an idea of how many people will be attending. Only when you know how many people to expect can you figure out a venue. The number of people coming will rule out some venues if it cannot accommodate as many people as you are inviting. Allowing 25-30 square feet per guest is usually a good way to estimate, but most venues will have a maximum occupancy that you can ask about before booking. 

Picking a Date

Picking a date is also something you need to settle on before choosing other things. This will influence what dress you get, the venue for the wedding, the food, and even the colours. For example, a luxury lake district wedding venue might not be a great idea in the winter if you want to take full advantage of the outdoors. 

The date you choose might also cause problems with where you want to get married. Check the town you want to get married in for charity events, town festivals, or other events that might influence traffic and hotel availability. 

Outdoor Weddings

Outdoor weddings can be beautiful, but they can also present problems. Be sure to check weather conditions that are normal for that time of year in the location you are planning to hold the wedding. Temperature, time of sunset, and insect population are all things you should research before setting a date and place. No matter how much you research, there is always a chance that things will change, so make sure you have an alternative plan. 

Credit Cards

Weddings are expensive, but one way to take advantage of that is to find a great credit card that comes with an excellent rewards program. You will be spending a lot, so making all those purchases on one credit card will help you to earn as much back as possible on these expenses. Some rewards programs to cashback and others do airline miles. Whichever one you decide to use should benefit you the most. 

Network

You will be working with a lot of people in the wedding world while planning your special day. Take full advantage of that fact. If you find a venue you love or a photographer you click with, then ask them about other people to hire. They will know the best DJs, caterers, and other professionals. This will cut your planning time down because you will be hiring someone who comes highly recommended instead of just choosing at random. 

Narrow it Down

If you are looking to tighten the budget, the best way to do that is to narrow down the list of invites. Feeding guests will take up more of your budget than any other single expense. Keeping the ceremony and reception small and intimate can make your night special while saving you lots of money.