To Book or not To Book

With a venue deposit paid, I am starting to feel confident about this whole wedding planning endeavor. Fortunately my venue crossed several items off my list. Catering, linens, tableware, cake cutting, alcohol etc. There are still a few big items that I need to cross off my list; photographer, wedding coordinator, video, the dress, invitations and cake. 

To be completely transparent we actually already picked the cake people (just haven't signed or paid anything yet). Back when we had the other venue we decided to try their preferred cake person and while they were great we were still keeping our options open. So I went with my Matron of Honor to a wedding show and found another cake provider. My parents were visiting and we went to try the new cake place and after a few bites decided that they would be the cake for us. We are also not doing a grooms cake. Instead we are going to do groom cookies (I am very excited about these). So with cake crossed off the list I now had the other items to focus on. 

The dress has been an interesting adventure. From trying to figure out what was figure flattering to what was budget friendly. I have that narrowed to two options so again that decision is close to complete. After talking to several bride friends, i have decided that I would like to have a wedding coordinator. This is a perk that I have decided to make room for in my budget because I think it is well worth my betrothed's sanity. I met with several different planners and think that we have found one that fits our style, our budget, and has an eye for design. 

Photography has been its own unique challenge because it is just so expensive. Most have packages starting at around $1500-$2500. Depending on how many packages they offer the options vary off of hours, # of photographers, engagement session, bridal session, wedding session, print credit, and photos you get to print on your own. OH MAN. For someone who is slightly indecisive this is a nightmare. Not only do I have to figure out who's style and personality I like, but I now have to weigh all my different options to figure out what is "most important to me". UGH. Some packages don't offer enough hours and will cost more to add more. Do i really need 2 photographers? What sessions do I want?  Would I print them myself or get them printed? All these thoughts were constantly swimming through my mind. So what did I do, I made a spreadsheet and weighed all the options. Well we ended up liking all of the people we met with, so next came what they had to offer. We went with the guy that gave us the biggest bang for our buck. So my advice look at the offerings, then meet with the people. Next weigh how much you liked them vs. how much you have to pay to get what you want. Any way you slice it, its not fun.  

So by the end of the week we will have a contract signed for a photographer and a wedding coordinator. NEXT up invitations and the dress....

Let the Planning Begin

In my professional life I am a project manager. When I looked at what all went into a wedding I thought this is just like a project. I mean there is a timeline, a budget, a list of tasks, etc. For me this should have been an easy task, and with so many apps and websites that offer tools to help you plan your big day how could this be hard? Well there was one thing I forgot to take into consideration, I was the one who would have to provide the requirements and make all the decisions.... this just got really CHALLENGING.

First there is setting a date and finding a venue. I decided that I wanted a year long engagement and began to look for dates in the spring of next year. This presented its first set of challenges. I live in a state that has unpredictable bi-polar weather. This meant that my venue needed to provide a great indoor and outdoor option incase the weather was not in our favor come May. After visiting three locations the decision was made. A beautiful venue that had floor to ceiling windows gave the feel of the outdoors, but was beautifully and safely indoors. The biggest bonus was the venue offered a wedding package that covered 90% of the other items. They had the cake, catering, flowers, DJ, toasting glasses, tables, linens, basically everything you could need all wrapped up in a nice package. My parents paid the deposit and were asked which time we would like our wedding, noon or 7pm. WAIT WHAT?!

I had visited this location on a few separate occasions and never did anyone tell me that my 5:30- 6:00 time frame was not going to be acceptable. So now the brakes are applied and the planning comes to a halt. I begin the search once again to find the best venue. After another three venues we finally find another great venue! whew. I pay the deposit and sign the contract and now one of the largest items is crossed of my list! On top of a great ceremony and reception venue they provide linens, tableware, catering, and many of the other basics I can cross off my list. Next up the dress, photography, and invitations.