You’re engaged. Now what?
With the dozens of engagements that have happened and are happening around campus lately (are we in Searcy?), plenty of Nashville venues and vendors are being snatched up for dates this summer.
Here are some things you should make first priority when it comes to planning your big day.
First things first– decide on a date and a budget. You need to agree on who is going to pay for what, and how much you are willing to spend. The planning process will run much more smoothly if you know what vendors you should and should not be considering.
The guest list should come next. You need to know how many people you need to fit into a venue and feed, right?
Juniors Miriam Harding and Hayden Parish got engaged on top of Mt. Sinai during the Bible travel course offered over Christmas break.
“I feel like what’s difficult for one couple can be totally different for another in planning a wedding,” Harding said. “For Hayden and me, it’s just setting a date. We have to work around our living situation for next year. It is frustrating in the sense that I could either have a year and a half to plan, or seven months, and I don’t know which.”
If you are already overwhelmed with all the big decisions that you need to make, consider hiring a wedding coordinator or planner to help things run smoothly. Simply Stunning Events is one of Nashville’s top-notch and most affordable planning companies. If you can’t afford a planner, Studio Wed offers free vendor search services. They consider your budget and style as a couple and recommend vendors that fit you best.
Next, reserve the ceremony and venue spots. This is one of your first priorities. Some places are on hold years in advance, so you want to be sure to book your perfect place as soon as possible. Make sure to ask questions about every little detail, including how many people the venue can hold, whether or not there are restrictions on decorating and how many hours you will have the venue booked.
Having a wedding in Nashville? Check out the Scarritt Bennett center or Loveless Barn, two of Nashville’s most popular wedding spots.
Once you decide on a venue, you can start designing the theme and colors of your wedding and sending out save-the-dates as well as starting to shop for that amazing dress. Arzelle’s and The White Room are great places to check out when beginning your search.
Junior Alyssa Birmingham is getting married in September at the Belle Meade Plantation.
“It’s pretty exciting to make all my dreams a reality!” Birmingham said. “I’ve always imagined what I want for my wedding, so it’s neat to see those dreams turn in to a real day.”
Booking a photographer should be next on your list. Since you book photographers for the entire day of your wedding, they can usually only do one event per weekend, so it is important that you book the one you want early.
For most people, the pictures are one of the most important pieces of your wedding, so be sure to choose the company that best suits you. Don’t hesitate to spend a little more money in this area. After all, a picture lasts forever.
You may need to shop around a little more for a photographer because Nashville is bursting with some of the best in the business. Be sure to compare prices and packages to get the most for your money.
Vendor shopping is next. Meet with florists, caterers, DJs or bands and videographers to choose and book your favorites. Brocade Designs, Chef’s Market, Cosmo Creations, and Focal Point are popular vendor choices for Nashville brides.
Don’t forget about the honeymoon. The sooner you book, the cheaper things are. Make sure to research the season and weather of your destination, so you can be sure to be prepared for anything. In case you’re still searching, the top five honeymoon hot spots in 2010 were Hawaii, Mexico, St. Lucia, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.
Once you have conquered these tasks, you are ready to sit back and enjoy planning the more fun elements of your wedding, like picking out bridesmaid dresses and buying gifts for your wedding party.