How to Plan a Wedding Easily with These 4 Tips

01. Determine Wedding Priorities

It's easy to get swept up in creating your dream wedding, but eventually, you must make some difficult decisions. Whether due to timeline, resources, vendor availability, or venue restrictions, you will have to choose one thing over another at some point. Luckily, there is a way to make these tough choices easier.

Early in your wedding planning process, take time with your partner to decide on priorities. Work together to determine the most important aspects of the day. Maybe hiring the best photographer in your area is a high priority for you, while your partner wants to invest in an open bar. Set these expectations early on so that no one feels left out or disappointed when it's time to make these decisions official. 

Be honest in your discussions. If (when) you and your partner disagree, do your best to compromise. This day is for both of you. It is likely the first significant investment you are making as a couple, so both of you should feel involved in the process and be in love with the final result. 

02. Set a Realistic Wedding Planning Timeline

Choosing a wedding date is one of the first major decisions in your wedding planning process. Opting for a quick engagement may be tempting - the excitement of getting married is hard to ignore - but your wedding planning timeline should be proportionate to the scope of your wedding. While possible, only a few couples would succeed in planning a lavish, luxury wedding in just a few months. On the other hand, couples planning an intimate ceremony or elopement may not need a year or more to plan their special day.

Wherever you and your partner land on that spectrum, it is essential to determine a time frame that feels right for you. Your timeline should fit your needs and your style.

03. Research Vendors Thoroughly

The florist, the caterer, your officiant, your seamstress, the venue coordinators…there are so many people that make a wedding come together. Before signing any contracts or making any formal agreements, take the following steps to determine if each vendor is a good fit:

• Examine their portfolio: Any reputable wedding vendor will have a professional portfolio of their recent and most successful work. While you peruse the portfolio, ask yourself if these examples mesh with your wedding vision. Does anything look like it would be out of place? Can you imagine yourself still loving this work in 30 years?
• Get a sense of their reputation: A challenging vendor may cause more tension in your planning process even if they have the best work in your area. Contact local wedding planning groups to get a feel for the vendor's reputation. Meet the vendor in person or schedule a phone call to develop your own opinion of them - before committing to anything.
• Read the contract: You already know the rule - always read what you're signing before you sign it. If anything catches you off guard, promptly contact the vendor to discuss. Ensure you understand the vendor's deposit and cancellation policies and the timeline laid out in the contract.

04. Enjoy Yourselves!

Getting caught up in the chaos of planning a wedding is easy. With so many decisions to make, many of which involve expensive deposits and extensive contracts, it can be easy to let the stress of the process overpower the joy. Your engagement is a time of celebration! Use this time to lean on your friends and family's support and build a deeper bond with your fiancé as you prepare to build a life together. 

Weddings at the Barn at Belle Hills

Belle Hills is the premiere barn wedding and event venue in the greater Crittenden, Kentucky area. Our polished rustic interior is the perfect backdrop for weddings of any size and style, and our all-inclusive packages simplify your wedding planning process. Contact us to discover how you can become a Belle Hills bride!