The New York Times just recently declared Great Pandemic Wedding boom is just around the corner. Like most newly engaged couples, you’re either overwhelmed by the surplus of information. Or you’re enjoying the engagement stage thinking you have loads of time to planning a wedding for the coming year!
Pre-pandemic, our first advice would be to savour this time. Share the news with family and friends, and celebrate your engagement. While we still love everything about the above, if you’re looking to have a wedding in 2022, we’d also suggest to get started sooner rather than later! There is an influx of couples in line for a second or third date change for the coming season. The newly engaged couples, 2022 + 2023 are both forecasted to be extremely busy when it comes to weddings and events.
Our advice: don’t panic, as this time is meant to be cherished, and to help guide you along the way we’ve round up our top 5 tips to get your started!
Research Wedding Venues
As many venues allow for booking 12-16 months ahead, it’s best to start here! It’s as simple as emailing the venue contact, and booking an in-person or perhaps a virtual tour. Keep in mind your venue often sets the tone for your wedding, for example if you’re looking for an ‘al fresco’ garden style wedding, it may be best to search for outdoor venues, option instead of looking at more traditional ballroom venues.
Determine a Budget!
This is a must! Whether you’re looking to spend $30,000 or $300,000, when it comes to planning a wedding and hiring multiple vendors, budget planning is necessary. Creating a budget can seem like a daunting task, we suggest starting with estimated amounts allocated to venue, food + catering, followed by photography, videography, florals, and decor to name a few. A simple Excel document is a great starting point. The budget will help track booking vendors, stay on top of deposits, and outstanding payments.
Discuss your guest count
Having lived through a pandemic, we know everyone is excited to celebrate! We suggest starting with family, friends, colleagues, and then perhaps make a second list of those you wish to invite should you find additional space or have a cancellation! It’s also worth noting, some venues have new guest limitations in place due to covid, and many require proof of vaccine for larger weddings (50 person and above) as per current Public Health orders in British Columbia. Be sure to take these new regulations into account, during the engagement phase, when putting together your guest list, especially if you’re inviting guests from over seas!
Gather inspirations
Wedding magazine, Pinterest, and various other social media platforms are a great way to start! Don’t let the surplus of choices overwhelm you, there are no rules when it comes decor and design! After all, its your wedding; the theme, colour schemed, decor, design should reflect your couple style. If you have a planner, they can certainly assist with putting together Mood Boards. If you’re planning the wedding yourself, and need a little guidance with this component, you can also consider hiring a Stylist to help with design services. They can work with you to put your idea together and help refer you to suitable vendors that can bring your vision to life!
Research vendors
Take your time, and be sure to research vendors thoroughly. If planning the wedding on your own, seek feedback from your venue. It is always helpful to hire vendors who have experience working at the venue you have in mind. We suggest going through online portfolios, looking at their work as displayed on blogs, and magazines before setting up an appointment. When comparing quotes, pay close attention to key factors. Those include hours of coverage, estimated time for finished product, labour, and travels fee(s). Review quotes and contracts carefully. For example do they offer flexibility with regards re-booking for reasons beyond your control? Will date changes incur new fees? It’s best to have all these questions addressed prior to confirming any vendors to avoid a hiccup later on.
Most importantly, remember to enjoy the engagement process. Planning a wedding is a truly special time in your life, and it goes by far too quickly. Try to to make lists, and tackle each component before jumping to the next, so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Remember, when stuck at any point, it’s never too late to hire professional help! Between Day of Coordination, Full Planning, and Partial planning, many planners offer a variety of services that can be customized to fit your needs.
Happy Planning!
xo ~ Nargess
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