Your wedding is the most special day of your life, and it deserves to be perfect. Most couples like the idea of taking advice from wedding planners, but when it comes to figuring out the details, staying involved is always a good idea. No matter whether you need a tent for a wedding reception, or wish to discuss the menu with caterers, it’s best to take personal interest in smaller aspects. In this guide, we share a few tips that may come in handy.
Start early
If you are not hiring a wedding planner because of financial issues, start as early with the planning as possible. Once you have the guest list and have decided on the final budget, go around and look for venues. Many couples prefer to book venues months in advance, and if your reception on a weekend, chances are high that the best venues will be booked.
Find the best wedding rentals
Not all venues have the necessary décor or arrangements, and in most cases, additional rentals are required. From wedding tents in the classic style, to catering setup, creating dance floors, arranging for audio & sound equipment, and seating, you may need to rent essentials. Find a wedding rental service that’s more comprehensive and is capable of delivering on your big day.
Get estimates for everything
Food, wedding rentals, venue, and décor – these are the four major expenses of your wedding reception, and it is absolutely imperative that you get final estimates from the vendors before taking the call. Always keep around 20% of your budget aside, because reception expenses can shoot up in no time. Having final quotes also makes it easy to compare vendors, and you can also decide to negotiate further.
Don’t forget to recheck
Two to three days before the big day, make it a point to visit the venue and contact every vendor for a confirmation on email or phone. Note that you don’t want unpleasant surprises at the last minute, and it would be hard to find replacements later. Confirmations and payments may have to be done a day in advance, but do get in touch with every person responsible for turning your wedding into a day to remember.
Planning a wedding doesn’t have to be complicated. As long as you are sure of the theme, have a venue, and have decided the basic details, the rest of it is all about good vendors.