Tips & Tricks Thursday: On Planning

You've decided to officially commit to your partner...congratulations! Now what? Start off by having frank discussions together about how you would like to recognize and celebrate this commitment. Would you like to have a big wedding, a small wedding, something nearby or a destination wedding? Do either of your families have expectations for you and how will you handle those together? What is your budget and are there elements that you absolutely want to include in whatever you decide to do? As you start considering these questions, here are some guides to help you along:

• Torontobrides.com on planning a wedding on a strict budget
• Frugal Dad on planning a wedding on a budget
• Theknot.com on wedding budget options (who pays!?)
• Theperfectweddingguide.com has a free wedding checklist (pdf)
• About.com has a wedding budget worksheet
• Check out the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada, a certification program for wedding coordinators.

Keep in mind that there are many professionals available to help plan or execute your event. You can choose from a full wedding planner, a partial wedding planner where you can get help with certain aspects of wedding planning, or a wedding coordinator for day-of assistance. Here's a tip from Bridget of {First Kiss Films}:

Hire a wedding coordinator, or at least a wedding day-of planner. You don't want to worry about any of the details on your wedding day. Having a professional on-site making sure the day is running as planned allows for you [to] enjoy each moment and be relaxed (it'll show on your face and you'll look even more radiant on film.

Jane of I Do...Green! Creative Eco-Wedding Planning echoes Bridget on this point:

Enjoy every single minute of your day! If you're a DIY bride and want to plan your wedding yourself, you should still have a coordinator onsite for the day-of. When the time comes you will want someone to take control & ensure all of the little things get done; and don't rely on family or friends to do it.

You can draw on inspiration from magazines, your friends and family, and the internet but in the end, Anne of Dot & Lil says it well:

"There are lots of ways to have a wedding! Just have fun with it, and try and find ways to have your wedding really express who you are and what you're about. It's such a perfect and unique opportunity to express who you are as a couple. Handmade and indie items really lend themselves to custom, one of a kind creation in a way that makes that easy."

This blog can also be a great resource for DIY ideas to add that special touch to your day. Whether you have a wedding in Ottawa or Hawaii, or a ceremony at city hall, remember to enjoy the time you spend together. No matter what you decide to do, it's easy to get lost in the imagination, planning and organizing. I wanted to share a fabulous final tip from Amy of Splendid Events:

         "Remember to keep time for yourselves. Planning a wedding is a huge project with countless details to juggle, and there's no denying that it gets stressful. Throughout your planning months, make sure you set aside time where wedding talk is strictly off-limits. Go out to a movie, go see a play, stay in and make a great dinner, whatever you like. Turn off your cell phones and laptops and just enjoy one another's company."

Happy planning!