Now that you are engaged, the next step is planning the wedding. Whether you are looking for a small, intimate family affair or a huge gala with literally hundreds of guests, it can be quite time consuming to decide upon the perfect location. Before talking to any wedding coordinators or even to family and friends, the excited couple should take time together to talk about their ‘dream wedding.’ Once agreed upon, there will be no friction down the road. If you are ready to start thinking about where you would really like to tie the knot, there are some important considerations you should be aware of.
The Size of the Wedding – Guests & Wedding Party
Many wedding planners suggest that you plan your budget first. This actually may not be possible until you have a rough idea as to how many will be in attendance. If you are planning a very large event, it would actually be in your best interest to draw up a tentative list as to how many people you can expect. If necessary, you can always whittle the list down later to fit your budget, but at this point you want to estimate a ‘maximum’ amount so that the next step is a bit clearer.
What Type of Budget Are You Looking At?
Now that you have assembled a list of people you’d like to attend, it’s time to really start thinking about budget. Most churches and chapels charge a set fee as do the church organist and musicians, but the venue will probably be your biggest expense. For example, if you are looking to get married in a city where everyone sees ‘stars,’ LA would be the place to set the stage. There is a huge number of 5 star Los Angeles wedding venues to choose from so this is where you start making calls to get an idea of prices per plate. Once you have a fairly accurate estimate on the average cost, it’s time to get a bit more practical.
How Far Do the Majority of Guests Need to Travel?
If you live in Southern California, LA is a perfect location for a wedding. However, if most of your friends and family will be expected to travel from Maine, for example, you might want to stick closer to home. However, if you don’t expect an extremely large gathering, LA should be your first choice since that is where you have always dreamed of saying your vows. Some large families don’t mind traveling great distances for weddings and do so all the time. Just be aware of the fact that some of the people you want to invite may not be able to make the trip.
Is the Time of Year a Factor?
Also, you need to consider the time of year you plan on getting married. While everyone wants to be a June bride, it just might not be plausible. What can you do if you have your heart set on a particular venue only to find it is booked for the entire month you had wanted to get married in? If you are locked into a time of year based on your places of employment, you may need to change your venue or if all else fails, hold your ceremony on a non-traditional day. It’s a given that most weddings are held on weekends. Why not get married mid-week? Actually, you may even get a better price when planning your ceremony on non-peak days.
Where Will the Ceremony Take Place?
Finally, although this doesn’t need to be your last consideration, you will need to determine where you would like to say your vows. Some couples are adamant about getting married in their own church while others like the thought of saying their vows right there at the venue that will host the celebration after the ceremony. This may factor into cost as well as convenience, so do take time to think about where you will be holding the actual wedding.
Remember, this is your wedding so don’t try to plan around what your family and friends expect from you. It is a fairy tale day that is meant to be remembered for the rest of your life so planning your wedding is just as important as the event itself! Are you looking for a beachfront, fun-in-the sun affair or a glamourous wedding at a popular wedding venue in the city? Budget is important and you may need to hold off and work a little longer to pay for your special day, but the bottom line is that it truly is your day, your wedding, so have a day that dreams are made of. That’s the most important of all.
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