Wedding plans, where do you start?

[hoopsy32]

Maybe I'm just a dork, but what all do you need to plan for for a wedding? My bf and I have been talking about it, but I'm like so scared cause I don't even know where to start And what sort of costs am I looking at? I don't want to go completely all out, but I want a really nice wedding that WE CAN AFFORD and not be in debt for years after. He's also thought about just a quick wedding like in a courthouse and I said I'd rather be married by a friend in like a nice place you know...

 

I'd just like some input please

[CaterpillarGirl]

Try http://www.theknot.com

 

They have a wedding budget calculator and lots of tips to help you keep costs down. I'd also suggest getting a wedding coordinator. They usually charge about 10% of your wedding budget.

 

For some perspective, a typical American wedding costs around $20,000, but don't be discouraged, many cost well below this (~$4000-5000), depending on number of guests, time of year, evening/morning wedding, outdoors/indoors, and of course how much you want to spend on your dress!

 

Don't get overwhelmed. It's new to a lot of other brides-to-be, as well. Consider attending a bridal show: (http://www.modernbride.com lists a lot)

 

Good luck!

-CG

[hoopsy32]

Neato thanks a lot!

[quankanne]

[color=red]YOU'RE BACK!!!!! YEA!!!!!![/color]

 

 

good to see you back at the 'Shack, Hoopsy!

 

Weddings: ah .... I eloped, so I won't be much of a help there, except to say that if you really and truly have your heart set on a wedding, go for it, otherwise you'll regret missing out on that part.

 

however, you really don't have to go overboard economically if you plan smart. Consider your options: do you want a full, blown-out wing-ding, or something simple but elegant? Do you want to own your own dress (think about the need to have it preserved properly so it doesn't yellow or get ruined, and then the place where you'll stash it once you've got it packaged up)? Would you consider getting one from a consignment shop for the big day (sort of like how the guys do with tuxes)? Is there someone you know who is a wonderful seamstress that would do a simple dress for you if that's what you choose?

 

Is there a particular church or place you want to be married at? Prolly the first thing you want to do is call to get an idea of availability. Also, if it's a church wedding, will the minister, rabbi, priest, etc. expect you and your groom to take pre-marriage classes? And how long do they suggest you wait as you get that stuff out of the way?

 

Reception: simple with drinks and fingerfoods, something a little heavier or a full-blown dinner/meal? Will you have alcohol available at the reception? Does the site you have picked out cater -- that'll save a LOT of headache (when my one nephew got married, his bridey decided to go with the hotel connected to the Bass Pro Shop in the Dallas area & they got a free room PLUS an ice sculpture shaped like a fish, at their request! was HE ever happy!)

 

Then there's the stuff like music for the wedding and the reception, a photographer, yadda yadda yadda. Bride's websites and magazines are great about giving you an overview of the whole event, and friends/relatives are really good about giving you an idea of what to avoid.

 

i've been to several weddings, but I think the least stressful ones were my nephew's and my best friend's weddings -- they had sort of package deals where someone else worried about decorating the reception hall and preparing the food, so all they had to do is pick out what they wanted. Best friend also did the consignment store-wedding dress thing after having stood in more weddings than she could count and living through THOSE brides' experiences!

 

Take your time in looking at all the different ideas out there so that you end up with exactly what you want, eh?

 

good luck!

 

quank