Wedding Planning Mythbusting

When it comes to wedding planning, one of the most common myths is that the very first thing you should do is book your venue. While choosing a venue is an important milestone, it’s actually not the best place to start.

As a wedding planning consultant, I’ve worked with countless couples who felt overwhelmed through the planning process because they skipped a few key decisions up front. Taking time to lay the right groundwork can save you stress, money, and major planning headaches later on.

Before you start scheduling venue tours, there are several important things you’ll want to consider first. Here's what every couple should think through before locking in a location:

1. Pinpoint your overall vision. Take some time to sit down with your partner and think about your overall vision for the big day. What season? Are you envisioning a brunch garden party or an evening ballroom reception? How do you want the day to feel, and what do you want guests to remember? What are each of your biggest priorities? I recommend cracking open a bottle of wine (or your drink of choice) and having a nice brainstorming session together. Don't get bogged down in the details now, just think about the day from a 10,000 foot perspective. Identify your vision and your priorities now, and let it guide you through all of the decision-making in the months to come. Trust me, this will help make the entire process less overwhelming!

   
   

2. Consider a wedding planning consultant! Ok, this one is a shameless plug. Signed & Sealed's planning support package is designed to begin before you even have a date or a venue so we can seamlessly guide you through the entire process. It helps to have a professional in your corner!

   
   

3. Determine your ballpark budget. This isn’t always the fun part, but have conversations with anyone who may be contributing a significant sum so you can be realistic in your planning. Make a financial plan with your partner to save stress in the long run.

   
   

4. Determine a ballpark guest count. Who are the people that must be invited? Coupled with your ballpark budget, this will guide many wedding planning decisions. Pro tip: your guest count is a huge factor when it comes to cost of many wedding elements.... venue, rentals, catering, bartending, transportation, favors, centerpieces, and the list goes on!

Once you have the list above handled, then it's time to start venue shopping. You might make an exception if you have your heart absolutely set on one specific venue - in that case, you may adjust your guest count and overall vision to suit that venue. But make sure to give the items above the thought they deserve before booking anything.

You've likely never planned a wedding before, so Signed & Sealed has you covered. We'd love for you to lean on our experience throughout your planning journey. Reach out for a complimentary consultation today!

-Kelly