Planning and hosting a wedding or party costs money, and these days it can cost couples quite a bit, especially if you don’t account for ALL possible fees and charges in your wedding budget. We’re not talking hidden costs here. These cost aren’t hidden! In fact, they exist for the majority of couples and, where applicable, they’re spelled out in every single venue/vendor contract you sign! In the end, they’re really just an every day reality associated with planning a wedding. To us, these are simply costs you might not realize exist, or overlook when putting together your budget, so we want to make sure you’re prepared.

It’s pretty typical for the whirlwind excitement of an engagement to be met with the all too common question – “Where do I start?” The process of planning your wedding will probably be one of the more stressful, yet most enjoyable experiences of your life. There’s no sugarcoating it – planning will not easy! But with the right tips and strategy, you can streamline your planning to make it a smooth process for all involved. So really, where do you start? How about here:

SET THE DATE. Let’s say you’ve been engaged for a month, a week, maybe even a DAY – what’s the first question everyone asks you and your fiance? Maybe “When’s the big day? Have you picked a day yet? When are you getting married?” Answering these questions over and over again is always easier when you have a date in mind! So what are you waiting for? Pick and day and set it in stone. Plus, the sooner you pick a day, the sooner you can start the fun process we like to call planning!