Weddings are said to be some of the most important days of a person’s life. The focal point of many storybooks and movies, a staple of some religions, and the ultimate way to commit yourself to a significant other, weddings can be a shining milestone in the scrapbook of a long-term relationship. Blissful and magical as they are, however, they are notoriously stressful and difficult to plan. Even if you invest in a wedding planner, elements of the preparation will have to be organized months, sometimes even years, in advance. If you get stressed thinking about the amount of work required to pull off such a big event, here are 7 ways you can focus your attention when planning to make sure you cover all your bases. Everyone deserves the wedding of their dreams, but you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your sanity to get it!

1. Set A Budget

A no-brainer first step for any well-planned event is to decide how much money you’re willing to spend. All other planning will be dependent on your budget, so to make your wedding goals a reality it’s important to set a budget early and stick to it. This will also alleviate stress in the long run. If you haven’t given an adequate amount of thought to money, you might find out you’ve put off budgeting too long when bills start adding up. Ideally, you’ll want to have enough wiggle room for any unforeseen difficulties or last-minute expenses. That being said, you don’t have to have a Hollywood budget to feel like you’re in your favorite romantic drama. Remember to keep things realistic, and make sure you try and save money where you can. No one wants to spend their honeymoon strapped for cash.

2. Find the Venue 

Sourcing the perfect location for your wedding can be stressful, especially because many popular spots will fill up far in advance. You’ll want to hunt for a venue before you nail down your wedding date, as availability is often a deciding factor. In many cases, if a couple is set on a particular location, they may have to compromise on the season. If you love a certain park, restaurant, or banquet hall, don’t rule out the possibility of booking a date in the shoulder season. Though many prefer the summer months for conducting their nuptials, planning your wedding in the offseason can be a blessing in disguise to avoid more competitive scheduling and larger fees. The number of guests should also be considered when choosing a venue. There should be enough space to fit the number of church seats or dining chairs and tables you need to accommodate your guests.

3. Choose Your Attendees

Making the guestlist for a wedding can be fraught with difficulties as it’s one of the most emotional aspects of the entire planning process. Unless you decide on a generously sized venue, potential guest lists will often have to be whittled down considerably to accommodate space and financial constraints. This is why you and your partner should approach the process as early and methodically as possible. Avoiding snubs while sticking to your guest cap and making sure that both you, your partner, and your families are happy can seem impossible, but with a little compromise and foresight, you can find the perfect balance.

4. Wedding Vendors

Essentially any service you will need to hire to make your big day a success falls under the category of a wedding vendor. Some of the most important ones include caterers, photographers, DJs, florists, and makeup artists. Though vendors are optional, there are some that you definitely won’t want to miss out on. Finding an amazing videographer, for example, can be one of the smartest things you can do to improve your wedding experience. Browsing through the bespoke videos found at mikesavory.co.uk, it’s easy to see what a beautiful and personal touch a wedding video can add to your experience. Your wedding day will be exciting, but it will also fly by. Having an intimately crafted video of your special day is an amazing keepsake that you and your family can treasure forever.

5. Theme and Decorations

When it comes to a picture-perfect wedding, different ideas spark joy for different people. Though many will gravitate towards a traditional church wedding done in whites, there are endless ways to create a unique and personalized event. By choosing a theme, colour scheme, or creative decorations, you can construct a space that will set the tone for the day. A great way to add colour and atmosphere to any wedding space is the addition of flowers and greenery. Reading up on the most popular wedding flowers for the upcoming season can give inspiration and even inform the rest of the decoration. Feeling excited about the way your venue looks is an important element of making the day special.

6. Look Sharp

It goes without saying that you should dress to impress on your wedding day. A highly memorable and snappable moment, looking your very best will ensure that you feel happy and confident when greeting guests and, of course, saying your vows. Hunting for that special wedding day garment can be tough work, and can take much longer than expected. For this reason, you should give yourself several months to find the perfect dress or suit. It’s also crucial that you allow time for transportation and proper alterations. Making sure your chosen garments fit well and look good on film will have you looking and feeling effortless when it counts.

7. Get a Registry 

Though many soon-to-be newlyweds often feel that making a gift registry too early can be tacky or come across greedy, the truth is it’s just practical. Having the foresight to include a registry on your wedding website will eliminate the need for people to ask you or your loved ones what you would like as a gift. Plus, having everything listed plainly and registered will cut down on instances of receiving the same or similar gifts from multiple guests. Your friends will want to give you things to commemorate your big day- make it easy for them!

Often dubbed the “big day” for a reason, weddings are incredibly momentous occasions. They are joyful and meaningful and a wonderful celebration of love. The planning stages of a wedding can be some of the most challenging, but with the right preparation, you’ll be happily counting the days instead of anxiously fretting. Concentrate on the list above, enlist some help, take a breather, and realize that this should be a happy and exciting time. This day is for you, so have fun putting it together and remember to enjoy it!