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Four
Big Decisions for your Big Day
As
soon as you get engaged, there is a flurry of
activity and decisions to be made. Then there is a
lull, and another flurry of activity just before the
wedding. After you share the good news, the first
flurry starts with four big decisions that can
affect each other significantly - Budget, Location,
Date, and Guest List.
BUDGET -
Your budget will affect everything. Don’t worry
about an exact number to stick to as you will likely
modify it a few times. You should, however; set
some parameters right away to make sure the other
decisions are realistic. Bear in mind that the most
memorable weddings are not always the most
extravagant. It’s often the little touches that
guests remember such as the 1st dance, or a moving
speech so try to be imaginative rather than just
flashing your cash. What guests really want to see
is a happy couple who look relaxed and madly in
love. That doesn’t cost a penny but it does require
preparation.
LOCATION
-
Ideally you should book your location a year in
advance as the popular sites go fast. Unless you
have a great private location with flexible dates,
this can determine your date due to availability.
As an example, your chances of getting a location
for 07-07-07 are pretty much nil and none unless you
booked it a long time ago.
DATE -
Many choose a date on a long weekend so they and
their guests can have an extra day. This isn’t as
opportune an idea as it sounds at first. Costs can
be greater on holiday weekends and cheap flights may
be less available. You may gain some out of town
guests and lose some local guests that made holiday
plans before they knew about your wedding. So know
your guest list and pick a date accordingly. If
budget is an issue, you might want to consider a
Friday which is often discounted instead of the
popular Saturday for your wedding day celebration.
GUEST LIST
-
The
guest list will affect many decisions. Where will
your guests be coming from and what is the most
central location for everyone? How large a venue
will you need, and how much of a budget is
required? Although it’s not very romantic, it’s
important to realize that there is a cost attached
to each invited guest. One of the most significant
wedding mistakes is inviting too many people. If
you keep the numbers low, you have a better chance
of connecting with your guests in a meaningful way
and perhaps be able to accommodate everyone at a
more intimate and economical setting.
All these decisions can be challenging to make,
especially when you have so many people to please.
Set priorities early on so you know the parameters
you have to make your important decisions within.
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