So here you are..one year out from your wedding day.  Many wedding planners will agree that your dream wedding can be created in a year as long as you are willing to compromise on dates, venues and vendors.  However a majority of couples will plan their wedding to be about a year and a half to two years from their engagement.  So for the purpose of this blog,  let’s assume you are done with all of the major aspects of planning…budget prepared, venue booked, vendors chosen, catering company in place as you enter your wedding year. 

One year may feel like an eternity, but in reality you probably still have quite a lot of planning to do with your wedding planner and because of that one HUGE factor…time will fly!  We have no doubt your wedding dream team will keep you on track with payments, decisions, tastings and important dates.  However, in order to make sure your team knows exactly what you want, we provided a list of things you should think about as you enter one of the most exciting years of your life to date!   Cheers to your wedding year! 

Prioritize Your Day

Are you breaking tradition and having a first look? Do you want a plated meal? Are you throwing your bouquet and how are you ending the night?  This is your day, so it’s time to think about all the things you want. If you are as traditional as they come things may be easier for you to plan, but if you are throwing caution to the wind and throwing tradition right out the window, it is definitely time to start thinking about what is important to you. Foodies…you may want tapas and finger foods all night long, and loathe the idea  of a formal meal…go for it.  If your send off is just as important as your waltz down the aisle, make sure you prioritize that and let your planner and photographer know.  It’s your day so go as traditional or unique as you like, just make sure you vocalize it to all the people that need to know.

Get Inspired

For some, they have been dreaming of this day forever and have every detail emblazoned into their brain.  But for others, the simple thought of wedding design is overwhelming (thank goodness for wedding planners).  Use the earlier part of your wedding year to get inspired.  Look at pinterest, check out the past work of your planner, photographer, florist, etc to gather ideas. Take notes about things you love and things you don’t.  Consider color palettes that speak to you, research themes and think about style elements that you would love to see as part of your wedding. When you have some ideas, set up a meeting with your planner to dive into the design process. 

Honor Family Traditions

Your wedding planner can help you decide which of the customary wedding traditions you want to (or don’t want to) have at your wedding ceremony and reception.   Incorporating family and cultural traditions in your wedding adds depth and significance, and this is where you come in. It is important to let your planner know that you would like to honor some of these customs.  Whether it is a traditional ceremony or family heirlooms, cultural dances, music, and food; these are the elements that make your wedding not just a celebration but a beautiful and memorable fusion of past, present and future.

Get Personal

The last thing you want is a cookie cutter wedding. So make sure you begin to think of ways you would like to make it your own.  How are you going to personalize your magical day? Make your wedding special by adding details that show who you are as a couple. Whether you personalize your playlist with songs from essential moments in your relationship , use places you love to name your tables rather than number them, offer  your favorite sweet treats in a dessert table or incorporate something you are passionate about into escort cards, these are little things that make a wedding special to your relationship.

Insure Yourself

Once all of the major aspects of planning are complete (wedding planner, venue, vendors, etc.) we strongly suggest getting wedding insurance.  A wedding is a huge undertaking but also a very large financial investment.  Purchasing insurance for your big day will protect you against liabilities and damage. And while no one wants to think that anything could go wrong on their wedding day, the consequences of no insurance may be far worse.  If you would like to err on the side of caution, we suggest checking out Event Helper for your insurance needs.  An extra cost of approximately $175 in your wedding budget can leave you with a peace of mind that is priceless.

Embarking on your wedding journey brings its fair share of excitement and stress.  Enlisting a wedding planner can transform this experience.  They bring ease and joy to the process and are experts in taking your vision and turning it into magic. As you kick off your wedding year with a wedding planner by your side, you will find that your tasks seem slightly less daunting.  But, as helpful as they are, they are not mind readers and they are hired to help execute YOUR dream wedding.  So doing your research and understanding what you want is paramount in the wedding planning process.  That being said, do your wedding year homework and we foresee a very happy ever after…

If you need a little bit more persuasion about hiring a wedding planner, we urge you to check out our blog, A Day in the Life of a Wedding Planner, to see just how fantastic these men and women are…the superheroes of all things weddings!!