Four Big Decisions for your Wedding 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.


Article by Magna Goerke