As a wedding planner, you are responsible for coordinating and executing one of the most important days in a couple's life. While planning a wedding can be a rewarding experience, it can<br>also be challenging and stressful. To ensure that your business is successful, it's important to<br>stay organized, communicate effectively, and stay on top of industry trends. Here are some top<br>business tips for wedding planners:

#1 – Set Your Wedding Budget

The first step in planning your wedding is setting a budget. This will help you determine how much you can afford to spend and prioritize your expenses. Here are some tips to help you create a budget:

• Determine your total budget
  • Before you delve into a budget for your wedding specifically it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of your budget as a whole. This includes your income, expenses, savings, and other expenses that you are considering such as a lavish honeymoon or moving expenses. You may also want to have conversations with parents or other family members about how much they may contribute. 
• Allocate funds
  • What are your priorities for your wedding day? Is it creating an awe-inspiring space or making sure your guests are well-fed or able to party all night? Consider what is most important for your dream event then allocate your budget correspondingly. If a venue with stunning skyline views or large enough to house 200 guests is a non-negotiable, you will need to make sure your budget is prioritized accordingly.
• Prioritize your spending
  • Make a comprehensive list of all the expenses that you will expect to incur during your wedding planning process. This will help you to prioritize your needs and wants. This list should include everything from the dress to flowers to transportation and snacks for your wedding party. 
• Understand the costs
  • Get quotes and estimates from vendors for things you are considering having for your big day. This will allow you to have a good understanding of the costs associated with your vision and have conversations where necessary about ways to lower costs. Consider food and beverage minimums, rates for entertainment, and even decor. Maybe this looks like changing your floral selection because the ones you had your eyes on are out of season and come with a pricey premium. This will help you determine how much each item will cost and make sure that you have enough money in your budget to cover all of your expenses.
• Be flexible and accountable 
  • When you overspend in one area, you take away from another. If you wish to reallocate your funds to different areas go back to your initial list of priorities to find what can and can not be cut. Please keep track of your expenses throughout the planning process, whether it is a spreadsheet, notebook, or planning software. WRITE IT DOWN!

#2 – Choosing a Wedding Date

Choosing a date for your wedding is an important step in the planning process. Here are some things to consider:

• Give yourself enough time
  • Planning a wedding can be a very time and energy-consuming process. To alleviate some of the stress allow yourself the time to make decisions, find creative solutions, and enjoy the experience. As a rule of thumb anywhere from 12-18 months prior to your desired wedding date is the best. Give yourself enough time to plan and prepare for your wedding.
• Consider the season
  • What is the weather like in the season you plan to wed? If an outdoor wedding is your dream you must consider if the weather this time of year is reliable and what your options for inclement weather look like. Early August is back to school and college move-in time, May is graduation season, could these events impact your family and friends’ availability? It is essential to know if the date interferes with any critical events or commitments that you or your guests may be attending, or maybe even considering a different time of year if most of your guests have college-aged children for example. Every season has pros and cons so it is up to you what works best for your day. 
• Significant dates or numbers
  • Can you think of a number or a special date that you would like to honor or celebrate for your wedding day? Maybe it’s the apartment number of your first place together, the date you met, or even how many times you all traveled together.
• Consider the venue availability
  • Once you have narrowed down a season or month, talk to your desired venues and see what their availability is like. Venues can book up many months in advance, this is why it is so crucial to give yourself enough time and to figure out your budget first!
• Commit to a day!
  • Once the day is set it opens up the door for so many other conversations necessary to prepare for your big day. Once this is done you are able to coordinate with the availability of potential vendors. Send save the dates, schedule dress fittings, and so much more!

#3 – Defining Your Wedding Style

Defining your wedding style is an important part of the planning process. A wedding style can be defined by the couple’s personal taste and preferences, combined with the overall look and feel they want for their big day. Here are some things to consider:

• Get inspired
  • Go to bridal shows, browse blogs, watch videos, and scroll Instagram for ideas and inspiration. Pay attention to elements that stand out to you, and note what you would like and dislike for your day. Think about your personal fashion sense and home decor style. These elements can provide a good starting point for your wedding style. Make sure to collaborate with your partner, your wedding should reflect both your styles and personalities.
• The setting
  • Consider the season. Spring events often have a light airy feel, while winter may be more soft and cozy. The venue itself can also play a vital role in determining the overall style of your wedding. Consider the architecture, location, and any built-in elements that can be incorporated into your theme.
• Tell a story
  • A specific theme, such as a garden wedding, rustic chic, or clean minimalist, can help define the wedding style and is enhanced by a color scheme that plays well into the theme. A consistent color scheme can help set the tone for the wedding and dictate other style choices, such as flowers, invitations, and decorations. Often times the venue will complement this theme in one way or another.
• Focus on what’s important: 
  • Decide what aspects of the wedding are most important to you and prioritize those elements. For example, if you love flowers, make sure you incorporate plenty of blooms into your decor. Finding your wedding style can be a fun and creative process as a couple. Find the right details to create a day that uniquely represents you as a couple and creates a memorable and meaningful day for you and your guests.

Hopefully, these tips will help you get a better idea of where to start in your wedding planning. Remember, this process should feel more like a marathon and not a sprint. If you ever feel overwhelmed, then take a break for a few days and attack it later with a fresh mind.

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Are you ready to start planning your wedding? As a seasoned team of Atlanta wedding planners, we’re here to help you take away the stress of planning such a big day. Contact us for your complimentary consultation.

Photo credits:

1 – Andre Brown Photography

2 – Brandi Sisson Photography

3 – Indiee Fox Photography

4 – Andre Brown Photography