BellaOnline Forums Relationships Weddings What's next?

So I've had the facility picked for a while now but I don't have an official date (sometime in April) What phase should be dealt with next? Cake, Flowers etc.... Thanks y'all.

Before you do anything else - set the date!

Most of your vendors are going to want a firm date before they are willing to book with you.

Typically the order you need to get things done in (depending on your area, and who is the hardest to book)

1. location (decide if ceremony & reception will be at same locale)
2. food & beverage (decide if cake is going to be done by the same caterer or different, if different it can wait a little longer)
3. photographer
4. flowers & decorations - at least to book, not necessarily all the final decisions
5. entertainment (if any)
6. clothing (gown, maids, tuxes, etc)
7. invitations
8. minister or officiant

You basically just need to get all of these things on the book (deposit made). Not all final decisions right now, but once the holidays are over with, you will want to have final decisions made on everything.

A really great website for helping get organized, staying on time, and keeping track of budget is The Knot . I used it to help keep me organized, and I did most of my wedding myself!

Congratulations!!! Let's see if I can help:

The planning process can be broken down into four stages:

1. Set your budget as soon as possible. Knowing this number is necessary for everything you do during planning.

2. During September & October hire your team (florist, baker, caterer, etc.)Be prepared to interview, check references and provide a deposit to the each vendor you hire.

Just a quick note, if you are already set on a facility, be prepared to be a little flexible on the actual date. It may be booked on your preferred date, but don't let that sway you since it sounds like you are open to most dates within the month of April.

3. From November to March, work through the details (What menu will you offer, what do you want your inviitations to look like, etc.) Try to have all of your details finalized one month before the wedding so you can enjoy the pre-wedding celebrations that will be thrown in your honor (showers, luncheons, bachelorette party)

3. Enjoy your wedding day. Before March, either hire or assign someone to take care of all of the details on your wedding day so you can just be a bride.

See more details on this topic & full list of vendors in my featured article "Congratulations, You're Engaged! Now What?" at http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art45458.asp

I will also be putting together a budget planner and wedding to do list for readers in the upcoming week.

Congratulations again and have fun with your planning!

Best,
Beth