Have you been dreaming of your wedding since you were little? Whether you’re newly engaged and diving into the planning process or anticipating a wedding soon, you’ll need to determine the overall vision, create a realistic budget, and hire all your help. There’s a lot to be done before you can tie the knot, so follow this thorough guide to help you with the planning process. 

Determine the Overall Vision

When you picture your big day, what do you envision? Is it a huge and elegant celebration, or a small and intimate gathering? Does the season inspire the style of your dress or color scheme? Do you have a specific date and venue in mind? All of these are important questions to ask yourself. Choosing a date and where you want to hold the ceremony and reception should be your first plan of attack. If you’re stuck with ideas and need a place to organize your thoughts, create a wedding-inspired Pinterest board. A board will help spark ideas like decor, bridesmaid dresses, cake design, flower arrangements, and venue styles.

Don’t forget about creating a wedding checklist or finding a template created already. A checklist is perfect to help you stay on track with planning. From dress shopping, sending invitations, hiring a catering service, booking a hairstylist, ordering a wedding cake, and making reservations for the rehearsal dinner, are all timely matters that a checklist will help you keep track. Not only will having a checklist help you visualize what you’ve accomplished and what needs to be completed, but it will help you avoid any mix-ups.

Create a Realistic Budget

Establishing a realistic wedding budget when it comes to paying for the big day doesn’t have to be disheartening. Although you may not want a limited price tag, it’s not something you’ll want to overlook. Your budget should be separated into different categories, allocating a percentage of the budget to each one. These categories could be venue and caterer, photography, and videography, music and entertainment, attire and beauty prep, and decorations. The amount you designate for each category is totally up to you. Some couples will allocate a higher percentage towards the venue or dress, while others prefer the entertainment to have the biggest pool of funds. 

Weddings can add up fast if you’re not smart with your budget. No matter how big or small your dream wedding is, there’s no need to stress over the expenses. To help pay for the big day, choose a safe and less risky loan like a home equity loan. The best part about a HEL is that you’ll receive the money you need in one lump sum, so you can allocate it to different expenses. This allows you to open up your budget a tiny bit and take some stress off your plate. You’ll also have room to pay back the loan over a longer period, which is beneficial if your wedding is a ways away.