Wedding planning made easy! Here at TBL®, we plan events every month for our amazing customers like you! Over the last 10 years, we’ve tweaked our planning method to make sure every event is a WIN!! AND in 2024 and 2025 we’ve applied this process to 2 weddings in our family!! The key is to move from general to specific.
Let’s make wedding planning easy! Here’s our 5 step proven method:
Filters are a great tool to make decisions and make sure you stay focused. These make the planning process WAY easier.
There are 5 main types of filters:
- Theme/Style
- Ex: simple, minimalistic, rustic, casual
- Budget
- Ex: Budget friendly, affordable, luxury
- Guest Count
- Ex: small/intimate, medium, large
- Focus
- Ex: family, marriage, faith, adventure, local businesses
- Special Interests
- Games, music, networking
Now use these filters like a funnel! All decisions run through these.
What matters most to each of you? By identifying a few non-negotiables early on, you'll ensure you get what matters most while staying on budget and reducing stress. For example:
-
Real flowers
-
Live music
-
Outdoor elements
-
Favorite boots
-
Pastor as officiant
-
Surrounded by loved ones
Tip: Aim for no more than 3 non-negotiables per person to keep things manageable.
Before diving into every wedding detail, focus on the budget, venue, guest list, and date. These big items determine the rest of your planning.
Tip: You’re either going to spend time or money. For example, for flowers, you can spend more money and hire a florist, or you can DIY them with bulk purchased flowers. Here’s the DIY bouquets from Garrett & Mary’s wedding:
Budget: Creating a realistic budget is key, but don’t feel pressured to go into debt for your dream wedding. It’s 100% possible to have your dream wedding on your budget! It only takes some creativity:)
Venue: Be flexible with your venue choices. Popular venues can get costly, so consider weekday or off-season options. You might also find that non-traditional venues work beautifully and help save costs. If you attend a local church and budget is a factor, consider a traditional church wedding & reception (Chris’ number one recommendation!)
Guest List: The guest list will directly impact your budget, so take some time to narrow it down.
Date: The date is important to decide early on!
Once your venue is locked in, it’s time to book your vendors. Here’s the main vendors typically included in a wedding:
-
Food
-
Photography
-
Videography
-
Officiant
-
DJ/Musician/Band
-
Florist
-
Day of Coordinator
-
Hair & Makeup
-
Cake/Dessert
-
Wedding attire shop
-
Stationary company
-
Rentals (i.e. tables, chairs, table clothes)
-
Transportation/ Shuttle (if needed)
Tip: Prioritize the food and photography—the food is central to your guests’ experience and the photography will provide you with lasting memories. You’ll want to have beautiful photos/videos to look back on!
Create a timeline for your remaining tasks, and prioritize the bigger items, like invitations and your wedding day timeline. It’s easy to get caught up in small details, so be sure to prioritize.
Tip: Focus on what matters most, and don’t forget to enjoy the process!
Tips to make your budget stretch:
-
Flowers: Consider ordering flowers in bulk and creating your own bouquets and centerpieces.
-
Wedding Dress: If your dream dress is outside your budget, look for a dress that can be altered to match your vision.
-
Wedding Decor: Purchase items you can use in your home later or upcycle some decorations for a unique touch. Check out secondhand options for great deals!
-
Save the Dates & Invitations: Consider sending digital versions to save on printing and postage (but print a few for those who love a physical invite.)
-
Venue Extras: Choose a venue that includes tables and chairs to save on rental costs and avoid extra logistics.
Happy Wedding Planning! When you get stressed remember to focus on the #1 goal: the marriage!! Need help finding the perfect boots or want to talk something out? Stop by the store, we’re happy to help!