Think back to your engagement proposal. Did you feel a wave of excitement when you agreed to enter a new chapter of life with your partner, only to be quickly followed by a surge of panic?

The planning process can be fun and exciting, or dreadful and stressful. It is a tough battle to stay calm during the wedding planning process, but instead of becoming overwhelmed, take a deep breath and keep reading. We will walk you through three early steps to simplify the wedding planning process and help you start off on the right foot for your perfect wedding.

1. BUDGET AND BULLETED LIST 

Before buying that wedding magazine or scrolling through the photos of whimsical weddings online, it is important to establish your budget. While choosing a budget is not fun, it can make everything else much easier. You will be protecting your heart and your bank account by establishing a budget and staying within your means. It is frustrating to get all excited about the perfect wedding venue, invitations, caterer, entertainment, only to find out that you cannot afford those items. It is also wise to plan to be 10% under budget as a “safety net” for those last-minute fees or items that you may not have planned for.

There are many options, you can spend $20 per guest to $100 per guest for normal receptions. For the wedding itself, consider your venue, flowers, photographer, chair rental, limousine rental, wedding dress, tuxedo, and the ring. The average cost of a wedding in 2018 was $33,931, however this amount can vary greatly from state to state. (USA Today)

2. PICK YOUR WEDDING PARTY AND PREPARE YOUR GUEST LIST

When it comes down to the big day, it is your friends & family that will make the wedding a very special occasion. Your wedding should be a day that brings loved ones together to share in the celebration of your love and commitment to your spouse. Start with choosing your bridal party. Select the individuals that are the most important people in your lives and be sure they have the time and means to travel to your location. There is no magic number for your bridal party, just make sure it is full of friends and family that bring you joy.

Then comes making the guest list. The guest list, and the decisions around the list are one of the most difficult steps of wedding planning. A large wedding celebration can be an amazing event, and if it is possible you should invite as many people as your budget will allow. The cost of wedding venues, caterers, table décor, entertainment, cash bar, photographer, florist, all influence how many guests you can invite. Don’t forget to add a beautiful Luna Paper wedding guest book as a wonderful way to capture a memory of the people who made your wedding day so special.

3. BE INDIVIDUALLY INSPIRED

Finally, we can move onto some fun steps to wedding planning! The inspirational side of wedding is in making the day all about you. From the food to the décor, the wedding should be specific to what you and your partner like most. Go ahead and get that wedding magazine and scroll through wedding websites till your heart is content. That guest list, check list, and budget will be there for you to reflect on and use along the way. While you are planning the fun elements of your wedding, and writing your vows, consider adding a set of Luna Paper wedding vow books. These adorable books will be excellent keepsakes to remember your planning process long after the wedding day is over.

Enjoy the Moment and Keep it Forever

Engagements are a joyous celebration of love and excitement for a new chapter in one’s life. These first three key steps to wedding planning are just the start of defining what is important for your special event.