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Where to begin?

chrisandwill2015 Posted:

Where to begin?

Got engaged on Sunday and it's like I can't plan fast enough!!!

We've nailed down a time of year and we're flexible on the date itself...but...any suggestions on where to start? Venue, right?

Ahhhhhhhh! Let the whirlwind begin!!
laa328 Posted:

Where to begin?

Congratulations!! Definitely start with the venue. Once that is booked, look into photographers/videographers and DJ or Band (whichever you are using). Those are the most important things and the ones you want to book as soon as possible to make sure they have the date you need. Good luck! Enjoy the shopping around and don't let it stress you out too much!

chrisandwill2015 Posted:

Where to begin?

Thank you so much!!!

mab30 Posted:

Where to begin?

Start by making a rough budget and guestlist! Then find your venue!!! Congrats on your engagement! Planning is so much fun :)

Ellinator Posted:

Re: Where to begin?


Posted by laa328

Congratulations!! Definitely start with the venue. Once that is booked, look into photographers/videographers and DJ or Band (whichever you are using). Those are the most important things and the ones you want to book as soon as possible to make sure they have the date you need. Good luck! Enjoy the shopping around and don't let it stress you out too much!

this!
brnnglgn Posted:

Re: Where to begin?

ONGRATS!!!

I would suggest sitting down and coming up with a rough idea of a guest list and a budget then start looking into venues. When you have a rough idea of a number it will be easier to know if you would be able to make the min/max number. Also it will give you and idea of a budget number you will or wont want to be spending.
xBudgetBridex Posted:

Re: Where to begin?


Posted by brnnglgn

ONGRATS!!!

I would suggest sitting down and coming up with a rough idea of a guest list and a budget then start looking into venues. When you have a rough idea of a number it will be easier to know if you would be able to make the min/max number. Also it will give you and idea of a budget number you will or wont want to be spending.




Omg def this , 100%!!! You don't react to fall in love with a place, book it and then realize u have to cut out 100 people!!! And these places r going to spit numbers at u and they will not be if any use of u don't have an idea!! I was given prices ranging from $55/pp to.$100/pp for a winter wedding! I've heard peak can be anywhere from $150/pp to $250/pp so u def want to know what u can afford!!

Congrats!!!!
xBudgetBridex Posted:

Re: Where to begin?


Posted by brnnglgn

ONGRATS!!!

I would suggest sitting down and coming up with a rough idea of a guest list and a budget then start looking into venues. When you have a rough idea of a number it will be easier to know if you would be able to make the min/max number. Also it will give you and idea of a budget number you will or wont want to be spending.




Omg def this , 100%!!! You don't react to fall in love with a place, book it and then realize u have to cut out 100 people!!! And these places r going to spit numbers at u and they will not be if any use of u don't have an idea!! I was given prices ranging from $55/pp to.$100/pp for a winter wedding! I've heard peak can be anywhere from $150/pp to $250/pp so u def want to know what u can afford!!

Congrats!!!!
summerbridejen2015 Posted:

Where to begin?

congrats!! we started with the venue but nothing ever works as you expect!! lol...we doubled our budget and we went from booking a restaurant like novita for our wedding to now booking at the Riviera lol....I am trying to stick in budget for DJ and photo but I'm over that as of now by $500...

summerbridejen2015 Posted:

Re: Where to begin?


Posted by xBudgetBridex


Posted by brnnglgn

ONGRATS!!!

I would suggest sitting down and coming up with a rough idea of a guest list and a budget then start looking into venues. When you have a rough idea of a number it will be easier to know if you would be able to make the min/max number. Also it will give you and idea of a budget number you will or wont want to be spending.




Omg def this , 100%!!! You don't react to fall in love with a place, book it and then realize u have to cut out 100 people!!! And these places r going to spit numbers at u and they will not be if any use of u don't have an idea!! I was given prices ranging from $55/pp to.$100/pp for a winter wedding! I've heard peak can be anywhere from $150/pp to $250/pp so u def want to know what u can afford!!

Congrats!!!!



This!! Places spitting numbers at you lol..I dream of adding and subtracting and numbers every night!!
brnnglgn Posted:

Re: Where to begin?


Posted by summerbridejen2015


Posted by xBudgetBridex


Posted by brnnglgn

ONGRATS!!!

I would suggest sitting down and coming up with a rough idea of a guest list and a budget then start looking into venues. When you have a rough idea of a number it will be easier to know if you would be able to make the min/max number. Also it will give you and idea of a budget number you will or wont want to be spending.




Omg def this , 100%!!! You don't react to fall in love with a place, book it and then realize u have to cut out 100 people!!! And these places r going to spit numbers at u and they will not be if any use of u don't have an idea!! I was given prices ranging from $55/pp to.$100/pp for a winter wedding! I've heard peak can be anywhere from $150/pp to $250/pp so u def want to know what u can afford!!

Congrats!!!!



This!! Places spitting numbers at you lol..I dream of adding and subtracting and numbers every night!!



I have those same dreams
Jsabbatino Posted:

Where to begin?

Congratulations! Make sure to enjoy this time! The little while we had of just being engaged before starting to plan was a great time!

However planning is a great time too! The first thing we did was make a tentative guest list – we knew it would change but wanted to get a rough idea of how many people we would be inviting so we could negotiate and get accurate prices from venues. The next thing we did was start making a list of venues we wanted to look at. For us, we only looked at places which we have been to before – just because we knew from experience that they were great. Once we got our list together, we started making appointments. Then we narrowed it down to two places and started negotiating rates.

In the end we went with Fox Hollow even though Lands’ End came down more in price – we were just too in love with The Somerley to not go with it. We also made sure to block off hotel rooms at Fox Hollow right away since they require a guarantee – we wanted to make sure our guests had as much time as possible to block those rooms.

This summer we plan on finalizing a DJ, Minister/Rev, Photographer/Videographer, and flowers


Happy planning!
rcotter90 Posted:

Where to begin?

Come up with a budget and rough guest list first. You have to know about how many people so you're viewing the right venues and rooms and how much you're willing to spend per person. Then the fun stuff.. Venues! A lot of them were willing to give quotes through email and if they weren't, I asked around in here before booking an appointment to make sure it was in my budget. Def do your research and don't waste time in a place where the website doesn't blow you away.

Lori0413 Posted:

Where to begin?

On top of the great advice already given to you, if you plan on marrying in a church, make sure they are available for the date you want and if you're flexible on the church, have some back-ups just in case the first one you call is not available. I would book them after or at the same time as the venue.

Happy planning and congratulations!
lotsoflove Posted:

Re: Where to begin?

congrats!! After you secure a wedding date the next step should be the venue, then music, photo, video, etc, Those are the most important.

alissacataldo Posted:

Where to begin?

The Reception guide on LIWeddings helped me a lot. They were pretty accurate on pricing and I knew what I wanted - one wedding at a time, under $100pp (all included), and a rustic, country feel - narrow down venues by price, it helps that you are flexible on date because that will save you money. We're booked at the Riviera and we have our photographer booked. Let me know if you need any quotes

Kimberley2015 Posted:

Where to begin?

Yayyyyyyy! Congratulations! First and foremost decide on whether you would like a small or big wedding and work from there. If you can figure a guesstimate of your guests it can help with your decision making of what venue works best for you as well how much you will be getting for your money. It can definitely help when deciding on where to cut corners and where to splurge a little more. Once the venue has been booked, you definitely would want to check out photographers/videographers and see their availability. One thing that is key try not to feel overwhelmed because at times it can be. Enjoy every moment of it because sooner than you know it your special day will be here!!!!! My girlfriend bought me this really cool planner, for the soon to be brides that kinda need direction. It was so helpful as it allowed me to put things on paper and take it from there. Enjoy the ride!!!

Djswedding Posted:

Re: Where to begin?


Posted by mab30

Start by making a rough budget and guestlist! Then find your venue!!! Congrats on your engagement! Planning is so much fun :)



This!!! Venue is the most important.... And the most challenging!!! Congratsss!!! And welcome to the fam!!!!
chrisandwill2015 Posted:

Where to begin?

Thank you all sooooo much!!! I am overwhelmed by your responses but it is helping me prioritize!

On to the guest list and budget!!! :)

Thanks girlies!
chrisandwill2015 Posted:

Re: Where to begin?

Thank you!!!!

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