Congratulations to you and your fiancé on getting engaged! The moment you have been waiting for is finally here! Soak in these moments of the calm before the storm and enjoy the excitement of what’s to come. Once the “OMG, I can’t believe this is happening” stage starts to fade, it’s time to plan. Planning your wedding can be very daunting when starting at square one, so we created a guide with some simple steps to get started on the process and calm your nerves. A solid plan makes for an enjoyable experience! Happy wedding planning!
1. Gather your inspiration!
To start the planning process you have to think of the big picture. Before you begin to nail down some key details, get inspired and discover what you like! We recommend attending wedding expos/open houses, creating Pinterest boards, subscribing to wedding magazines, and following bridal Instagram accounts. You can even make it into a date night! Sit down with your fiancé and create your “wedding mood board” using Pinterest or magazine clippings. It will be much easier to understand what direction you want to go in when you know what you like and don’t like. Check out our Pinterest board to get inspo for your dream wedding bar!
2. Decide on your wedding budget.
Before you can start booking tastings and venue tours, you have to have an idea of what you are looking to spend. It’s essential to sit down as a couple (and with any family who may be helping) and plan how much you want to spend. Budgeting is one of the not-so-fun parts of the planning process, but it will make things easier for you in the long run! Once you have a rough budget estimate, you can decide on your wish lists and priorities. Some couples think the food is the most crucial part of the wedding, whereas others think it’s the location (we think it’s the bar *wink*). Deciding where you can splurge will make things easier when nailing down specifics.
3. Pick your wedding date!
Now that you have the vision for your wedding locked in and a budget formed, it’s time to decide when it will take place! Think about your perfect day and what type of weather matches that vibe. Are you dreaming of a whimsical spring wedding or a moody fall aesthetic? Finding the ideal date to help your vision come to life will lift a huge weight off your shoulders. In deciding the date, you should also consider the guest count. If you need your guests to travel, will they be available on the date selected? It’s a good idea to have a couple of dates in mind in case things need to shift around!
4. Decide on a venue.
Once your date is picked out and a rough guest count decided, it’s time to look at some venues! This process should be an exciting one for you and your fiancé. If you are in-state, take the time to go on venue tours and get an in-person idea of how the space looks. Can you imagine yourself saying “I Do” at the breathtaking ceremony site? Or your guests dancing the night away in their reception hall? Don’t be afraid to have a list of multiple venues and create pros and cons for each one. If you are out of state, don’t worry! Most venues have extensive galleries from past events and even virtual tours. Are you getting married in Texas or Colorado? We’ve compiled some of our favorite venues to help you get started!
5. Go on tastings!
At this point in the process, you have nailed down some important details and made crucial decisions. Now let’s have some fun! Food and drinks are among the most important details at any wedding. You want your guests to reminisce on this day for years. You can book tastings for all things catering, whether it’s dinner, dessert, or drinks. Nothing is more special than having a personalized menu that reflects you as a couple. We offer our clients private tastings for up to 4 people to narrow down the bar selections and try the extensive options we provide! Contact us to schedule a private tasting.
6. Book important vendors.
Picking good vendors is essential for seamless planning. Popular vendors book up far in advance, so start scheduling as soon as you lock down your date! It’s vital to hire wedding professionals who care to support your vision and will be a part of your “I Do” crew from start to finish. At Peak, we love helping our couples pick the perfect package for their special day. We take care of all the complicated stuff, so you don’t get bogged down with the nitty-gritty details. Click here to get a quote for the wedding bar of your dreams!
We hope this list helped you get excited about planning your wedding! We know it can be overwhelming, but with a comprehensive plan and timeline, you’ll have your big day planned in no time! Planning your wedding should be a fun and exciting part of the getting married experience. We highly recommend wedding planning tools like The Knot and Brides of Austin to help sort through the many vendors and options for your big day! Congratulations again to the happy couple. We can’t wait to see your wedding dreams come true.