If you are one of the recent women to get engaged over the holidays, congratulations!  Christmas and New Year’s are popular times to get engaged so you are in good company.  Enjoy this very special time in your life!

After the initial thrill of the engagement settles, you quickly realize that there is the momentous task before you of planning a wedding.  Guest lists and budgets, design and decor, local or destination, the questions and decisions seem endless.  And I know that just as your love is unique so are your dreams for your wedding day.  Regardless of the size of your budget, no cookie cutter wedding will do for you.  I know you are looking for ways to make your wedding day as personal, unique and inspired as the love you share with your fiancé and I want to help you make your wedding day everything you dream it will be.

I love working with brides to plan and design their Calgary, Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise weddings and few things excite me as much as hearing about a fantastic engagement story and chatting with a bride about her upcoming wedding day!  The energy and excitement is unparalleled.  Unfortunately what often accompanies one of the happiest times in an engaged couple’s life is…one of the most stressful times in a couple’s life.  Check out some great tips below on how to ease the strain before it even begins.

1. Determine Your Budget

It’s important to figure out how much money you have to spend before you fall in love with a dress you can’t afford or a venue that won’t meet your needs.  You don’t need the unnecessary heartache and stress.  Start by discussing with your fiancé what financial resources you have available.  This may include a discussion with each of your parents to see what they are able and willing to contribute.  Even though many couples today handle much of the cost of their wedding it is still common for parents to help out in some way.  Chat with them in the beginning so you know what support you will be getting.

Did you know that Wedding Planners (like me) are an excellent resource when it comes to making the most of your wedding dollars?  It’s our job to know what venues and vendors will give you the most bang for your buck and we can often access discounts for you to save you money, discounts you wouldn’t be able to access on your own.  We know what things actually cost and can guide you to what a realistic budget will be for creating your dream wedding vision.  This is a huge asset to the couples I work with, not to mention a huge stress reliever!

2. Choose Your Bridal Party Wisely

Consider carefully your girlfriends (and guy friends) before asking them to be in your wedding party.  These friends can be a big help and support during the planning process OR one of your biggest headaches, so choose wisely.  Select people who are willing to step up to the plate and who also have the time to help you out.  You definitely don’t want someone who creates drama at every turn.  Remember though that these are your friends (not your slaves).  Be clear about your expectations and the costs involved up front and you are well on your way to forming a Rockin’ Wedding Party that will help make your planning a joy.

3. Get Organized

Before you take your first steps down the aisle to wedding planning bliss, be sure you are starting on the right foot.  Grab a binder so that you can keep track of all your info in one place.  There’s nothing worse that finding a great vendor and then not being able to find the paperwork that guaranteed your super rate.  I recommend including some clear sleeves and a binder with inside pockets so you have lots of storage options.  Don’t forget to add dividers so that you stay on top of your game and never have to go looking for that fab cake baker’s card again…you’ll know just where to find it.  Also be sure to include a planning checklist of everything you need to accomplish between now and your wedding day as well as a budget sheet so that you can stay on track and never miss a step.

As excited as you are to get the plans underway, be sure to schedule in breaks from your Wedding Planning to just enjoy some quality time with your honey.  It’s important to build in time and activities throughout the planning process that nurture your relationship and remind you of why you are getting married in the first place.  Planning a wedding can be stressful at times but remember that it doesn’t have to be.  Wedding Planners (like me) make it our passion and purpose to help make the wedding planning process as enjoyable and stress free as possible for brides like you.

Love and best wishes,