What do you do first?

[Mary2008Weds]

Is there any sort of order as to what you do first?
A kind of list as to where to start? I am trying to plan this on my own but I need some kind of raod map to follow before I scream.

[Heather]

Sure! A few of us have posted our "to-do" lists... let me see if I can find that thread for you. I think it's a sticky.

ETA:
http://www.pashweddings.com/weddingf...ead.php?t=7394

Mine isn't in any particular order, but I think Maroki's is...

[maroki13]

Mine is broken down by category, which was really helpful and not very overwhelming...

I think the most important thing to start with is a guest list though. The guest list will dictate the size of ceremony and reception venues you consider, price per head for catering, and lots of other things.

ETA: I think one of the other most important things to do first is pick a date. You might end up picking your date because a reception site you loved only had that day open in your month....We picked ours because it was really the only weekend in August that worked with everyone's schedule (ours and our families'). It made things so much easier....

But if you don't have a date decided on, just print off a calendar of the entire month you are interested in (did I read May somewhere?) and start calling places to see what they have open. Write on the calendar what places are available what days...go visit those places...that will help you decide a date. Hope that helps!!

[Julz518]

I agree that a "preliminary" guest list should be first - knowing how many people you have is imperitive to the rest of the planning (and budgetting!).

If you don't have a specific date in mind already, then don't stress over it... maybe narrow it down to a month or even a season.

Next figure out WHERE you want to have the festivities - like what town/region, not the exact place - and what KIND of festivities you would like (fancy v. farm wedding v. beach wedding, luch v. dinner, etc.).

Intertwined with all of this you need to have an idea of how much you want to spend (unless money really NO object). That can affect how many people you can afford to invite and how "fancy" of a wedding you have in general.

Finally, start looking at actual venues - for the ceremony and the reception. Most venues have preferred vendors they use, so once you have a venue picked out, the rest should start to fall into place.

[Kim&Bob2004]

I think that getting an idea of the date so you know where and what is available is a good beginning point also. Maybe pick a month and go from there. Remember some months are more popular than others.

[Mary2008Weds]

thank you so much ladies!! I have my mom on getting the guest list together and friend calling around to different venues to check on seating capacity and such. I am getting this delegating stuff down! lol

[amandamani]

actually while you may find many guides on the internet on wedding lists you don't necessarily have to follow them step by step. do those things which you feel are more important and a priority. the first thing i suppose you have to consider would definitely be the date of the wedding for from there everything will fall into place as you get to inquire for the availability of the receptions venue, caterers, bands, etc.

[TheaterDiva1]

theknot.com has a great timeline you can use... it's broken down by what gets done a year before, six months before, three months... you get the idea. Having it written out for my made it seem less overwhelming.

[AngelRoseFyre]

It's a bit different for everyone. But figure out a date first, where you want to get married, how big you want the bridal party to be, and who you want in the bridal party, then go from there.

[syringa]

Once you nail down the date and location, choosing a photographer will be important. The good ones book up quickly.