Although I can be used as a resource for assisting in the planning of your wedding day, wedding and event planners are the real experts! Ashley, from C&A Event Planning as many years of experience under her belt and is quite incredible to work with not only for brides, but for vendors as well! She’ll help you plan out your day, give you vendor recommendations, create your floral arrangements and make certain that your day goes as perfectly as you had envisioned! Ashley is taking over the blog today and is sharing her top 5 wedding planning tips to help you through this process!

Top 5 Wedding Planning Tips

Where to even begin when it comes to wedding planning tips..

1. Set Your Budget, and Stick to It –  Your budget will be the driving factor for many of your wedding-related decisions, so this should be one of the first things you tackle. If any family members will be contributing, chat with them about what they’re comfortable spending. If you’re footing the bill yourself, it’s time to take a hard look at your finances. Once you’ve got that magic number, stick to it!

2. Create a List of Priorities –  Sit down with your fiancé and figure out the three most important aspects of your wedding. Is it the food? The booze? The DJ? Prioritize those details and be willing to compromise on the rest. This will help you stay within your budget. Also, remember what is important… No matter how lavish, big or small the wedding is the vows you say to your future husband are what matters. Vows are the most important part of the day. You’re committing to each other and your words can really warm your wedding crowd too.

3. Investigate Wedding Blackout Dates – …Know ahead of time if your wedding date falls on the same day as a trade conference, charity walk or other local event that could affect traffic and hotel room availability.

4. Put together a Wedding ‘A’ team – You need to work with wedding professionals who light you up. Make sure that after chatting to potential professional you feel excited, at ease, supported, and inspired!

5. Be Realistic With Your Time – Whether is it the last month of planning or 10 months out from your special day, look at your mile long to-do list and cut non important things. Yes, cut things. Not crucial things you just don’t feel like doing, such as picking a processional song or confirming final details with all of your vendors. Eliminate only the over-the-top tasks like hand-painting “Just Married” signs, or baking cookies for all of the welcome bags. Cross them off and make a pledge not to think about them again.