[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Editor’s Note: This is former Wedding Coordinator extraordinaire, Darlene Tan-Salazar’s very first entry for WaW Wedding Tip Sheet. The Wedding Tip Sheet are practical tips on how to plan, coordinate and organize your wedding efficiently. [/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Did you just get engaged?

After the initial high of the proposal comes the daunting task of planning for the wedding and your life together as husband and wife.

How does one start planning for a wedding?

Below are some suggested steps:

A.Inform your parents of your plan to get married before all other details.

Avoid planning in secret. Have them say their two cents at the beginning. That’s easier than having to deal with changes when you’ve already prepared and booked a lot of suppliers.

Important Note: Join the Weddings at Work community so you can get feedback from real couples regarding your plans and prospective suppliers.

B. Decide on what kind of wedding you want to have — intimate, mid-size, or big; within the metro or out of town; formal or laidback.

Scout for suppliers to have a general idea regarding how much they cost, then plan, and make a realistic budget before even booking anybody.

You don’t need to ask each supplier for a rate sheet, that would be too time consuming on your part.
Check out their websites first and/or ask fellow brides/grooms regarding feedback and fees.

C. Decide on your ceremony venue.

The ceremony reservation gives you a final date and an anchor for reserving your reception venue.

It also gives you a chance to send inquiries to suppliers because you have a final date and a ceremony venue. Yes, you need to include those details — including the reception venue — when you inquire so suppliers can determine availability and give you correct out of town rates, if applicable.

Before booking your ceremony venue, ask about restrictions. That way, you won’t be surprised about additional fees and things you can’t do.

In other words, before parting with your hard earned money, do your research. You won’t be able to get a refund once you’ve given your downpayment to reserve the slot.

D. After you’ve booked your ceremony venue, you can go on a hunt for your reception venue.

Consider proximity to your ceremony area, parking, and your chance to have control over choosing your suppliers. Some reception venues have supplier restrictions and accreditation requirements.

E. Now that you have your venues, you can short list 3-5 suppliers per category, then locate the ones who best match your budget, taste, and personality.

“No commitment meetings” need not be done personally. One can also opt for online meetings to gauge how prospective suppliers deal with possible clients.

Focus first on those who can’t do more than one wedding a day.

Remember to research before booking, but take isolated negative feedback with a grain of salt.

Important note: A lot of well meaning friends and relatives will be as excited and will volunteer their services or the services of friends. Remember that more often than not, it’s still better to book your own suppliers and avoid relying on friendship or blood ties. Things can get problematic and you don’t want to feel awkward dealing with these friends and relatives in other parties or gatherings after your wedding.

I think I’ve said a mouthful already and I may have caused you to feel overwhelmed. (I hope not…)

Tip: Simplify. Do things step by step to avoid feeling like you’re drowning in details. Start with the ones you really need then add the fancy details later.

And when you’re feeling too daunted, you can always rely on the sharing and words of wisdom of your w@w brothers and sisters, as well as the responses and recommendations of the suppliers you’ve booked.

Read more of Darlene Tan-Salazar’s Wedding Tip Sheet articles at www.weddingsatwork.com/category/waw-wedding-tip-sheet/.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_block_grid type=”two-up”][cs_block_grid_item title=”Block Grid Item 1″][/cs_block_grid_item][cs_block_grid_item title=”Block Grid Item 2″]About Darlene Tan-Salazar, W@W Supplier of Year (2015): Darlene started out as a Planner/Coordinator of Perfect 10 Weddings. Since she needed more time for family matters, she opted to focus on emceeing, and has since started “The Wedding Tip Sheet“, a Facebook page that tackles the practical points of planning a wedding.[/cs_block_grid_item][/cs_block_grid][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]