I am super excited to start linking up for 10 on a Tuesday over at Sept. Farm – I would love for you to join as well! I’ve been wanting to do more posts like this anyway, so what a perfect time to connect with other bloggers! So here goes my first 10 list!

Today I’m sharing, 10 things I’ve {already} learned about wedding planning, just a little more than seven weeks since I got engaged:

1. Everyone Else Wants What You Want – The time of year, the specific date, the church, the venue. Everyone else wants it. Okay that’s an exaggeration, but it’s competitive out there – especially in a bigger city, so the sooner you start planning and incorporating what you really want – the better! Seriously though – we are looking at October 2017 and there are at least two to three Saturdays already booked at the places we are looking into having our wedding.

2. It’s Not ALL About You – I mean it is – because it is going to be your wedding, but it’s not as simple as your once younger, hopeless romantic self thought. See, when I was younger, I dreamed of having the perfect October wedding, how hard could it be to plan?

But there are other people in your life getting married. There are other people in your life whose friends and family members are getting married. Sometimes, you might have to plan around other people. For me, it is a WONDERFUL thing because my little sister just got engaged! She might also be planning her wedding in Minneapolis, which means we both have a lot of other things aside from date to consider!

So long story short, while you should have the wedding you want, if you want to celebrate it with everyone you love, don’t plan your wedding on the same day your best friend’s sister is getting married (you get what I’m saying).

3. Budgeting and Money Talk Can Be Awkward But Necessary

I feel like people either like talking about money or don’t – I’m one of those people who don’t. But if you know your family is going to contribute, you might want to ask up front. Get your money and budget in order FIRST because then you can plan aspects of your wedding around what you can and cannot afford. Also, places expect deposits, so if you don’t have a huge sum saved up right after getting engaged, but want to start booking ceremony/reception spots, the deposits can get expensive. Even if you place it on a credit card, you’ll want to pay it off as soon as possible so you don’t rack up a bunch of interest.

4. You Have to Be Flexible

Even if you’ve had your dream ceremony and reception spot picked out, there’s just no way to know if it will all be available on the same weekend you want. Of course, this is easier if you get married on a Friday or Sunday, or in the “off-season”, but if you’re planning on a wedding April to October, you might not get so lucky. Some places are booked out up to two to three yeas in advanced. Also, as far as meeting with people, a lot aren’t able to meet after 4 p.m., so you might need to see if you can meet at earlier times and switch some of your work hours. Some can meet on the weekends, but depending on the time of the year they could also be swamped!

My advice from what I’ve learned so far is to have your sights set on one thing, and then go from there and don’t be disappointed. For me, the MUST have for my wedding was a date in October. October is my absolute favorite month of the year and it’s the number one for me. Then the priority was the church – then the venue . As such, it might not work to get the church and the dream venue, but that’s okay!

5. There Will Always Be Secret Costs

You want those lights too? Yeah, that will be an extra $500. Just be very very careful when determining your budget and talking to venues. While the rental might fit into your budget, what about food and beverage? What about security guards? What about extra decor? If you look into venues that aren’t all inclusive with these details, then there is a lot of calculating to do or estimates to request.

6. People Will Always Want Updates

I think at this point in life, you will never have a period of your life without questions. First it was when are you getting engaged? Now it’s when are you getting married? Where are you getting married? Do you know who your wedding party will be? When are you shopping for dresses? When’s your bachelorette party? After the wedding, I’m sure the next question is, when are you having kids? Everyone is just excited for you, but sometimes it does get a bit overwhelming! But overall, it’s wonderful that so many people care!

7. Choosing a Venue is just the First Step

While right now the venue seems like the major step (and of course it is) – there is still SO much to do with the venue and decide. What color linens do you want, what types of beverages do you want to serve, do you want to rent lights, do you want to bring in your own decor, how do you want the tables arranged, where do you want the bars, where do you want the DJ? While there is still a lot to be decided, at least after booking a venue you at least have a place to entertain your guests!

8. A Longer Engagement Does Not Necessarily Mean More Time to Plan

Yes, technically this is true, right? You are planning a wedding a year and a half or two years out, you have plenty of time to plan, so why start right away? Well go back to my number one and you’ll know why. If you have any preference on when/where you are getting married, you’ll want to try to at least book the ceremony or reception. You will have more time to plan details of any pre-wedding celebrations, find your dress, and order bridesmaid dresses, but truthfully you shouldn’t go too long without planning. It will all catch up with you eventually if you don’t start sooner.

9. Listen to Other People’s Advice

I think right away I felt like I already knew so much of what I wanted and immediately shared it with my fiance, but I didn’t consider that listening to some of my friends who have already been married would be helpful. I think I have already learned so much just asking friends simple questions and trying to know where I can save money, how I can stay ahead and organized, and what to look out for/be careful with when planning.

 10. Patience is a Virtue

Weddings are expensive, so I think people like to assume people will get back to you right away (yeah I totally assumed they would respond to me right away). On your end, it’s super important. To someone getting perhaps hundreds of these requests a day – your one email about your interest in a space does not have an hour response time on it. Maybe a few days, so I’ve learned to just chill and they will get back to me eventually!

Overall, I do believe things will work out with a little time, planning, and patience. Do any of you have advice for me on wedding planning?! Tell me in the comments below!

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