If you're reading this you're either a curious reader (I'm glad you're here) or you recently engaged ( Also glad you're here) and are starting wedding planning. As an organizer myself, starting early is a must. So where do we start?

We first have to discuss and analyze what type of wedding you are looking for and what your dream is. In this blog, we will guide you in the right steps to help you look within when trying to decide what direction you want to take your wedding. Lucky you, this is all up to you and your partners vision! It's important to be in tune with what you want so when it comes down to advocating for your vision and dreams you're able to properly lay your vision out to your agent to help you best accomplish in planning your dream wedding. This will help make your life easier and clear up any confusion but will also help your agent best in knowing what to help you with. So let's begin.

Step 1: Create a vision board

Before the technical side of wedding preparation, you must have an idea of what you envision for your special day. Take time to yourself to gather your ideas. Go ahead and create a vision board. You can do this on apps like Canva, which makes it easy to create a vision board and gives you templates. Take a look at the example provided.

In your vision board you can add inspiration from pictures or text of things such as color scheme, flowers, and venue type, etc. During this stage would the right time to start considering if you would prefer a destination wedding, all inclusive wedding packages, or even a European historical venue destination wedding.

This is your time to really envision and be creative. You are just at the beginning of planning. Ideally this is meant for you to be able to start really picking your taste and your wedding aesthetic. The better self aware of your wants, the better and more confident your agent will be when preparing you special event for you and your partner. We recommend your partner also create a vision board so you guys have the opportunity to blend and converse of what ways both of your visions can come to life and make it a smother process. Remember communication is key!

Step 2: Pick your terms

Once you've designed your vision board, it will all fall into place shortly. Starting to get into the nitty gritty, the next step is to pick the terms of your wedding. I will provide you with two different examples, to help you start your list.

When it comes to consider the terms for your wedding whether it's a tropical wedding or at an European villa , you want to consider what place you want to stay, if you want an all inclusive, if you want your ceremony on the beach or on a villa, and if you will provide accommodation fro your guest or will leave that up to them to pay for their own airfare and accommodation. Picking your own terms helps you customize your wedding for your needs and budget

Example 1: Tropical Destination Wedding

- All inclusive resort with wedding packages

- Meal, drink, and alcohol all included.

- Beach front ceremony

- Roundtrip airfare

- Honeymoon on resort

2. European Historical Villa Wedding

- Venue (villa or private hotel)

- On a lake in a remote city

- Guest to stay in the same villa/hotel.

- Luxury

Again these are all customizable to you! So look at your vision board and start creating a list of terms for your dream wedding that are a must! Think of it as your NON-NEGOTIABLES.

Step 3: Brainstorm Locations

Once you've picked your terms, it's time to brainstorm locations where you can envision your dream wedding coming to life. You always want to keep in mind your terms and wedding type. If you want a tropical wedding, it'd be best to stick to brainstorming places like Cancun or the Caribbean; it'd be unrealistic to plan a tropical Beach wedding in a place where there's no beach access. When brainstorming locations you want to make sure they have a variety of venues and hotels that meet your terms but aren't drastically out of budget (it's okay if you don't have a budget drawn out yet, but you get an idea of what you don't want to spend). When brainstorming locations you also want to keep in mind potential dates your wedding would be, this way you look at various potential months and get a look at the weather or climate during them.

Tips:

- Make sure you have plenty wedding options.

- Research past wedding in those locations and see if they meet your standards.

- Research weather or potential weather events like if they are prone to hurricanes or storms on specific months.

- With potential months/ dates, look at how price varies during the months.

- Have a list of NO MORE than 5 locations that meet ALL of your non-negotiables and seem reasonable from an estimated budget.

Step 4: Create Your Budget

Planning a destination wedding can be exciting, but staying within your budget is essential. Start by setting a clear overall budget, breaking it down into categories like venue, attire, travel, and accommodations. Research various locations to compare costs, as some may offer lower expenses for venues, catering, and lodging. Choosing off-peak seasons can also help save money, as prices are often lower and availability is better. Consider limiting your guest list to reduce costs on catering and accommodations, creating a more intimate atmosphere. Look for venues that offer all-inclusive wedding packages to simplify planning and save on individual services. You can also save by creating your own decorations or negotiating prices with vendors. Organize group travel for guests to secure discounts, and keep a detailed record of all expenses to stay on track. Finally, be flexible with your plans, as this openness can lead to creative solutions that still achieve your dream wedding. By following these tips, you can enjoy the excitement of planning your destination wedding while keeping your finances in check.

Getaway wedding budget with $31,000

Destination venue for the whole weekend – $6,000
Friday welcome potluck for 5 people – $800
Breakfast and lunch on Saturday – $3,000
Bride and groom attire – $800
String quartet for the ceremony – $500
DJ for the reception – $1100
Full catering service coverage for Saturday night – $10,000
Wedding decor and flowers – $3000
Photography – $2500
Brunch for Sunday – $2000

$2000 Basic wedding budget for a small wedding

The venue of 6 guests with an officiant for 30 mins slot – $150
Attire for bride and groom – $300
1-hour ceremony photography and portraits – $800
Lunch and drinks in a restaurant for 8 – $600

A traditional wedding with a budget of $20,000

Full catering service + wedding venue for 55 guests – $12,000
Photography – $2000
A week off planner – $2000
Wedding invitations – $800
Bride and groom attires – $1000
DJ – $1000
Decor and flowers – $1,200

Step 5: Contact your Agent

The final step is to contact your agent with all your research. I suggest having a consultation with your agent to lay out all your findings and provide in-depth details about your vision for the wedding. During this meeting, discuss your budget openly, including any flexibility you may have, to help them suggest the best options. Be prepared to share your ideal wedding date and any specific locations you’re considering, as well as the size of your guest list, which will impact the choice of venues and accommodations.

Talk about the style and theme you envision for your wedding, whether it’s a beachside ceremony, a garden reception, or a formal gathering in a historic venue. Don’t forget to mention any special requests, such as particular floral arrangements, catering preferences, or entertainment options. Ask your agent for recommendations on local vendors, including photographers, decorators, and caterers, and inquire about any packages that might include these services. Discuss potential activities for your guests, as well as transportation options and accommodations to ensure everyone has a seamless experience. The more details you provide and describe, the closer you get to your dream wedding. This collaborative approach will help your agent tailor their services to your unique vision, making the planning process smoother and more enjoyable.

Thank you for reading!

If you reached the end of this guide, i hope to have provided some help and guidance on a different perspective. Since you are on my website and found me, make sure to explore what my site has to offer and fill out the contact form to have a chat about beginning the planning of your DREAM wedding. We have tons to offer here at The Couple's Compass.

We appreciate your support. Hope to provide you with more with what's to come. Be sure to FOLLOW ALL our socials to keep up with any updates or deals. As well as leave a comment bellow on how you found this guide and if it was helpful. Be sure to share this with your friends and family and any one in search of Wedding guides. Lastly, new blogs come out every SUNDAY at NOON est.

Take care,

Love,

TCC

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