You Just Got Engaged! What Next?
After you choose the date…..
Before you try on dresses,
seek a florist, or sample cakes, look for a photographer or DJ….. REMEMBER without
a Minister-Officiant there can be no wedding!
The first two things you want
to BOOK are your venue and then your Wedding Officiant.
What style wedding do you want?
Do you want your celebration
to be formal, casual or somewhere in between? Classic, romantic, vintage,
botanical, rustic, modern or all-out glam?
Perhaps you want something themed with a
holiday or your favourite
hobby.
Setting the Budget
Once you know the style you want, it’s time to set your Budget.
Take into account that more
guests means higher prices, as catering and cake costs are generally calculated
on a per-head basis. More
people mean more tables, and more tables mean
more flowers, linens, china, etc.
When building your guest list, consider the
fact that most venues have a limit of how many people they can accommodate.
Look for
the a Location
Ask yourself some of these key questions: What
season am I holding my wedding? Is the season most appropriate for outdoors or
indoors?
How far are you and your guest willing to
travel? Do you want a lake or pond background? Flower garden or a ballroom
filled with roses? Or maybe you seek a rustic vibe and want to tie-the-knot in
a local barn?
Book your
Venue
You can save time by searching the web for
venues in the location that fits your distance needs. Most venue websites offer
plenty of information about what they can offer you along with photos that
allow you to see if they meet your wedding style.
Find a few places that meet your vision and
call them to ask about availability, capacity and cost. They can tell you if
they have in-house catering and other details that will help you decide if you
want to set an appointment to tour their facility.
Ensure that you get the look you
envisioned, with the price you budgeted for by shopping around, scheduling
visits and booking early.
Hire Priority: Wedding Minister-Officiant
Your next highest wedding priority is to find and
book your wedding officiant. They write and perform the marriage ceremony that
makes your whole day possible.
Because of their importance in the wedding process
the best ones book up quickly. Don’t be left choosing from someone who just
joined the business this year and haven’t acquired the experience to create the
perfect ceremony for you. Couples often don’t realize the creative options
available in today’s wedding ceremonies. No longer the days of the Officiant
speaking the same generic words for all couples.
Decide what kind of ceremony you feel fits you and
your family. Religious (light or completely), Non- Religious/Romantic or
Spiritual. Ask what options are included in the ceremony. Can you include your
children in the ceremony? Not only will the ceremony set the mood for the day,
it is the reason for the day!
Rev.
Samantha L. Heart * Raleighweddingofficiant.com
Next…..
Now it’s time for you to decide what the
rest of your wedding priority vendors are. Do you want to hire a wedding planner
to help you through the whole planning process or maybe for just the day of the
wedding? Whether it’s the hottest photographer, trendiest music, amazing
flowers, or an extraordinary cake, snap up the vendors whose work you love as
soon as possible. Many in-demand vendors are hired more than a year in advance.
You can now think about where your
remaining budget can give a little for the things you find most important.
Wedding Officiant, Rev. Samantha L. Heart is also here to help you with preferred vendors.
I proudly work with the top professionals in the industry. I have worked with these teams extensively and they share my commitment to excellence.
Just ask me to guide you in the direction of the top quality vendor you need to complete your wedding.
919-373-4267
