Ask Taylor, The Wedding Planner: Do Courthouse Ceremonies Need Gift Registries?

Question:

How soon in advance should you plan?

Taylor’s Answer:

Dear Miss Calendar Conscious:

To allow yourself plenty of planning time, I suggest a solid year from proposal to party. In those 12 months, you’ll need to:

* Scout and book a venue;

* Decide on a dress for yourself and your attendants as well as coordinate the menswear;

* Print and mail invitations;

* Deal with the dreaded guest list and seating charts;

* Determine your budget and how funds should be allocated;

* Hire vendors for everything from the food to the flowers;

* Organize the menu and order a cake, not to mention all the tastings you’ll need to make appointments for;

* Arrange for transportation and accommodations;

* Choose the music;

* Plan the honeymoon;

* and on, and on, and on.

In planning a wedding, there are so many more details you’d never anticipate. Of course, you’ll also want the chance to change your mind about this or that, which will mean starting over from scratch. Make sure time is on your side.

Your day-to-day life will play a part in the wedding planning process as well. Planning a wedding requires a lot of organization and time. It can become quite stressful with all the details to consider. And if you have other obligations such as work, family, or school, you can see how having plenty of time will only serve to benefit you.

To draft a realistic game plan, have a frank discussion with your fiancé and determine what you both want and how much you both can afford. Many couples end up spending more than twice their initial estimate. Be realistic about what you can afford, and only plan your wedding based around that number. If you’re on a restricted budget, lower your guest list. It may be difficult, but do not get into debt planning a wedding for more guests than you can realistically afford to entertain, which is essentially what you’re doing when you plan a wedding reception.

You are about to embark on one of the most exciting milestones in your life – planning your wedding. Soak in your engagement. Enjoy it. Start getting organized from the very beginning, but most of all, be sure to take your time with things too.

Happy planning!

More on Madame Noire!

• Get Her Some Water: 7 Celebrity Ladies Who Are a Bit Too Thirsty For Attention
• Beauty and the Braids: 7 Celebrities Who Make The Look Fierce
• Vain is Your Middle Name: Celebs Who Love Themselves as Much as Their Fans Do
• Do You Want What You Can’t Have? Why You Keep Chasing the Unavailable
• Tuesday Talk: Melanie Fiona On Her Mother, Man And One MF
• Tableside Racism: Waiters Admit Discriminating Against Black Patrons Because They Don’t Tip
• Ladies, What Do You Do With Your Farts?
• Why Don’t Black Women Want to Breastfeed?
• The 7 Reasons Men Lie, According To A Man Who Doesn’t (Maybe)