Posts tagged guide

Its been brought to my attention that this blog hasn’t been so much of a “guide” but more so a collection of tips and ideas.  This is all fine and good but I figure I should try to make some sort of attempt at illustrating the steps we (men) need to put together a wedding.  Obviously I’m no expert on the matter but I do have a 6 month head start on you blokes, so at least to you guys, I am the expert.

OK so first off, do the guestlist. Why? It’s because when you and your fiancé discuss this, you’re gonna know what kinda of wedding you guys want.  A small intimate one, a large extravaganza, or something in between.  Think about who you want to invite then think about who you’ll have to invite.  The cost, location, food, style of the wedding will all be dependent on the guest count.  And if you’re like us and will be paying for the majority (or all) of the wedding yourselves, this is one (if not the) of biggest factor. A good rule we were using in determining who we wanted to invite was if whether or not we would feel insulted or sadden if we didn’t get invited to their wedding.  Of course however, never feel like you are being pressured to invite people.  This is your (and your fiancé’s) wedding…do what you want.  Honestly the only one you have to worry about making happy…is her.

Second, do the budget. For the obvious reasons this is quite important.  Well unless you are rolling in it.  If that’s the case, I have another wedding you may be interested in funding.  But if you’re like the rest of us, keep a running tab of how much you have, how much you can save, and how much your families are gonna help with.  Do not go into debt to pay for your wedding.  Your lives will be more important than this one day.  Also, this will be good practice for budgeting in the future.

Next (and I’m assuming from here on out that you will be having a “traditional” wedding), the venue.  I suggest you pick a place where you can have both the ceremony and reception.  Most venue that you’re going to be looking at are going to allow this.  Do it.  It will be a lot easier.  I’ve gone to a few weddings that required you to move from place to place and it was total a buzzkill.  I know sometimes it can’t be help (church wedding, etc.), but if it can, do it at the same place.

Nearly as important for us as the venue was the food, and specifically, drinks.  And when I say important, I mean it had better be cheap and good.  The big trend now are food trucks and if you’re lucky enough to get a venue that allows it, do it.  Most venues however have their own list of vendors and you’ll have to go through them but if you have the freedom, check out the food trucks around your area.  Yelp is a good resource and you’ll see that there are plenty of food options out there.  And once you do get the truck, you’ll free up so much money for drinks.  Which I guarantee you is a must.  Open bar.  Please.  Don’t make your guests suffer.  Seriously.