| Getting engaged is an amazing time in your life. It | | | | the folders to hold papers that you get from |
| is one of those moments that you dream about, | | | | different vendors and use the dividers to |
| then can't believe has actually happened. You have | | | | separate items. The loose leaf paper is for your |
| so many wonderful things to celebrate and look | | | | notes, be sure to organize everything in a way |
| forward too that you may forget, or not realize, | | | | that will work for you. |
| just how much work needs to be done. | | | | Once you are organized there are a few essential |
| It is a lot of work and takes time and planning. | | | | elements that you need to decide on. Addressing |
| The first thing you need to do is get organized. | | | | these early on will make for less conflict later, as |
| Being organized is really important when planning | | | | well as easier planning. First you need to decide |
| your wedding. It is a key element in planning | | | | your budget. Whether it's $500, $5,000, $30,000, |
| successfully. You will be bombarded with choices, | | | | $80,000, or anything in between it will determine |
| options and prices from many different vendors. | | | | what you are able to do in every aspect of |
| If you don't keep track they will all mesh together | | | | planning your wedding. You also need to decide |
| and your brain will become mush. It is very | | | | who is paying for the wedding. Are you and your |
| stressful and frustrating trying to remember who | | | | fiance footing the bill, or will parents (or other |
| said what and what belongs where. | | | | relatives) be paying or chipping in? If so, how |
| Make your life simple from the start. As soon as | | | | much money are they giving? You also need to |
| you get engaged (or at least as soon as possible, | | | | find out from the start what the cost of their |
| you can enjoy being engaged for a week or two) | | | | financial support will be for you. |
| go shopping for some essential items. You need | | | | Do they expect to make choices for your |
| an organizer and you can do this in two ways. | | | | wedding, or have a say in what their money is |
| The first is to go buy a specialized wedding | | | | spent on? You may just want to take any |
| organizer. These planners are made specifically for | | | | money offered and not worry about it, but I |
| brides to be and are customized for weddings. | | | | really urge you to get things out in the open and |
| They are nice, but usually very expensive and | | | | talk about it from the start. There is nothing |
| don't always have enough room. The main benefit | | | | worse then a family fight when tension is already |
| to these types of organizers is if having the | | | | high. If all parties involved sit down and air their |
| planner as a pretty keepsake is important to you. | | | | wants and needs, you can figure a game plan |
| The other choice is to make your own. Buy a | | | | from the start. You don't want to have your |
| three ring binder, some loose leaf paper, a couple | | | | heart set on something only to hear your parents |
| of folders and some dividers. Make sure they all | | | | say they won't pay for it because they want |
| have holes so you can put them in the binder. Use | | | | something else. |