Wedding tips from the pros.  Wedding Planning: 10 Helpful Tips 1. Set your budget with money that you already have in a bank account. No one, under any circumstance, should go into debt for a wedding. Best case scenario, spend less than you have budgeted. 2. Start planning as early as possible.  Places and service providers are booked earlier and earlier each year. So to insure that you get exactly what you want, start early. It gives you plenty of time to find investigate other options if your first choice does not work out. 3. Send early notice and save the date announcements. Your invitees won't want to miss your big day, but with very busy schedules advance notice is not a luxury - it's required. Invite people well in advance.  4. Be organized.  In order to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the number of tasks ahead of you, stay organized. Make an action plan by week of what you are going to do, and keep track of progress. This will help you to keep your thoughts and plans in order. 5. Don’t forget what a wedding really is.  The wedding ceremony is the main event - the reception is just a celebration of it. Make sure you've put enough thought into the music, readings, and vows that will make your wedding ceremony memorable. 6. Look at the season. The time of year can inspire many ideas for your wedding, from what you wear to your table decorations. Your wedding month will also offer a variety of seasonal flowers, which can inspire your color scheme. 7. Send early notice and save the date announcements. Your invitees won't want to miss your big day, but with very busy schedules advance notice is not a luxury - it's required. Invite people well in advance. About 30% of guests that don't show decline because they didn't get enough advance notice. 8. Select your venue carefully, according to your desire. Sometimes it is preferable to use an uncommon venue than the traditional ones, particularly if you are on a rather tight budget. You can opt for a place near your home or reception site, for instance, to save on transportation costs for the wedding retinue. 9. Prepare for glitches.  Alternatives or back-ups for possible bungles should be ready on the day. A small sewing kit for accidental ‘wardrobe malfunctions’ and extra facial tissues for make-up smears are a couple small measures that can help prevent wedding mishaps from turning into disasters. 10. Enjoy yourself. It's important that you relish the preparation of this big day, as well as the end result.