After the high calms from your engagement, planning and discussing when, where and how you’ll want to be married. Starting with what you do know, or what you don’t know, and working down the list from there is a good place to start. If you know the place, you can proceed with booking the venue. If you don’t, but you do know the officiant you want to perform the ceremony, start with talking with them about the big day. If you know you don’t want a big event, but you do want it to be soon and small, start with those factors and work your way through planning the rest of the details! Weddings are as unique as each couple getting married, though there are plenty of traditions, both from society and passed down in families and local cultures, there is always the opportunity to make your special day committing yourself to your beloved, your very own. Let’s look at a few ways to do just that.

  1. Venue options. There are more options than the traditional church or wedding chapel, such as parks, renting houses on space sharing sites that are event-friendly, renovated barns, wineries and breweries, tree farms, and the like. Don’t limit yourself to the expectations of others, and you’ll be amazed at what you can find for your special day!
  2. Jewelry. We all know the big radio commercialized jewelry stores, but do you know about more customizable options like eco friendly diamonds and wooden wedding rings? Even if you’re very traditional and classic in your style, you might find it curious and fascinating to explore other non-traditional yet classic and stylish options available to you. Afterall, you’ll be wearing this for years and years to come, so you’ll want it to be exactly what you want and what speaks to you, not what’s expected because others have done it before you. 
  3. Catering and decorations. This is often a heavy line item on the list of expenses for most weddings, but it doesn’t have to be. What decorations can you make yourself, or with the help of a few loved ones on a weekend? Possibilities are endless, and it doesn’t have to be as costly or as far-fetched as you think. Catering can be more than a bland chicken breast and tasteless sides, it can be as mouth watering as your favorite restaurant, and a fraction of the cost in many cases. Having a few friends and family help out with setting up and serving can make the event all that more personal and intimate, if that’s the mood you’re going for. 

Whether you’re going big or going small, your wedding is one of the most memorable days of your entire life, and making it personalized and your own, within traditions or by creating new ones altogether, will make your day, yours. Your fiance and you will be a whirlwind of emotions and need not think of anything except being present in the day on your big day, so thinking of everything ahead of time and working down a checklist to keep yourselves organized will be hugely helpful along the planning path, as well as staying within budget.