Sarah Lizabeth Barker - Planning A Wedding For Dummies

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Wedding planning isn’t stressful. I’m certain you have been told that it is, but that’s a lie. Planning a wedding should be one of the most memorable experiences in your life. It’s the beginning of something that will last a lifetime. The hard part was finding the person that you will begin a life journey with as partners. The wedding day is the first day of the rest of that life together.

The mission of Planning a Wedding For Dummies is to simplify the wedding planning process, break the myth that wedding planning is stressful, and give you the tools you need to plan and execute a perfect day. This is a day that you will remember for the rest of your life as the best day ever — if you’re willing to use the tools you will learn in this book. Oh, and in the meantime, enjoy the wedding planning process! I’m aware that’s a concept that many who plan a wedding don’t experience, but maybe they never read this book, so we’ll cut them some slack.

Planning a Wedding For Dummies contains over two decades of knowledge, experience, and lessons learned through my career as a wedding planner. It is a process, and I have set it up in a way that will walk you through the process to planning a perfect wedding day. From choosing a venue to hiring your vendors to the dress, decor, and reception, this book has you covered!

This book was created with you in mind and designed to be a team-building experience with your partner. As you navigate the details, there will be times when one or the other of you will feel very passionate about something. When I say “passionate,” that really means it might end up in a knock-down-drag-out. And guess what: that’s okay. For some reason — which you probably won’t understand— it’s important to the other person. Embrace those opportunities to love each other more, and consider it an opportunity to problem-solve together. Try to understand the “why” behind the passion.

Generally, I know it’s not a good idea to make assumptions. But for this book, I’ve made a few to better serve your needs:

Your work duties and/or social calendar don’t allow you much free time to plan your wedding.

The thought of planning your wedding seems overwhelming and stressful.

You don’t know the first place to start when planning a wedding.

You want to make sure you’re maximizing your budget to be able to get as many items on your must-have list as possible.

You’re stuck on how many guests you should invite to your wedding and who should be in your bridal party.

Picking your wedding vendors seems like a daunting task with more options than you can manage.

You want to create the most amazing wedding day and enjoy the planning process.

Sometimes when reading a book, you need a little picture in the margin to get your attention because you really need to consider what I am about to say to you.

If you see a remember icon, it means that I want you to remember to do whatever I’m telling you to do. This way you won’t miss a step of the process to planning your perfect day. These icons are important to take note of and put on special list of things to remember.

This book is packed full of all kinds of tips, so if you see a tip icon, it is a very special tip! While writing the book, I thought, my new friend really needs to know this because it can save them money or help them avoid a problem or maybe even allow them to enjoy the wedding planning process!

In wedding planning and in life, if you see a warning — pay attention. If I put a warning in the book, it is to give you advice so bad things don’t happen. That is based on bad things happening to me through the years. Since we’re on this journey together, I don’t want them happening to you!

This book is packed with information, but sometimes, you just need more. If that is the case, there is an online Cheat Sheet available that points out the most important things to do when planning a perfect day. To access this informative Cheat Sheet, go to www.dummies.com and type Planning a Wedding For Dummies Cheat Sheetin the search box.

Additionally, I’ve added a sample detailed schedule of events on my website for you to use and customize. Just go to www.sarahlizabeth.com/planningaweddingfordummies

This schedule of events document is a vital part of planning a perfect day. Use it as a tool to create your own schedule of events.

It’s time for your journey to begin. You may be wondering how to even start. Trust me, you are normal. When I created this book, I wanted it to be in a certain order. It is set up in the order that I would suggest you reading from cover to cover. Just as I would walk my clients through the process of planning their wedding, I have done the same for you in the layout.

However, you’re probably excited about your big day, and you want to skip to a chapter that’s on your mind. It’s okay to do that as well. Every part of your wedding planning process is only yours. You get to customize the experience. If you are someone who loves the process, start at the beginning and read to the end. If you don’t like structure, divide and conquer as you wish!

I want to thank you for coming along with me on this journey of planning your perfect day. Perfect is defined as “having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be.” Through our journey together, my vow to you is to give you all the required elements, qualities, and characteristics to plan your wedding day. If you use them, you will have a day that’s as good as it can possibly be. Happy planning!

Part 1

IN THIS PART …

Celebrating the fact that you said yes!

Enjoying the wedding planning process, including a sample wedding planning checklist

Determining your perfect wedding date

Spreading the exciting news

Selecting your squad and understanding their job requirements

Celebrating with showers and parties and registering for gifts

Determining your budget, figuring out who’s paying, and understanding fees, tips, and gratuities

Chapter 1

IN THIS CHAPTER

You’re getting married