Your Venue is Set! Now What? 3 Essential Steps to Kickstart Your Wedding Planning Adventure
Photo by: Twin Birch Studios | Catering by: Sterling Catering
Congratulations on securing your dream venue! With the perfect setting for your special day locked in, it’s time to embark on the exciting venture of wedding planning. But where do you start? We’ve got you covered with three essential steps to kickstart your wedding planning journey and ensure everything falls into place seamlessly.
1. Book Your Vendors
Now that you have your venue squared away, it’s time to focus on booking your vendors. From photographers to caterers, florists to DJs, there’s a whole team of professionals waiting to bring your wedding vision to life. Here’s how to tackle this crucial step:
Start by asking your venue if they have a list of vendors they prefer to work with. Typically, venues will partner with vendors that they’ve had great experiences with and that they work together seamlessly. Once you have their list, check out each vendor’s website, reviews, experience, and style to see if it’s a good fit. Websites like The Knot and WeddingWire can be invaluable resources for finding and comparing vendors.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, reach out to your top choices to inquire about availability and pricing. Be sure to ask plenty of questions to ensure they’re the choice for your wedding. If possible, schedule meetings with your potential vendors to discuss your vision in more detail. This will give you a chance to get to know them better and ensure you’re on the same page.
Before signing any contracts, make sure to read them carefully and understand all terms and conditions. Pay attention to details such as payment schedules, cancellation policies, and what is included in their services. Once you’ve found the perfect vendors, don’t wait to book them! Popular vendors can book up quickly, especially during peak wedding season, so be sure to secure your date as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
2. Finalize Your Guest List
With your venue and vendors in place, it’s time to turn your attention to the guest list. Finalizing your guest list may seem like a daunting task, but with a little organization and communication, you’ll have it sorted in no time. Here’s how to check this to do off the list:
Begin by making a list of must-have guests, such as immediate family and close friends. These are the people you can’t imagine celebrating your big day without. Make sure to keep your budget and venue capacity in mind. Be realistic about how many guests you can afford to invite and how many your venue can comfortably accommodate.
Next, sit down with your partner and discuss any potential disagreements or concerns about the guest list. Compromise may be necessary, but remember that it’s important to prioritize the people who mean the most to both of you! Consider using a wedding planning app or spreadsheet to keep everything organized. These tools can help you stay organized and easily manage RSVPs once they start pouring in.
Once your guest list is finalized, send out save-the-date cards to give your guests plenty of time to make arrangements to attend your beautiful day!
3. Create Your Wedding Day Timeline
As the big day approaches, having a detailed wedding day timeline is essential for keeping everything running smoothly. Here’s how to create a timeline that ensures your day unfolds without a hitch:
Begin by mapping out the key events of your wedding day, such as the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and reception. Consider factors such as travel time between locations and any special moments you want to include.
Next, touch base with your vendors to discuss the timing for their services, like hair and makeup, photography, and transportation. Make sure everyone is on the same page and is aware of the timeline checkpoints to hit throughout the day to stay on track. It’s smart to build in extra time between events to account for any unexpected delays or last-minute changes. A buffer will help alleviate stress and ensure that you stay on schedule even if things don’t go exactly as planned.
Share the timeline with your wedding party so they know where they need to be and when. Assign tasks such as helping with setup, wrangling family members for photos, and keeping an eye on the clock throughout the day.
As your wedding day draws closer, review your timeline and make any necessary adjustments. Stay flexible and be prepared to adapt if things don’t go exactly according to plan.
With these three essential steps, you’re well on your way to planning the wedding of your dreams. Remember to stay organized, keep clear lines of communication with everyone involved from your vendors to the wedding party, and most importantly, enjoy every moment of the journey. Your wedding day will be here before you know it, and with a little planning and preparation, it’s sure to be a day you’ll never forget.
At Warehouse Winery, our team of wedding experts will help you along each step of your wedding planning journey to help you craft an idyllic day. We’ve helped tons of couples tie the knot in style and with ease and we’d love to do the same for you!
As your wedding day venue, we pride ourselves on providing a unique and one-of-a-kind atmosphere that sets the stage for unforgettable celebrations. Our reception room offers ample space and versatility, complemented by the expertise of our dedicated venue manager to ensure every detail is meticulously planned. Our venue comes fully furnished with tables, chairs, and lounge furniture, enhanced by uplighting to create the perfect ambiance. With on-site parking for your convenience and a getting-ready suite for pre-wedding preparations, we prioritize your comfort and enjoyment.
Embrace our artistic industrial décor as the backdrop to your festivities, with a capacity to accommodate seated dinners for up to 150 guests or stand-up receptions for up to 200. Additionally, we offer a range of additional services, including outdoor patio setups, pool tables, Warehouse Winery wine glasses, candelabras, candles, centerpieces setup, and rental items upon request, ensuring every aspect of your day exceeds expectations. Learn more about our stunning and unique winery venue and our list of amenities to make your wedding day perfect.
Inquire now to get started planning your dream day with Warehouse Winery.
