My Best Wedding or Event Planning Tips

After participating in planning a wedding recently, and serving as the Coordinator on the big day, I came away with some tips to make it easier. 

Start the Planning Early 

There are more decisions to make than you realize. So give yourself plenty of time to get clear on what your budget is, and what your options are. Then you can choose exactly what you want. This is your day or your event, so put your signature on it. Securing your venue is likely going to need some lead time. Do you know that some venues book a year or more in advance? Onine, there are many great planning checklists with timelines to help you.

Create an Outline and a Timetable

Have a timetable of what needs to be done in the months, weeks, days before the event. Do as many things as possible before the big day. 0Furniture is best assembled and put up in jeans, not tuxedos.) On the big day, double or triple the amount of time you think things will take. There will always be unexpected things that need to be handled. Have a clear timetable of how you want the day or evening to flow. A wedding coordinator is a great help with making this happen as you wish. 

Arrange for Available, Capable, Reliable Help 

Remember that a person can only be in one place at a time. So don't assign the wedding party to be putting up tables and decorations at the same time they are supposed to be getting dressed, or having a run through. Tell your trusted helpers exactly where you want them to be, at what time, and what exactly you want them to do. 

Have a Quick Repair Kit and a Plan B for as Many Things as Possible

Any big event, particularly a wedding, is live performance, similar to theatre. So you never really know what to expect. What if it the decorations won't stay up? What if it rains when you plan to be outdoors? What if the tablecloths arrive wet and unusable? What if some of what you rented doesn't get delivered? What if a bridesmaid steps in her hem and tears her dress before the ceremony? 

Make a kit with needle and thread, scissors, tape, safety pins, bobby pins etc. Definitely make both an indoor and outdoor plan if the weather is iffy. Have one or two people willing to help with anything unforeseen that arises. And simply decide that it is going to be wonderful, no matter what happens, and enjoy each moment. Just like theatre, the audience never notices most of the slip ups, they just remember how the event makes them feel!