Wedding planning!

Springing...stupid phone.

I planned my first wedding and I’m planning this one too (24 years later).

I haven’t DJ’ed a wedding. I think that’s worth sprinting for.

We're planning our own wedding and also dj-ing it , i would suggest for u to start with a budget and an approximate guest list cuz the first thing u wanna book is the venue and it's difficult doing that without those two things and select the bridal party also start creating a wedding website in the meantime , then you should focus on vendors that book quickly like catering, officiant, photographer, and you should go dress shopping around 10 months before the wedding, then you have more time for smaller details like decoration or stuff like that , if u really wanna save and be your own dj i would recommend asking for songs from guest on the wedding website there is the option there, and get a dj program online for free to mix songs or stuff like that , i wouldn't recommend doing a lot of stuff diy cuz it might take a lot of time and might be a bit stressful!

I honestly think that most people plan their own weddings. Wedding planners are a nice luxury, however, they're costly. My best advice is to stay organized and to use the checklist here on WeddingWire to keep yourself on track. Start by establishing a budget, a roundabout guest list, and the season or month that you want to get married in. Then you can find a venue that fits those three things. Once the venue is booked and you have a date, you can start booking other major vendors.

I'm not planning to DJ my own wedding and I wouldn't recommend it, but if you're not looking for a party vibe and are okay with something more laid back, a Spotify playlist would get the job done.

We are DIYing our entire wedding (all decor, flowers, food, music, etc). Here's our take so far:

Get a binder to keep everything together and in there write down everything you picture when you think of your ideal wedding. Then take that list and work through the following things:

1. Figure out max budget first

2. Find venue(s)

3. Decide guest list

4. Determine how much you have left after venue(s) as they are typically the most expensive things

5. Take that budget and start planning out what is most important to you (photo, video, dj, food, etc) and how much you are willing to spend on each big ticket items. We are not doing a lot of the traditional things- bouquet toss, garter toss, etc. So that is all money that can go to other things. **Typical big ticket items-Venues(s), Photographer, Videographer, flowers, dress, catering, bar...

6. Decide based upon your ACTUAL abilities what things you can do on your own. We are DIYing all decor, food, flowers, basically everything but the clothes and the rings

7. Start contacting vendors and plug them into the budget as you go so you know where you're at and what changes need to be made.

8. When all significant expenses are figured out you will know what you have left to accomplish the rest of the little things.

As far as DIY DJing...we are making playlists for our wedding and playing them throughout the wedding ceremony and reception. Part of the reception time will be live music provided by a friend of mine. I have lists for everything. Prelude music, processional, recessional, as they are leaving for the reception, cocktail music, dinner music, party music....etc. Everything is laid out in individual playlists so no matter who is pushing play they can figure it out. I have estimated how much time I need for each section and planned at least 5 more songs per section (except for prelude, processional, and recessional) because you never know when things will get off track. lol

View Quoted Comment Im wondering how you are DIYing your flowers? Are you using fake flowers or real ones then? I’ve been thinking of doing my own flowers but not sure exactly if to use fake or real flowers.

View Quoted Comment I'm doing my bouquet out of paper flowers. And for decor it will be a mix of real and fake flowers.

I work in the wedding industry and have worked numerous weddings without a DJ. I will say that had the couple not picked the venue with an INCLUDED coordinator, the wedding would not have gone smoothly. DJs are IMPORTANT to keeping your timeline and the flow of events and if they do not do this- do NOT hire them!

Start with your budget and guest list

keep your guest list small - this is the source of all financial woes!!

find a venue and be open to dates other than Saturday. This will Save you thousands!

find a venue that includes tables, chairs, linens and set up and breakdown of those items.

Pick your vendors - join local Facebook groups! Or of course, weddingwire!

tips to save:
skip favors
DIY invites and email save the dates
buffet typically costs less
beer and wine saves more than having liquor
join wedding resell groups on Facebook and look for vases and candles - those with a bit of greenery can save a bunch. Or if you have a florist, do half tables with candles and greenery, repurpose your bridesmaids bouquets as centerpieces and the rest with florals and votives.
Get a small cake for cutting and then sheet cake from Costco or Sams
fake or dried florals can really help with budget