Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/430877
forever... realweddings.ca 19 not necessarily meet your needs. "Speak with somebody one-on-one and tell them how many people you're looking at and ask how much similar weddings typically cost," suggests McNally. If you can be flexible with your date, that will open up your options. "It's an easy trap to start with the date and to try to find a venue to match," Keats points out. To get the best selection, try to book your space a year or more in advance. take a Breather Once you've got your venue locked down, you can relax for a bit. Invitations don't need to go out until three months before the wedding, and the seating chart can wait until RSVPs come in. If you have a special vendor in mind — perhaps a fabulous photographer whose work you've long admired — it's best to secure them as soon as you can, but most details can wait. "If you don't have anyone particular in mind, you don't need to feel stressed about locking it in," says McNally. "ere's tons of great caterers and great photographers out there." And doing things too early may turn out to be a bad thing. "At the end of wedding season, vendors are exhausted, and prior to that, they're in the middle of their busy time and aren't going to give you the attention you deserve," McNally notes. Stick to the Plan "If you can leave room in your budget to hire someone like a wedding planner or day-of coordinator to help keep you on track, that can make a world of difference," says Keats. But if you're handling the process yourself, spreadsheets and a solid task list can work wonders. "Put deadlines in your calendar — for example, to get your dress six to eight months out — to keep you on track with your major tasks." Pace yourself throughout the year, and don't procrastinate. "Have a list to follow, actually follow it, and stick to your budget," McNally says. Just as importantly, don't forget to take time to enjoy the planning process, as well as the big day. "You'll enjoy the planning of your wedding and the day-of far more if you can communicate clearly your wants, hire or appoint the right people to help bring your vision to life, then trust them and let it go enjoying the moments as they come," McNally advises. "Don't ruin this time by getting lost in the backend drama. Remember why you are doing this all to begin with: you're marrying your best friend! Focus on the importance of that." rw