wedding planning tips

We were happy to offer some tips to Erinn Hutkin of Gatehouse Media for her recent story about Winter Wedding Planning...Once the busy holiday season ends, brides who have wedding dates on the calendar for spring or summer can use the winter lull to their advantage by taking care of the bulk of their planning.In fact, some wedding planners say winter is an ideal time to plan a weddding for later in the year because vendors and venues often have clearer schedules before the summer wedding rush, which can mean more time and attention for brides and grooms.Here are a few suggestions from those in the wedding industry about some of the details that couples can take care of during winter before the weather warms and their wedding date nears.Book your vendorsJaclyn Fisher, who owns Two Little Birds Planning in Haddonfield, N.J., said there are a lot of "to do's" that should be checked off before the 4 or 5 month mark. These include choosing your wedding party, sending your save the dates, reserving room blocks, buying your gown and bridesmaids dresses, registering for gifts, and booking most of your vendors. For brides getting married in spring/early summer, she recommends brides start the New Year by crossing some important items off their wedding checklist. In January, they should make their honeymoon arrangements, rent or buy formalwear for the groom and groomsmen, order the invitations, order the wedding bands, and finalize the guest list.A good planning rule, said Kelli Sigmon, the founder of Boston’s Swank Events, is to book vendors at least five months before the wedding. Meanwhile, she said winter is great time to met with photographers and DJs or to set up food tastings with caterers because it’s the off season, so vendors or managers at venues have time to answer questions, give tours, and make the experience more personal.Prioritize and organizeTo get all the details in order, Fisher suggests hiring a planner or day-of coordinator. She said this takes stress off the bride so she can enjoy being a bride. She also recommends something simple -- making lists -- either with pen and paper or in an app. To get organized, Fisher recommends wedding-specific apps such as iWedding Deluxe, Wedding Budget, The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner, WeddingScan, Fun Wedding and Ultimate Wedding Planner.Figure out the detailsSusan Cordogan, owner of Chicago’s Big City Bride, said couples can use the slow winter months before the wedding to think about many of the small details. Map out a wedding timeline -- what time will rehearsal take place? When will the wedding party get hair and makeup done? When should vendors arrive? Also, start thinking about who you want inyour group photos and when they will be taken.“Group shots are like herding cats,” she said. “Someone’s always in the the bathroom, smoking a cigarette or at the bar.”She said to use the time to think of details such as getting a guest book, menu cards, and whether you want to do anything interactive.And when it comes to music, couples who hire live bands should give the musicians at least three months to learn, practice, and perfect special songs, such as the tune they want to hear during the father-daughter dance. For those hiring a DJ, use the winter to start compiling a list of songs they do and don’t want played and add to it over time.image via the knot