This might be a silly question but....

thedivav

when you start your planning where do you start

and how do you keep it all straight?

i am trying to get back to planning after my dad's illness and i am overwhelmed and not sure were to start... i have a bunch of venue info to go through and plan visits since its destination..... 

all suggestions are welcome lol thanks 

rowenac82

I just checked your bio! My birthday is Sept 27th, so getting married on Sept 28th can't be a bad thing at all . When I started planning I definitely first focused on the venue, I think once you have found your venue that's when everything else falls into place. Your venue will definitely give you direction on what vendors you will need, really starts to help craft your vision. So I think you are right on track on visiting venues first. Where are you getting married? 

As for keeping everything straight, I am definitely not a folder with dividers girl. I have a folder but stuff is just sort of thrown into it. One thing I have tried to keep on top of is once I have chosen a vendor, I definitely threw out all the other information I have about other vendors in that category. That way you are not creating clutter. 

msbdumas

I started off with the budget and guest list then venue, photographer, video, and dj ! Next I will be doing dress, paper invites,programs, menu crads, place/escort cards I think once you get those things underway everything else will flow ! What is your vision ? Colors ? How do you want your decor ? Ex: centerpieces, aisle runner, flowers if doing any !

MissusD1116

I agree with Rowena, find the venue first. My venue gave me a vendor list of who wrks well with them. I'm not obligated, but it was def a starting point. I also have a notebook, that I write down wedding ideas. Anytime I think of something I make a note of it or the website if its online related. You will be back in the groove ...just pace yourself. If you feel like its too much, stop for a while..you can go into wedding overload! LOL

rowenac82

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_this-might-be-a-silly-question-but?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:400Discussion:36614d1c-eff1-4f87-97e9-eeaf7faf9aa6Post:8a78128a-25b6-4b52-8e61-97360da0612d">Re:This might be a silly question but....</a>:
[QUOTE]I started off with the <strong>budget and guest list then venue</strong>, photographer, video, and dj ! Next I will be doing dress, paper invites,programs, menu crads, place/escort cards I think once you get those things underway everything else will flow ! What is your vision ? Colors ? How do you want your decor ? Ex: centerpieces, aisle runner, flowers if doing any !
Posted by msbdumas[/QUOTE]

<div>Good point..budget is definitely important. I must admit, I didn't actually sit down and do a guest list. I just said 100 people sounds like a good number. Then after we chose our venue, I did the guest list and realized that between FI and myself, just family excluding friends is just about 100 people. So definitely get an idea of what your guest list will look like and how much you would like to spend based on that number. </div>

thedivav

We are looking at Hilton Head or Savannah to get married

i was hoping i could find an all inclusive type deal so i dont have to worry about runners and linens, centerpieces etc...... 

i would prefer to elope 

i have some info from a few venue's in the area but most are outside *sigh* i am ALLERGIC to outside and more than i want to pay lol 

and i am a gemini i get distracted easy lol 

but thanks for the ideas and starting places ladies.... me and FI are going away this weekend for my bday so we will talk about budget and guest list

MissusD1116

Oh yeah and the B word!!! budget!

thedivav

I so want to keep the guest list to 60 or less 

with my family and his will be hard but more will be invited to the big party we have later 

i have my colors and thats about it... and a stack of venue info to go through lol 

Carla1019

Sounds like you have a good plan on where to start. I used TK's checklist, budget & tracker to keep everything orderly. I also recommend a wedding binder with vendor information. It never hurts to have all your information in one place.

I couldn't tell by your post but I think you are saying your dad is better. If so, that is great!

thedivav

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_this-might-be-a-silly-question-but?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:400Discussion:36614d1c-eff1-4f87-97e9-eeaf7faf9aa6Post:bed9081f-61f9-4fec-a345-0f947844c342">Re: This might be a silly question but....</a>:
[QUOTE]Sounds like you have a good plan on where to start. I used TK's checklist, budget & tracker to keep everything orderly. I also recommend a wedding binder with vendor information. It never hurts to have all your information in one place. I couldn't tell by your post but I think you are saying your dad is better. If so, that is great!
Posted by Carla1019[/QUOTE]

<div>my dad was not going to get better... he passed last sunday we laid him to rest on saturday</div><div>thanks for being positive <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /></div><div>
</div>

20pearls16

Like PP started with budget and guest list. Based one these two selected a venue. Everything else fell into place. use TK's check list. It does keep me on track.

msbdumas

In Response to Re:This might be a silly question but....:[QUOTE]In Response to Re: This might be a silly question but....:Sounds like you have a good plan on where to start. I used TK's checklist, budget amp; tracker to keep everything orderly. I also recommend a wedding binder with vendor information. It never hurts to have all your information in one place. I couldn't tell by your post but I think you are saying your dad is better. If so, that is great!Posted by Carla1019my dad was not going to get better... he passed last sunday we laid him to rest on saturdaythanks for being positivenbsp; Posted by thedivav[/QUOTE]

Sorry about your dad passing..I will be keeping you in my prayers !

sheikscorpio88

Hi! My date is September 28th too! But this year lol. Like everyone said venue/budget should definitely be first. Dont look at venues that you know aren't in your budget, once you get your venue everything will fall in place and you can book other vendors. You really can't book vendors unless you have your date set in stone with your venue. Good luck on this journey and try not to get stressed!

keyaira04

Sorry about your loss...

I did what PP mentioned; Budget, guest list, venue/church. 

thedivav

Thanks ladies you all are truly amazing Will start with my guest list And researching venues Thank you for your condolences

mejai1

HI,

So sorry about the loss of your father. Hope you were able to celebrate his life. Praying for his peace and your comfort.

Definitely start with budget and guest list. Then venue. My advice would be to try to keep things (at least slightly) under budget because towards the end all of this other little stuff comes up and creeps into the plan that wasn't planned.  Keep an eye on the checklist on TK so that you know what needs to be done. Don't get stressed about the fact that they list the same thing like four different ways (pick out bm dresses, finalize your bm dress pick, get fitted for bm dresses, order bm dresses).  But do try to do what you can and keep moving. Somehow, it all comes together (We hope!).

[Deleted User]

Hey Vonnie *waves*

How are you doing/feeling/coping so far?

If I were voting I'd absolutely agree that budget is where I'd say to start.  I found it helpful just start keeping visual ideas of what I liked, not necessarily whether it was something WR or even something I wanted but just what appealed to me.  I haven't been on it but I suppose that's the idea behind pinterest.    You mentioned that your wedding is small (60), mine too (80) so I couldn't really do the banquet hall thing.   Botanical Gardens, Museums, B&B's and Women's Clubs are some of the venues that charged a flat rate because they had no minimum # of guests.  Once you've guaranteed venue and/or ceremony sites, I'd pick my caterer (if not included) then start looking for my dress.   The guest list is something I'd do last because of any likely changes.   Also, I don't know if it helps, but I'm real *listy* so I picked one task per month and spent no longer than 30 days working on only that thing so I didn't drive myself crazy.   good luck and keep us posted!  

M1ssJ

Sorry for your loss!

thedivav

Thanks ladies I am doing ok My middle brother *i am the oldest and only girl* offered to walk me down the aisle I got a big binder today I am about to get it in lol Thanks for everyone's help and advice