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A great DIY would be the invitations. Do you have some friends that can help you with this or someone you can bounce ideas off of?
For cheaper wedding dresses you can purchase a pre-owned dress.
Hope this helps some.
First of all, Congratulations! :) This is a wonderful time in your and FI's life - enjoy it!
It looks like you've already set a date which is priority #1. You have a little over a year at this point so you're in good shape (don't stress at this point - you're good). I'd say first and foremost decide on where you want to have your ceremony and book it. Then your reception venue - book that. (sometimes these are flip flopped and that's ok) Until you have both of those, most vendors (cake, photography, etc.) don't really want to talk to you because they can't really help you yet. After that, officiant, photographer, videographer (if you want one), wedding dress, BM dresses musicians/DJ, cake, etc.
You may want to check out www.weddingwire.com as they have a great checklist as does www.TheKnot.com. They also both have their checklists available on mobile devices such as the iPod Touch, Blackberry and iPhone for when you're out and about. I use both checklists because even though they overlap somewhat they do have some differences and make me feel like I am covering my tailfeathers. :) I'd also go to the local library and get some books - start thinking about what you want your wedding to look like, etc.
Just a few thoughts!
Bon Chance,
Bella
P.S. Don't let the vendors push you around either, especially at the Bridal Shows. I know that they will try and use the 'book RIGHT NOW and we'll give you this amazing deal' line - don't do it. If they are legit they will give you a flyer or something and you can book that 'deal' for a week or so afterward. Also, ask for discounts. A lot of times they won't tell you upfront about Sunday/Friday discounts, time of year discounts, etc. It never hurts to ask (and always negotiate! Worst that can happen is they say no.)
Bella pretty much said it all...great timeline and advice. Something else to think about (like she mentioned about what you want your wedding to look like), start looking at color schemes and themes if you want one.
And remember - you always have the hive to turn to.
I would add that the other preliminary you need after you set your date is your guest list. How many people you expect to have at the wedding has a big bearing on nearly every decision: the type and size of venue you select, the size of cake you get, how much food you need for the reception, etc. Good luck and there is tons of information in the hive!
The first thing we did is make a budget. I looked up typical "percentages" of how much of your budget is usually spent on each item. Then we moved things around (so if we didn't want certain things we took them off and moved parts of the budget around). It's great if you're handy with Excel so you can do it in a spreadsheet.
I agree with the other ladies, checklists are super helpful. Good luck!
Making a budget should be one of your first priorities. That will dictate EVERYTHING you do for the wedding. Esp. with you possibly not having a lot of budget flexibility this should be the first thing you and FI do. Then you can start finding the reception/ceremony locations after.
I never went to a bridal fair. Found them to be sales traps as there are soooo many resources on the internet that can give you a lot of advice.
If you need help finding a venue, Here Comes The Guide www.herecomestheguide.com was a great resource to start looking for venues. It comes in a real book but the website is for free. ;)
Also, go on Amazon and get a few wedding books. One book that was amazing in guiding me through the process of all things wedding was Bridal Bargains.It really gives you a lot of tips and things to look out for (so you don't get bamboozled).
We have visited Daytona a million times and had actually talked about getting married there too! There are some great parks around that you could get married at- Flagler Beach is beautiful- and very rocky~ and we looked into The Top of Daytona restaraunt for our reception. - It's great- but can be expensive depending on how many people you have. I love this idea!- We <3 Daytona Beach!!
1. Budget & rough guest count
2. Date
3. Venue
4. Less fun stuff: Photographer, DJ, Officiant (if needed), transportation (if needed)
5. More Fun stuff: Your dress, bridesmaid dresses, suits, flower girl dresses, flowers, rings, invitations, garter set, cake topper, cake, place settings, centerpieces, table numbers, food & drinks, first dance song, vows, ceremony music, ceremony programs, bridesmaid/groomsmen gifts, favors. (Sorry that list is long and ranting... I was typing & thinking)
6. Get married!
And here's some cute stuff in your area:(obviously, very affected by budget)
Venue: http://www.tavernandchapel.com/index.cfm
Venue: http://www.shoresresort.com/daytona-beach-weddings.php
**TIP: Ask abut "unpopular" wedding days & times! We are having our wedding on a Sunday and saving sooo much. Never hurts to ask, especially in this economy!
I also like to surf craigslist a lot for great prices: (it's become a hobby, LOL)
Photography: http://staugustine.craigslist.org/evs/1704215224.html
Photography: http://daytona.craigslist.org/evs/1710473274.html
Music: http://daytona.craigslist.org/evs/1716412978.html
Officiant: http://daytona.craigslist.org/evs/1709061845.html
Table linens and chair covers: http://daytona.craigslist.org/evs/1700887285.html
Hair & Makeup: http://daytona.craigslist.org/bts/1700313680.html
and even
catering: http://orlando.craigslist.org/evs/1711142066.html
As a wedding planner and owner of a full service company, I have to say all good advice from the hive except about not going to a bridal show.
By all means you should take advantage, most shows offer a free ticket to the bride and put you under no obligation so there is absolutely no reason not to take advantage of having so many vendors in one place. Make a list of the items you still need so you can make it a point to visit several vendors of each category. Bridal expos are not sales traps, they save you time and the headache of running all over town to visit so many places. Taste cakes, look at photographers, sample caterers, take flyers and information from everyone. Bridal expos are excellent places to pick up Specials that will SAVE YOU MONEY.
A few pointers for going to a bridal fair/expo
Take post it notes and a pen-as you visit booths, talk to vendors, make notes like "really friendly staff" or even "not very helpful", "definately call!" "Cake was Yum!" etc. that way when you go home, you know who was who and remember who you liked an you follow up with the right vendors
Don't rush into booking anything especially if you have not done any research. take all of your info from the expo home, divide and conquer. photographers, cake bakers, caters, rental companies, etc. then go back through each stck and toss the ones you made negative notes about. Then go from there, start calling for quotes, appointments etc.
Hi,
I have helped some other bees find some great resources-so if you want help, just email me. I also helped my daughter with her wedding, and we had a very low budget, and we got everything she and my SIL wanted! I like to help out for fun! :) Rhonda
Once you have sorted out one or two "key" pieces then filling in the gaps becomes much less daunting!
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We just got engaged a month ago and my father just told us that we would be on our own for paying for the wedding. My father decided it was more important for him to get married first (no I am not Bitter) lol.
We were looking at having a beach wedding in Florida near the Daytona Beach area and I have no idea where to start. I have no sisters and my mom died when i was 18. I go to Bridal shows and look at things on line all the time but seem to end up more confused by the end of the day...
Any feed back, ideas, location, DIY things would be greatly appreciated