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Wedding Planning Tips from SQN Events

It happens to the best of us. You’re busy tasting cakes, shopping for venues, matching linens and checking RSVPs, when you glance at your calendar and realize just how rapidly your wedding day is approaching. Your to-do list seems to be a mile long and seating arrangement configurations are starting to take over your already overloaded brain. We totally understand; preparing for your “I do’s” takes a lot of orchestration! To help you reduce the inevitable stress that comes with wedding planning, we’ve enlisted the help of one of our fabulous Vendor Guide members, Chicago wedding planner Beth Bernstein, owner of SQN Events.

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{Garbo Productions}

Stress-Free Planning Tips from SQN Events

Plan for a Planner. Wedding planners can help with everything from event design to budget management, vendor selection and day-of coordination. Another option is a “month of” coordinator who will handle the details during the last few weeks leading up to the wedding and oversee the wedding rehearsal and wedding day logistics. Try to book a wedding planner at least one year ahead, or a month-of coordinator six months before your nuptials to ensure that your day goes off without a hitch.

– Think Twice about Holiday Weekends. While holiday weekends tend to be convenient for guests with holiday time off to travel for a wedding, these dates are often very popular, which may result in higher vendor costs and planners/venues that are reserved further in advance.

– Make Guest List Guidelines. Finalizing the guest list is often one of the trickiest parts of planning, especially when your idea of who should attend differs from that of your family, who may be contributing financially to the wedding. Create some guidelines at the outset to set expectations. (Example: No invitations will be sent to people whom the couple have never met!)

– Be Hosts with the Most! Out-of-town guest lists are growing, making it hard to draw a line for rehearsal dinner attendees. While you may envision a relaxed rehearsal dinner with your wedding party, your parents may prefer the tradition of inviting all out-of-town guests, which can lead to hosting a mini-wedding the night before the big day! To compromise, consider having an intimate rehearsal dinner or luncheon one day, and a casual “welcome dinner” for out-of-town guests the night before the wedding. Rent a room in a local pub, invite guests to stop by for food and drink and allow them to come and go as they please!

– Do your homework. Before meeting with your planner, it is helpful to put pen to paper and dream a bit about your big day. When you close your eyes, what do you see? Our printable wedding inspiration worksheet, courtesy of SQN Events, will help to narrow down your vision and get those creative juices flowing before your first meeting with your wedding planner!

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{Maypole Studios}

What tips do you have for keeping wedding planning stress-free?

*This post was sponsored by SQN Events.