Congratulations on your engagement! Now that the news is out, you’re probably getting bombarded with bridal magazines, Pinterest boards and LOTS of opinions! It’s no secret that planning a wedding can be overwhelming. After all, this is often an event that many people dream of several years before a proposal even occurs! 

From picking a date to choosing your vendors and coordinating family chaos, there’s no doubt a lot of moving parts to make your vision come to life. We understand this day only happens once, and that you want to make the event as special for you and your partner as possible.

At Madera Estates, we specialize in creating memorable celebrations! Our goal is to set the scene for your special day and to make sure everything runs smoothly. That new rock on your left finger doesn’t need to cause stress! Here are six ways you can prevent wedding planning headaches: 

1). Communication Is Key

They say the secret to every good marriage is communication. This also holds true when it comes to planning your perfect day! Before signing contracts and shopping for your dream gown, it’s important to discuss wedding details with your partner and family.

This is especially true when it comes to finances! As boring as budgeting is, it’s a crucial discussion to have! Assuming financial responsibilities is one way that is sure to create stress. If others are monetarily contributing to your nuptials, it’s important to establish transparency early on. 

It’s also important to communicate planning expectations with your partner. Are you sharing the workload or is one of you taking the lead? When in doubt, it’s always best to divide and conquer! Be open with your partner and make sure you’re on the same page. You don’t want to create any resentment leading up to the big day. Once you’ve created a to-do list, delegate the responsibilities. If the planning gets tough (trust me, it probably will) don’t be afraid to take a step back for a while. It will all work out in the end! 

Additionally, you should clarify expectations with your vendors and anyone else assisting you throughout the planning process. After all, you don’t want any surprises on the big day! Communication really is key to having a smooth wedding planning process! 

2). Get The Steps Right

Couples often get carried away with the details such as rentals, florals and favors. Although these are important components to a wedding, other aspects should be addressed from the start.

Our first tip in wedding planning is to establish a budget and guest count! You’d be surprised just how correlated these two details are. 

With these guidelines set, you’re ready to choose an ideal time of the year to host the event! This will help you determine the date, setting and overall vibe of the wedding. Once this has been established, you can start hunting for the perfect venue to host your celebration!

After solidifying a date with your venue, you’re now ready to search for the rest of your vendors. From photographers, caterers, florists and more, there are a lot of things to consider! It’s a good idea to book your vendors as soon as you’ve confirmed a date with your venue. It’s not uncommon for vendors to be booked over a year in advance! Contracting your vendors early on will give you peace of mind, and it will also allow you to budget accordingly. 

3). Stay Organized 

This seems pretty obvious, right? Well, you’d be surprised at how disheveled planning a wedding can get! The more organized you are, the less likely something will go wrong. 

Organization is crucial to planning a worry-free wedding! Start by creating a checklist of all the tasks you need to accomplish. Assess the time you have from the wedding date, and set completion goals respectively. 

From there, don’t be afraid to assign responsibilities to your friends and family members. More often than not, your loved ones are eager to help you! It’s also a great idea to consider hiring a coordinator. Not only will they help you plan the event, but they’ll also manage your vendors and help the day run smoothly! 

4). Hire Experts 

If you’re planning a wedding yourself it might start to feel like a full-time job! The truth is, most people can’t even begin to fathom the amount of work it takes to pull off a large event. 

Don’t be afraid to hire experts! You might be hesitant to spend money on help, but it’s well worth the investment! Believe it or not, hiring a wedding planner or coordinator can actually save you money! Not only do they know the ins and outs of the industry, but they also can help you manage your budget and stay on track. 

The same holds true for all of your vendors! Just because a family friend has a nice camera, does not mean they are prepared to take your wedding photos. By hiring professional vendors, you’re less likely to experience any troubles leading up to and on the day of the wedding.

5). Give Your Guests Notice

Save The Date invitations have become increasingly popular, and for good reason! The guest count and seating chart can often time cause anxiety for many couples. Getting confirmation from your guests early on can ease this tension.

Additionally, if you provide guests plenty of notice, they’re more likely to coordinate your wedding into their schedule. It’s a great idea to share your wedding date with your loved ones as soon as your venue is booked!

Traditionally, Save The Date cards are usually sent 6 months prior to the wedding, and formal invitations are received 6 weeks before the event.

6). Take A Deep Breath

No one wants to be around a bridezilla! It’s important to remember what this day is really about – the love you share for your soon-to-be spouse! It’s great to have a vision and be decisive, but having a flexible attitude is equally imperative. 

Remember, when the day finally arrives, it will go by before you know it! So soak in the moment, and enjoy the celebration! 

Thinking about a stress-free wedding? 

So what does planning a stress-free wedding really come down to? Set a budget, create a timeline and hire a rockstar team of vendors!

At Madera Estates, we strive to make this entire process as simple as possible. We can help you with just about every aspect of your wedding planning including coordination and catering!

Whether you live here in Conroe, the Woodlands, Houston or anywhere else, our mission for every wedding never changes. By laying all the cards on the table during your initial consultation, you’ll know exactly what to expect when the big day arrives! 

Our process is simple: (1) Book a Tour, (2) Pick Your Day and (3) Customize Your Package.

Click here to book a free tour. We’d love to chat with you about your vision. You can also reach out to our team at (936) 441-9337.

Happy wedding planning!