Wedding Planning: as Easy as C, B, A

The majority of your budget should be allocated to the reception and all the little details that will make your dream come true.

By: Meghan Ely & Jennifer McBride | Times-Dispatch
Published: August 22, 2010

Admit it—you’ve been dreaming about your wedding day since you were in pigtails.

Perhaps you saw yourself grabbing your dad’s arm and gliding down the aisle to your husband-to-be or dress shopping with your gals? Smashing cake in your beloved’s face?

It makes sense to visualize one’s Big Day from start to finish, but, when it comes down to the planning and survival of it all, we would like to encourage you to think backwards. Yes, you heard us, backwards.

Weddings always start with the biggest of bangs—the dramatic walk down the aisle, pronunciation of Mr. and Mrs. and a big kiss to seal the deal. It’s easy to be wrapped up in the early details of such a grand day but it’s important to remember that the day doesn’t end as you walk down the aisle. In fact, it’s just beginning.

Wedology 101 aficionado and owner of Classic Party Rentals of Virginia, Nina Whittleton, shared her insight with us, "The majority of your budget should be allocated to the reception and all the little details that will make your dream come true. This is the plan where all of your guests will mingle and celebrate your nuptials for hours!"

When you begin making plans for your wedding, be sure you list all of your needs— right down to the last linen. If you take the approach of simply starting at the beginning, then you run the risk of running out of both time and money before the cake table has an overlay. Or worse—forks for the cake itself.

This nouveau way of thinking is particularly imperative for those who have selected a venue that may not be full service, such as a soiree at someone’s home. Suddenly, you know who is in charge of securing 200 teaspoons? That’s right, you.

But have no fear, said Whittleton as she and her staff have worked with hundreds of weddings to ensure that every t has been crossed and i dotted.

So when you began planning your Big Day, just remember—it can be as easy as saying your C, B, A’s.

Wedology 101 tip: If you give your guests a fork and a knife, the rule of thumb means that you must give them a chair and a place at a table. Consider your menu in your rental budget.

Jennifer McBride is owner of McBride Events (www.mcbrideevents.com), a Richmond-based design and event planning company. Meghan Ely is the CEO and owner of OFD Consulting (www.ofdconsulting.com), a marketing/pr firm for wedding professionals, and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. They love great ideas fueled by caffeine, and a good floor length linen.