Getting married is one of life’s most exciting experiences. But the planning process and all the hard work that goes into making the day perfect can sometimes be overwhelming. Even smaller, more intimate weddings can take a considerable amount of coordination and preparation.

The key to a successful wedding is having good, reliable help – which is what we specialize in at Palace Florists in Rockville, MD. Our experienced team of wedding professionals will help guide you every step of the way. Here are a few of our tips to help you begin planning your special day.

Tip #1 – It is never too soon to start planning

Generally, the bigger and more complex the wedding is, the more time it takes to plan. There are a lot of things that need to be coordinated, so it makes sense to begin booking as early as possible.

The earlier you can begin making important decisions, the better. If you wait too long to begin planning, you may miss out on booking desirable venues, caterers, planners, photographers,  and more.

Tip #2 – Don’t get overwhelmed

A lot of different aspects go into planning a wedding. So it is easy to become overwhelmed by so many options and choices that all seem to need immediate attention. This is where professional wedding planners usually shine because they are able to see the big picture and help you make careful decisions.

Rushed planning often leads to mistakes, so taking the proper steps can help you minimize problems. Nearly everyone encounters some sort of scheduling snags when planning a wedding, so you’ll not only need to act quickly, but you’ll also have less time to make decisions and analyze alternatives.

Tip #3 – Set a realistic budget

One of the biggest mistakes people make when planning weddings is under budgeting. Since many people only plan one wedding in their lives, it’s easy to underestimate just how much things actually cost, and expenditures add up quickly.

On top of that, many vendors may charge more if you try to book on short notice – if they’re even still available – because it will require extra work on their part. It’s important to keep that in mind and temper expectations accordingly.

This may be the biggest day of your life, but it’s up to you to decide how much of a financial burden you’re willing to take on to make that happen. It’s not hard to rack up some serious debt if you don’t stick to your budget, and that’s not a fun way to begin your new life as a couple.

Tip #4– Ask for recommendations

Ask friends, family, co-workers, colleagues and anyone else you can think of for suggestions. Once you have a few possibilities, check out their websites and social media to determine if their vibe and price point would be a good fit for your wedding style and budget.

Call each vendor you would like to potentially work with and find out first and foremost if they are available for your wedding day. If they are, set up a consultation as soon as possible. If they are not available ask them for a reference.

Make sure to review examples of the vendor’s work during your consultation. This will help you have an overall sense of what the vendor’s capabilities are. Be sure to ask, “What will you need from me prior, during, and after my wedding?” Lastly, find out who will be the person providing the service on the day of your wedding.

Now is also time to order your invitations, notify out of town guests of the event, and book the honeymoon.

Tip #5 – Find the perfect vendors

Do your homework, ask friends and co-workers for suggestions. Once you have a few possibilities, check out their websites and social media to determine if their vibe and price point would be a good fit for your wedding style and budget.

Make sure to review examples of the vendor’s work during your consultation. This will help you have an overall sense of what their capabilities are.

Now is also a good time to order your invitations, notify any out of town guests of the event, and book the honeymoon.

Tip #6 – Dive into the details

Now that you have a date set in stone and a venue secured – and have also booked caterers, musicians, and officiants – it’s time to pay attention to the small details because they make a big difference when it comes to making your big day exceptional.

Remember that renting equipment doesn’t just include tables and chairs for your reception. You can also rent silk plants, candelabras, and ceremony extras like arches, for example.

At this point you should also begin sending invitations, setting up wedding registries, picking out wedding bands and renting groom and attendants attire.

Tip #7 – Choose a photographer

The choice of a photographer is a very personal decision, especially when you consider this person will be with you and your guests for a whole day. It’s important to be sure you like their photography style and are comfortable with their packages and pricing.

Ultimately photographers are vendors you hire, so like the other companies you have contracted with, we suggest getting personal recommendations and checking out local vendor sites.

Tip #8 – Rely on someone else to coordinate your big day

Even if you have done all the work yourself up until this point, it might be wise to hire a “day-of” wedding coordinator or enlist a trusted family member to handle any last-minute issues that arise because you’ll be too busy with other things to put out fires.

Just remember – there will be fires! In fact, you can almost count on some last-minute issues popping up on your big day – it happens to everyone.

When it comes to choosing a florist for your wedding, Palace Florists is the oldest and highest rated local florist in Rockville, MD and surrounding areas. We provide unique custom floral designs for weddings of all sizes. We also specialize in flowers for birthdays, anniversaries, new babies, get well wishes, or even just to make someone smile. Call our wedding shop at (301) 945-0253 to set up an appointment.