You are newly engaged and are ready to start the process of planning your big day. Congratulations! This is an exciting time but it can also be an overwhelming time. Planning a wedding is unlike any dinner party or birthday shindig you’ve thrown before. There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to executing a successful wedding. Don’t fret quite yet. We’ve planned and thrown a few hundred weddings and we’ll help you get the ball rolling when it comes to planning your big day. Read on to learn the first crucial steps to planning your wedding day.

Wedding Day Vision

This first step is the most important to kickoff planning your dream wedding. Realize your vision.

Maybe you’ve always known what you wanted your wedding to look like and you’ve dreamt about it since you were little. Or maybe you never really thought about it until now. Either way, you should stop to consider what you envision your special day to look and feel like. We’re talking big picture type stuff here. Have you always wanted a big or small wedding? Will your ceremony and/or reception be inside or outside? What style or theme do you see yourself having – vintage, modern, barn-style or city chic?

Before you get stuck in the details of the day, you need to figure out the aesthetic you’re striving for. Once you land on that, all the details will come easier to you when you get there later in the planning process.

Set Your Budget

Now that you have an idea of your vision for your special day, you should figure out your budget. Do you have friends or family that plan to contribute to the cost of your ceremony and reception? Now is the time to check in with them and find out how much they plan to throw in. Once you know how much your friends and family are contributing, you need to decide how much you are willing to spend.

Knowing what your budget is right away is crucial. You don’t want to start planning without a venue, vendors, and buying your décor can add up quick! Don’t get caught off-guard. Go into the planning process with your budget set so there are no surprises.

Laura Rae Photography

Decide On A Date

Unless you have a specific date in mind that is special to you and is non-negotiable, you should remain flexible. Have an idea of what season you want to get married in and a few dates that work well for you. You may want images of you and your partner surrounded by fallen auburn and burnt orange leaves, for example. That vision dictates that you get married in the mid to late fall months.

Plus, when you start looking at event venues, there will be more options if you are open-minded with the date. A good venue starts booking one to two years in advance so the prime-time weekends can get snatched up quick. If you’re flexible, you have more options and are more likely to book your dream venue.

Lauren Baker Photography

Book A Venue

Once you have your vision, your budget set, and a date range or season in mind, you can finally book your venue! Your venue is the most important decision you’ll make in the whole wedding process. The venue sets the tone of your special day. It can define your style, and set the theme for the rest of your wedding day details. If you’re planning a rustic, country-side style wedding then a barn event venue might be what you’re looking for. For a city chic style wedding, you’ll want something in the heart of downtown to give you that vibe.

Along with the aesthetic of the venue, keep in mind the offered amenities. Is the venue accessible for all your guests? Is there an elevator to help accommodate grandma and grandpa up the flight of stairs? Are there bathrooms on-site? Does the venue offer any extras that are included in your rental like tables, chairs, lounge furniture, bar, décor, etc.? This could help you save on hiring extra vendors or rentals!

Like we’ve already mentioned, venues tend to book one to two years in advance. You’ll want to reach out to any potential venues and set up meetings and tours as soon as possible.

KNZ Photography

Hire Your Vendors

Once you’ve got these initial steps crossed off your wedding day planning to do list, the rest will be a breeze. The big items are taken care of! Now, we head into the details with hiring your vendors.

A vendor is a company that you hire to provide you with a service outside of your venue. Some examples would be a DJ or live music, caterer, baker, bar services, valet, florist, wedding planner, etc.

Your venue may have a vendor partner list that they recommend to you. These vendors are the folks that the venue has worked with before and they trust that the service and product you receive will be of the best quality.

Great vendors are in high-demand and can book out one to two years in advance. Once you decide what vendors are necessary to hire, inquire with them to learn more about their services and book them as soon as possible.

Cait n’ Her Camera Photography

Plan Your Wedding Day At Watson Block

Now that you have the beginning of your to do list started, let us help you even further! When you book your wedding with Watson Block, we’ll work alongside you every step of the way to make your dream come true.

Watson Block is a modern venue in an industrial building located in the North Loop of downtown Minneapolis. Exposed brick, hardwood floors, chandeliers, and large windows with ruby curtains are just a few of the features that make Watson Block breathtaking. Your guests will be able to enjoy a drink at our built-in bar, and you can hire a pianist to play on our infinity piano to make your day extra special. We have a vendor partner list that you can trust will provide you with the utmost products and services.

Inquire today to meet our venue manager and take a tour of our space. We’d love to meet you and get started planning the wedding day of your dreams!