Newly Engaged? How to Start Planning Your Cleveland Wedding
That dazzling rock on your finger isn’t just for show! Your new bling signifies a commitment to sharing a life — and it kicks off the months-long (and sometimes years-long) process of planning your Cleveland wedding. And while you may have curated color palettes and dress styles on Pinterest, you’ll find that wedding planning is far more nuanced once you’re in the thick of it.
Fortunately, the journey to “I do” doesn’t have to be as complicated as it seems. With an expert wedding planner and a team of professionals in your corner, you can make your way to the aisle without unnecessary stress or complications.
Credit: Tiffany Joy Photography
If the idea of planning your Cleveland wedding seems a bit overwhelming, keep reading for five simple steps to ease into the process.
Determine your must-haves
From a world-class band to an Insta-worthy venue, there are countless ways to ensure your Cleveland wedding stands out from the rest. But as you embark on the wedding planning journey, focusing on the little details can feel daunting. Instead of worrying about napkin colors or table layouts, think bigger picture and identify the three must-have elements that will make your wedding day a success.
Try this exercise with your partner over your drink of choice:
On separate pieces of paper, write down your top three priorities for the wedding. Don’t discuss it just yet; simply jot down your must-haves. For each, note why it’s important to you and how it will add to the experience on your big day. Once you’re finished, compare lists. Items that match up are essential; for example, catering should be a top priority if you both value high-quality food. For areas that don’t align, discuss your perspectives and work on a compromise that keeps everyone satisfied.
Create a spending plan
A wedding budget helps to guide your spending decisions, so you can invest in your must-haves without breaking the bank. After all, nobody wants to enter married life with a pile of debt! Sit down with your partner to determine a comfortable spending cap for your Cleveland wedding, whether it’s $50,000 or $500,000. If you are accepting financial support from loved ones, it’s best to include them in this conversation as well.
Once you have a number, start breaking it down into categories: venue, planner, catering, florist, attire, entertainment, décor, transportation, and so on. According to The Knot, the average wedding budget breakdown includes the following:
Venue: 30%
Catering: 23%
Band: 13%
Wedding rings: 7%
Photography: 7%
Alcohol: 7%
Flowers: 7%
Videography: 6%
Couples attire: 6%
Wedding planner: 5%
Lighting & decor: 5%
DJ: 4%
Guest entertainment: 3%
Transportation: 3%
Stationery: 2%
Other: 5%
You can use average breakdowns or wedding budget calculators to find a starting point but expect your allotments to change based on the most important categories to you and your partner. For example, you may choose to spend more on high-end photography if it’s on your list of must-haves.
Set an estimated headcount
Venues and vendors will request a rough estimate of your headcount before booking, so it’s wise to land on a ballpark figure before reaching out to anyone. Work with your partner and family members to determine how many people you’d like to invite to your Cleveland wedding. On average, 15-20 percent of invitees will not attend — however, it’s best to work with the assumption that everyone will show up to avoid underestimating how much space, seating, and food you need.
Find the right Cleveland wedding planner
With an idea of your budget, headcount, and must-haves, it’s time to start sourcing your wedding team! And while you might think securing your wedding venue is the first step, we recommend starting with your Cleveland wedding planner.
Why? They will help you select the best venue and vendors for your wedding goals. A great Cleveland wedding planner is entrenched in the local industry, allowing you to leverage their existing knowledge and connections within their network. Their recommendations will come from experience working with others in the market, which goes much farther than the average Google search!
Plus, they can save you money from the beginning! Many couples make costly mistakes and end up overspending when planning a wedding on their own. Booking a wedding planner first provides you with an expert guide who will help you make smart financial decisions (and may even procure discounts from industry partners).
Dedicate time to venue tours
Finding the perfect venue for your wedding day requires more than a scroll through Instagram or a look at a website gallery! A site walkthrough provides an opportunity to get the full experience of a venue, from sizing up the ceremony space to checking the cleanliness of its restrooms. You’ll also get a chance to ask questions and clear up any missing information from the website.
We also find that many couples get a ‘gut feeling’ when they walk through their future wedding venue, which you simply can’t experience online. So before making a decision based on pretty pictures, make sure you schedule a site tour at every venue on your list!
Are you feeling motivated to kick off your Cleveland wedding planning journey?
Our team of professionals at Oak + Honey Events is ready to help! We specialize in sustainable wedding planning and event design throughout Northeast Ohio, including Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Sandusky, and Youngstown.
Ready to get started? Get in touch with us!