Wedding Planning 101
5 Things You Must Do Together Before You Get Married
Some couples elope, while others date for years. But no matter your timeline, here are 5 things all couples should
Read MoreWedding planning can be a really stressful time, but don’t take it out on each other! With weddings costing so much, fights about costs are potentially just around the corner…so how can you compromise with your fiancĂ© when trying to plan your big day?
Here, Jason Mitchell, author of the book Getting Groomed and a wedding planner at Shiraz Events in New York City, shares his top 10 tips on how to compromise…and avoid fights with your groom!  He’s worked with hundreds of couples and encountered the problem of wedding compromises many times, and has come up with the best ways to make everyone as happy as possible.
Mitchell tells his couples that they can’t have everything. He advises them to make individual wedding wish lists and rank every item on a scale from “must-have” to “adamantly opposed.” He then compares the couples’ lists to see what items match and how they can work together to come to an agreement on wedding items they feel differently about. Mitchell says his best tip for couples trying to compromise is to “think long-term.” We love this—that’s why you’re getting married after all!
1. Organization. Keep all of your wedding related items in one place so you can refer to every contract, menu etc. easily.
2. Brainstorm. If you don’t have a clear picture of the kind of wedding you want, spend time developing it before you book vendors or make too many decisions.
3. Prioritize. Assess what wedding elements are most important to you at the beginning of the planning process and always refer back to your initial instincts.
4. Budget Management. Determine what amount of money you have to work with before spending any of it. Allocate what is needed to large, essential items such as your venue before spending anything on small details.
5. Communication. Be open about what you want and expect (within reason) to your fiancé, bridal party and family who are involved. Don’t expect them to be mind readers of your needs.
6. Compromise. You can’t have it all or everything your way. Pick and choose your battles.
7. Calendar Balance. Try to evenly space out all wedding tasks during your engagement to avoid overloading your brain.
8. Separate. Be sure to take days off where you don’t do anything wedding related. Don’t lose yourself in planning for your special day.
9. Prepare. Don’t leave little projects to the last minute.
10. Enjoyment. Don’t forget wedding planning should be fun, not stressful. Remember to enjoy all the steps along the way.