[Originally at Step-by-Step Guide to Planning Your Wedding by Denise Schipani]
Getting Started
Make the announcement: Some couples just don’t feel right if anyone knows their big news before their parents and other close family members do. If possible, tell both sets of folks in person. If your parents don’t live nearby, put in a special phone call.
Delve into dreams: Sit down with your fiancé and talk ideas. Think about the style you’d like, whether it’s a beach bash, a sit-down dinner in a ballroom or a ceremony on a mountaintop. No talk of money. Yet.
Rough out the timing: While you don’t have to set a firm date now, it’s smart to have an idea of what month or season you want to marry in. Then you’ll know how long you have to get things organized. Because your wedding’s size determines where you’ll hold the party, how much it will cost (prices usually rise per guest) and whether travel will be involved, creating a guest list is one of the most important things to do. So make your list; your fiancé and both families should do the same. You can, and likely will, cut later, but this first number will be your base.
Now talk money: It’s rare these days that the bride’s parents pick up the whole bill, so decide on your bottom line. Find out from both sets of parents if or how much they can contribute.
Get organized:Buy a notebook and separate it into sections for each budget category. This way you can write down the amount you want to spend on the item and then note your expenditures. As you near your limits, you can start to figure out ways to cut costs.
Finding Your Venue
Photo Credit: Devon and Adam Knudson/Devo Photography
Read the rest of the steps at https://www.bridalguide.com/planning/wedding-planning-basics/guide-to-planning-a-wedding of take a look at more awesome wedding stuff at www.DowOakEvents.com
Most of the couples I talk to have never planned a wedding before. So these types of questions are some of the most common ones I get. And this is one of the more comprehensive write-ups I’ve seen that legitimately answers these questions without having to resort to click-baity tactics. So, respect in that department.
Being based in central North Carolina, we don't see a lot of mountains in our day-to-day lives. While we do have some hills, it's always a treat to be able to head out west. The mountains of NC definitely have a lot of very cool venues, but one of the coolest ones we've seen is Point Lookout Vineyards in Hendersonville, NC.
Many times we're just booked for the party. Being DJs, that's something we understand. The general perception seems to be that when it's time to party, it's time to call the DJ. But that's not the case with every wedding we do. With some weddings, we're able to be a part of the more intimate aspects of the day. Which is always something we remember. And yes, we do still get to bring the party.
When first arriving at Bear Lake Reserve in Tuckasegee, NC, there's a feeling of entering an entire new community. Clubhouses, amphitheaters, and even a lake... it's definitely an inclusive experience. Sometimes with wedding locations like that, there's a faint worry that when they do host a wedding, it somehow won't seem "weddingy" enough. As though since weddings aren't all they do, they won't be able to throw a good one.
Though we always appreciate a scenic mountain venue, we're DJs. So for us, it really does all come down to the music. And as a running theme, the weddings we remember the most were the ones with the music we liked the best. It's as simple as that. And there was definitely some very cool music going on with Kelsey and Grant's ceremony and reception.
Many places use the term "rustic" to describe themselves. But we've actually seen very few locations that truly embody rusticness. The word itself means "of or relating to the countryside; rural." And we see many places that have a rustic feel, but none moreso that Appalachian Farm Weddings in Waynesville, North Carolina. It's hard to put into words exactly how it embodied the spirit of rusticness, but if you've been there you'd understand. And if you're looking for a rustic barn aesthetic for an upcoming wedding, this may be a venue to check out.
We wanted to touch on the music selections for the day as a whole. As DJs, the music is obviously something that's important to us. But there are events where we're required to be more in the background. Sometimes we have to be more of a soundtrack. And there's nothing wrong with that. We have just as good a time at those events. But something that stands out to us is when the couple takes a particular interest in the music choices. And on top of that, when their selections are really really good.
We talk a lot about how every wedding is different. When you've seen as many as we have, that's definitely something you come to understand. And it also becomes one of your favorite parts of hosting weddings. Variety is the spice of life, and no where is that more true than in wedding ceremonies and receptions. In that same vein, no two mountain weddings we've seen have been the same. And this one kept up that trend.
While super-hype, 250 people, raging receptions are undoubtedly an awesome time, there's also something to be said for the more intimate receptions. And since we've seen the full gamut of receptions, you can trust us when we say both are great in their own way. Sometimes a celebration calls for a total throw-down and an extensive guest-list. But other times it calls for a more intimate approach. And an intimate approach was the way Shannon and Derek went.
