This podcast episode walks listeners through critical pre-wedding planning discussions. The focus is on four key areas: Vision, Location, Budget, and Guest List. Tiffany emphasizes that open communication and compromise between partners are essential to create a solid foundation for the wedding planning journey.

Before researching vendors or making any decisions, couples should figure out what each of them wants in each of the Big 4 categories. A worksheet is provided to help with this. Listeners can download the full PDF of the Big 4 worksheet when they sign up to get on the mailing list on the website www.bigdaydiy.com. The episode encourages couples to consider:

Vision:

Do you want a small/intimate gathering or a large celebration?
Will it be a daytime or evening event?
Indoors or outdoors?
Extravagant or simple, themed, or with specific colors?
What about the food? This includes catering style, cake versus dessert options, and what kind of bar.

Location:

Destination Wedding (requiring travel for most guests) or local/at-home wedding?
What type of venue are you thinking of for the ceremony and reception?

Budget:

How much can each of you realistically contribute from savings and potential earnings?
Will any family members be contributing financially, and if so, how much from each person?
Are you willing to use loans or credit cards for wedding expenses?
Don't forget the average cost per guest when estimating the overall budget!

Guest List:

Make your own individual lists, noting who are "mandatory" attendees and who are "optional."
Figure out your minimum and maximum guest count by combining your lists.
Remember that a destination wedding usually means fewer guests.

The main point of the episode is that having honest conversations about these topics early on will help you avoid major conflicts later on in the planning process. If couples compromise and effectively communicate their visions, they can ensure their wedding day aligns with their shared goals and resources.

Send us a text

Connect with Tiffany:

Website; www.BigDayDIY.com

Schedule a one-on-one consultation call with Tiffany: https://calendly.com/sunhorsetiffany/wedding_consultation

Do you have an issue or topic that you would like Tiffany to answer on an Ask Me Anything episode, record a message: https://www.speakpipe.com/BigDayDIY

Be a beta tester for the wedding planning workbook: https://bigdaydiy.kit.com/80cf7e89a6

Sign-up and get access to our Wedding Resourses Google Drive: https://bigdaydiy.kit.com/20a91c0130

3. Setting a Solid Foundation: Essential Pre-Wedding Planning Discussions - The BIG 4