Ultimate Engagement Guidance for Tallahassee Couples
How Soon Should You Start Touring Wedding Venues?
Congratulations! You’re engaged! We completely understand the urge to jump straight into wedding planning. Touring stunning venues, envisioning your dream décor, and sampling delicious cakes might sound like the perfect way to start. But before you get swept away, it’s important to step back and focus on the right foundation to ensure your special day is everything you’ve dreamed of.
If you’re planning a wedding in or near Tallahassee, we’ve put together a guide to help you stay organized and on track. Follow these steps to plan a memorable and stress-free wedding.
Step 1: Set a Realistic Budget
Your wedding budget is the heart of your planning process. It determines every choice you’ll make, from the venue and catering to the guest list and décor. To help, here’s a breakdown of the average percentage vendors take up in your total wedding budget. Remember, these percentages are only guidelines, and you can adjust them based on your priorities:
Venue: 24%
Planner: 10%
Photographer: 10%
DJ/Musicians: 5%
Caterer/Cake Designer: 16%
Décor/Florist: 15%
Dress/Beauty: 5%
Miscellaneous: 15% (Includes officiant, stationery, transportation, rentals, favors, and gifts)
If photography matters most to you, allocate more to that category and adjust others accordingly. Taking the time to set and stick to your budget now ensures that every dollar is spent intentionally on what matters most to you. One of the greatest advantages of booking The Glade is that it simplifies your planning by virtually eliminating the need for separate rental and decor budgets. We provide everything you need to create a stunning, elegant wedding setting with ease.
Step 2: Write Your Guest List
It’s one of the hardest parts of wedding planning but also one of the most impactful. The size of your guest list directly affects your costs for catering, bar services, rentals, and general logistics. Before you decide on a venue, create your guest list to ensure the numbers align with your budget.
A pro tip? Consider having two drafts of your list. The first is your dream list of everyone you’d love to invite. The second is your practical list based on your budget. This way, you can compare and make any necessary adjustments early on.
Step 3: Start Touring Venues
Now for the fun part! Touring venues is where your vision starts to come alive. Begin by researching your favorite venues to save time and ensure they fit your budget before scheduling appointments. Many venues in and around Tallahassee have websites that show pricing, inclusions, and availability. Focus your time on venues that match your style, capacity, and financial parameters.
Pro tip? Keep a checklist of questions ready for each tour, like whether they include tables and chairs, setup assistance, or a preferred vendor list. This ensures you have all the necessary details to make an informed decision.
Step 4: Interview Vendors
Choosing the right vendors is crucial to creating the perfect day. From photographers to caterers, each vendor plays a key role in bringing your wedding dream to life. Reach out to potential vendors and always ask for an itemized breakdown of what’s included in their pricing. This prevents you from paying for services or extras you don’t actually need.
Some essential questions to ask when interviewing vendors include:
What’s included in the package?
Do you charge additional fees (travel, overtime, etc.)?
What’s your cancellation policy?
Will we have a dedicated point of contact on the day?
Transparency is key, and any reputable vendor will be happy to provide clear answers and detailed information.
Bonus Tip: Surround Yourself with Support
Wedding planning is a whirlwind, but you don’t have to do it alone. Lean on family and friends, enlist professional help when needed, and always keep the end goal in mind. A great planner or coordinator can save you countless headaches and time, ensuring you can focus on the joy of your engagement.
Plan With Purpose, Celebrate With Joy
Your wedding is one of the most magical milestones in your life. By taking the time to set a strong foundation with a budget, guest list, and thorough research, you’re setting yourself up for success. Whether you’re exchanging vows under the gentle sway of tall pines or celebrating with loved ones in an enchanted garden venue near Tallahassee, every detail will come together when planned intentionally.
Are you ready to start your wedding planning? Don’t hesitate to reach out—we’d love to help create the day of your dreams with expert guidance and personalized service.
Here’s to your forever! 💍
Newly engaged and dreaming big? The Glade Venue is ready to be part of of your wedding story. We have transparent pricing displayed on our website. Nothing is al a carte, not even sales tax.
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok by searching @thegladevenue.
The Glade Venue is a locally owned wedding venue just 35 minutes north of Tallahassee, under an hour from many South Georgia towns, and just 50 miles from the Alabama line.
We are dedicated to using our platform to support locally owned wedding venues. In every blog we write, we will include 5 to 10 locally owned wedding venues who use their articles to support their colleagues and the wedding industry in ways that are not always recognized but are essential. If you are searching for a wedding venue, please consider a locally owned venue, you can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.