Planning a wedding should be a magical time.  After all, you’re planning one of the most important days of your life.  Unfortunately, many brides (and grooms) find that it can often be more stressful than anything.  There are so many details to keep track of, so many things that need to be planned and it never seems like there is enough time to get it all done.  Many couples think that wedding planning should be stressful, but the truth is that if you work with the proper professionals and stay organized, it doesn’t have to be a stressful process.  Here are a few tips from our experts on making your wedding day one of the best days of your life!

When to Start Planning

You should really begin planning your wedding pretty much as soon as the engagement occurs, especially if you want to get married within the next year.  If you really have your heart set on a certain location, photographer or caterer, they can often be booked years in advance.  It’s best to make your reservation as soon as you know the date of your big day so you don’t have to settle on a second or third choice.  However, before you actually begin contacting vendors, take some time to think about your perfect wedding and jot down some initial ideas.  Think about if you want an overall ‘theme’ (this will help you choose the right vendors and will help them in doing their plans) and decide on your wedding colors.  Decide if you want a casual affair, a classic wedding or a small and intimate gathering.  Make the decision on whether you want the ceremony and reception to be held locally, in another town or if you want a ‘destination wedding’.  Make sure both you and your future spouse are involved in this process.  After all, you are planning the celebration that will link your lives together—the planning should be a shared task!
Not sure when the actual booking and concrete plans need to be made?  This handy timeline should provide you with a good guide on when certain plans need to be made.

Twelve or more months before the wedding

–Choose the date of your wedding (make sure to think about conflicting events such as other family members’ weddings, sporting events, birthdays and other events that those on your guest list may be attending).
–Choose where you would like your ceremony and reception.  Contact them as soon as possible to make sure they are available.
–Draw up the initial guest list so you can get a good idea of how many you will be expecting.
–Attend a couple of bridal shows to spark ideas and help you get a better idea of what you might want at your wedding.
–Start looking at wedding dresses.
–Meet with your top two or three choices for wedding photographers, make sure they are available for your wedding date, and choose the one you think best fits what you’re looking for.
Six to nine months before the wedding
–Meet with florists to start planning the wedding flowers.
–Choose bridesmaid dresses so those in your wedding party will have plenty of time to purchase their dresses and get them altered if necessary.
–Book your DJ or band and begin making a playlist of songs you’d like at your wedding.
–Book wedding transportation if needed or desired.

Four to six months before the wedding

–Taste test wedding cakes from different bakeries, choose the one you like best and think about cake design.
–Have wedding invitations designed.
–Decide on decorations for your reception area (work on this with a representative from your reception venue as they may have certain rules, ideas or people they work with).
–Decide on food and drinks for the reception.
–Plan hotel rooms and guest accommodations for those coming to the wedding from out of town.
Two to four months before the wedding
–Purchase wedding bands.
–Write wedding vows (if applicable).
Four to eight weeks before the wedding
–Meet with your salon to begin deciding on a wedding hairstyle.
–Double check with all vendors to make sure everything is in place and ready to go.

Choosing a location to host your wedding reception

The location of your ceremony and reception should be one of your top priorities.  If you are getting married in the Omaha area, you’re lucky in the fact that there are a number of beautiful venues in which you can hold your celebration.  First, you should decide if you want your ceremony and reception in the same place.  Many couples prefer to get married in their church and have their reception in a separate location.  If this is the case, make sure to get in touch with your church as soon as you know your wedding date so you can reserve it.  You may also want to plan transportation for your wedding party or guests from the church to the reception location.

Not sure where to host your reception in Omaha?  Here are some excellent local options!


Brandeis

Brandeis offers four venues in Omaha for your special event.

The Tip Top Building at 1502 Cuming Street offers an Executive Ballroom for up to 30 people, a Junior Ballroom for up to 120 people and a Grand Ballroom for up to 700 people.  The Tip Top building is located north of downtown in the new “NoDo” area of Omaha that is currently being re-built and eventually the new home for the CWS Baseball Stadium.

The Georgetowne Club, located at 2440 S. 141st Circle, offers a ballroom that accommodates up to 600 guests and is a beautiful and versatile facility to accommodate the most elegant reception.  Elegant décor, fireplaces and plenty of parking make the Georgetowne Club the upscale facility you can be proud to invite your guests to.

The Thompson Center at UNO, on the SW Corner of 67th and Dodge on the UNO Campus, has space for up to 300+ guests with a beautiful outside green space with patio.  The Thompson Center is also an ideal setting for an outdoor wedding with patio space for the cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and inside space for dinner and dancing.

The Livestock Exchange Building, on 4920 S. 30th Street, has 10th floor ballrooms which can accommodate 150-250 people or 250-350 people.  The two magnificent ballrooms have 22-foot ceilings and an elegant Romanesque and Northern Italian Renaissance Revival style.

Visit Brandise online at http://www.brandeiscatering.com/.


Archdiocesan Retreat and Conference Center

For a destination event that allows you to have additional guests at the wedding or reception, consider a cozy setting (for about 150 people) where the facility is yours alone for the entire span of your occasion.  The Archdiocesan Retreat and Conference Center (ARCC) is an inter-faith venue that provides a caterer (Pleasure Your Palate Catering), DJ, florist and building staff to make your time truly special.  Retreat bedrooms that can accommodate up to 58 people offer a chance to rest between events as well as provide the sleeping quarters at night.  Their facility is perfect for your bridal shower and prenuptial dinner.  Multiple floors allow you to move from the wedding ceremony to the reception to the dance without needing to move from venue to venue.

The ARCC is centrally located near historic Benson, and is in close proximity to downtown Omaha and the interstate.  The ARCC is committed to excellent service.  Whether your event requires a full table service or a buffet style setting, their friendly staff will provide you with a delicious dining experience at an exceptional value.

Visit Archdiocesan Retreat and Conference Center online at http://www.archomaha.org/pastoral/arcc/.


Lied Lodge

At Lied Lodge, you have the flexibility to customize and personalize all the details of your wedding from rehearsal dinners, farewell brunches, gift openings, to golf outings or group hikes for the wedding party.

Whether you prefer the rustic charm of Steinhart Lodge, the spacious elegance of their ballrooms, or the outdoor Historic Barns, Lied Lodge offers outstanding venues for the wedding reception of your dreams.

Lied Lodge’s on-site wedding specialist helps you design the perfect wedding, with such special touches as historic trolley rides, unique menus tailored to suit your theme, tastes and budget, signature drinks, in-room gift baskets for your guests, specialty linens, personalized tree seedling wedding favors and comfortable guest room accommodations.

Visit Lied Lodge’s Wedding website at http://www.liedlodge.org/conferences/weddings.cfm.


Millard Plaza Ballroom

The Millard Plaza Ballroom is a full service banquet facility with accommodations for up to 350 guests.  Their areas of expertise include Event Design and Management, event décor, catering, complete beverage services and more.  Wedding receptions are their specialty.  In addition to use of the beautiful ballroom, complimentary items include tables, chairs, linens and flatware, house centerpieces, toasting flutes and champagne buckets for the wedding party table and reserved family tables, coffee service including condiments and gourmet syrups, ceiling and pillars draped in white lights and tulle and candelabras on the corners of the bar as well as hanging candles around the perimeter and behind the bar.

The Millard Plaza Ballroom is a good choice for a ceremony and/or reception because the owner, Dee Hankins, is also the Event Design and Manager.   This means you work hands-on with the person within the company who has a vested interest in the success of your event!   Client satisfaction is at the top of their list of priorities.

Visit The Millard Plaza Ballroom online at http://www.millardplazaballroom.com/.


The Scottish Rite Masonic Center

The Scottish Rite Masonic Center is the perfect venue for elegant or casual weddings, receptions, family gatherings, or corporate events.  This 100 year old treasure in the heart of Omaha offers classic but modern features, including a ballroom comfortably seating 300, an adjoining reception room for more intimate gatherings, a tasteful bar room for relaxed get-togethers, and modern kitchen facilities. For corporate events, the Scottish Rite Masonic Center boardroom offers convenient Wi-Fi service. The Scottish Rite also features one of the true gems of Omaha, a proscenium arch theater seating 217 on the main floor and 185 on the balcony. The recently renovated theater with hand-painted stage backdrops adds a memorable touch for receptions or special events. Sophisticated and refined, the Scottish Rite is the place for your special events.

Visit The Scottish Rite Masonic Center online at http://www.scottishriteomaha.org/.


Finding Wedding Rental Materials

Depending on where you plan on holding your wedding and reception, you may find that you will need tables, chairs or other materials.  Most of the time, you will probably find that renting these materials is the most economical and simple way to go.

Chris St. Pierre, the General Manager of Party Time Rental, Inc., suggests that when choosing a vendor for your rental materials, consider the price and quality of the equipment they have to offer.  He suggests having the couple come in to see the products available to rent and consult with his team about which products will work best for the event.  When you meet with the company, it’s important to know the space you are working with, the number of people who will be at the event and the dimensions of the tables and chairs you would like to cover if needed.  Also consider if you have a vehicle that can accommodate the materials you are renting or if you will be arranging for the company to deliver the materials.  Make sure you are contacting rental companies early in the process and picking out what you would like as they often get rented out during wedding season and couples will be left with what is left rather than what they really want.

Selecting Salon and Spa Services

According to Lance Freeman at Urbane Salon and Day Spa, they offer a variety of services for both the bride-to-be as well as the groom-to be to help make their wedding day special.  Their full-service salon and spa is the perfect setting to either start your big day with a bridal or formal style and make-up application or the perfect place for the bride to be to relax and rejuvenate before the special occasion.

The staff and Urbane Salon and Day Spa have put together a ‘wedding planner’ to be sure all bases are covered!  Two weeks before the wedding day, they suggest a Brazilian Keratin Treatment or an Aveda Smooth Infusion Retexturizing Treatment and a bride color and haircut.  One week before the big day, they suggest the “I Do Package”, which is perfect for the future bride and groom to take some time prior to the ceremony to relax and enjoy each other.  It includes a 30 minute couples massage, 30 minute couples facial, side-by-side couples spa manicure, side-by-side couples spa pedicure and a complimentary lunch from select Old Market restaurants.  On the week of the wedding, they suggest a groom’s haircut, bride’s waxing services and a bride’s nail “shellac” treatment.

Finally, on the ‘big day’, they recommend a light breakfast or brunch at the salon, bride’s formal style and make-up application and bridal party formal style and make-up application.  “Relax and let professionals such as the staff at Urbane take care of the details,” concludes Lance Freeman.  “We want the time spent with us to be fun, relaxed and enjoyable and the perfect way to start your big day!”

Selecting a Wedding Gown and Formalwear

“Choosing the right gown sets the tone for the wedding, whether it’s casual, contemporary or traditional,” says Lynne Rustad from Ellynne Bridal.   “The bride’s gown also helps decide which maids gowns to choose to complement her special gown.  When a bride chooses her wedding gown, she should choose a gown that best reflects her style, body shape and her personality.  The gown should be the crowning jewel of her vision.  Most often the mistake I see brides make is allowing someone else to influence her decision about the wedding.  They must remember it is her day, her dream and after all, we love her and whatever she chooses everyone should feel privileged to participate.  She should start her search with jut her mom or sister as too many friends add to the stress of the day.  I advise brides to pick their gowns, then show it to their friends after it’s chosen.”

“We make appointments with brides so they have our undivided attention,” explains Michelle with Exclusive Tuxedos and Dresses.  “This way, we can find her style and the look she would like for her wedding.  All the attire and accessories can be picked out at our shop, making it extremely easy to match items and not have to run all over town.  We also offer tuxes for the gentlemen, so everything can be done in one place.  Tux styles continue to change from cummerbunds to vests and from bow ties to Windsor ties.  They are saying that cummerbunds are coming back again, so we’ll keep on top of that and make sure the grooms and wedding party always have the latest styles.”

Preserving Your Wedding Memories

Preserving memories of the wedding should be a priority for every couple.  It’s a day you can never get back, but you can relive the memories for a lifetime.  Memories Bi-Design helps preserve a couple’s memories in a permanent keepsake.  They preserve the bride’s bouquet and the groom’s boutonniere and other wedding flowers along with memorabilia from their day to make them a custom piece of art they can use in their new home.  The staff at Memories Bi-Design suggests putting preservation of flowers into their budget along with the purchase of the keepsake.  Consider putting a preservation company on your guest registry to that guests can purchase gift certificates if they wish to help cover the costs of the preservation.

“It is really important to have a connection with the persons who will be working for you,” says Dee Hankins with Millard Plaza Ballroom.  “These will be the people who are responsible for creating memories that will stay with you forever.  Whether it’s an event planner, a facility manager, caterer, photographer, dj, florist, etc., following your instincts could never be more important.”

Adessa Grundman, Lied Lodge Wedding Specialist, sums up the wedding planning process by saying, “When planning your wedding day, it’s important to get the basics out of the way—reception hall, ceremony location, photographer, DJ and florist.  After that, just have fun with each vendor and don’t sweat the small stuff.”