The moment you've been waiting for has finally arrived, you just said, "YES", to the love of your life! Congratulations, you're engaged! This is such a special and exciting time of your and your honey's life; savor every second of your engagement. As the champagne bubbles begin to fade, you can expect questions from friends and family to begin pouring in.
"When are you getting married?"
"Are you getting married in downtown St. Augustine?"
"Have you found your wedding dress?"
The questions are endless!
It's understandable and completely normal to feel a little overwhelmed in the beginning phases of planning your dream Florida wedding day. For most brides, wedding planning is totally uncharted territory and the process can be a little daunting at times! Don't worry, we're here to help! Updos For I Dos has been providing stress-free wedding days to brides for almost 20 years now. In 2018, we expanded our company and began working with brides in North Eastern Florida, servicing St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Amelia Island, and beyond! We have completely fallen in love with the North Eastern region of Florida, and it's no surprise to us why this area is so sought after for weddings!
Jacksonville, Florida is rich with a variety of stunning venues, fabulous wedding vendors, and the most incredible climate. Whether you're picturing a colorful springtime wedding surrounded by draping Spanish Moss in Amelia Island, or a cozy winter wedding below the Night of Lights in St. Augustine, North Eastern Florida is sure to provide you with the wedding of your dreams. Continue reading for our guide to planning your dreamiest and most stress-free Florida wedding.
How do I begin planning my Jacksonville wedding?
The first step in planning your dream Florida wedding is to have a thorough discussion with your fiancé. Grab a nice bottle of wine and some snacks and discuss topics like your vision, expectations, and everything in between! It is so important to establish your budget, guest count, and ideal time of year before moving forward with any deposits.
Once you've laid this groundwork, it's time for research! Instagram and other social media outlets are fabulous resources for planning brides as they provide endless photos for brides to swoon over and see real examples of Florida wedding vendors' work. Additionally, we recommend reading through reviews on platforms such as Google, Wedding Wire, The Knot, Zola, and Yelp, as this provides planning brides with real brides experiences. (PS: Updos For I Dos has 850+ reviews!)
Now that you've done your research, take your boots (or flip-flops) to the ground and check out your favorite venues in person! We especially recommend that our Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Amelia Island brides select a venue that has a back-up rain plan. As Northeastern Florida is a tropical climate, and depending on the time of year, there can be a chance of a little rain on your wedding day. If you're wanting to get married during hurricane season, which runs from June through November, just make sure that your venue and all other vendors have a storm plan in place for you. (PS: at Updos For I Dos, we pride ourselves in always having a back-up plan for our brides and artists should an emergency situation arise!)
What Florida wedding vendors should I secure after my wedding venue?
Once you have booked your perfect Florida wedding venue, where you go from here depends on your priorities! For most brides, photography, videography, and wedding planners are the next wedding vendors to book. For others, catering, bartending, and their hair and makeup team might be most important! Whatever is most important to you is what you should secure next.
If you are set on securing a specific Jacksonville wedding vendor, we recommend that be your next deposit. Wedding vendors typically book their brides anywhere from one to two YEARS in advance! This is why it is so important that you don't hesitate to secure any and all Florida wedding vendors that you absolutely must work with.
We recommend brides secure their hair and makeup team anywhere from 6 to 18 months in advance, especially if you are interested in working with specific artists! When researching on-site bridal hair and makeup teams, be sure to thoroughly read through reviews, examine their portfolio, and select a team that is highly experienced and qualified.
Updos For I Dos has had the honor of providing wedding hair and makeup services in Northeastern Florida for five years now! We understand the pressure that is placed on couples, and are here to support you along your wedding planning journey! Our Florida hair and makeup artists love to chat about all things wedding; when you meet with our artists for your hair and makeup trial, be sure to let them know about any areas of wedding planning that you are struggling with! Our team is well connected with all wedding vendors in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Amelia Island, and beyond! Looking for a catering suggestion? A wedding planner suggestion? A bakery suggestion? Let us know! We are more than happy to refer you to our favorite and top-tier Florida friend-ors.
Our mission at Updos For I Dos is to make the process of finding and booking your hair and makeup artists seamless and fun so that you can focus on what's really important - your big day! We truly believe that every bride deserves to feel beautiful on her wedding day. That’s why our team of artists is dedicated to making you feel the most confident you've ever felt as you walk down the aisle to say, "I do!"
How to plan my dream Florida wedding?
The wedding planning process for Jacksonville brides can be daunting, but with ample research and guidance, it doesn’t have to be! From selecting the perfect venue to finding the right Florida wedding vendors, there are plenty of choices and decisions to be made. Thankfully, there are endless resources and online platforms specifically built to assist brides in planning their dream Florida wedding with ease! Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Amelia Island, Florida are lush with gorgeous settings for your perfect wedding day. Whether you are picturing an intimate beach wedding in St. Augustine, an extravagant and chic wedding at TPC Sawgrass, or natural vibes at The Ribault Club, Northeastern Florida is sure to provide you with the dream setting for your most special day.
When you work with Updos For I Dos Florida, you and your bridal party will receive the highest quality of bridal services, communication, and care. We fully believe that hair and makeup are two key ingredients in feeling your best on your big day! With the assistance of our professional hair and makeup artists, you too can achieve the perfect look for your dream Florida wedding day. If you’re ready to say goodbye to stress and secure your Florida hair and makeup team today, click the link here!
Now, let's get you married!
