Congratulations on getting engaged!
Congratulations on getting engaged!
Planning your wedding can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first one. However, don’t let yourself get overwhelmed; instead, take deep breaths and remember that this is going to be the best day of your life so far. We’ve compiled some of our favorite resources below to help you get started with wedding planning now that you’re engaged:
Review your budget
You’ve got a budget and you’re ready to plan. Now it’s time to take a look at what your priorities are and how much money you need for each area of the wedding.
What do I want to spend? This is the most important question, because it will help determine where and how big your wedding will be. If all of your friends are getting married, but none of them have extravagant receptions–and neither do their parents–it may not be necessary for yours to be lavish as well. On the other hand, if one friend has a small ceremony with only immediate family members in attendance while another has 200 guests who traveled from all over the world just so they could celebrate with her on her special day (and paid admission fees), then yes: Yours needs some glittering tiaras and crystal-encrusted bouquets!
What do I have available? Whether it’s $5K or $500K doesn’t matter; what matters is whether or not there’s enough cash sitting around somewhere so that even if things go wrong (and let me tell ya…there WILL be things that go wrong), then at least those costs won’t fall directly on top ers shoulders.”
Create a guest list
Once you’ve decided on a venue and date, it’s time to create your guest list. As with any party, there are some important considerations:
How many people will this wedding need?
Who is invited? Do you want more than one family member from each side of the family? Or would you rather have a smaller group of close friends and family members?
How much does each person cost? If there are going to be 50 guests in attendance at your wedding, that means roughly $50 per person just in food costs alone! That doesn’t include any other expenses like decorations or entertainment–and those can add up quickly too. So make sure that whatever number comes out as the total number of guests is one that actually works within your budget before proceeding further with planning!
Choose your wedding party
Choosing your wedding party is an important part of planning the big day. You want to choose people who will be there for you, support you and share your values and beliefs. You also need to make sure that these people will have your back on the day of the wedding, so it’s crucial that they are in it for the right reasons–and define those reasons before making any final decisions!
You’ve got to be comfortable with them too–if not, then don’t choose them! Another factor to consider: Do they love me? And if I ask them “Will you be my maid/man/matron of honour?” am I asking someone who would rather go out clubbing than hang out at home watching movies?
You need trust these people before asking them anything; otherwise how can we expect them do anything other than disappoint us? So ask yourself if this person has ever let me down before? How many times did they bail when we were supposed meet up last weekend but never showed up until midnight (when everyone else had gone home)? Was there ever an occasion when s/he failed miserably at something important like helping me move house or throwing my 21st birthday party which ended up being such a disaster that even now when I think back upon those memories makes me cringe because nothing went right!
Select your venue.
Once you’ve decided on a date and venue, it’s time to select your wedding location. You’ll want to choose a place that fits into your budget and has enough space for all of your guests–but also one that will create an atmosphere that reflects the magic of this momentous occasion.
You should also consider things like lighting and views when choosing a venue; these elements can make or break an otherwise great location! And don’t forget about transportation: Make sure there are ample parking options available near the site so people don’t have trouble getting there on time, especially if they’re coming from out-of-town (or even just across town).
Start to narrow down your vendors
Now that you’ve got a ring on your finger and the world seems to be moving in slow motion, it’s time to start narrowing down your vendors.
Start by checking out their websites and asking for referrals. Make a list of your top three choices, then book your first choice! Get a contract with them as soon as possible so that both parties know what they need to do next (and so no other brides have time to steal them away). Have Mom or Maid of Honor with you when shopping at two or three stores so they can help pick out dresses based on personal style preferences. Once all this is done, take pictures of some favorite styles on your phone so that when those last minute panic attacks come around during wedding planning season 2020 – 2021 (or whenever), there are no surprises left over from previous years’ inspiration boards floating around in memory banks somewhere deep inside our brains!
Decide on your dress.
Dress style: Do you want a ball gown, a sheath dress or something else?
Dress color: What are your favorite colors? Are there any colors that make you feel uncomfortable or don’t look good on your skin tone?
Dress designer: Do they have this designer in their store, or do they need to order it from somewhere else (and how long will that take)? Are there other designers that would work better with what I’m looking for but aren’t available at this particular store?
Price range: How much am I willing to spend on my dress–and what does “willing” mean for me personally? Is there anything else more important than having an expensive wedding gown right now? What would happen if I saved up money over time instead of buying everything immediately after getting engaged like many of my friends did…could we use those savings toward something else later down the line like our first house together!
Book your photographer and videographer.
Now that you’re engaged, it’s time to start thinking about how you want to document your big day. If you’re planning a wedding in the near future, there are several things you should consider when hiring a photographer and videographer.
First and foremost: Are they professionals? If so, how much experience do they have? Are they able to work within my budget? Will they be able to capture all the moments I want on camera?
If these questions have left you feeling overwhelmed or unsure about what direction is best for your wedding photography needs (and budget), don’t worry! We’ve got some tips for finding the perfect match for both video and stills–and even some ways for getting them at an affordable price point if necessary!
You are going to have an amazing event, make sure you know what to do and where to start with wedding planning now that you’re engaged!
You are going to have an amazing event, make sure you know what to do and where to start with wedding planning now that you’re engaged!
Wedding planning can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. The best way I’ve found is by starting small and taking things one step at a time. If you get overwhelmed by all of the details involved in putting together your special day, take some time off from thinking about it or else risk burning out before even getting started!
Relax!
Now that you’re engaged, it’s time to start planning your wedding! I hope this article has given you some insight into what to do and where to start with wedding planning now that you’re engaged. There is a lot of information out there, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Take it one step at a time and make sure that each decision feels right for both of you.
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