I’m Engaged, Now What?!
Image by Shelby Day Photography.
If you are reading this it means that you’ve recently said “yes” to the person of your dreams. Let us be the first to say “Congratulations on your engagement!” This is an exciting time in your life filled with love, joy, and anticipation for the future. But what comes next? As you prepare for your wedding day, it's important to remember that this is just the beginning of your journey together. Now is the time to start planning for your future as a couple. Whether it's discussing your hopes and dreams or setting financial goals, taking the time to plan for your future will set a strong foundation for your marriage. And with so many details to consider, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. That's why we're here to help. Our wedding blog will walk you through nine essential steps you and your partner can take to ensure that your big day is everything you dreamed of and more. From finding the perfect dress to choosing the perfect venue, we've got you covered. So, take a deep breath, enjoy the moment, and let us help you plan the wedding of your dreams.
Time to Celebrate
First, enjoy the one-on-one time between you and your fiancé. The planning process can get pretty hectic. So it is important to prioritize time with your partner. If that means watching your favorite movies together or enjoying a glass of wine—we suggest you do it! Revel in the love that brought you to this point! We promise the outside world can wait.
Image by Shelby Day Photography.
Set A Date
Choosing the perfect wedding date is a significant decision that sets the tone for your entire wedding planning journey. From checking your dream venue availability, to being mindful of weather patterns in your chosen location and season to considering sentimental dates like the first time you and your partner met or when you first said “I love you”. These are all factors to think about when narrowing down the perfect date for your special day. Additionally, we suggest that you and your partner contrive an after-engagement checklist including commitments that are present in your life right now to allow whatever choice you make a realistic one.
Draft a Guest List
Close your eyes and visualize who you want to witness and celebrate your union. Once you have your list, prioritize guests based on factors like family relationships, friendship dynamics, and space constraints. Of course everyone wants to be in attendance for your special day but keep in mind that you do not want to invite more people than your venue, catering staff, or budget can accommodate.
Image By Shelby Day Photography.
Select Bridal Party
Ask yourself the following questions: How many people do you want in your bridal party? Who are the people that you trust to support you during the wedding planning process and on your wedding day? Lastly, who are the important people in your life that you want to honor? Whomever comes into mind when you answer these questions is who should stand by your side on your wedding day. We only ask that you make sure your decision is well thought out before handing out proposal boxes—we wouldn't want any of your family and friends to feel left out.
Image By Shelby Day Photography.
Discuss Your Vision
One of the most exciting parts of being engaged is imagining your wedding day. From the venue and theme to the guest list and decorations, take that time to discuss your vision with your partner. Brainstorm ideas together, and share inspiration from Pinterest boards and wedding magazines to ensure your visions align.
Start A Wedding Binder or Folder
Time to organize! Place your what-to-dos in categories on a month-to-month basis. Create sections for vendor contracts, inspiration photos, venue options, and checklists. Make it fun!—color code sections according to priority, and add decorations to your binder or folder to remind yourself that yes this process can be stressful but it does not mean it can’t be a beautiful experience!
Create A Budget
As much as you’d love to have an extravagant wedding, you must always be realistic about your finances. We know that it can be hard discussing money, but it is important that you sit down with your partner to create a budget that reflects your collective priorities and values. Consider who will be contributing to the overall wedding budget, including parents, and involve all parties in financial conversations. You should begin discussing your savings plan and goals, and open a shared bank account just for your wedding funds to make keeping track of payments easy. Take it this way, it is always best to be mindful of your budget from the start so that way you can avoid unnecessary stress down the road.
Plan an Engagement Party
This part of the wedding planning process is not required but it is highly recommended. It is what we like to call the preview of your big day! A time for your loved ones to host a grand party commemorating you and your fiance's love story. There will be lots of dancing, lots of music, lots of laughter, and the best part, the raising of glasses for a celebratory toast!
Start Your Planning
Whew, you’ve made it and with the basics in place, you and your partner are ready to dive into wedding planning headfirst. Start researching vendors, visiting potential venues, and compiling a list of tasks to tackle in the coming months. And if you and your partner feel this is too much of a task to do alone, hire a wedding planner to help carry the load.
Image By Shelby Day Photographry.
Happy Wedding Planning!
With love, Anijah