Getting engaged is probably once of the most memorable days of your life. It’s that story you’ll tell over and over again and never fail to get excited about reliving that moment. What comes after you say yes is a bit more daunting…now you have to plan a whole wedding??
We created a list of the first five things you should do to help you two get focused and organized for the big day.
1. Your Top Priority
The first step you need to take is figuring out what the number one most important aspect of your wedding is – this will be different for every couple. Is it the date you get married on? Is it the venue you get married at? Is it the caterer you adore? Have you always wanted to get married in the winter? Figure out what is your top priority to make your special day exactly what you have dreamt of, and we’ll help you figure out the rest of the details that follow.
Photo by Jason Briscoe
2. Your Bridal Party
Propose to your bridal party! It’s important to ask your bridesmaids and groomsmen to join your bridal party early on because not only do you want to make sure they have the date available, but they might actually be of help to you in the planning process. Did one of your bridesmaids just get married and found herself with 40 centerpieces leftover that you love? Did your maid of honor have the most amazing photographer at her wedding? Your bridal party are here to celebrate your love and they want to help make your wedding a very special day so make sure to secure them early on! There’s nothing worse than securing your wedding date only to find out your BFF has a work trip that weekend she can’t get out of.
Photo by Mitchell Orr
3. Your Budget
No one likes to think about the administration part of the wedding (except for us planners – that’s what we’re here for!) but it is really crucial to figure out your wedding budget early on. This will of course tie in to your priorities and what you’re willing to spend on versus what you can DIY or do cheaply. You might be the bride who will have a simple backyard wedding with a food truck and a funky homemade photobooth, or you might be the bride who has saved up for this day for years and is willing to splash out on a seaside mansion with a 6 course meal and your favorite childhood band. It’s totally possible to ball on a budget but it’s important to have realistic expectations if you have an appetite for champagne with a wine cooler budget.
4. Your Timeline
Once you have secured your date with your dream venue or dream caterer, with the perfect bridal party, then it’s time to create your timeline. Once you have your timeline outlined you have a rough idea of when you need to send out save the dates, invitations, find a dress, book your vendors, and all the details that follow. Having one timeline that is the center of your planning process will make everything else fall into place much sooner. A timeline will help you focus on what is important at every step of the way, and will keep you a lot more sane as the big day approaches.
5. Your Guestlist
It’s great to throw an amazing party and celebrate your undying love for your partner, but what’s perhaps most important is who is there by your side for the big day. Some families are huge and your can’t avoid a 200+ person wedding whereas some couples really want an intimate wedding with their absolute closest friends and immediate family. Both are excellent options but deciding on your guestlist early on will help make the smaller decisions come more easily. The size of your guest list and budget are definitely two very related factors that will effect your planning process.
Photo by Sweet Ice Cream Photography
These are just five ideas that our experience has shown us to be the most important initial questions to answer once you’ve said yes. Being able to go through this list with your fiance will help you feel a bit more grounded and secure in the planning process and hopefully will help you envision the wedding of your dreams!
