Congratulations! You're engaged and now you need to begin this glorious adventure called wedding planning. Let the good times roll! So, what should you do now? Where should you begin? First, enjoy this glorious moment. Take some time to relish in the spectacular feeling of knowing that you are cherished by the love of your life. Relive those precious (or funny) words that made you say "Yes". You're engaged!! When you are ready to begin, I recommend that you start with First Things First.
Step One: Share the good news! It's fine to keep things private for a little while, but eventually you will want to spread the word on your upcoming nuptials. Always tell your parents and immediate family first. Then, you can let your friends, neighbors, even the local cashier in on the big news. Phone calls and emails are appropriate for those first few days. But you can find some fun and creative or more formal ways to announce your engagement to the masses. Send a letter, print an engagement announcement, or even throw a party. We'll explore the in's and out's of engagement parties later this week. So check back in a few days!
Step Two: Set the Date. This is very important and will influence just about every other decision you make in your planning. For some, the selection of a date is quick and painless. For others, it can be a little more complicated and may take some time. You'll probably be plagued with family and friends wanting to know when the big day will happen. It's o.k. to deliberate on this one. You can simply say "We're looking at the calendar and will let you know soon." Just know that you need to have a wedding date before you can begin booking the venue and vendors. You will save a lot of time by screening vendors based on availability and you can't do that without a firm wedding date. Also, your wedding date will determine the pace of your planning. Obviously, you need to work faster if you are saying "I Do" in six months versus 12 months.
Step Three: Start Dreaming. Even if you have been dreaming of your wedding day since you were a little girl, you should take some time to be inspired. Consider all of the style options that are out there today. You may even come up with a blend of styles that is completely unique to you and your fiance. Stock up on some beautiful wedding magazines, peruse the hundreds of wedding websites that are available and even spend a day at your local bridal show. Remember, there are literally hundreds of options out there. Don't be overwhelmed by the possibilities, just see what stands out and take your cues from those things that you think are simply amazing.
Finally, hire a planner. (Did you really think I was going to skip over this one?) Talk to other new brides and you'll hear one of the following: "I couldn't have done it without my planner," or "I should have hired a planner, at least for day-of coordinating". I know that for many, the topic of budget and how much a planner costs is a big influence in this decision. Here's the simple truth. A planner is worth every penny. And, a good planner will help you come up with a scope of services that will fit your budget and meet your needs. Your planner deserves her fee, because she will put in an average of 70-90 hours on your wedding alone. And, her expertise will save you from making poor decisions, save you time on researching vendors, and will put a finishing touch on all your details that will make your day truly shine. All of this means greater peace of mind for you. I could go on and on, so we'll visit this topic again soon. For now, I recommend that you keep an open mind and at least meet with a few planners to see what they have to offer. The earlier you do this in your planning process, the better.
I'll be sharing more insight on your planning journey over the next couple of weeks. There are some major milestones in this process and we'll give each one it's proper consideration in upcoming posts. For now, enjoy yourself! And remember, take it one step at a time. Happy planning!
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