I’m Engaged: Now What?!
First of all, congratulations! Getting engaged is a beautiful and unique part of your journey as a couple. Take just a minute to bask in all the engagement glory!! But after a couple of moments of gratitude, you might get a feeling in your stomach that says: Okay, am I supposed to be doing something now?!
First of all, congratulations! Getting engaged is a beautiful and unique part of your journey as a couple. Take just a minute to bask in all the engagement glory!! But after a couple of moments of gratitude, you might get a feeling in your stomach that says: Okay, am I supposed to be doing something now?!
An 8th&Main close up
First Priority: Venue, venue, venue!
A walk at The Barn at Riverbend captured by Deana Coufal Photography
Booking a wedding venue sets the stage for the rest of wedding planning! It determines how many people are on your invite list, what accommodations you make for your guests, the type of catering you might book–the list goes on and on.
Taking care of the venue first puts couples in a much better position for the rest of wedding planning as well. The venue oftentimes has a preferred or favorite vendor list which can include a DJ, caterers, florists, etc. The venue often acts as a jumping-off point for wedding plans. It’s also important to book the venue first so you know what exactly you need to put on your “To-Do List”. Like if the venue provides the DJ or has a specific bar policy this will affect how the rest of your wedding planning goes–which is why it’s so important to prioritize venue tours right after you get engaged.
Shots before the ceremony at The Barn taken by Jill Caren Photo
A Mission Theatre bride admires her ring
Wedding Dress for Success
Another top priority after you get engaged is getting the wedding gown ordered. If you watched Say Yes to the Dress as a child, you should be extremely prepared for the entire ordeal–but if not, no worries, we got you!
Ordering a dress usually takes more time than brides initially think. After you find the dress of your dreams, the bridal shop has to order your size, which generally takes anywhere from four to six months. But, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get it fitted as well. Even though the shop can order in your size, you will most likely need to have it fitted. Wedding dresses are made longer and wider so that they can easily be shortened or narrowed for any sized bride. Most times bridal stores have suggestions or recommendations for alterations, so just ask who they recommend once you receive your wedding dress. If you already have a seamstress you trust just bring it to them. Alterations can take a few months as well, so just make sure to allow yourself plenty of wiggle room for your dress to be made perfect.
A bridal bouquet at 8th&Main
Vendors
Now, this is probably the biggest and most time-consuming aspect of initial wedding planning. Vendors can include bartenders, florists, caterers, wedding cake bakers, DJs, etc. The aspect that is most important with all vendors is just making sure you book them out in advance. The detailed decisions and a lot of time, payments, can be made closer to the day, but it’s important to make sure all vendors are available for your wedding date and that you get them booked.
Again, the wedding venue can be extremely instrumental in making the planning process easier. They can provide a list of vendors so you don’t have to spend a few days googling every aspect of the wedding and finding vendors who you know nothing about. Take the venue’s preferred vendors list and use it as a guide.
Send out your ‘Save the Dates’
Aesthetic stationary taken by Sarah Dean Photography
The last priority we will give you for your beginning stages of planning is to send out ‘Save the Date’ cards to all your loved ones. Once you have secured a venue and a date for your wedding, it’s kind to send save the date cards to the people you know you want to be at your wedding.
It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate (save the $$ for a cool wedding invitation instead!) A lot of times couples will use an engagement photo with minimal print for their save the dates. This just gives people a heads up that 1. You’re engaged and 2. They need to make arrangements to be at your big day.
This is a very simplified shortlist, but it can be a helpful guide when taking your first wedding planning steps. Though wedding planning can be stressful, especially when first booking all the details, be sure to take moments to enjoy the aspect of being engaged. It is such a short-lived time in life and a beautiful transition period between you and your partner.