After saying “YES!!” to the love of your life, sharing the news with all of your family + friends, and posting that perfect photo on social media showcasing your stunning ring, the reality of planning a wedding starts to hit. And a lot of the time, that reality leaves brides reeling a little bit, not sure where they should begin. So today, I am sharing my top 5 things that I recommend you do right after you get engaged.
1. Decide on a budget.
Your budget will dictate just about everything you do, and every vendor that you book. Oftentimes, parents will help with the cost of the rehearsal and wedding, so make sure to chat with both your parents and almost-in-laws to see what might be covered by them.
2. Find your venue.
Your venue is going to set the tone for the whole wedding. Are you wanting a rustic, country feeling wedding? Look into some of the barn venues near you! Are you hoping for an elegant wedding? A fancy hotel might be just the thing for you. Don’t forget that state parks are also options for weddings or elopements!
3. Find your photographer.
The photographer will play a big role in the look and feel of your wedding, especially when it’s all said and done and all you have left from your months of planning are your wedding photos. You’ll want to talk with your fiance and decide the style of photography you want…do you want dark + moody photos, or light + airy photos? Do you want elegant + posed photos, or more relaxed + unposed photos, or a mixture of both? Looking through photographers portfolios and requesting to see a full gallery from a wedding day will help you know what you would be getting, should you hire them.
4. Pick your date.
Unless you have a specific date you know you want to get married on (mine is my grandparent’s anniversary), you probably have some flexibility when it comes to dates. But if you’ve found a venue or a photographer that you just have to have, their availability may help you decide on a wedding date. Venues and vendors can start booking a year (or even more!) out, so if you’re looking at a short engagement, make sure to contact your ideal vendors as soon as possible. Another thing to consider is a Sunday or a weekday weddings. Oftentimes, vendors will give discounts for weekday weddings, so keep that in mind as you’re looking at dates and contacting vendors!
5. Research other vendors.
Now that you’ve got your budget, your venue, your photographer, and your date, it’s time to start chatting with all the other vendors who will play a part in your wedding! The planner, the florist, the caterers, the officiant, the HMUA…and the list goes on! A good way to find some of these vendors is to chat with your photographer or friends who have gotten married recently to see if they have any recommendations.
Happy planning!
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