Once the initial shock of being engaged wears off, you'll need to make a lot of decisions. Here are the first things you need to do after you get engaged.
1. Set a Timetable
Consider how long your engagement will be. This will depend on factors, such as your ideal wedding date and how much time you'll need to prepare. Engagements lasts anywhere from six months to a year and a half or more. Keep in mind that many of the best vendors and reception sites are booked a year or more in advance.
Consider how long your engagement will be. This will depend on factors, such as your ideal wedding date and how much time you'll need to prepare. Engagements lasts anywhere from six months to a year and a half or more. Keep in mind that many of the best vendors and reception sites are booked a year or more in advance.
2. Set Your Budget
Money, are a main determining factor for the size and style of your wedding. So, what affects the price tag?
· Formality: The more formal the reception, the more expensive, considering you'll have to match
Money, are a main determining factor for the size and style of your wedding. So, what affects the price tag?
· Formality: The more formal the reception, the more expensive, considering you'll have to match
the site, food, and decor.
· Date and time: Saturdays, summer months, and evenings tend to be the most costly times to
· Date and time: Saturdays, summer months, and evenings tend to be the most costly times to
have a reception.
· Location: In many cases, a wedding in a major city is simply more expensive than in a smaller
· Location: In many cases, a wedding in a major city is simply more expensive than in a smaller
town.
3. Determine a Date
There are a few things to consider when choosing a date:
There are a few things to consider when choosing a date:
- How much time will you need to prepare for your wedding?
- Do any loved ones having a conflicting event?
- If you have your heart set on a particular place, caterer, band, or photographer, the availability of
these vendors may also play a large part in your decision.
- Try to avoid dates like Valentines day and Mothers day (flowers are way more expensive). School
holidays and long-weekends may cause a problem for accommodation.
- Once you've picked the date, start your wedding checklist for a to-do list of what to do when.
4. Announce Your Engagement
The social network, Facebook, are a popular medium to tell friends and family. For those who don't do social networks, send them a text message or phone them. You can also place a photo in your local newspaper. Be sure to find out the fees for publishing this announcement.
The social network, Facebook, are a popular medium to tell friends and family. For those who don't do social networks, send them a text message or phone them. You can also place a photo in your local newspaper. Be sure to find out the fees for publishing this announcement.
5. Choose Your Attendants
Remember, the earlier you ask, the sooner you can enlist their help.
Remember, the earlier you ask, the sooner you can enlist their help.
6. Make a Guest List
When building your guest list, you'll need to consider a number of factors:
When building your guest list, you'll need to consider a number of factors:
- If you have a particular ceremony or reception site in mind, you're going to be limited by how many
people it can accommodate
- If parents are adamant about inviting all friends and family, you'll have to hear them out especially
if they're paying a major part of the bill.
- The more relatives you must invite, the larger your list will be. More guests means a bigger
bill. Catering costs are generally calculated on a per-head basis.
- Your budget will have a big influence on the size of your guest list.
7. Consider a Wedding coordinator
There are 3 scenarios to consider here. If you're a super-busy couple, hire a full-time wedding coordinator to help you prepare your entire event, from the announcement to the honeymoon. You can also hire a part-time coordinator to devise a wedding blueprint - including budget, schedule, and lists of good vendor and site choices, before you launch solo into the preparations. Another option is a day-of coordinator, who will make sure everything goes as planned on your wedding day.
There are 3 scenarios to consider here. If you're a super-busy couple, hire a full-time wedding coordinator to help you prepare your entire event, from the announcement to the honeymoon. You can also hire a part-time coordinator to devise a wedding blueprint - including budget, schedule, and lists of good vendor and site choices, before you launch solo into the preparations. Another option is a day-of coordinator, who will make sure everything goes as planned on your wedding day.
8. Start Gown Shopping
It's never too early to begin thinking about your wedding dress. Start by figuring out which style will look best on you. Read up on silhouettes, necklines, trains, and hues that might flatter you. Season will also affect your choice. For a summer wedding, go with lightweight fabrics such as chiffon, linen, or organza. A winter bride can go for brocade, faux fur, and velvet fabrics which will keep you warm. Satin, shantung, silk, and tulle are perfect year-round.
It's never too early to begin thinking about your wedding dress. Start by figuring out which style will look best on you. Read up on silhouettes, necklines, trains, and hues that might flatter you. Season will also affect your choice. For a summer wedding, go with lightweight fabrics such as chiffon, linen, or organza. A winter bride can go for brocade, faux fur, and velvet fabrics which will keep you warm. Satin, shantung, silk, and tulle are perfect year-round.
(Source: The Knot)
