You got engaged! Now what?
Part two
Woo Woop you got engaged…. Now what? Last week we posted 5 tips to get you moving in the right direction, so today we’re going to wrap it up with the final 5. We’re confident if you follow this list you will have a great stepping stone when moving into all the fine details that will follow.
Save the date
First things first, go through your calendar and see what is already scheduled for the year ahead (like other weddings). Take into consideration long weekends and holidays and be aware that some people will miss your day to follow through with their family traditions. Now that you have eliminated those dates, go back to your style, how do you envision the day? What season comes to mind? We recommend narrowing it down to 3 -4 dates. Then contact those vendors who are “your must-have, can’t live without” and see which dates they’re free!
Venue
This is the first thing people will see when they go to your wedding, the venue. It’s important that the venue inspires and reflects the tone you are looking to create. If the space feels right, then be sure to ask questions, don’t be shy. Inform yourself of what they include in the base price and what’s extra. Some fees often overlooked are gratuities, corkage and plating fees, and AV equipment. All venues have a different take on “The basic package” so do your research so you don’t end up broke in the end!
Hire a wedding planner
Trust me! It’s all fun and games during the first few months. But when reality hits, you will be glad to have a (professional) shoulder to lean on! Planning a wedding is stressful, time-consuming and requires great attention to detail. Don’t forget, all this planning also has to be done in a timely manner and on a strict budget! The average couple spends 250 hours planning a wedding! Who has that kind of time? Relying on a wedding planner will not only give you more time to enjoy the fact that you got engaged but it will provide you with peace of mind, and that’s priceless! Are you unsure what a planner does exactly… allow Wedding Wire to tell you a little bit more about my role.
Must have vendors
Vendors who excel at what they do book up fast. Believe it or not some are booked up 1 year or more in advance! We strongly recommend deciding early on what your non-negotiable’s are. Is your top priority food, photography, decor? Whatever it is, start your research with those vendors. Get them lined up then move on to the others. Nothing is more disappointing than finding out your dream photographer isn’t available. Because the reality is, you are always going to be comparing others to them! Visit our Preferred Vendors to see who we recommend.
Have fun with it
Now that you got engaged and the excitement turns into planning, things can get a little stressful. Trust me once you’re in the midst of the chaos you will understand why this is a” tip” worth mentioning. Planning a wedding can be tough on the relationship, so just make sure to pause and enjoy the moments. Always keep in mind why you started this crazy process in the first place.
There you have it, the 10 key points to focus on in the early stages of the planning process. If you follow these tips and keep your focus, we’re confident you will be off to a good start. Keep in mind we’re here to assist you along the way, don’t hesitate to ask!
