Becoming engaged is one of the most thrilling moments in a woman’s life. You’ve finally found the one and now you’re going to make it official.
There are a million things that will need to happen as you go from being an engaged couple to a married one. No need to go all bridezilla on your friends and family “ just put together a plan and follow it. Here are the first few steps you should take.
Set the date
This is your starting point “ so many other steps in planning will hinge on this decision, so try to settle on a date as soon as you can. You’ll need to leave enough time so that the rest of your wedding plans come together “ most couples choose a date that is between a year and a year and a half away.
Setting the date typically happens along with choosing the venue. Think of where you’d like the ceremony and the reception held “ it may be in two separate spots, or all in the same venue. If there is a certain venue that you and your fiancé© have your heart set on, try to book it as soon as you can “ you’ll be surprised at how far in advance places book up. The less time you allow yourself, the trickier it may be.
Make up the guest list
Once you’ve decided on the when and where, it’s important to decide on who will be invited. You know how many people your venue will accommodate, so now’s the time to put together a guest list and send out save-the-date cards “ guests from out of town in particular will appreciate this, as they will need a extra planning time.
A bonus associated with drawing up the guest list and sending out save-the-dates early: you’ll get a good sense of who is and isn’t planning to come, so you can always add people to your list as others drop off.
Settles on the services
Good wedding photographers and bands are in high demand. Ask friends for recommendations if you don’t have any idea where to begin. The hall you’ve booked for the event may also have a list of preferred vendors they like to work with, and this can include photographers, bands/djs and even limo companies and florists.
Hit the stores
The most enjoyable “ and some would argue the most important “ part is shopping for The dress. If you haven’t already, you need to start thinking about how you envision yourself on your big day. But until you go shopping, you won’t really know what you want. Styles that don’t grab you on the rack can look stunning on, and vice versa.
A style you may have never considered might be the one you settle on. As you shop, keep in mind that it typically rakes four to six months to get a gown ordered and delivered “ and then there’s a few months’ worth of fittings as well. Once you’ve chosen your gown, you can take some time with accessories. But you’ll also need to choose your bridesmaids’ gowns and flower girls dresses swiftly.
Remember: most bridal shops require that you make an appointment for your visit. This way you’ll have a dedicated consultant for your party, you can park yourselves in the fitting room and have samples brought to you. Try not to stress out at this point “ ideally, you get one shot at this, so enjoy it as much as you can!
What was your favourite part of wedding planning? What was the most stressful? Share with us!
