I’m so excited for you! Getting engaged is such a big milestone in any relationship, and wedding planning is such a fun time of your life. Of course, you may also find yourself be wondering where to start to think about planning your big day. Here are the top three things engaged couples should do before doing anything else.
Have an open discussion with your partner about key wedding planning decisions.
The first step in the wedding planning process is to sit down as a couple and have a conversation about three key wedding planning topics.
Most important, establish who is involved in the decision-making process. Throughout the wedding planning journey, you will be faced with countless decisions. Where will the wedding take place? How many people will be invited? What is the overall vibe of the day? If you have already decided whose input will be taken into consideration before these questions start to arise, you will have a much easier time making and sticking to your decisions.
Next, establish your overall budget as you begin to think of all the initial considerations. Talk with any key stakeholders (i.e. people contributing funds for the event) to gather the information needed to set your ideal and maximum wedding budget. (These are NOT the same number.) Knowing your budget range is crucial to booking your wedding vendors.
Lastly, talk with your partner about your top priorities for the wedding day. Perhaps your top priorities are the food… or maybe it’s having a live band. No matter what, it’s important to keep in mind the must-haves as you begin to work through your budget and plan your wedding day.
Hire a wedding planner.
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and I believe you should be able to enjoy it! Like your engagement, your wedding day happens once — and it will be over in the blink of an eye! So why not hire someone who will allow the planning process to be stress free and enjoyable? A wedding planner guides you in the decision-making process based on your priorities and budget. Planners help you mediate between different opinions throughout the process. Plus, they allow you to be fully present on the wedding day!
Determine your VIPs and ensure they can attend on your ideal wedding date at your preferred location.
The third thing to do after getting engaged is to determine your VIPs - your loved ones you can’t imagine your wedding day without. Check with them to ensure they can attend on your ideal wedding date at your preferred location! Being transparent with your inner circle is a great step towards ensuring they’re all able to make it to your wedding day. Of course, you won’t have a confirmed date until you have chosen a venue and signed a contract with them, but this will give you a starting place when searching for your venue.
All in all, enjoy this amazing time of being engaged! Wedding planning tasks can quickly pick up, but I encourage you to take a step back and a moment to breathe before diving in too deeply. Booking a wedding planner will save you time and stress when getting started, so send me a message if you’d like to work together to plan your dream wedding day!
All photos by Kaitlyn Logan Photography.