The infamous “will you marry me?” question has been popped and everything in the world has stood still. Congratulations! You’re engaged! How exciting! I know that you have tons of things running through your mind and wedding planning can indeed be stressful. Now that that gorgeous ring is on your finger there are 10,000 things that you are trying to prioritize and things that you never thought you would need to think about. Well, I am here to help ease some of the stress.
I want to share 5 things that you should do after getting engaged so read on below and just feel some of the stress begin to melt!
Set A Budget
We are not going over budgets in 2021 and beyond–no ma’am and no sir! Set a realistic amount for each vendor based on what you value as the most important. Make sure that your budget reflects what is most important to you and know where you would be okay with decreasing your budget to add more to a particular service category.
Define Your Style/Book A Planner
Define the overall ambiance of your big day. Decide on how you want your day to feel and look. A wedding planner will help make your dreams come true and help you stay within your budget that you’ve set. And you know that I have several recommendations for you!
Guest Count
The guest count affects your budget and the style of your wedding day. Many couples may not be aware, but the guest count affects every single vendor that you select, even me, your photographer!
Select Your Venue
Select the venue that meets your needs while being mindful of your budgerand style of your wedding day. You might fall in love with a place that may have you adjusting your budgets of the categories above, and trust me, that is okay! Make sure that you include your wedding planner along the way!
Set the Date!
After you select your venue, you should set the date–especially if you are completely in love with the place. Your favorite venue availability almost always helps you decide on your wedding date. There are exceptions to setting your wedding date based on venue availability. Marrying on your anniversary date or choosing a time of year where your family can travel the easiest. Then all of the fun things like engagement sessions and sending save the dates can happen!
Budget? Check. Wedding Style? Check. Venue and date? Check. Wedding Planner? Check!
Time to select the rest of your wedding day team! Based on what’s most important to you, research and start booking the vendors that will make your wedding day the best celebration that we know it will be. My suggestion is to make sure that photography is high on your priority list after selecting the planner, venue, and budget. Wedding photographers book quickly and are most likely booked for the next year before the current year ends. After the tables are broken down, and you come back from your honeymoon, photography is the only thing you will have for years to come. Invest in your wedding photography, and it will reward you over and over.
I also want you to have a copy of this wedding day checklist, so be sure to click here to download it!
Are you interested in having me tell your love story? Contact me, and let’s get started!
