Five Things To Do Once You’re Engaged

 

Chances are you have envisioned the style of wedding you want. Now more than ever- there are no rules! Couples are defining their special day on their own terms. From food trucks to donut bars- anything and everything is game. The engagement party is over and it time to start planning your wedding day. We tell all of our couples to start with these five things to do once you’re engaged.

1.  Breathe

Take a deep breath and open your notebook. Of course one of the first decisions you will have to make is to choose a date for your wedding. Jot down 3 dates that you wouldn’t mind as your wedding date. There is no right or wrong way to choose a date, couples typically plan from 6 months to 15 months out, so I’d start there. Be sure to take into account budget, holidays, and other personal commitments – especially from those you are going to be crucial to the wedding (the Best Man, the Maid of Honor). Having a range of dates will also help to ease the pressure as you start the search for your dream venue, wedding photographer, and other wedding professionals.

 

2. Start an Initial Budget

Sit down with your fiancé and family (if applicable) and determine your wedding budget. In addition, the knot has a wedding calculator that can help to give you a real-world cost of each component of your wedding day. You can get this wedding calculator by clicking here.  Your budget will affect every part of the planning so it makes sense to tackle it right away.

From now until your retirement, you’ll hear a constant drone of “married couples always argue about money.”  This – is for the most part – true.  You better believe that starting the wedding budget will be the start of “Active Discussions” with your partner – and the best way to head this off is that you BOTH have a clear plan and idea for what your special day will look like – and what it will cost.  It’s not romantic – but it will save a LOT of stress..  and THAT is romantic!

 

3. Get a Wedding Planner

Hire a wedding planner! You will thank me later. Your wedding is one of the most special occasions in your life. The money you spend on hiring a professional that plans weddings for a living will be worth its weight in gold. Not only can they help you stay within your budget they often have worked with or at the venues, that you will be looking at.

Here in the Tampa Bay area, I would highly recommend   Kelly Kennedy

 

4. Define your Vision

What is your Wedding Day Vision? Do you want a romantic, modern, beach, or rustic styled wedding? The venue speaks the most to the style you want. Before all of the other wedding details can start to be planned, you have to decide on a venue. Spend at least a day looking at least 3 venues. Remember – some venues include a wedding planner, catering, and decorations whereas in other venues you rent the space and you are responsible for organizing every other detail.

Once you have decided on a venue and paid your deposit your wedding day is confirmed.

 

5. Start Talking to Vendors

Your wedding date is booked and now is the time to hire all of the other vendors for your wedding day. Not to mention that many of the top wedding photographers, local bands, and cinematographers get hired more than a year in advance, so this may factor into your wedding date. Comparatively, plan that first, and move from there. 

I hope this information helps – and remember you can always send me an email.  I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have. Click here to chat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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