Congratulations, you just got engaged! Among the emotions of this perfect day, you may be wondering, “Now what?” Planning a wedding can be a timely process, but it doesn't need to start as soon as you say “yes.” Sharing the news with loved ones, establishing a budget, choosing a dress, picking a date and venue, and getting everything organized are all important things to have on the horizon now that you are engaged. Take a deep breath. If you are having trouble figuring out where to start, below are five helpful things you should do as soon as you get engaged.
Spread the News
No rush! You don't have to jump into planning mode right away. If you don't want to feel overwhelmed with calling and texting everyone you know, consider throwing an engagement party to announce your special news. Whether you decide on a small get-together at home or a dinner party at your favorite restaurant, becoming a fianc is undoubtedly a special occasion. Make sure you celebrate with something bubbly with all your loved ones. Just remember, if you do plan to share the exciting news on social media, make sure you tell your close family and friends first to avoid hurting someone's feelings.
Don't forget about the wedding party! This is the perfect time to choose the bridesmaids and groomsmen you want to include in your special day. Before asking, it’s important to think about the logistics that come with a larger wedding party. Although you may want it to be as aesthetically pleasing as all the wedding inspiration photos on Pinterest, it's important to note that the more people you ask, the more expensive it will be.
Establish a Budget
The most important thing when it comes to planning a wedding is establishing a budget you both can agree on. As soon as you have a rough estimate of what you can afford, the planning process will be much easier. A few things to consider in your wedding budget are attire, alterations, caterers, venue, music, photographer, and an open bar. Make a list of your must-haves first, followed by the things that are less important to have, so you can visualize how much you will need to budget for.
If you're struggling with your budget and don't know how you'll be able to afford your dream wedding, there are ways to help. Owning a home is a significant asset to have in your financial portfolio. If you're a homeowner, a noteworthy option to look into is a home equity line of credit. You may be wondering, “How will this help pay for my wedding?” A HELOC allows homeowners to borrow money against the equity they have in their home and receive that money as a line of credit. It's a very flexible option, and you'll be able to borrow as much money as needed to help pay for your wedding expenses. This is helpful because you will receive the funds as needed, which will allow you to stay on track with your budget and only borrow the money you really need.
Book a Bridal Appointment
Now that you have a budget in place, It's the moment you have been dreaming of since you were little, picking out your dream wedding dress. Book a bridal appointment right away because you’ll likely have to schedule more than one appointment for sizing, alterations, and your bridal party fitting. Your bridal appointment is important to make one of your top priorities in the beginning steps of the planning process. Bridal stores often offer a range of dress styles, from traditional and classic to bold and dramatic designs. The fun part is trying them on and saying yes to the dress! Don't get discouraged if the dresses are not speaking to you right away, by planning early, you'll have plenty of time to find the perfect one before the big day.
Pick a Date and Venue
Once you've decided on your dress, you should finalize a date and venue for the ceremony and reception. It's not uncommon for couples to get caught up in picking the date. The quicker you can pick a day that works for your venue, the easier the rest of the planning process will be. You’ll want to be mindful of the time of year that you choose to have your wedding. Make sure you avoid dates where the weather could be a potential issue or dates that fall on or near a holiday. This will ensure the least amount of conflict.
When you're selecting the perfect venue, there are a few things you need to consider, like location and whether you want the ceremony and reception to be at the same place. If you are looking to get married in a church, then finding a reception that can host your wedding in an appropriate time frame is crucial. The last thing you want is for your guests to hang around for a few hours before the reception begins. You may also want to look into a venue that offers indoor and outdoor accommodations. Due to weather, you never know what may occur, and you don't want to risk having a wash-out wedding.
Get Organized
Now that you have a date and venue in mind, it's time to get organized. If you happen to have wiggle room in your budget, hiring a wedding planner to help ease the stress of organizing everything may be something to consider. A wedding planner helps take care of all the little details, so everything runs smoothly. Next, decide on what kind of food you want to offer to your guests. Luckily, most venues offer a dinner menu you can choose from to serve to your guests. You will also need to decide whether you'll serve a buffet-style meal or a sit-down dinner.
Keep a wedding checklist handy, just in case an idea comes along, and to help keep track of the steps you've already completed. Don't forget to send out your save the dates and wedding invitations promptly. Try finding wedding invitation templates online that you can download to help make it easy on yourself and curate a few creative ideas. If you do decide to have a sit-down dinner, don’t forget to include the different options for your guests to select from in the invitation, along with allergies to be aware of.
Now that you have an idea of a few starting points, you are ready to dive into the planning process. Don't get discouraged if it all seems a little overwhelming as things start to move along — it will get easier. Congratulations on your engagement!