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I’m Engaged!! What’s Next?? The Beginning Stages Of Planning Of A Wedding

The Educated Bride

January 4, 2018

Michelle and Sara Photography, Michelle Robinson Photography, Michelle and Sara 2017 Year In Review, 2017 Year In Review, 2017 Wedding Photography, North Carolina Wedding Photography, Raleigh Wedding Photographer, Greensboro Wedding Photographer, Durham Wedding Photographer, Raleigh Photographer, Durham Photographer, Greenboro Photographer

They always say, “A New Year means a new you!” That probably is true if you’re reading this post because YOU might have become a fiancé recently! Almost half of proposals happen during the 10 days between Christmas Eve and New Years Day! It is  one of the most popular time of the year to get engaged! Christmas Eve being the first, New Years Eve the second, and Valentine’s Day the third. (You guys are having a stats overload!)

If you are now wearing the new title as fiancé, CONGRATULATIONS!! This new season of life that you are entering into is one that you will never forget. As we always say, cherish every moment!

However, maybe everyone is starting to ask you all of those questions that you don’t know the answer to…yet! You can begin to feel overwhelmed with all of the wedding plans that you have to create and answers you have to give. Sara and I have been through this process and we couldn’t help but share some of our most helpful tips to those newly engaged brides!

INDULGE YOURSELF & CELEBRATE

First thing is first, celebration!! Give yourself and your fiance time to celebrate with family and friends! Enjoy looking at your gorgeous ring and your handsome fiancé before you begin any planning. PS: If you have family and friends who are far away, take a photograph of you both along with a photograph of just the ring to share with them via social media!

GET ORGANIZED

Getting organized seems so simple, but it is a multi-portioned step that is very important! First create ONE place to store all of your wedding agreements/budget plans/ideas in. For most brides, it’s a small binder OR a folder on their computer.

CREATE A BUDGET

Before you begin to set a date, search and book your venue/vendors, or even dress shop – you and your fiance must budget! The National average of the cost of a wedding is $35,000. It is important for you both to sit down and plan out what is extremely important to you as a couple. Is it the DJ? It is a top notch wedding planner that has your wedding day run so smooth? Is it timeless photographs from a photographer you love? When you sit down and finalize all of what you dream about for your wedding, then you can set out to find it!

This also is a good time to say, CREATE A JOINT CHECK/SAVINGS ACCOUNT, if possible. That way you can begin to save for the wedding and be able to use that account just for the wedding!

REACH OUT

You have probably had or seen some friends (or family members) get married recently – don’t be afraid to ask them! Reach out to recent married couples for advice on where to start, where to save, and who did they choose as vendors for their big day! You don’t have to follow what they did or who they choose, but it gives you a good place to start!

CREATE A CHECKLIST

Based upon your prioritizes begin to create a checklist for your wedding day needs!

  • CHOOSE WEDDING DATE
  • FIND A WEDDING VENUE (AND RECEPTION, IF SEPARATE)
  • WEDDING PLANNER
  • WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
  • CATERER
  • WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHER
  • FLORIST
  • BAKERY (IF CATERER DOES NOT OFFER CAKE)
  • OFFICIANT
  • INVITATION ARTIST

RESEARCH & STICK WITH YOUR DECISION

Research, research, research is key when looking for wedding vendors! Take the time to look up reviews, go meet up the wedding vendor and hear them talk, create that time for you to find everything that suites you both! (Also, if you find a wedding vendor that you LOVE make sure that you book them ASAP as they won’t secure the date until you sign an agreement with them!)  Once you decide x,y, or z for your wedding – remember not to second guess yourself. Everyone will have their opinions and suggestions, but remember to create the day that you both dream to have!

REMEMBER WHY YOU ARE DOING THIS & ENJOY THE PROCESS

Wedding planning and preparation can be a blessing and a lot of hard work at the same time.There might be a point where you begin to feel overwhelmed with all of the planning, but remember that you are building and planning to do life together, by each other side, so incorporate that theme into your planning.

Be a couple alongside of planning a wedding. Remember to take a step out and away from the planning process to enjoy sometime between the two of you as a couple!


Blushing Bride, are you still looking for a timeless wedding photographer who will capture your gorgeous day? We would love to set up a meeting to hear all about your beautiful wedding and how we can serve you! Contact us!


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