Newly Engaged? We Have 7 Tips For You
If your Valentine’s Day included a diamond ring and promise of forever, we have some tips to help you enjoy your engagement, not stress through it. Avoid the bridezilla phase and put things into perspective with our newly engaged advice.
Take Your Time
Before you jump into planning and start signing contracts with venues and photographers, talk with your partner to get an idea of what you both want. It’s important to set a budget before you commit to a specific vendor that you may later regret. Once you’ve decided on the budget, plan a few pieces of the wedding then take a break – you’ll both appreciate the breather between florists and cake testing.
Get Engagement Photos
Don’t skip the engagement photos. It’s a great way to celebrate the in-between period that can easily get lost in wedding planning. Find a location you both love and get a series of photos that showcase your personalities.
Choose Your Wedding Party
It can be tough singling out your top best friends, but asking your bridesmaids and groomsmen to be apart of your big day is something you’ll want to do fairly quickly. With wedding season just around the corner, you want them to save your date. Find the perfect way to ask them to join you at the alter.
Determine Your Wedding Size
Before you choose a venue, consider how many guests you want to invite. Whether you’re keeping it small or you’re going big, you’ll want to ensure your location is comfortable for all your guests. Once you have the guest count and budget, it’s time to choose a venue!
Visit Venues In Person
Pictures are great, but to ensure the venue is what you expect, visit in person. You want to ensure there’s space for your cocktail hour, wedding photos, and the reception. Consider where your guests will sit if it’s an outdoor wedding, where the food will be stored and parking for all your guests.
Build Your Wedding Registry
Whether you build a wedding website or keep it low key with a traditional registry, stick with the things you’ll actually use. That $400 vase is nice until it shatters in the move to your first home. Sit down with your partner to choose kitchenware, furniture, and décor that fits your style.
Skip Last Minute Changes
If possible, have your plans set in stone two to three months before the wedding date. You won’t want to spend the week before your wedding hunting down a caterer. Don’t be tempted by emerging trends. Once you’ve set your plans, stick with them. You’ll be happy you stayed with your first choice rather than following the crowd.
Congratulations on your engagement! Enjoy this time of celebrating your relationship with your partner. Don’t get caught up in trends or other people’s opinions. Stick with a reflection of you and your partner’s relationship and you’ll make your big day memorable.