Engagement & Planning: First Steps

You’re getting married! Once the initial shock wears off, you’ll need to make a lot of decisions. Don’t worry; we are here to help. Before you start meeting with vendors and putting the little details together, there are a few key factors you will need to sort out. Here are some places to start your wedding planning after your engagement.

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create a budget

Money will be a huge part of your celebration. To avoid racking up costs, know which professionals you need to make your wedding a success, and the limits of what you can spend on each.

decide who pays

If you will be receiving any assistance from family members, sit down and communicate about who will be paying for what. No matter who contributes to the wedding budget, the financial responsibility is ultimately the couple’s.

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be realistic

Allocate your funds accordingly and prioritize what is necessary for your celebration. If you aren’t sure which vendors you will need and how much to spend, check out the Budget Development sheet on page 149.

stick to your numbers

It’s going to be hard, but the last thing you want is to add to your debt with wedding expenses. Keep within your budget and start married life without the stress of monetary worries.

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first steps of planning

tell your family and friends

You will need to call these VIPs before you post your news on social media. Then, go to BlackHillsBride. com and create your profile to share with others!

size your ring

If your ring wasn’t sized, call the jeweler and have it done as soon as possible. You won’t want it to accidentally fall off as you are showing it to family and friends.

book a photo shoot

Mostly all photographers have packages that include engagement and wedding photos.

draft your guest list

This will help determine the size of venue you will need.

select your venue

Have a few choices ready, and keep in mind most places are booked a year in advance.

choose your wedding party

You need help ensuring everything runs smoothly on the big day and leading up to it.

be inspired

Earmark these pages, use our website and follow our Pinterest boards to start narrowing down your wedding theme.