So You’re Engaged - Congratulations Now What?

So You’re EngagedCongratulations! Now What?

Planning a wedding can be daunting. So, it is a good idea to start almost immediately after you get engaged.

The following checklist is offered to help couples plan their “I-do’s” efficiently. Enjoy the months ahead!

At 6 to 12 Months

• Announce the big news!

Plan an engagement party and don’t forget to announce the engagement in the local newspaper.

• Crunch the numbers.

This helps to stay on budget and avoid confusion or hurt feelings. Research costs associated with your area.

• Hire a wedding planner, if you so choose.

Wedding planners are not necessary but can alleviate stress and take responsibilities off the couple’s shoulders. If you opt out of hiring a planner, there are websites online that allow you to design announcements, send invites, create registries and track your planning progress, all in one place.

• Start a favorites board!

Pinterest is a handy site for collecting ideas for your wedding day. Gather ideas from other websites or magazines.

• Set a date and send Save the Date announcements.

Coordinating your preferences for season, venue size and other factors with venue availability will affect your options for choosing a wedding date.

Use social media and other technology to obtain guests’ addresses.

• Reserve venues.

Book locations for both ceremony and reception, and account for potential weather and size of attendance.

Photography by Vanessa

The Hill Country is a popular wedding destination, so book quickly!

• Determine time and type.

Formal affairs are in the late afternoon or evening, while more casual ones are usually in the morning or early afternoon.

The Hill Country offers venues for rustic, elegant, indoor, outdoor and many other weddings! Meals can be formal or casual.

• Who will stand with you?

Choose, ask and confirm the bridal party and groomsmen so they have time to make arrangements.

• Plan a bachelorette party for the bride and a bachelor party for the groom.

Choose a fun but affordable location that works for as many people in your bridal party as possible. Traditionally, these weekends have taken place close to the wedding date, but couples have recently planned them for months before the ceremony.

• Colors galore.

Choose wedding colors early, so you can pick bridesmaids’ dresses and coordinate centerpieces, flowers and other decorations.

• Say “yes” to a dress.

Order the bridal gown, bridesmaids’ dresses and their accessories. Keep the budget in mind. Ordering the dress and making

alterations can take several months.

• Decide the details.

Choose musicians, a florist, a photographer and a caterer. Sample their wares and check their references.

Keep their contact information handy for discussing details as they are decided.

• Book a hair and makeup stylist.

Schedule a trial for two to three months out from the wedding.

• A celebratory trip of love.

Visit a travel agency or online sites and review options (and prices) for the honeymoon. Both bride and groom should agree whether it’ll be a simple relaxing outing or an itinerary-filled adventure.

• Register gift wishes.

The bride and groom should visit their favorite stores and register for items that’ll be needed in their new life together.

• ‘With this ring, I thee wed …’

Shop and design/ purchase wedding rings.

• Begin pre-marital

counseling (required by some churches.)

At 3 months

• Who’s coming?

Complete the guest list, count up the names and

then select and order invitations.

• Moms’ day out.

Mothers of the bride and groom should both get their dresses to compliment the rest of the wedding party in style, color, etc.

• Bite the bullet.

Go ahead and sign on the dotted line for the honeymoon. Mention to all providers that the guests planning to travel are newlyweds, because many will provide free surprise perks along the way.

• Double-check and recheck.

Call and confirm dates and information with the photographer, musicians, florists, caterer and the church to ensure there’s

been no double-booking or other potential disasters.

• ‘Your chariot awaits …’

Decide on transportation to and from the wedding and reception sites. Limousine? Horse-drawn buggy? Drive yourself?

• Pick a final wedding cake design and groom’s cake design and any other pastries for the reception and get them ordered.

• Get the groom and his groomsmen to get fitted and order their tuxedos.

• Enjoy your bachelorette or bachelor weekend!

At 2 months

and closing ...

• Mail out invitations to the pre-determined guest list.

• Visit the courthouse together, with photo identifications and fees in hand, to procure the official marriage license.

• Pay for honeymoon and finalize any side trips or relevant details to the trip.

• Help guests with reservations for flights or at local overnight accommodations.

• Have someone plan a bridal shower.

Mothers, grandmothers, other relatives and friends of the bride and groom can come together to celebrate. This event is often a semi-casual brunch!

At 1 month

Lists, lists and more lists …

• Start a list of gifts being received. Begin writing and mailing “Thank

You” notes as soon as gifts arrive. • Plan the rehearsal and dinner. The groom’s family traditionally arranges and pays for this, but the entire family can contribute to the set-up, planning and pulling it off.

• Give credit where it’s due.

• Buy gifts for the wedding party.

• Take care of final dress and suit fittings, as well as appointments for beauty treatments, pedicures/manicures and hair salon visits.

• Host a bridesmaids’ luncheon to show them support and appreciation.

• Buy a guest book, choose where to station it at the reception, and designate a “keeper” of the book who can encourage guests to sign.

At 2 weeks

It’s getting close, so …

• Finalize transportation to the church, to the reception and off to the honeymoon.

• If planning to take the groom’s last name, brides should visit the proper offices to officially change their driver’s licenses, Social

Security cards, passports and other official documents.

Also put in calls to credit card companies, utilities, doctors’ and dentists’ offices and others regularly contacted.

• Communicate a plan, so those with questions don’t bother the bride on her wedding day.

• If RSVP’s are still arriving late, finalize last-minute seating charts.

At one week

Full speed ahead …

• Pick up wedding rings and make sure they fit.

• Start packing for the honeymoon.

• Give the caterer a final estimate on number of guests. Plan seating arrangements. • Practice hair styles and/ or makeup for the big day.

• But don’t forget …

Brides should find time in the rushing about of final arrangements to take care of themselves. Drink lots of water, eat healthy foods, get plenty of rest each day and smile, knowing they’ll soon be united with the ones they love.

The wedding day

Hearts joined at last.

• With all the planning taken care of, the final hours leading up to the wedding should be a snap.

• Best advice for brides:

NO amount of planning guarantees a “perfect” ceremony or reception.

Remember: It’s the mishaps that make things unique and memorable, but the bride’s reaction to these events becomes unforgettable in the minds of her family and friends.

So, roll with the flow, smile and enjoy the spotlight (and the happily ever after, of course).