4 minute read
What To Do First
(AFTER YOU GET ENGAGED)
:: From the Creative Director’s Desk ::
PHOTO CREDIT: Amin Russell Photography
IT’S HAPPENED; YOU’RE ENGAGED! OF COURSE EVERYONE WILL WANT TO KNOW WHAT DATE YOU’VE CHOSEN BUT other than that, what’s the first thing you should do? Starting looking at clothes, select a venue or florist? I know it can seem overwhelming at first, so here is our list of the top 5 most important things to do first when you get engaged:
1) Get that bling insured! This is one investment you need to make and be sure to handle it right away. While most jewelers will offer a cleaning service or occasional maintenance, jewelry be able to budget for some assistance with planning tools and insurance will make sure you are completely protected in case you leave your ring somewhere, lose it on your honeymoon, lose a stone or something else unexpected happens. Trust me, you’ll never regret getting this policy!
2) I know, you’re ready to jump into venue tours, cake tastings and dress and/or tuxedo shopping but those to-do list items will come later. The next thing you should do is get the big picture for your wedding.
What feel do you want it to have? Casual or formal? Spring or Fall? I recommend you both write down any words that come to mind, no matter what they are, and then you can go back through and sort out your top ideas that you can both agree upon.
What’s your budget and for how many guests will you invite? You don’t want to waste your time looking at venues that won’t be a good fit for you for one reason or another and that goes for flowers, cake, clothing, etc. as well.
Everything will hinge on what your overall vision is and your budget for your wedding day so make sure you have that outlined clearly first. If you’re unsure how much is realistic for you to budget, check out the NOW Weddings website for helpful tips!
Amin Russell Photography
3Decide if, based on your vision in step #2, you think you need to hire a wedding planner. If the answer is “yes”, the earlier you can involve them in the process, the better. Many planners are happy to step in at various points in your planning process but it’s always easiest to have professional guidance from the onset because they can help guide you through contract negotiations and help narrow down vendor selections, which will save you time and stress while also helping to clarify exactly what you want.
The fees a planner charges can vary widely, from flat fees to a percentage of your overall budget. According to a recent study, modern couples now spend an average of 528 hours planning their weddings, so this is an investment to take seriously. If you don’t believe a planner is within budget for you, you may still be able to budget for some assistance with planning tools and recommendations to get you started or event management (month or day-of coordination) for help as you get closer.
4) Create your list of priorities. What’s most important for you at your wedding? People often think this just means food vs. bar service, but beyond that, if you could have fewer guests but a more luxurious experience, would you prefer that? Or would you rather be able to invite more guests and serve a different bar package? Knowing what’s most important to you will go a long way in helping you make decisions from start to finish of your planning process!
5) Ok, here’s where the real fun starts! Begin looking for vendors! Prioritize your ceremony and reception locations first because you need to ensure where you select works with your budget, guest count and vision for your day. Once you have those selected, that will help you with selecting a specific wedding date because you’ll know their availability based on the time of year you’re looking at. Once your date and locations are confirmed, then move on to looking for vendors who can only produce a limited number of events per day or weekend. This includes photographers, videographers, live bands, etc. Other vendors such as bakers, florists or rental companies can often do several events per day and thus, have more flexibility than some vendors who may book up fast and then close that date on their calendar. You can find lots of great, local vendors on our website and in the NOW Weddings App - be sure to download the NOW Weddings App in the App Store or Google Play Store and get your planning off to a great start!
Happy Planning!
Rena Sweeney Creative Director, NOW Weddings Magazine + Owner, Alchemy Events
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