The First 10 To-Do’s On the Way to “I Do”

THE FIRST 10 To-Dos on the way to “I Do”

by Nicole Conoyer

All images by Rhonda Favor Studios

SHARE THE NEWS WITH YOUR INNER CIRCLE (AND THEN EVERYONE ELSE).

You just said yes and you’re bursting at the seams to tell everyone the happy news! Before you grab your phone, take a beat to enjoy the moment together. When you’re ready to share, start with your closest family and friends. Once your inner circle knows, you can shout it from the rooftops on the socials. When it’s time for the big announcement, have fun with your pics, videos and captions.

POLISH UP YOUR RING AND ALL THE DETAILS THAT GO WITH IT.

You have some gorgeous new hardware to show off, so there’s never been a better moment for a mani. After pampering yourself and enjoying the day, make sure to get your ring sized at the jeweler. Having the perfect fit makes it more comfortable to wear and that much more secure, especially during winter glove season. On that note: Don’t wait too long to get your ring insured!

START THINKING ABOUT YOUR OVERALL BUDGET TOGETHER.

Having a budget in mind will make the rest of the planning process silky smooth. Why? It affects nearly every detail. Maybe you want to invite 500 people, but that could mean cutting corners on things like décor and table dressings. Maybe you and your other half are major foodies. That may mean hosting a smaller affair with a world-class meal. Make sure you two are aligned on what’s important and how much you want to spend. Some couples even open special savings accounts for the occasion.

DRAFT YOUR GUEST LIST (DON’T WORRY, THIS CAN BE REFINED AS YOU GO).

Once you’ve had the money talk and laid out your priorities, it’s time to put pen to paper. For every guest you add, consider things like cost per plate, seating, favors and more. If your parents helping financially, it’s a good idea to set expectations on how many, if any, of their friends and colleagues will be included in your final count. You can always add additional people if space and budget allow, but keep in mind that typically only about 80% of your invitees will be able to come.

TRANSITION FROM DAYDREAMING TO SOME SERIOUS VENUE RESEARCH.

Depending on what’s most important to you, this step could come before the guest list phase, especially if you fall in love

with a venue that has limited capacity. We recommend starting broad (country, state, city) and then narrowing in on the right atmosphere for your celebration. As you go on site visits, keep a spreadsheet and consider things like weather contingency and accessibility for your guests. When you find the perfect venue, availability can help you nail down the season and date.

CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE SEASON AND PICK YOUR DAY.

Maybe you have a long engagement ahead and the world is your oyster. Think about what flowers and color palettes you’re drawn to. Consider your favorite venues so far and how each of them might change throughout the seasons. A stunning terrace won’t be a popular spot in extreme summer heat and a quaint courtyard can’t be the site of your ceremony in a winter storm. Make sure your reasons for loving each venue hold up in your favorite time of year.

PICK YOUR BRIDAL PARTY AND POP THE QUESTION.

Give yourself some time to think about who you want to include in your bridal party. Choose people that will add enjoyment, and not more stress, to the whole experience. Set expectations early on and talk about how many people you want to include on both sides. Space at the venues and transportation implications may come into play, too. Once your decisions are made, have fun popping the question to your friends! This will bring you all closer together and make your big day even more memorable.

THROW AN ENGAGEMENT PARTY.

Put a pause on wedding planning and throw a party to celebrate “I do”. You can keep it small and intimate or extra over the top. Whatever you choose, go ahead and think of it as practice. You two will get to make decisions together and join as a united front before jumping into full-on planning mode. It’ll also help you slow down, party it up and enjoy your engagement before nailing down all the wedding details.

9. MAKE A PLANNING PLAN (YEP, STAY WITH US)!

Planning takes time, so it’s a good idea to get avoid becoming overwhelmed by designating blocks of time to get things done. Once the bigger things are taken care of, start with a list of tasks. This will help you get a feel for everything that needs to be done and when. Setting realistic, manageable milestones for yourself will help you enjoy the process. Don’t be afraid to take breaks from planning and delegate when you need to.

10. CHOOSE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER.

Why now? So you can bring them in for your engagement party and start planning your engagement shoot, of course! Give yourself plenty of time to read reviews and look at portfolios. Schedule meetings with the photographers you’re most excited about. Talk to them about what you’re looking for, which moments you want to capture, and how they can help you shape the aesthetic you’ve been dreaming about.

Let the fun begin!