Engaged? Here Are Your Next 5 Steps.
Congratulations! You just got engaged! While it’s tempting to dive straight into Pinterest boards and dress shopping, the smartest move is to start with a solid plan. To help you navigate the early planning stages, we have five essential steps to take right after getting engaged.
Step 1: Find a Wedding Planner
One of the smartest decisions you can make early in your wedding planning journey is hiring a wedding planner. Before diving into any research, it's crucial to find someone who aligns with both your vision and your needs. You want a planner who not only listens to you but also understands your ideas and helps bring them to life.
If hiring a full-service planner isn't within your budget, consider a month-of or day-of coordinator. Their expertise in logistics can make a significant difference in ensuring a smooth and stress-free wedding day experience.
Below you can see what eldest daughter can do for you.
Step 2: Find a Photographer
Great photographers book up quickly—sometimes a year or more in advance—so this should be one of your first bookings. Your engagement is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and you’ll want a skilled photographer to capture your wedding journey beautifully. In fact, close to 40% of brides regret the wedding photographer they selected.
When selecting a photographer, consider:
Their style: Do you prefer light and airy, moody and dramatic, or classic and timeless?
Their personality: You’ll be spending a lot of time with them, so choose someone who makes you feel comfortable and understood.
Their experience: Ensure they have a portfolio of weddings and the ability to handle different lighting and event scenarios.
Many couples also opt for an engagement shoot, which is a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera and build a rapport with your photographer.
Step 3: Decide on a Location
Before you choose a venue, you need to decide on a general location. Will your wedding take place in your hometown, a destination spot, or somewhere meaningful to you and your partner? The location affects everything from guest travel plans to vendor availability and budget considerations.
A few key questions to ask yourself:
Will most of your guests be able to travel to the location?
What is the climate and seasonality of the area?
Are there legal or logistical requirements (especially for international weddings)?
Once you finalize a location, you can start looking for venues that fit your vision.
Step 4: Decide on a Venue
Your venue sets the tone for your entire wedding and dictates many of your subsequent decisions, such as décor, catering, and guest count. Popular venues often book up more than a year in advance, so securing your date early is crucial.
When touring venues, consider:
Capacity: Can it comfortably accommodate your guest list?
Aesthetic: Does it align with your wedding vision?
Included Services: Some venues offer all-inclusive packages, while others require you to bring in outside vendors.
Accessibility: Will guests have convenient travel and accommodation options?
Restrictions: Ask about noise curfews, catering limitations, and decoration rules.
Once your venue is secured, you’ll have a confirmed wedding date—making it much easier to book the rest of your vendors.
Step 5: Decide on a Date
Once you’ve chosen the venue of your dreams, the next step is to lock in a date. Many venues have limited availability, so your wedding date will largely depend on their schedule.
Consider:
Seasonality: Do you want a spring, summer, fall, or winter wedding?
Day of the week: Saturdays are most popular, but Fridays and Sundays can offer savings.
Significance: Some couples choose a date with personal meaning.
Vendor availability: Your preferred vendors may have limited dates open.
Once your date is set, you can officially start sending out save-the-dates and solidify the rest of your planning!
Final Thoughts
The excitement of an engagement can be overwhelming, but taking these five steps early on will set a strong foundation for your wedding planning journey. Hiring a wedding planner, more particularly, eldest daughter will help you get started on the right path to a personalized experience. Additionally , securing a photographer, choosing a location, locking in a venue, and deciding on a date will ensure that the rest of your planning process flows smoothly. By tackling these essentials first, you’ll be able to enjoy the engagement phase with confidence and excitement, knowing that your big day is off to a great start!
