Here’s some help with How to Plan Your Wedding After Getting Engaged: A Step-by-Step Guide.
Getting engaged is an incredibly exciting time in your life—you're starting a new chapter with your partner, and it’s natural to feel elated about what's to come. But once the excitement settles in, you might find yourself wondering, “Now what?” The thought of planning a wedding can feel overwhelming, but with some preparation and organisation, the process can be just as fun as the engagement itself. Here's how to plan your wedding, starting from the moment you say “Yes!”
1. Enjoy the Moment
Before diving into wedding planning, take a moment to soak in the excitement of your engagement. Share the news with family and friends, and celebrate with your partner. Planning your wedding can take several months (or even a year), so don’t rush into it. Enjoy the engagement phase without feeling pressure to start planning immediately.
2. Set a Date
Once you’re ready to start planning, the first thing you’ll need to do is decide on a wedding date. Your venue options might help narrow this down, as certain locations may have specific availability. Consider the time of year that suits both your schedules, family availability, and budget. A winter wedding might be more affordable, while summer weddings are more popular but can come with a higher cost due to demand.
3. Create a Budget
Creating a budget is one of the most important—and potentially stressful—parts of wedding planning. However, it’s also one of the most important steps in ensuring your wedding goes off without a financial hitch. Sit down with your partner and discuss how much you are willing to spend, keeping in mind that the average cost of a wedding can vary based on location, size, and style.
A good rule of thumb is to divide your budget into categories like:
• Venue
• Catering
• Photography and videography
• Flowers and decor
• Entertainment
• Attire (for both you and your partner)
• Wedding planner (if applicable)
• Miscellaneous expenses (invitations, favors, etc.)
Having a clear budget early on can help you prioritize what's most important to you, so you can allocate funds accordingly and have time to save.
4. Choose Your Wedding Style
Before you start booking vendors, it’s important to define your wedding style. Are you dreaming of a classic, elegant affair or something more casual and relaxed? Do you want a destination wedding, a garden setting or a town hall? Having a clear vision of what your wedding day will look like will guide your decisions throughout the planning process and help you communicate your ideas to suppliers.
Look for inspiration on Pinterest, instagram, wedding blogs, and in magazines. Once you have a general idea of the style, this will help you when selecting venues, flowers, decor, and even your dress.
5. Book Your Venue
Your venue is often the largest portion of your budget, so it's important to choose one that aligns with your vision and fits your budget. Popular venues often book up well in advance, so as soon as you have a date and budget, start looking for venues that are available. Visit multiple venues to get a feel for the space, and ask questions about what's included (e.g., chairs, tables, linens, etc.).
Don’t forget to also think about the logistics—parking, accessibility, and the convenience of the location for your guests.
6. Hire Key Vendors Early
The major wedding vendors (photographer, videographer, caterer, florist, and entertainment,
mua) often get booked months or even a year in advance, especially during peak wedding season. As soon as you have your venue secured, start researching and booking these vendors. Look for professionals who understand your vision and offer services within your budget. Be sure to check reviews and social media platforms.
7. Plan Your Guest List
The guest list is another important aspect of wedding planning. It impacts your budget, venue size, and many other aspects of the wedding. Sit down with your partner and both families to determine the size of your guest list. Don’t be afraid to set boundaries—weddings can get expensive, and keeping the guest list intimate can save you money in the long run.
8. Choose Your Bridal look
Finding the perfect wedding dress or bridal separates is a highlight of the planning process, but it can take time. Start shopping for your look well in advance, we usually recommend a year before. Do your research, when you book a bridal boutique, know their style and what’s on the rails. Make sure it aligns with your style and it’s not a wasted trip for you. Research is key, email and ask questions, ideally you want to visit a maximum 3 shops to stop yourself becoming confused and overwhelmed. If you’ve done your research they will have styles you love and want to try on. Find your dress somewhere you feel comfortable and well looked after, it’s a journey and If you’re visiting the boutique many times you want to feel safe and happy going there.
Good luck and enjoy every moment, you only get to do this once and the day itself goes so quickly so enjoy the process! Do not get side tracked and remember why you’re doing this, the small details that end up becoming expensive do not matter in the end!
All that matters is a room full of the people you love and spend your time with, if you’re happy so will they be.
Love Cara xx
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