Congrats! If you’re reading this you’re probably recently engaged to the love of your life and we couldn’t be happier for you. We’ve made this 11 step guide, to make your engagement a little easier on you. Below are some steps and guidelines to help you plan for your perfect wedding.
Step 1: Tell your Family & Friends
First thing you should do after you say “Yes!” should be your family and friends! Post on Facebook or Instagram, tell your coworkers, and spread the love and joy that you have in your life!
Step 2: Get Inspiration
You’re newly engaged and excited! Of course, you want to start getting ideas and planning your wedding. First things first is to talk about it with your fiancé! Talk about the things you want and the things you don’t want to avoid miscommunication between you and your partner. Check out Pinterest boards and Wedding Websites such as The Knot to find your wedding inspiration!
Step 3: Creating a Budget
Money Matters! One of the most important aspects of planning your wedding is setting up a budget. Talk with your fiancé about where you should stand with money and your wedding. Creating a budget helps with picking your vendors, venue, your guest list and more!
Step 4: Take Engagement Photos!!
Taking engagement photos is definitely one of our favorite steps in your engagement process! Engagement photos are a great for save the dates and continuing to share the news of your engagement. They are also great for a practice run in front of the camera. It can be a little nerve-wracking when you are being professionally photographed so, engagement sessions area great way to get comfortable with your photographer. This means that when your wedding day comes along, getting your pictures taken will be a breeze!
Step 5: Pick your Wedding Party
This is always a fun step in the engagement process. Picking your close friends and family to be in your wedding party is heartwarming and exciting! Some bride’s do something special when inviting your loved ones to be bridesmaids and others keep it simple. No matter what you chose to do it’s always a loving and special process of your engagement
Step 6: Create your Guest List
This can be a tedious step but also a very important step. Creating a guest list should be based on the budget you had set. Your guest list should be done before meeting with your venue and caterer since it will be used to determine what you can afford and what options will work best for you.
Step 7: Find your Venue and Pick your Date
Finding your venue and picking your date are extremely exciting steps in your engagement process. Make sure to take pictures of the venues you tour and make sure it will accommodate your guest lists and your budget. If you’re looking to stay within Loudoun County, Virginia, we have a blog of our favorite wedding venues in Loudoun County here.
Step 8: Find your Vendors
Finding your vendors is an important step for your future wedding. There’s a lot to remember when picking your vendors, such as picking a florist, a caterer, a wedding planner and more.
Step 9: Find your Wedding Dress
Picking your wedding dress is a very important step in your engagement process. It’s also a very time sensitive part of the process too. Since most wedding dresses are custom-made, it takes anywhere from 9-12 months to get your gown, so it is best to shop early!
Step 10: Keep a Checklist
The best way to stay organized during the end of your engagement is to keep a checklist. There’s a bunch of details still left to do such as touching bases with your vendors, going cake testing, purchasing wedding rings, sending out invitations, getting your marriage license, and even writing your vows!
Step 11: Get Married
Your special day is finally here! It’s time to say your vows and tie the knot. All the wedding planning has finally paid off and you’ve married your husband or wife. Now all that’s left to do is make it through the ceremony and party at the reception. Good luck!
