Oh my gosh, CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am so excited for you and your partner on your engagement - What a special feeling, right?
You’re opening up that next chapter of your life, what a surreal feeling. So many things to do and to plan. Pinterest boards, bridal magazines, dress shopping, venue hunting - it can quite quickly feel overwhelming.
That’s why I’m here, popping up on your mobile (or laptop), to have a little chat about what has helped my couples get prepared for their special day. So grab yourself a cuppa, get cosy on the sofa with a nice blanket, and let’s have a look at a few ideas of ‘what’s next’.
1 - Post ‘that’ selfie
A picture speaks a thousand words - never a truer statement!
Once you’ve shared the news with those closest to you, there is nothing wrong with shouting your news from the rooftops! And what better way to do this, than by sharing your engagement picture, or a picture of your ring. Because I promise your comments will be full of people begging to see one if you don’t.
2 - Choose your venue
Ok, ok, I know you’ve only just got engaged, but hear me out. Scouting out a venue should be a top priority. The venue will play such a huge role in your day. From providing inspiration on how to theme your day, to how many people can legally fit into the room your choose. It will also play a part when it comes to setting your budget. As a rule of thumb, my couples generally book their venue first and then everything else follows. Unless you already have your heart set on a venue, I’d suggest booking venue viewings ASAP so you can begin to get a feel of if you’d prefer a barn conversion over a country house or a hotel over a warehouse. There are so many unique venues out there for you to choose from.
3 - Select your wedding party
So I know I’ve told you to get viewing venues ASAP, but don’t feel the pressure of having to do everything immediately, take all the time that you need. A slower-paced task to ease you into things is starting to think about those you want to include in your wedding party. It is usually your friends or relatives that will be walking by your side up the aisle, and helping you get ready. I’m sure you already have a good idea of who you’d like to ask. During this time, why not have a look at a special little keepsake to share with them when you ask? Etsy is a fantastic source for all kinds of personalised keepsakes.
3 - Get Inspired
I can’t be alone in my love for a good Pinterest board - I have them for EVERYTHING! And my wedding board is no exception (Yes, I’m already married - don’t judge). There are so many options out there, that having a clearer vision will help massively when you start to approach suppliers. My clients also love browsing bridal magazines for inspiration, reading blogs, or even searching hashtags on Instagram.
4 - Set your budget and your date
So now you’ve found your perfect venue and know how much it’s going to cost. Next steps I’d recommend sitting down together and setting a realistic budget. It’s only natural wanting the best of the best of everything - but is paying off the debt incurred for the next 10+ years worth it?
It is worth bearing in mind that costs can vary considerably depending on the time of year that you choose for your special day, so if budget plays a big role, consider an ‘out of season’ date for your special day - there’s no rule book that says you must get married during the spring/summer months.
5 - Book your suppliers
It is SO easy to think that you have all the time in the world, and that might be the case if you’ve set a date quite far in the future. But realistically, venues and photographers are often booked up a year in advance.
I hate turning clients away - If I could photograph all of your wedding days, I truly would! But I can only be in one place at a time so it’s super important that you reach out and book a no-obligation call with me, as soon as you have your date set.
Lastly, enjoy and embrace every second!