 Loveleigh Co. Photography Engagement season is upon us! If you’re recently engaged, congratulations! As much as engagement season can get a bad rap for being stressful, it’s also a really fun and exciting time! We’re believers that not only is engagement fun, but wedding planning can be, too! It doesn’t have to be as crazy as it sounds, which is why we’re sharing our first wedding planning steps you should take after getting engaged to keep you both organized and excited. Budget This probably isn’t the first thing you want to do after getting engaged, but trust us, there are few things more important than getting your budget figured out early. Creating a realistic budget (and sticking with it!) will save you so much stress in the long run. You don’t have to follow it exactly, so give some room for flexibility. You may save some money in some areas while other things might cost a little more than you expected. But knowing the maximum amount you’re willing (and able) to spend on your wedding, as well as what areas are most important to you, is key. Planning Tip: Make sure to do your research beforehand. Knowing the average cost of venues, photographers, and other vendors before booking can save you a headache. Wedding Wire has a great tool to see how much weddings cost in your area. Get Organized Budgeting well isn’t the only thing that can keep your stress levels low during wedding planning. Creating a system to stay organized is also essential. It’s helpful to discuss people’s roles, when things need to be done, and how to keep track of expenses. There are plenty of helpful tools out there to help you stay organized, from planning timelines to functional mood boards. Here are a few of our favorites: Allot Specific Wedding Planning Time This is different than those date nights that somehow turn into a wedding planning session. You and your significant other (and/or anyone else involved in the planning process) should set aside allotted time to work on wedding planning. This could be as simple as setting aside every other Saturday afternoon or allotting 30 minutes a few nights each week. Whatever you settle on, having specific times to plan your big day not only helps you stay on top of things, but it also frees you up to still live your lives and enjoy your engagement season.  Loveleigh Co. Photography Think About Your Wedding Style While technically not necessary, having an idea of how you want your wedding to look and feel will help you make decisions along the way. Knowing your wedding style can feed into which venue or florist you go with, what type of photography style you like, and can even help with making decisions about catering and vendors like DJ and bartenders. Did You Know? We have a Pinterest page! Follow along to get a feel for what your wedding could look like, and get inspired with altar decorations, tablescape ideas, and more! Schedule Your First Dress Appointment The dress! There are few more things exciting than picking out your dress. We recommend scheduling your first appointment early for a couple of reasons. First, if you have a specific taste, it might take a while to settle on ‘the one.’ Second, alterations are known to take some time, so securing an early appointment gives you more time to fit in your appointments and make sure the dress fits exactly how you want. Finally, why not introduce something exciting at the start of the wedding planning process? Don’t know of any bridal shops in your area? Check out these metro-Atlanta shops:  Loveleigh Co. Photography Start Looking at Venues One of the biggest to-do items early on is finding a venue. The venue you choose affects many other planning decisions such as catering, florist, style of decor, budgeting, and more. When you begin touring venues, we recommend having a basic idea of what you want. For example, how far are you willing to travel? Do you want an all-inclusive venue or a more DIY option? Aren’t sure what you should be looking for in a venue? Ask these 30 questions to know if a venue is the right fit for you. Interested in touring Four Oaks? Reach out to schedule a tour of our venue! Once you’ve booked a venue, you’ve gotten the wedding planning ball officially rolling. Congratulations! You’re well on your way to standing at the altar and saying, “I do.” Just engaged and looking for help planning your wedding? Check out our blog’s Wedding Planning Tips section for advice, practical tools, and more!
2 Comments
It got me when you said that we can make easy decisions if we already have a style in mind, especially when we are going to look for event catering services. With that in mind, I should share with my partner the idea that I have for my dream wedding and ask him about it as well. Then we can both brainstorm on how to have a theme that we can both agree on so that we can start looking for an event catering company who can deliver that for us. Congratulations on your engagement! This is such an exciting time in your life, and taking the first steps is crucial for a smooth wedding planning journey. Start by setting a budget, as it will guide your decisions throughout the process. Next, create a preliminary guest list to get a sense of the scale of your celebration. Once you've established these basics, begin researching venues and vendors that match your vision. Remember, it's essential to savor each moment and enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Leave a Reply. |
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