10-12 Months Before the Big Day!
You got engaged for the New Year and you've had a couple of weeks to relish in the occasion. Now what do you do? It doesn't matter if you've known each other for three years or three months, getting engaged is one of the most exciting and busiest times of your life. The first step is to share the news with family and friends. Once the news is out that you're going to get married, parties and lots of decision-making will follow. Understand that the way you and your fiance' negotiate with each other and with your families to plan your celebration, honeymoon and new home now is the best "dress rehearsal" you have for marriage.
Now the planning process begins. Your families begin voicing their opinions, your friends begin giving advice, and the workload at work didn't disappear just because you got engaged. This is where you begin to get overwhelmed. Don't panic, I'm going to walk you through the 12-Month Wedding Planning Checklist as if I were your wedding planner. Take a deep breath and follow my plan. Of course this is going be a 12 month process so you won't get all the information in one blog post. Stay tuned each month for the next step. In the meantime, let's get started with what you should be doing for January and February. Also, remember you can ask questions as we go along by filling out the Formspring form on the sidebar. I'll respond within 24 hours.
Remember, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me at (310) 487-9698 or submit your question(s) on the Formspring form on the sidebar. A response will be provided within 24 hours. If you'd like to know when a new post has been posted, you can subscribe by entering your email address above.
Now the planning process begins. Your families begin voicing their opinions, your friends begin giving advice, and the workload at work didn't disappear just because you got engaged. This is where you begin to get overwhelmed. Don't panic, I'm going to walk you through the 12-Month Wedding Planning Checklist as if I were your wedding planner. Take a deep breath and follow my plan. Of course this is going be a 12 month process so you won't get all the information in one blog post. Stay tuned each month for the next step. In the meantime, let's get started with what you should be doing for January and February. Also, remember you can ask questions as we go along by filling out the Formspring form on the sidebar. I'll respond within 24 hours.
- Introduce both families to share the good news. (The way this is done is based on relationships)
- Publish the news. (After you've told relatives and friends about your engagement, you can choose to announce your engagement in local newspapers, magazines and newsletters)
- Discuss who's paying for what and then set a budget amount. (The wedding planner can help with putting together a budget as well as help manage it)
- Create a guest list. (This can be managed the wedding planner)
- Choose your wedding party. (I suggest people that have played a meaningful role in your life. Don't feel guilty or obligated to choose people that you're not really close to, but they feel that you are)
- Create a website to share your engagement and provide information about the wedding.
- Consider whitening your teeth for engagement parties and photographs.
- Hire a wedding planner. (Trust me, this is the beginning of the planning process, you're going to need one. Call me at (310) 487-9698 for details)
- Decide if you want premarital counseling.
- Start looking at photos of wedding dress for inspiration.
- Begin thinking about where you'd like to go on your honeymoon. (This is a project you can give to your fiance' so he feels involved.)
- Begin researching venues for the reception and ceremony, if they'll be in different locations. (Sit down with your fiance' and make a list of priorities. When weighing locations, first consider the number of guest, activities (dancing, eating---buffet, finger food, or a seated meal?), budget limitations, and a proximity to your home or honeymoon site)
- Create a Save-The-Date guest list. (This can be managed by the wedding planner)
Remember, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me at (310) 487-9698 or submit your question(s) on the Formspring form on the sidebar. A response will be provided within 24 hours. If you'd like to know when a new post has been posted, you can subscribe by entering your email address above.
Beverly Harris Weddings & Events
(310) 487-9698
