It’s that time of year… holiday engagement season is upon us! So many sparkling ring fingers and fresh manicures gracing Facebook and Instagram this week. Congratulations to the brides and grooms-to-be! Now the adventure of planning your perfect wedding begins.
Celebrate! Share the news of your engagement with family and friends. This is a fun and exciting time for you. Show off the bling! But be prepared for the questions that come just after the squeals of delight. Here are a few things you and your fiance should consider before leaping headfirst into the details.
Just Said Yes Wedding Planning Checklist
- Share your exciting news! Be sure to pick up the phone or tell your VIPs in person before updating your Facebook status, though. Grandma deserves to be in the know before your manicurist (although she’ll probably be among the first to check out your new bling!)
- Have your new sparkler sized and insured. Wouldn’t want that baby to slip off while you’re showing it off!
- Splurge on a manicure. Make sure those nails are pretty for the Instagram ring shot.
- Spend some time talking about your dream wedding. What have you envisioned? An intimate beach ceremony or an elegant cathedral? Rustic barn reception or fabulous ballroom with a view? Toss around some ideas and be open to what your partner has in mind.
- “When’s the big day?” This is probably the first question you’ll be asked and asked a lot. Don’t feel pressured to pick a date immediately. In fact, some flexibility makes finding a venue much easier. But do talk about a season and a year. Keep in mind busy times for both of you at work, school, family commitments, planned vacations. Ask any close engaged friends or family what dates they are considering and sta
y away from those.
- Think about a preliminary guest list. Big wedding or small? The number of guests you decide to invite will play a big role in your venue selection.
- Talk about a budget. This can be tricky, especially if you’ve never planned a catered event and have no idea what to expect. If you and your fiance are footing the bill, make sure you’re on the same page. If your parents will be helping out, include them in the budget conversation.
- Decide whether you’d like to hire a professional planner or handle it yourself. If you are not a detail-oriented organizer, you may feel more comfortable hiring a pro to help you select the best event team to create your wedding day vision within your budget.
- Let the adventure of wedding planning begin! Visit the top wedding websites for inspiration – our favorites are WeddingWire.com, HereComesTheGuide.com and TheKnot.com. Hit the top local wedding shows and expos. In the Baltimore area: Maryland Wedding Expo at Timonium and Baltimore Wedding Experience.