The
question has been asked, the ring is on your finger, you’re both over the moon
and basking in love and overwhelming happiness and I should hope that some
champagne was popped at some point too! That’s right, you’re engaged! But what
next? To save you from slipping into a wedding planning whirlwind I’ve put
together the ultimate checklist for newly engaged couples. From the fun and
exciting to the sensible and practical, this is the go to list for when you’ve
just said, “YES!”
Happy
Planning!
Joy x
1.
Tell the World!
Once
you’re over the shock and it’s sunk in that you’re getting married to your
beau, there’s no doubt that you’ll want to tell the other loved ones in your
lives’ too. Whether it’s a phone call, a surprise ‘we’re engaged’ card, a
series of intimate celebrations or a big get together to celebrate, everyone
will be overjoyed to hear your news! Be prepared to relive and tell your
engagement story more than once. When, where, how? Did you cry? Did you know?
Have you set a date…? Marriage is such a wonderful event that everyone will
want to hear all the details. Embrace this moment and don’t feel pressured into
making any decisions, this is your time. Enjoy it!
2.
The Rock
You’ll
most likely find yourself very aware of your new engagement ring. Playing with
it, checking its still there, staring at it as it twinkles in the sunlight and
the talking with your hands will be taken to whole new level! First things
first, a few practicalities... get it insured! Although it’s irreplaceable,
it’s something that makes good practical sense if the worst was ever to happen.
Also, make sure the ring fits. Brownie
points if he got your size right! Re-sizing doesn’t take a lot of time at
all and you’ll usually have your sparkler back within a week or so ready to
show off! In the meantime, why not treat yourself to a manicure or a
luxurious hand cream? Those hands will be getting a lot of attention so who can
say no to a spot of pampering?
3.
Dates for your Diary
In
the very early stages of wedding planning there’s no immediate rush to set a
date but it’s always good to have an idea of when you’d like your wedding to
be. Do you fancy a Spring, Summer or maybe a Winter wedding? Are there any
dates that are special to you both? Do you want a long or short engagement? It’s
also worth noting that weddings out of season or on a weekday can often be cheaper
than those on let’s say, a Saturday in August.
4. Money Talks
Ah,
the budget! It plays a huge part in wedding planning so it’s best to get on to
the subject of money nice and early! Initially you should think about how much
you want to spend and how much you can realistically save in the time you have
and also if any family members will be contributing. At this stage you won’t
know exactly how much your bridal bouquet or wedding dress will be and that’s
ok. If you know you only want to spend X amount then that’s the budget you’ll
work to and you can split up the budget further along the line. Always add in a
little extra as a contingency, as the day draws nearer there will be little
things you may have forgotten to account for – stamps for wedding invitations
is always one!
5. Be Inspired
Perhaps
one of the most exciting and overwhelming parts of planning a wedding is
choosing a style or theme. With so much inspiration our there it can be hard to
choose, especially if you find yourself open to a range of ideas. Before
leaping into a sea of pin boards on Pinterest, I’d recommend looking a little
closer to home, after all your wedding day should represent you as a couple. What
kind of style are you drawn to already? Have you traveled together? Do enjoy a
certain type of food? What are your favourite colours or Eras? Does your ideal
wedding venue lend itself to a certain style? Once you’ve chatted through your
initial thoughts and ideas, then resources like Pinterest and wedding blogs
will be a great place for inspiration. Don’t get hung up on your wedding not
having a precise theme, just keep a few words or colours in mind and it’ll all
come together.
6. Priorities in Check
Firstly,
let me assure you that there is no need to do everything at once! That’s a sure
fire way to end up in a wedding planning meltdown! Instead make a list of all
the elements of a wedding… Venue, catering, Photographer, Dress, Flowers,
Styling, Transport, Stationery... Then have a honest discussion about the things
that mean the most to you and start at the top. Where are you willing to invest
a little more of the budget, where might you do a spot of DIY or what might you
leave out completely? Be sure to book key suppliers early on to avoid disappoint.
Many wedding suppliers can book up a year in advance, so if that photographer
is on the top of your wish list, make that your priority.
So
there we have it, the ultimate checklist for newly engaged couples! I hope that
it has made things a little less daunting for you! If you need any help at any
stage during your wedding planning, you know where I am.
