Just Engaged! What next……….

The Wedding Planning To-Dos

Once the initial shock of being engaged wears off, you'll need to make a lot of decisions. Here are the 10 most important things you need to do to really kick off your wedding planning.

Tell the parents!

Traditional engagement etiquette recommends that the bride’s parents be the first to be informed of their daughter’s engagement. Tell them in person! If they live too far away, a phone call is the next-best option. Are your parents divorced? You can talk to Mom and Dad separately, but do try to tell the second parent soon after the first, to avoid bad feelings.

Picking a Date

The minute you get engaged, everyone will be asking for your wedding date. But in reality, you won't be able to set an exact date until other major decisions have been made. So first, have the necessary meetings and focus on determining a range of dates that will work for you. While you don't have to set a firm date now, it's smart to at least have an idea of what month or season you want to marry in. That'll give you a sense of how long you have to get things organized.

 A typical engagement lasts anywhere from six months to a year and a half or more, but also think about what season you'd prefer, any major holidays or family events you'd like to avoid conflicting with, and how long you predict you'll need to plan.

Daydream and Venue booking

Once engaged, look at the big picture and imagine what kind of style and vibe you want to set for your wedding and where would you want it to hold. Close your eyes and dream (fantasize). What do you see? Is it a fairytale princess in a glamorous hall? Or maybe it's in your favorite garden. While you're picturing your perfect wedding, some things you would have to consider are, do you want a: Modern, vintage, classy, romantic or all-out glamorous setting? Fancy, casual or somewhere in between? Do you want it Big (everyone you know) or small (just close friends and family)? An indoor or outdoor event? Home or away (a destination wedding)? To help you get a better idea of what you want (and what you don't want), spend some time gathering inspiration. Check out magazines, books and real wedding photos online, but don't limit yourself to the obvious sources. Look around, go to weddings, a scene from a favorite show/movie or a family album can spark ideas.

Set Your Budget

It's rare these days that the bride's parents pick up the whole bill, so decide now on your bottom line. List all the items and details needed for the wedding and sit down with your families and figure out who’s paying for what. This will affect every decision and help give you the clarity so as to work out your budget before you start planning. It can be an uncomfortable conversation, but it's better to get it out of the way now.

Draft a Guest List

As you begin to build your guest list, you'll need to consider a number of factors. If you have a particular ceremony or reception site in mind, for instance, you're going to be limited by how many people it can accommodate (you can't squeeze 500 people into a 300 capacity). If Mom and Dad won't budge about inviting lots of friends and family, you'll have to allow them, especially if they're footing a major part of the bill. Not forgetting that more guests means higher prices, as catering costs are generally calculated on a per-head basis. So do you really have to invite people who are not your friends or that you haven’t seen in donkey years? So, in addition to location, your budget will have a big influence on the size of your guest list.

Choose Your Wedding Party

Now it's your turn to propose to your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Remember, the earlier you ask, the sooner you can enlist their help. And keep in mind that your wedding party is agreeing to spend their hard-earned money and donate their precious time to you, so be considerate and kind by informing everyone about all your plans, let them have a good time and making sure they know how much you appreciate them by telling them and getting them gifts.

Book a Venue once you’ve set your Date.

The most important thing to do after the date has been picked is to book your venue. Ensure that it has all the facilities you would need for your event. Go through the venue contract and ask questions where you need clarity .Most of your vendors would need the venue details so as to give you their prices. So look around and pick the venue that suits your kind of event and book early. By signing your venue contract, you will officially have your wedding date.

Hire Priority Vendors

If you just can't imagine getting married without a particular planner, makeup artist or a photographer whose work you love, act fast. Many top wedding planners, makeup artists, decorators, MC’s, photographers and other in-demand vendors are hired more than six months in advance, and once they're booked, they're gone. So figure out what your highest wedding priorities are, whatever they are book the vendors whose work you love. Most especially the wedding planner, as they simply take the stress and fears off you.

Shop Dresses!

Begin your search by browsing dress photos online,save pictures of your favorites cos you'll want to take them with you to your appointments. Read up on all the different types of gowns and body types and figure out what would flatter your body type. Don’t get a mermaid dress, just because it looked lovely on your friend. Find out what your body type is and get the best dress that best suits you with the help of a bridal consultant.

Spend time with each other.

Despite your personal busy schedules with work and planning, try and spend time together enjoying each other’s company. Your love for each other, which is the reason for wanting to get married should not be forgotten. Go on dates, watch movies, spoil each other……