I just got engaged, now what?

First of all, congratulations!! I am soo happy for you and this new exciting chapter in your life! The first thing you’re going to want to do is create a budget. With weddings it’s soo easy to go over budget or underestimate expenses, so keep that in mind and make some wiggle room. Once you’ve got your budget set, split that budget up into categories. This part will differ for each couple depending on what vendors you want to include on your wedding day. The knot wedding website has a free wedding planning spreadsheet that you can download and use.

What vendor should you book first? Every vendor has such an important roll in bringing your big day to life. If you’re hiring a wedding coordinator then they’ll be the first vendor you’ll want to book. A wedding coordinator will help your wedding planning process go over smoothly.

Generally you’d book your venue and then your photographer, unless you want a specific photographer. I may be biased when it comes to this. It completely depends on what is most important to you on your day. Choose your photographer (don’t book them yet), then choose and book your venue based on your photographers availability. Why in this order? Your venue and your photographer go hand in hand. Your venue plays such a big part in how your wedding photos look and feel. If a videographer is also super important then you need to throw them into the mix as well.

This completely depends on location and what venue you want to book, but some are booking out years in advance. It’s becoming more common to have a longer engagement. Some couples are even booking their venue before they get engaged to get their date secured. This is something you’ll want to be aware of and look into.

Now that you’ve chosen your main vendors and your date set, book your DJ (or live band). When I booked my wedding venue the venue manager told me a DJ was the next thing I needed to book. It’s important to have a DJ that has a good sound system for the venue you chose, plus they’re the ones running the whole show making sure everyone is having a good time.

Once you’ve got your DJ booked, you’ll want to hire a catering company. You’ll want to have some delicious food to fill up on after a long day. Some wedding venues will offer a chef in house, so that may be an option for you too depending on the venue you go through.

The rest of the planning from here on out completely depends on what you want to include on your wedding day. There are so many services out there from decor and floral services/rentals, photo booths, food/beverage trucks, party buses and limos, hair, makeup, my list could go on and on. If you have any questions about wedding planning feel free to reach out, i’d love to help.