Someone pops the question to their partner. The partner says “yes” to the proposal, and the couple celebrates.
If this sounds like you, then first, congratulates. Enjoy the moment.
Once the excitement calms down some, you and your fiancé might be wondering where to go from there. If this also sounds like you, then you’re not alone.
Saying “yes” to marrying someone is one thing, but now, you have to plan for the most significant thing in your life: marriage. Of course, if you’re looking for a spectacular wedding, then that’s nice. However, before you refer to the dreams you might’ve had as a child, it’s essential to be honest about the upcoming life change. There are many things to think about when planning a wedding.
But not to worry! We’re here to help you plan the wedding of your dream. While not everything will be as perfect as what you might’ve dreamed up back in your childhood, this guide will help you be more realistic about your big day.
While there are many things to consider, we’ve compiled 5 of the most important things to do before saying “I do”:
Table of Contents
Savor The Moment
First and foremost – enjoy the fact that you’re now engaged!
This is a special moment for you and your soon-to-be spouse! Now is the time to celebrate and be happy!
Savour the moment in any way you want. Here are some great ideas:
- Go out and eat.
- Call your friends and family about the exciting news.
- Take a selfie.
- Post your big announcement on social media.
- Go to your favorite hangout to celebrate.
Whatever makes you happy, be happy. Again, this is your moment to be pleased that you and your fiancé are getting married!
Start Gathering Memories
After the initial celebration, it’s time to think about some of the most cherished memories of your relationship with that special someone. Consider the following ways to gather such memories:
- Have some photos lying around in the garage or somewhere in your home? Be sure to gather them for your wedding scrapbook.
- Also, consider the photos on your smartphone or other device. You or someone you know can create a slideshow of you and your fiancé as part of the wedding reception.
- Remember the point to take a selfie a while ago? Go for it! That is the crucial moment that you’ll need for your wedding scrapbook and or slideshow.
- Ask friends and family to contribute any media that they have of you and your fiancé.
- Videos are great, too!
- Plus, don’t leave social media hanging! If you, your fiancé, your friends and family post about you and your sweetheart all the time, then take advantage of the photos and videos that are being posted on social media. (Yes, we mean on Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
You can also use regular images online to help you create your scrapbook and or slideshow. For example, if you and your fiancé are into video games, be sure to feature your favourite consoles, most-played video game titles, favourite gaming genre, and so on. Remember: The scrapbook and or slideshow should represent you and your sweetheart.
Set The Date And Budget
With memories and recurring themes accounted for, you and your fiancé will need to set a reasonable date and budget for the big day.
First, choosing a date will need to be discussed with your sweetheart. Now, when picking a date, you’ll need to make it broad because venues will need to know about your wedding plans a long time in advance. Whether you plan to marry several months from now or want to tie the knot ASAP, the date must work out for both you, and you’re betrothed. For example, what month was it you two had first started dating?
Next, think about how much you want to spend on your wedding. Think about the following:
- Catering
- Flower arrangements
- Wedding suits and dresses
- Custom-made wedding invites (or buying invites from the store), etc.
Also, talk to friends and family about contributing financially to the wedding.
By having a specific date and budget in mind, you’ll be tackling the most challenging parts of wedding planning.
Tackle The Guest List
Now, it’s time to see who you want to invite to your wedding.
Family comes first. Be sure to invite your parents, your siblings, etc. Also, don’t forget the in-laws.
Then, if you can, invite your friends, and that of your fiancé. It’s nice to have friends at the wedding!
Now, when tackling the guest list, it’s essential to split that list with your fiancé. In this way, you and your sweetheart can be happy with who is invited to this special event. Also, this prevents the fear of accidentally leaving someone out.
Also, consider where you want your wedding (which we will get into in the next section). This lets you know who will most likely make it to your event and who might not.
If you’re still not sure who to invite to the wedding, talk about it with your fiancé, as well as with family. Having more than one input can create a consensus on who to invite to the event.
Creating a guest list will get a good headcount on the wedding and the reception. It’ll also help you with how many invites to buy and or complete and mail out.
Now, when it comes to the invites, be sure to have the addresses of the people you want to invite. Or, if you’re going to go digital, consider great online templates like Canvas to create a special invite. Keep in mind: When going digital, be sure you have the email addresses of the people you’re inviting. Also, whether you’re going print or digital, be sure to make that “RSVP” note loud and clear.
Also of note: It’s important to accept when someone declines to attend. Don’t get discouraged when only a few people attend the wedding. Life happens. But a few people are better than no one at all. Plus, having a few people at your wedding is less demanding than having thousands of people to account for.
Booking A Great Place
With an ideal wedding date and guest list at the ready, you’ll need to find a place to have your wedding at. When picking a place, keep the following factors in mind:
- The location
- The size of your ceremony
- Any venue packages
- The theme of your wedding
- Whether you want it indoors or outdoors, etc.
Having the actual wedding is one thing, but having the wedding at a particular place is priceless. The venue you choose will shape how your wedding will go and how people will remember it. So, be sure that you and your fiancé are right in the right place to wed.
BONUS: Invest In A Good Photographer
Finally, you would want your wedding to be an essential milestone in your life. That’s why you’ll need to consider having a great photographer at your wedding. You’ll need a reputable wedding photographer that can capture the most significant moments, especially the part where you and your fiancé say, “I do!”
Now, when researching reputable photographers, be sure to look at:
- Their price points (i.e., how much they charge per hour)
- Their portfolio (i.e., their past work at weddings)
- The reviews from other clients (i.e., how well he or she did with other weddings), etc.
Also, be sure to have more than one photographer in mind. This allows you to have a backup plan if one photographer backs out at the last minute. You can also set up interviews with photographers so that you can get a good sense of how well they’ll perform should they get the job.
Finally, it’s essential to keep in touch with your chosen photographer before, during, and after your special event. When it comes to your wedding photos, transparency is critical – your cherished memories with your soon-to-be spouse.
Or, if you have a friend or family member who does photography, make sure that they learn of your expectations ahead of time to prepare for the event as well. Also, be sure to look at their portfolio before jumping onto them for wedding photos. Payment and compensation are up to you and that friend or family member.
Conclusion
So, there you have it!
Doing these five essential things (including the bonus tip) before your wedding can save you from being overwhelmed with so much stress:
- Enjoying the moment
- Gathering memories
- Setting the date and budget
- Creating a guest list
- Finding the right venue, AND
- Taking care of photography
Now, if all else fails, don’t hesitate to hire a wedding planner. Wedding planners are specialized to help you plan the wedding of your dreams while offering advice on being realistic about the event. Plus, many planners are willing to help you no matter the size and budget you have for the event.
So, congratulates, again, on your engagement! And we hope that your wedding turns out spectacular and that you and your fiancé start the new chapter of your lives with confidence!
Jenny Williams is a writer and editor at Case study writing service and Nursing assignments. As a business analyst, she helps companies improve their marketing strategies and concepts. As a content writer, she writes articles about lifestyle trends, social media trends, and innovative technologies.
