You're Engaged Now What?

I always find myself responding to viewers with what to focus on first. I thought it would be a great idea to share my thoughts on the subject! While getting engaged can be exciting it can also become very stressful if you do not have a "plan" while you are planning. There are a few important steps to take while planning your special day. The primary portions that need to be addressed are your budget, guest count, the date and location. Destination weddings are becoming more popular these days and it may be that your wedding is the destination for many. Giving your guests ample time to plan would be quite thoughtful and practical! The more flexible you are with dates and location, the likelihood of your finding something affordable and perfect for your special day will become apparent. If you decide to have your ceremony at a place of worship, park or sentimental location you may need to be flexible to ensure you have both the wedding and reception locations open on the same date. Some brides may find having both at the same location to be less stressful and financially in line depending on your budget. Speaking of budget, this is the largest most important part that determines what type of wedding you can have. While some would love to invite all family, every acquaintance and friend, the budget and location may not allow this. That is why it's crucial to make a preliminary list of guests prior to your visits. There is nothing worse than falling in love with a venue that only houses 160 and your guest list is at 200. Having to cut important people out after you have tempted your fancies with a venue can be both frustrating and not productive. This is the one area most people forget to focus on. The stress from this alone can cause you to run to the Justice of The Peace! Once you have completed this portion of the planning, you can then begin to choose the vendors that complete the affair such as photography, video, entertainment and floral. Remember not to put the horse before the cart! You can't give any information to any vendor unless you have your date or location. Work with the larger budget items at hand. The other items always fall into place shortly after! Most importantly, remember no matter what happens during your planning, everything always works out on the day of . Just remember to keep your focus on the biggest prize, your partner! Happy Planning! Sam